More and more kids these days are diagnosed ADD, ADHD, or Bipolar. There are biological reasons for this, and there are environmental elements which can soothe or aggravate the symptoms. It becomes increasingly easy to “react” to each mood swing rather than to develop a plan for different positions on the pendulum swing. Yet, preplanning is the best chance at teaching our children coping skills that will serve them throughout life. A child will learn better during a manic or hyper state—if the parent is able to stay strong and kick into a preplanned directed goal.

Some of the most creative, successful people in the world’s history are bipolar. (one small list of such people can be found at: Kids: Channeling Mania Towards Productivity Recipe

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What You Can Learn About Life From Your Children

by Marie Magdala Roker

You can learn a lot from children.The best part of all is the advice is priceless.

Walls looked so much better when they are decorated with artwork. Markers and crayons work best.

The living room is so much better for running around and making noise than your own bedroom. A couch is the best trampoline.

Money may not grow on trees, but it sure is always in your parents' pockets.

Real life, including your love life begins in kindergarten.

Parents are confusing. They tell you not to speak to strangers, then when you meet a stranger, they tell you to say hello.

Saying, "You look like Patrick from SpongeBob Squarepants is really a compliment.

No matter how many times you watch the same TV show, listen to the sa What You Can Learn About Life From Your Children Recipe

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Do You Have A Vision?

by Craig Binkley

Here’s one of the most important questions you’ll ever be asked (that is, If you’re a dad, or you ever plan to be): Do you have a vision for your family?

Now I know the answer for many of you will be a resounding, “Yes!”. I think at some point all of us most likely plan, in some way, for our family’s future.

What I am asking, however, is this: “Do you have a MULTI-GENERATIONAL vision for your family?”

Now that throws a different light on the question, huh?

Allow me to define what I mean by “multi-generational”. The first part of the word is “multi”, which is derived from “multiple”, meaning to consist of more than one part. Next we have the word “generational”. This is a form of the word “generation”, which is the relationship Do You Have A Vision? Recipe

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Grandpa's Knife

by Gary E. Anderson

From the book Spider’s Big Catch Gary Anderson www.abciowa.com

Sometimes, when I’m stressed or feel the need to refocus, I find myself thinking about my grandpa’s knife. There are people in the world who drink or take pills in an attempt to manage stress, and some folks handle their rosary beads.

My grandpa whittled.

My brothers and I could always tell when there was something weighing on Grandpa’s mind. He’d pick up several short sticks, sit on the porch swing, and begin to whittle. We could judge the size of the problem he was grappling with by the size of the pile of shavings at the old man’s feet.

As far as I knew, he never whittled anything useful. That was never h Grandpa's Knife Recipe

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