Through the excellent work of Hilary Horrey, Digital Marketing and Development Strategist, I launched my newly redesigned website, DrRandySchroeder.com (no longer DrRandallSchroeder.com). I encourage you all to take a look as we start the New Year with a bounty of Practical Wisdom.
12 Ideas to Help Handle Holiday Stress
1. Spend time with God. Set goals to read the Bible, pray, have Christmas devotions, and attend worship services
2. Be realistic with your expectations. Ask yourself, “Am I trying to have the perfect Christmas?” A good Christmas is still a good celebration.
3. Make time for the things you value. Focus your time and energy on family closeness, church celebrations, and community activities.
4. Exercise is a great way to relieve holiday stress. A simple, daily 10 minute walk will help fight off stress.
5. Maintain a sense of humor. Take a laugh break, share a joke or funny story with someone but do take time to laugh.
6. Spread out the holiday season. All festivities don’t have to be crammed between Thanksgiving and Christmas, perhaps have a January gathering.
7. Put the holiday season into perspective. How important will this holiday season be in 5 years?
8. Don’t overschedule yourself. Keep your “superwoman/superman” instincts in check.
9. Look at the holiday season one day at a time. Worrying just wastes precious energy. Instead, plan ahead but just focus on accomplishing 2 or 3 tasks each day.
10. Say “no” without guilt. Allow yourself the right to say “no” to the things that frustrate you and concentrate on people and activities you enjoy.
11. Ask for help when you need it. Delegate responsibilities to other family members, hire a house-cleaning service, have a neighborhood youngster shovel your sidewalk and driveway, etc.
12. Always look for the good or positive aspects when things don’t turn out exactly as you had hoped or planned.
This Week: Begin implementing one or two ideas to handle holiday stress.
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7 “Like” Questions To Strengthen Your Marriage
It is important to focus on what you like about your spouse and the good in your marriage. In that regard, please share answers with your spouse to the following 7 “Like” Questions.
What internal qualities do you like most about your spouse?
What do you like about your spouse’s verbal communication?
What do you like about your spouse’s nonverbal communication?
What do you like about how your spouse works with you on decision-making?
What do you like about how your spouse handles household chores?
What do you like about how your spouse manages household finances?
What do you like most about your sexual intimacy interaction?
TODAY: And every day focus on the good qualities in your spouse as well as positive aspects of your marriage.
Please follow me on Facebook and “Like” and “Share” when you read a post that is beneficial so others may receive the post. If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandySchroeder.com, under “PRACTICAL WISDOM for Marriage, Parenting, and Life.”
8 Connects To Thank Your Spouse
We all look forward to Thanksgiving Day and remembering how truly blessed we are in so many ways in this great nation. Similarly, this Thanksgiving weekend initiate thankful words and actions for your spouse through 8 Special Connects.
Verbal Connect. Express thankfulness to your spouse by initiating “I love you”; “I care so deeply about you”; “You are so special to me”; etc.
Physical Connect. Surprise your spouse with a lengthy hug and meaningful kiss.
Written Connect. Write a two or three sentence note expressing your love and thankfulness for your spouse.
Time Connect. Spend 15 minutes giving your spouse undivided attention and look into their eyes.
Compliment Connect. Praise your spouse with a compliment in front of others.
Date Connect. Although the “Date Your Mate” may not happen this weekend, share with your spouse the day and time you would like to have a date.
Dream Connect. Plan a getaway with your spouse for one night or if time and money allow for a longer period of time.
Pray Connect. Hold hands and give thanks to almighty God for your marriage and the many blessings you have in life.
Please follow me on Facebook and “Like” and “Share” when you read a post that is beneficial 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 “PRACTICAL WISDOM for Marriage, Parenting, and Life.”
7 Ways To Effectively Listen To Your Spouse
Being a gold medal listener to your spouse is one of the best ways to help your partner feel loved, valued, and important.
Begin with your EYES. Efficient listening always requires that you almost stare into your spouse’s eyes.
PLAN TIME on a daily basis to attentively listen to your partner for even five minutes.
Have NO DISTRACTIONS. The cell phone, tablet, newspaper, or other outside elements will be a block to active listening.
ASK QUESTIONS. Asking back-to-back questions almost forces you to be a successful listener.
AVOID the Cs – Don’t Correct, Criticize, Complain, or Condemn. This may be one of the biggest challenges to being a competent listener. Having a “C Attitude” produces a focus on yourself rather than your partner.
