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.
Of Course Your Kids Should Come First. Duh.
We have this great thirst for freedom because our fundamental aspiration is for happiness; and we sense that there is no happiness without love, and no love without freedom. This is perfectly true. Human beings were created for love, and they can...
Mary’s 15 Promises
Tradition tells us that the Blessed Virgin Mary made 15 promises to St. Dominic which she extends to anyone who prays the rosary. Here are her promises along with a brief explanation for both adults and children. 1. Whoever shall faithfully serve...
The 3 Pillars of Lent: Ideas for Your Family
Lent begins Wednesday! The 3 pillars of Lent are prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. While we (hopefully) practice these all year round, during Lent we pause and reflect on our relationship with God, and we intensify our devotion to these 3 pillars....
The Launching Years Part 2: Raising Kids Who Launch Successfully from the Nest
In my last post, I laid out what I consider 3 fundamental developmental tasks of the late teen years: 1) moving toward interdependence 2) clarifying identity, and 3) grieving the loss of childhood. Not all teens transition successfully into...
The Launching Years Part 1: The Developmental Tasks of the Late Teen Years
When I first started writing about parenting, my oldest child Aidan was about 11 or 12 and I had a baby. Now that oldest child is 18 and about to launch from the nest. He begins college in the fall. As I adjust to this reality, I find myself...
Study: 4 Things Every Mom Needs to Thrive
Motherhood is a profound blessing. We moms know it. But motherhood can, at times, bring us to our knees. A mom regularly faces sleepless nights, strained schedules, and the competing needs of her kids, her spouse, her extended family, her...