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Early adolescence is often a time when a child’s appreciation of the magic that younger children see everywhere in the world becomes squelched or outright ignored.  Wide-eyed wonder about life and the universe isn’t “cool” and gaining the respect of their peers often becomes tantamount.

By the time they have become teenagers, most children have [...]

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The commemoration known as Earth Day, first held on April 22, 1970, marks the beginning of what was to become the modern environmental movement. The Earth Day celebration in 1990 led to widespread recycling efforts that our children now see as commonplace in our homes and communities. Given how Unitarian Universalism’s Seventh Principle [...]

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When Henry went to an overnight camp designed for boys to learn about law enforcement (a subject he was really into), he of course took a bunch of books along with him. He was an avid reader and just couldn’t imagine going to an overnight without some books.

However, many if not most of [...]

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A fellow Unitarian Universalist parent and friend of mine is creating a wiki-style site for his family and recently asked me to check out his “Rules of Dating.” Beyond being intrigued by his use of wiki-style postings, I loved what he had to offer as dating advice to his teenage children. He writes, [...]

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Picking out a pair of boots shouldn’t have to be a painful lesson in gender identity.  This year we haven’t even needed them a whole lot. But every time we go through the ritual of picking out snow boots or any kind of shoes, gender issues raise their ugly head.

Most of us are taught about [...]

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It is possible to live in harmonious relationship with a person who does not share your theological and spiritual beliefs, but it can present an additional parenting challenge. Although partners who hold different beliefs may walk different spiritual paths, it doesn’t have to result in confusion or mixed messages for their children.

A [...]

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Regardless of your personal theology—be it theist, deist, pantheist, atheist, or anything in between—as a parent you will inevitably face questions about God. Images of the divine are all around us and deeply embedded in our culture. God is mentioned in television programs and popular music, thanked by celebrities for their perceived success, [...]

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Martin Luther King Jr. Day is not only for celebration, remembrance, and a tribute to an amazing individual, but in recent years has evolved into a national day of service. All across America on this day, people perform community service in hospitals, homeless shelters, prisons, and wherever people need [...]

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We all want our children to develop an attitude of gratitude, but there is a lot working against us in this department. Bombarded with messages celebrating consumerism, children may find it hard to be grateful. After all, obtaining material goods often seems to be the meaning of the holidays.

Countless parents have experienced dismay and [...]

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The Winter Holiday season is looming upon us, and with it often comes thoughts of traveling and spending time with extended family. Sometimes, the members of our extended families can be accepting of theological differences. Other times, not so much, because when a grown child rejects the faith of their parents, some parents will interpret [...]