I Know That One

By Cynthia Ruchti –

My granddaughter (6) spent the Sunday morning worship service on my lap instead of in her children’s church service that day a couple of years ago. A dozen excuses seemed to boil down to the fact that she just needed to be close to me for a while. Seemed a good enough reason for me. Read more

Hygiene Highway to Heaven

By Hally Franz –

“Ivan’s dental hygiene has reached a level of some concern…We may have to discontinue treatment in order to repair damage …Gums may have to be surgically …” After nearly completing the payments for my son’s orthodontic treatment and now only a few months from the anticipated braces removal date, these statements sent me into dental care overdrive and near death by embarrassment. The letter came from our town’s primary orthodontist, and a former schoolmate of mine. (Hence, the feelings of mortification.) Read more

The Battle for Peace

By Hally Franz –

As I observed my daughter and nephew molding the wet Atlantic sand of a Florida beach, I felt something rare and wonderful. These two sand-lovers dug holes that quickly collapsed when water broke through their gritty walls, and they erected castles that were as much fun to tear down as they were to create. Read more

Am I Teachable

By Carin LeRoy –

If you’ve ever raised children, then you know that each child is different. Having four, I’ve seen many traits in their personalities—the complainer, the stubborn, the verbal, the compliant, the obedient, the one who ignores—to name a few. Read more

Caught You Learning!

By Hally Franz –

My plan was straightforward, equitable and reasonable—I thought. My twelve-year-old would spend one-half hour each day practicing his trombone, and sixty minutes daily (Monday – Friday) reading a book of his choosing. His eight-year-old sister would dedicate one-half  hour each on multiplication tables, reading and writing a paragraph. The tracking chart was ready and start date scheduled for Tuesday, June first. Read more

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