Parenting
One Secret to Help Kids Control Emotions
I’d like to review some case studies with you. So far, this fall, I’ve been in front of 4,000 students and faculty at various universities and high schools. In two of the events, I spoke to mature and respectful students who paid attention to my words. In two others, the students seemed to be unable…
Continue ReadingWhy Kids Behave Poorly
Recently, Growing Leaders teamed up with Harris Poll to discover some important insights about life in today’s culture. We surveyed 2,264 adults, ages 18 and older in June 2017. One particular insight deserves some interpretation. In the survey, young adults said they learn more from technology than from people. Nearly 3 in 5 U.S. adults…
Continue ReadingHow to Inspire Students to Do What’s Right
Every teacher, coach, employer and parent wants to influence their young people to do what they know is right. Far too often, however, we merely emulate what our parents did with us, as we grew up. We tell them they “ought to” do the right thing. The problem is, ideas like “ought to” and “should”…
Continue ReadingWhen Parents Disagree on How to Raise Their Child
This is one of the most challenging issues that emerges during the question and answer segment in my parent conferences. Recently, I had a dad ask what he should do when his teenage daughter failed to obey curfew times three weeks in a row. As he explained further, the issue was really about the fact…
Continue ReadingFive Shifts that Lead Kids from Apathy to Ambition
This month, I have spoken to thousands of teachers and parents, as schools kick off another year. One phrase I have heard as much as any other is: “I just wish we could get these students to be more ambitious.” Ironically, while so many faculty, staff, coaches and parents desire this outcome, we are often…
Continue ReadingFour Gifts Every Student Needs From You This Year
I remember the story of a seven-year-old boy who loved parades. One Saturday he heard about a local parade that would march on the street just behind his house. In excitement, he scampered out to see the band, the majorettes, the clowns and the floats—but there was just one huge problem. His backyard had a…
Continue ReadingOne Act That Improves Kids’ Emotional Health
This year, both parents and educators can do something about their students’ wellbeing and future success. The suggestion may sound so simple, we can miss it. After surveys in a variety of countries, however, one act (on the part of an adult) can move the needle for our kids’ emotional health. Are you ready for…
Continue ReadingA Father-Son Conversation on Growing Up Today: Podcast #49
Today I’m excited to share with you a conversation with my son, Jonathan Elmore. Jonathan is a recent college graduate of Biola University, located just outside of Los Angeles. Now, he has shifted into a full-time career back in Georgia. Here are some highlights from our conversation. Tim Elmore: I’ve observed a growing phenomenon for…
Continue ReadingWhat to Do When Two Adults Disagree on Leading a Child
I recently heard from a mother, who shared an all-too familiar scenario: “My son is 7 and I have been separated from his father since he was 3. Both of us have new partners who get along with quite well with each other. Recently our son behaved defiantly and I shouted at him to correct…
Continue ReadingOne Parent Addiction that Produces Regrets
Here’s a twist to our traditional thinking. In a recent survey of 2,000 secondary school students, responders felt their parents were using a mobile device too much. I am not joking. The tables have turned and the kids are asking for the adults to fight the addiction to technology. You’ve got to hear this. According to…
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