Let's talk about the "A" word: Average. No, it’s not a bad word! In fact, embracing the value of average can feel pretty refreshing in our achievement-obsessed world.

Have you ever noticed how a genuine conversation can completely change your day? In a recent podcast, Dr. Kathy Koch pointed out that our kids often label their entire day as "bad," when really, it's just one small moment overshadowing everything else. By guiding our kids into deeper conversations, we help them see their day (and themselves) more clearly and confidently.

Remember the thrill of riding a bike without training wheels, opening the mailbox to find your high-school diploma, or sliding a new driver’s license out of its envelope? Those moments weren’t just picture-worthy—they quietly rewired your brain, nudging you toward maturity and a bigger view of yourself. Today, your kids crave the same “I did it!” spark, and you get to help light the fuse.

Let’s talk about something we've all faced: that cringe-worthy moment when our kid breaks something valuable or makes a choice that leaves us scratching our heads. It's easy to jump straight into discipline mode, especially when you're juggling the many demands of parenting, but what if we paused first to understand the "why" behind the action?

The old checklist for success is looking a little dusty.

You know the one—go to college, get a stable job, buy a house, settle down, climb the ladder. Rinse and repeat.

But your kids? They’re growing up in a different world. One where careers zigzag, passions lead the way, and success can mean anything from launching a business out of a bedroom to traveling the world with a camera.

When we reduce school to report cards and test scores, we flatten a much bigger picture. Learning is about curiosity, character, resilience, and the joy of discovery—not just outcomes. And no, this isn’t about ignoring achievement. It’s about redefining it.

Have you ever noticed how your kids seem happier after running around outside or dancing wildly in the living room? It’s not just your imagination; science backs you up! A recent study confirms what we already suspect—moving more helps kids feel better emotionally. Think of exercise as nature’s happy pill, releasing endorphins that lift spirits, reduce stress, and tackle anxiety.

Raising kids is one wild adventure. Between snack requests, every five minutes, endless laundry piles, and convincing little humans to eat something green, education might sometimes slip off the radar. But here's something fascinating: helping our kids see the relevance in their learning can dramatically boost their engagement and excitement for school.

You blinked and suddenly your child—who once lined up dinosaurs by color—is now obsessed with editing YouTube videos, vintage sneakers, or debating global politics. Maybe they’ve swapped their trumpet for a sketchpad. Or the kid who once lived for bedtime snuggles now grunts from behind their phone. Breathe. Believe it or not—this is good.

Let’s be honest. Gratitude doesn’t always come naturally—especially when your toddler refuses to say “thank you” after unwrapping that LEGO set they begged for, or when your teen mutters something unintelligible after grandma drops off a handmade gift again.

Kids with mental health struggles often spend more time online than their peers—about 50 minutes more per day. And they’re not just watching videos. They’re comparing. Scrolling through highlight reels. Wondering why their life doesn’t look like “that one influencer girl” or the kid in their class who somehow always seems happy.

Friendships take effort. They interrupt your perfectly planned Saturday. They call you at inconvenient times. They notice when you’re off and don’t just let it slide. And that can feel like a lot when you're juggling kids, work, and the eternal mystery of what’s for dinner.

You don’t have to nod along to every white-coat opinion out there. In a recent Celebrate Kids podcast, Dr. Kathy gently reminds us that it's okay—good, even—to ask questions. Not every expert is speaking from the same playbook, and not all studies are telling the full story.

The Church isn’t meant to be a museum for the spiritually certain. It’s supposed to be a hospital for the hurting—and that includes doubters.

When churches avoid “tough topics” like gender identity or injustice, kids notice. Silence doesn't feel safe. It feels like avoidance.

But when churches lean in, talk truth, and wrap those truths in grace and compassion, they become what they were always meant to be: a lighthouse in the fog.

It’s not just a nostalgic throwback to our own childhoods; it’s a lifeline for our kids. In a world where screens win too easily, and indoor life feels safe and easy, we’re watching something important slip: our kids' connection to fresh air, creativity, freedom, and the kind of growth that can’t happen with a controller in hand.

There’s something magical about curling up with a book and a kid who leans in close, eyes wide, questions ready, and heart open. In our fast-paced world, reading aloud to our kids might feel like a “nice if we have time” kind of thing. But what if it’s not just nice? What if it’s essential?

Perfectionism is sneaky, especially in the age of filtered posts and flawless highlight reels. But perfection doesn’t build resilience—grace does. When kids learn it’s okay to fail, they also learn they can get up again. That’s what we want them to carry into adulthood—not the fear of falling but the strength to rise.

There’s something quietly powerful about looking back; pausing to trace the steps you’ve taken, the bumps you’ve hit, and the little victories you almost forgot to celebrate. In a world that feels like it’s always charging ahead, reflection might just be one of the most underrated superpowers we can teach our kids, and keep practicing ourselves.