10 fun things to do with your family
If you’re anything like me, then you have spent many a night trying to figure out what to do for fun, only to discover that by the time you think of the perfect activity it’s time for the kids to get ready for bed. Ok, so maybe…
If friendship was a cardinal virtue, then I was about to receive sainthood in the lobby outside of the ladies’ dressing room.
I love my wife, my marriage, and my three children, and for more than 20 years I have been committed to helping our family grow and be healthy and successful, even from…
Should Your Absent Spouse Be Your Best Friend?
The question everyone wants to debate: Should you regard your spouse as your best friend?
The answer: It depends on what you mean by “friends.”
The recent New York Times article by Bruce Feiler explores the question of whether or not it’s good for a person to think of…
As a kid, I remember bringing in the new year with my mom and brother.
We watched the ball drop on our huge TV – not a big screen TV, but a huge 1990’s TV that had a pair of pliers attached to the channel changer switch. We had some snacks and played charades,…
Overcoming Stressful Situations
We can probably all agree that stress can bring out the worst in people. The feeling of not having control makes things more difficult and causes a sense of powerlessness.
We all experience stress in our lives from time to time. Parenting, finances, starting a new job, or being overwhelmed by current deadlines can…
Relationship Conflict is Inevitable: What Are You Going to Do With It?
"No relationship is perfect – because there is no such thing as perfect." But as Ron and Cathy Tijerina are quick to point out, “A relationship can be permanent.” Let’s face it, every relationship has conflict. It’s unavoidable. Being physically separated from your partner…
Sneaking Toys into the Visiting Room
Playing little cars with my dad in a prison visiting room was amazing and terrifying at the same time. My dad went to prison when I was 2 years old. So, I never had the opportunity to play with little cars, army men, action figures, Legos, or anything like…
Christmas is right around the corner.
When your husband is in prison, it is hard to experience the same excitement you see all around you. The pain of being a broken family grows stronger during the holiday season. The loneliness is heavier. The sadness is overwhelming as you think of your kids opening Christmas presents…
Holiday Visits
Visiting a prison is hard all year long. It just becomes especially hard during the holidays. This is the time we long to be together as a family. Everywhere we look, we see families together laughing, spending time together, and spending money. All of those three things are a struggle for families when…
Prison Visiting Room Food Tips
There are so many moments that families who get to see each other every day take for granted. One of many things we took for granted was eating together. It was just something we did, no big deal. Well, no big deal until we couldn’t do it anymore.
Visits were about…