ICP Blog
parenting tips and faith ideas; commentary on parenting science; perspectives on faith and culture
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NOTE: As my children are launching from the nest, I am spending less time on my parenting ministry and more time in my law practice. I will maintain this website and I hope you find some of the resources here helpful! But I will not be adding new content, and I have removed subscription forms. I am no longer podcasting or producing “The Anchor and Maze” newsletter.
Kids and Their Friendships (What’s Healthy?)
What makes a child's friendships healthy or unhealthy? My oldest son had two close friends throughout his childhood. He met them when he was five, and they are still friends today fifteen years later. My other children have had friends come and go...
3 Benefits of Family Movie Night
On more than one occasion our Holy Father has urged parents to “waste time with your children.” Great advice! We need to give ourselves permission to “do nothin’” with our kids. In the Cameron-Smith home, one of our favorite ways to waste time...
Newborns and Co-Sleeping: Encouragement and Tips
"People who say they sleep like babies usually don't have them." Leo J. Burke Issues of sleep are usually a top concern of expectant and new parents. Most parents aren't really worried about daytime infant sleep ("naps"). It's nighttime sleep...
Talking to Your Baby About God
One of my favorite parenting writers, Gwen Dewar, shares in this article how parents can help their baby's language development even before the baby says his first words. A few of her tips seems particularly helpful for Catholic parents. From their...
Powerful Tip for Avoiding Conflict with Your Spouse
Every married couple has occasional disagreements. Sometimes disconnection is unavoidable - it's just a part of living together with another human being. How long should the grass be cut? What's a reasonable bedtime for a toddler? How long should...
Raising Children Who Are Free
"Freedom is the ability to love generously . . . Freedom is the ability to seek and choose God." Note from Kim: Here is an updated version of my (politically incorrect) July 4 essay! ************** As we celebrate July 4 as a nation, I am thinking...