Bill Corbett

Some of my readers may be bothered by the fact that I refer to this as the DCF exercise, while others might consider it a gimmick. But I did it with my kids and it worked! Children don’t immediately understand the importance of cooperation, and they may need a little instruction and then coaching on how to participate effectively. This is especially true if you’ve given in to your children more than you should have, and you know it.  Some parents may not need to go this far, but it’s an option for those who wish their kids were more cooperative. Additionally, it can be a fun game that brings your family closer together. At the very least, it’s just another tool for their toolbox. Feel free to leave your comments on whether you support this or not. I value your opinions, so please feel free to share your thoughts. Have you ever experienced a situation where you did something amazing for your children, such as taking them to Disney, buying them a game system, or hosting a party at yo...

We lost our middle daughter for a few minutes at an overly packed amusement park when she was 8 years old. Through the shoulder-to-shoulder audience in front of a magic show, I could hear her calling out, "Daddy!!!" as I visually searched the crowd for my little red head. I'll never forget the gut-punch feeling I had, worrying that someone might snatch her and I'd never see her again.  That horrible moment probably lasted just minutes but it felt like forever! Thinking about that moment still causes me to tear up and moves me to be so thankful I found her, and to hug her so tight now when I see her as a grown woman and a mom herself. The memory of the pain also helped me over the years remain calm in moments when her behavior was driving me crazy as a little girl, and then as a teenager.   But relating this incident and what I felt as a Dad in no way overshadows what happened in Texas recently at Camp Mystic. When I read this one article , it brought back those feelin...

When a young child captures a specimen of nature in the backyard, one parent might tell them they can keep it in a jar, while the other tells them to take it out of the house and let it go. Instead, make this a learning opportunity for the child and a chance to demonstrate respect for nature. It's also a good time to reinforce time away from the screen and experiencing the world around them. Allow them to keep the creature for a brief time and study it. Take some digital pictures of it and allow the children to decide which ones are their favorites to keep. Use an online application with your child to research information on the critter, what it eats, and the most favorable conditions for its habitat.   When it's time to let it go, allow the children to decide where they’ll release it. You could use it as an excuse to visit your local state park to let it go there and look for other forms of nature. You might be fortunate to have butterfly garden close enough for you and the c...