Be A Lifelong Learner

Every Wednesday I will post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on life, marriage, or parenting.  Knowledge is one of the major keys for a successful life.  And one of the best ways for gaining knowledge is to be a lifelong learner.  Henry Ford said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty.  Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”  I truly appreciate you following my Weekly Wednesday blog posts because my goal is to help you acquire knowledge about life, marriage, and parenting, and at the same time, staying young.

Personal growth and development happens through lifelong learning and lifelong learning leads to knowledge and knowledge increases life wisdom!  Thankfully, it is easier to gain knowledge today than at any other time in the history of the world.  We can expand our knowledge through books, audio-books, college classes, trade journals, podcasts, associating with wise people, and the internet, to just name a few.

 TODAY:  Choose to be a lifelong learner and take some time to gain just a little knowledge within one area of your life. 

Please be sure to “Like” and “Share” when you visit my professional Facebook page so others may receive the post.  If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under either “Categories” or “Archives.”  Thank you!

Seek Successful Models For Your Son and/or Daughter

Every Wednesday I will post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on life, marriage, or parenting. All of us are imperfect and flawed, including your child, but it is important to have goals in mind for how you want to develop responsible, healthy thoughts, words and behaviors within your child.  The cliché’ is true, “We are what we think.”  Likewise, a child will become what a parent “thinks” or envisions a successful adult man or woman looks like.  Please visualize what you “think” your child will look like as an “ideal” man or woman at age twenty-five, thirty-five, forty-five, etc.

Next, write down the names of two men and two women you admire because of how they live their personal lives and enhance their marriage and family relationships.  Then, make a written list of the beliefs, virtues, moral values, positive habits, attitude, interests, and hobbies found in the men and women you admire. These men and women are the examples for what you desire within your child and provide a “template” for you as a parent.

TODAY:  Please aim for your child to be their own individual person but as a parent, keep the “model” of those men and women in your mind as you lead and guide your child into adulthood.  Please also use your written list to evaluate how you are influencing your child in all those positive aspects of life. 

Please be sure to “Like” and “Share” when you visit my professional Facebook page so others may receive the post.  If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under either “Categories” or “Archives.”  Thank you!

Have A Compassionate Heart For A Happy Marriage

Every Wednesday I will post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on life, marriage, or parenting.  Happy marriages usually have two spouses with compassionate hearts.  Two compassionate spouses can usually heal a marriage because sympathy, empathy, understanding, and sensitive caring are at the core of their identity.  Compassion helps you look at one another through kind, patient, and merciful eyes.  The Bible points out the true character of Jesus, compassion, which led to His death and glorious resurrection.

Definitely, compassion is necessary when a spouse is suffering physically or emotionally.  Compassion is necessary when a mistake occurs and only a humble apology will heal your spouse’s broken heart.  Compassion is necessary when your spouse deeply disappoints you and only forgiveness can restore your relationship.  Compassion is necessary when your relationship is going through difficult times.  When an impasse arises, compassion is necessary to help you try to understand your spouse’s perspective.

TODAY:   Ask your spouse what you can “do” or “say” that would demonstrate compassion within your marriage relationship.

 Please be sure to “Like” and “Share” when you visit my professional Facebook page so others may receive the post.  If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under either “Categories” or “Archives.”  Thank you!

Date Your Child Monthly

Every Wednesday I will post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on life, marriage, or parenting. One of the best ways to influence your child’s heart is a monthly date at an ice cream store, donut shop, fast food outlet, or restaurant.  Children seem to share more thoughts and feelings while eating food and that can make a significant difference in your parent-child relationship.   Your parent-child date will hopefully be 30 minutes or more allowing you to make an eye-to-eye heart connection.

I suggest three guidelines for your date.  First, within your budget, let your child select the place to eat.  Second, from the time you leave your house until you return home, avoid three “Cs” – DON’T Correct, Complain, or Criticize your child anytime during the date.  Third, look into your child’s eyes, ask How and What questions, and let your child do the majority of the talking.

TODAY:  Sit down with your child and plan for a date during the month of October.  Then, remember to have a date each month until the time your child leaves home to be on their own. 

Please be sure to “Like” and “Share” when you visit my professional Facebook page so others may receive the post.  If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under either “Categories” or “Archives.”  Thank you!

We Only Have 24 Hours To Live!

Every Wednesday I will post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on life, marriage, or parenting. Unfortunately, it is so easy for us to live today as if we have years ahead of us.  When we live for the future we not only discard today but we often create feelings of fear and anxiety.  On the other hand, we can waste today by living in the past and that usually leads to feelings of regret and guilt.

The Bible states, “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” and it means Just For Today! Savor each moment throughout this day and gain more happiness by just living in the present.  Make Today a wonderful day, in fact, make It your best day ever!

TODAY:  Be agreeable, cooperative, and courteous to everyone you meet.  Today thank God for three blessings that recently happened in your life.  Today compliment or praise a minimum of two people. Today set a goal to be better in one area of your life.  Today tell close family members “I Love You.”

