How Did You Get To Where You Are?

How did you get to where you are? In my last blog, I raised the question, “where are you?” Hopefully, you’ve given some serious thought to what it is that is causing some real discomfort and pain in your relationships or other areas of your life. You know that getting that problem resolved would make life much more pleasant and easier for you. You may think you know the problem, but where do you start to fix it? This could come as a surprise to you, but what you think […]

Where Are You?

Where are you? This is the first important life-question you must think deeply about and understand if you are to make the changes necessary to get you to a better place in life. In order to plan a new course, to change direction, you must deal with the reality of the here and now. Thus, the first question. Where are you?  Let me explain what I mean by this question. So far as I know, the first recorded instance of this question was God’s question to Adam in the Garden […]

Risk vs. Reward

About twenty years ago Cecelia and I were blessed with Anna Katherine (A.K.), the first of our four grandchildren. Wanting to do something for her and others who might follow to enjoy, I built a sturdy structure for a swing close to the creek that runs through our property. What a great idea and what a wonderful return on the time and money I spent to construct the swing!  That swing has witnessed lots of laughs and screams as A.K. and the three grandsons have enjoyed it through the years. […]

Is It Time For A Change?

Is it time for a change? The tumultuous 2022 ended about six weeks ago, and many things seem to have gotten worse in our country and in many places around the world. Perhaps you, like many folks, made goals about changing some things this year. Where are you with that? Maybe it’s some important relationship, your job, or other aspects of life you want to change, and see 2023 as an opportunity to reset, to start over. You hope these changes and adjustments that will make your life more enjoyable […]

Working Yourself Out of a Job

Parenting is a job. It requires a lot from you. You must show up to work, be consistent in the way you  provide physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual guidance. Your job is to provide an environment in which your child feels loved, safe, and encouraged to become all God created him/her to be. The  job of parenting is an honor to have, scary in the scope of responsibility, and growth-producing to any parent that gives a good effort at it. But, parenting is not a lifetime job. It is not […]

Communicating Is a Big Deal

Communicating well with your child is a big deal. It is a major tool to help you succeed as a parent. We often think about how important good communication is in professional relationships, in the everyday functions that make life workable, and in maintaining and developing a good marriage and friendships. But, do we really consider how important it is to communicate well with our child? Good communication takes focus and work. The ability to communicate your intentions or wishes and to be understood is a difficult task. Do you […]

Parenting Love, Is Yours Healthy?

Parenting Love, Is Yours Healthy?  I want to believe most parents “love” their children. However, I’m convinced by experience that some parents do not have a healthy love for their child. What I mean by this statement will become more obvious as you read further. Loving your child in a healthy way is not such an easy thing to do. It is not that your child doesn’t need or deserve such love but healthy love requires a high degree of personal discipline and maturity. Good parenting can’t be done by […]

The Attitude of Successful Parenting

The Attitude of Successful Parenting  Attitude is critical in so many things we do. A good attitude goes a long way in working with others. No one likes to be around people who are always complaining, blaming others for their plight in life, or have a sour disposition.  In doing some research on attitude I discovered that many aircraft have an “attitude instrument” Yes, you read it correctly, attitude. (Yes, they have instruments to measure altitude also). I did a double-take when I first saw that. The attitude instrument informs […]

Where Does Successful Parenting Begin?

Where Does Successful Parenting Begin? In the event you have missed the first blog in this series “Want to be a Successful Parent?” or want to review it, here is the place to start https://www.cosdavis.com/want-to-be-a-successful-parent/ Where does successful parenting start? Does it begin at the birth of a child? Having a child makes you a parent but does it make you a successful one? Does it begin with reading books on child development or parenting strategies or techniques? While this is commendable and can prove helpful, good parenting does not begin […]

Want to be a Successful Parent?

Want to Be A Successful Parent? This is the first of six blogs I’m calling “Principles of Successful Parenting.” In these blogs we will be looking at the idea of “success” as it applies to Christian parents who want to do a really good job in parenting their children. If that is your goal and desire as a parent, let’s begin with a definition of what it means to succeed.  If you “google” the definition of success, you will find numerous ideas with one central theme. Success is determined by […]