On December 16, 1961, twenty-one-year-old Aquiles Sanchez married nineteen-year-old Carmen Rodriguez. Six days later, just three days before Christmas Day, they had their first fight. On that day the young couple moved into a small studio apartment and began setting up Christmas decorations. That’s when they discovered that the Christmas traditions held most dear in…
Category: Parenting Blog

One woman's street-corner cardboard sign that'll make you want to join her with one of your own
Like thousands of people in cities all over the world, Kristin Pedemonti spends much of her time on the sidewalk holding a sign. And like many, her sign is cardboard with hand-written letters in faded black marker. It’s a familiar scene. Most people walk by without even noticing her. Others see her and her sign…

How NOT to Treat Your Mother-in-Law This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day 2003, my wife and I were hosting dinner at our house with a few guests, including my sister and my wife’s mother, Jeannie. And as cliché as it may be, before the meal had even been served, I had already had enough of my mother-in-law’s company. Out on the back patio, I complained…

Would you rather be the head of a dog, or the tail of a lion?
There’s an ancient Chinese saying that it’s “better to be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.” Read how that value has played out in the life and career of the CEO of a Nissan-Mitsubishi joint venture, then you decide. See full story here.

The Family Focus Blog: Using Stories to Teach and Inspire Your Children
The Family Focus Blog IDs the top 3 barriers (and solutions!) to using more stories to teach character lessons to your kids. Check it out here.

Bullying: two success stories
“If you stand up to a bully, they’ll always back down” True? Or is that ill-advised in today’s more violent climate? Let’s look at how two youngsters responded to a tormentor on two continents and see if we can find some wisdom. Click here for the last of my 5-part series at cool-dads.com.

Sometimes being a good parent means pushing your kid off the boat
Thank you to my high school friend Kerri Whitfield for sharing her story. The plunge she took at the age of 12 forever changed the way she parents 30+ years later. Click here for the full article on cool-dads.com
Changing lives, one hug at a time
November 5, 2012 By Paul Smith, author of Lead with a Story (www.leadwithastory.com) Like thousands of people in cities all over the world, Kristin Pedemonti spends much of her time on the sidewalk holding a sign. And like many, her sign is cardboard with hand-written letters in faded black marker. It’s a familiar scene. Most…