There was a season in our home when every conversation with my husband or a friend seemed to happen in fragments. We would start talking, and within seconds someone needed a drink, had an urgent story to tell, or absolutely had to ask a question that could not wait another minute. Can you relate? Over time, I learned something important: ...
Discipline
How to Stop Young Children from Biting
Few behaviors feel as frustrating, overwhelming, and honestly embarrassing as biting. Whether it happens at home or in a preschool setting, it can leave adults feeling defeated, apologetic, and unsure of what to do next. Questions start swirling—Why is this happening? Am I doing something wrong? Will this ever stop? The good news is that biting ...
Training a Child to Release Anger
Sixteen years ago, I wrote a blog post during a season when my oldest child —affectionately called Bubs—was struggling with safely releasing anger and frustration. Reading it again now, I’m reminded of how much growth can happen when an adult slows down, listens, and chooses to train instead of simply telling a child to stop a behavior. Why ...
Why Teach Character Traits to Children?
We all want our children to grow up with good character. We want others to like them, and we want to like our children! Naturally, we teach them traits like honesty, compassion, and generosity. As Teacher Created Materials shares: With the many varied messages children see in the media and in their associations, we can’t expect them to merely ...
Does Your Home Have Structure? Here’s How to Tell
A listener to the Parenting to Impress podcast, raised an insightful question: “How do I know if my home has structure? Is there a right or wrong amount?” Structure seems abstract, but I believe there are a few hints to gauge your family's structure. And be sure to read until the end, where I offer guidance for parents who are providing structure ...
Unlocking the Secrets of Godly Families
Have you ever looked at a family and wondered what they are doing at home? You know there is something special happening because you see that their kids are respectful, obedient, and helpful. It’s like they’ve tapped into some secret sauce of parenting! Well, I’m excited to invite you to revisit one of our most popular Parenting to Impress ...
The What and How of Parenting One-Liners [Free Printable]
If asked what the most beneficial tool in my parenting toolbox is, I would say - without any hesitation, "One-Liners." These pre-scripted, parenting quotes have been instrumental in training my children. And parents and teachers continue to echo my sentiments as they have also seen these short phrases transform their homes and ...
Are You Plucking to Sew?
Parenting in the Franz house is emotionally arduous right now. Bubs (age 16) is driving to school, starting a part-time job, and spreading his wings more and more. When did the little boy who was the inspiration for ABCJesusLovesMe evolve into a man? A friend shared the above image on Facebook and I requested her permission to share it ...
Stop the Hop
Have you heard the phrase "church hopping"? It is the same idea as "diet hopping." It comes from the thought that if the church or diet doesn't immediately give you the results that you desire, you try another hoping the next option will be the magic pill to fix the problem. Here's another one for you... Discipline Hopping Discipline ...
Do You Have a Parenting Plan Based on the Bible?
Last week the ABCJesusLovesMe Facebook groups were filled with discipline and parenting questions. A lot of why's and how's were discussed. My heart breaks for so many of you because discipline used to be "easy." When a child deliberately disobeyed, a consequence followed. Then, through an evolution of minds, the line got wavy and suddenly ...