Advent is a wonderful time of the year. It's a time of baking, gift making, buying, and wrapping. It's a time of expectant waiting, anticipating, and spiritually preparing for the coming of Christ Jesus. Continue »

Family, football, and food: Thanksgiving is all of these things and more. It's also a perfect opportunity to think about gratitude. Continue »

A few years ago, St. Joseph came into my life in a new way. Not long before, I had taken the plunge from singlehood to married life, jumping into the deep end of the pool by marrying a widower with six children. I was hardly a natural for the role of stepmother (just ask the children!). Continue »

When our family moved from Cleveland last year, it was quite a momentous event. My husband and I had never lived anywhere else, but we were forced to relocate so that he could accept a new job. Once the moving truck had been loaded, we said good-bye to our family and friends. Continue »

Parents share the most successful methods they've used to get their kids to talk about school. Continue »

Sunday's Gospel must sound familiar to parents who listen to the constant complaint, "It's not fair!" Our kids whine, "I studied hard, but I got only a 'C' on the test." "I went to every soccer practice, but I played for only five minutes in the game." Continue »

Even in my youth, I knew that teaching children is both a calling and a gift and that God was calling me to the teaching profession. Heeding that call, I have spent more than twenty-five years in the classroom, working with students of various ages and abilities. Perhaps some of the lessons I have learned there, as well as from raising a daughter and son, may help other parents to improve their children's academic performance—and to emerge from the often tumultuous school years with sanity intact! Continue »

"God has a plan for your life." I have heard the phrase countless times and never really doubted it. In fact, my husband and I have always loved the Scripture passage from Romans 8:28: "We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him." Continue »

As the new school year begins, parenting magazines, chat rooms, and talk shows come alive with suggestions for success in the schoolroom. There's enthusiasm, and often good advice, for ... Continue »

Sometimes, the first day of school feels more like New Year's Day than the first of January does. Classes are back in session; fall sports, religious ed, and other activities and meetings resume—a new year has begun! It seems like a logical time for making a "back-to-school" resolution. Continue »