 Please be sure to “Like” and “Share” when you visit my professional Facebook page so others may receive the post.  If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under either “Categories” or “Archives.”  Thank you!

Remember Marriage Good Times

Every Wednesday I will post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on marriage, parenting, or life. It is far too easy to remember the not so good moments in a marriage.  Hence, remembering positive moments or situations from the past is always important.  One way to keep a marriage growing, healthy, and strong is to focus on all the good times that have occurred in your marriage.

Every marriage will have challenging “seasons” where stress is present and an emotional separation creates an empty relationship feeling.  By remembering and discussing those fun, happy times from the past, your marriage can receive a boost of encouragement for an even better and happier future.

TODAY:  Or sometime during this week, individually make a list of the ten best moments in your marriage that does not include family or friends.  Then, exchange lists, sit down together, look into each other’s eyes, and enjoy discussing happy moments in your relationship. 

 Please be sure to “Like” and “Share” when you visit my professional Facebook page so others may receive the post.  If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under either “Categories” or “Archives.”  Thank you!

Leadership Parenting Seminar

On Monday, September 12 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at Cornerstone Lutheran Church, I will give a Parenting Presentation to help parents expand  their skill set of "tools," provide ideas to positively enhance a parent-child relationship, and enable parents to lead their child to make healthy decisions. Practical insights and specific techniques will be given to help parents become even more confident.  Enjoy discovering effective ways to guide a child in developing responsible behavior.  

LOCATION

Cornerstone Lutheran Church

4850 East Main Street

Carmel, IN 46033

317-814-4252

Influence Your Child's Heart

Every Wednesday I will post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on marriage, parenting, or life.  The Bible states that words and actions come from the heart (Proverbs 4:23, Matthew 15:18).  So as a parent, one of your major goals is to influence your child’s heart leading to responsible decision-making.  Sadly, I estimate that 90% of parents, even the most loving ones, often hold the false belief that a significant objective is to control a child’s behavior, imposing many unnecessary rules. Some negatives associated with attempting to control a child’s behaviors are constant tension within the home and rebellion, poor decision-making, fears, anxiety, depression, and eating disorders in the child.

A healthy parent wants to be a leader, not a boss. A boss parent creates an atmosphere of rules and regulations over nearly everything.  A leadership parent supervises and provides continual growth opportunities so a child develops good decision-making skills in the home.

Now or in the future, your child will have to make choices with cigarettes, alcohol, illegal drugs, and sexual contact.  Your Godly influence and leadership parenting will influence your child’s heart for a positive outcome in most situations.

Thus, your number one goal is to daily work hard at strengthening your parent-child relationship in order to influence your child’s heart.  Through a nurturing, encouraging relationship and loving guidelines, you can help create a healthy, responsible decision-making child.

TODAY:  In order to influence your child’s heart, what words or actions will help you build a stronger bond with your child in order to lead them toward becoming a wonderful decision-maker?

 Please be sure to “Like” and “Share” when you visit my professional Facebook page so others may receive the post.  If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under either “Categories” or “Archives.”  Thank you!

Leadership Parenting Seminar

On Monday, September 12 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at Cornerstone Lutheran Church, I will give a Parenting Presentation to help parents expand  their skill set of "tools," provide ideas to positively enhance a parent-child relationship, and enable parents to lead their child to make healthy decisions. Practical insights and specific techniques will be given to help parents become even more confident.  Enjoy discovering effective ways to guide a child in developing responsible behavior. LOCATION

Cornerstone Lutheran Church

4850 East Main Street

Carmel, IN 46033

317-814-4252

Make Sleep A Priority

Every Wednesday I will post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on marriage, parenting, or life. Never underestimate the importance of sleep for a happy, successful life.  Hence, an extremely important objective for all of us is to make sleep a priority!  Lack of sleep and /or irregular sleep hours will confuse our biological clock often resulting in negative effects mentally, emotionally, and in relationships.

Children who do not achieve the required amount of sleep for their age level frequently suffer academically and are more irritable at home and school.  Adults who do not have the minimal amount of sleep usually have poorer work performance and often experience relationship struggles.  Lack of sleep can also lead to a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, heart complications, impaired judgment, and memory issues as well as other serious problems.

Have two goals: 1) a regular sleep schedule and 2) a regular bedtime routine.  With your sleep schedule, consistently go to bed at approximately the same time.  Adults should aim for a minimum of seven hours of sleep, while school-aged children require a minimum of eight and a half to eleven hours of sleep.  Prepare for sleep by developing a regular bedtime routine.  Avoid stimulants within six hours of bedtime; clear your mind for sleep by planning for the next day with a “things to do list”; and finally relax one hour before bedtime.

TODAY:  Improve your energy, focus, and mood by writing down your Sleep Schedule and the various components for your Bedtime Routine. 

Please be sure to “Like” and “Share” when you visit my professional Facebook page so others may receive the post.  If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under either “Categories” or “Archives.”  Thank you!