WATCH YOUR NON-VERBALS. Your tone of voice, facial expression, and body language will either build-up or break down your listening skills.
WORK HARD AT BEING A CAPABLE LISTENER. Being a caring listener actually takes practice on a daily basis.
Please follow me on Facebook and “Like” and “Share” when you read a post that is beneficial 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 “PRACTICAL WISDOM for Marriage, Parenting, and Life.”
In addition, I now have six marriage videos on my YouTube Channel, “Dr. Randall Schroeder.” Thank you!
7 Signs You Are A Healthy Spouse
On Wednesdays I post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on Marriage, Parenting, or Life. No spouse is perfect but evaluating these 7 signs can make a positive difference in marital happiness.
You are better in every area of your marriage than the day you got married. You have a strong desire to improve and grow both as a person and a spouse on a daily basis.
You are a giver. You give compliments, physical affection, offer encouragement, and very simply, say and do things often that value your spouse.
You are agreeable and cooperative. You are easy to get along with, meaning, you are flexible, go with the flow, and not a control fanatic with decisions.
You don’t “Have To.” You avoid “Having To”: compulsively shop; gamble; excessively drink alcohol; demonstrate irrational anger; compulsively use technology; etc.
You are a girlfriend/boyfriend to your spouse every day. You never take your spouse for granted by continually winning your partner’s heart through positive words and actions.
You plan time with your spouse. You don’t let your time together happen by chance but you schedule time daily and weekly with your partner.
You are an apologizer and forgiver. You are willingly to admit when you make a mistake as well as forgive when your spouse apologizes to you.
TODAY: Discuss with your spouse these 7 signs to assess where both of you desire improvement.
Please follow me on Facebook and “Like” and “Share” when you read a post that is beneficial 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 “PRACTICAL WISDOM for Marriage, Parenting, and Life.”
In addition, I now have six marriage videos on my YouTube Channel, “Dr. Randall Schroeder.” Thank you!
3 Wonderful Marriage Vows
On Wednesdays I post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on Marriage, Parenting, or Life. Recently, my wife and I attended the wedding of our friends’ daughter. Both the bride and groom read beautiful personal vows to each other. While expressing their meaningful commitment before all in attendance, their tears indicated they truly believed what they shared.
Marital complacency is often what starts the slippery slope to unhappiness, and sadly, even divorce at times. To overcome complacency and never take one’s spouse for granted, I think every couple would do well to communicate three additional vows at the wedding ceremony and even regularly throughout the marriage.
Share with your spouse these three vows: 1) Today, I will avoid complacency in every area of our marriage; 2) Today, I will not take you for granted; and 3) Today, I will be a girlfriend/boyfriend to you in order to help you feel valued just like before our wedding day.
Please follow me on Facebook and “Like” and “Share” when you read a post that is beneficial 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 “PRACTICAL WISDOM for Marriage, Parenting, and Life.”
In addition, I now have six marriage videos on my YouTube Channel, “Dr. Randall Schroeder.” Thank you!
Fam Jam Parenting Workshop
On Saturday, November 3 at 10:30 am, I am speaking on “Christian Leadership Parenting.” The FamJam Parenting Workshop, www.hclc.info/famjam, will take place from 9:00am to 1:00pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 8115 Oaklandon Road, Indianapolis, 46236, 317-823-5801. Fifteen speakers will gather to provide insights on parenting, finances, anxiety, sibling relationships, sleep issues, and even picky eaters. There is something for everyone! This will be helpful for parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, nannies & babysitters, and anyone who cares for children.
This is not just for Holy Cross families but for anyone in the entire Indianapolis area and surrounding communities.
FamJam Parenting Workshop
On Saturday, November 3 at 10:30 am, I am speaking on “Christian Leadership Parenting.” The FamJam Parenting Workshop, www.hclc.info/famjam, will take place from 9:00am to 1:00pm at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 8115 Oaklandon Road, Indianapolis, 46236, 317-823-5801. Fifteen speakers will gather to provide insights on parenting, finances, anxiety, sibling relationships, sleep issues, and even picky eaters. There is something for everyone! This will be helpful for parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, nannies & babysitters, and anyone who cares for children.
This is not just for Holy Cross families but for anyone in the entire Indianapolis area and surrounding communities.
4 Christian Qualities To Instill In Your Child
On Wednesdays I post a practical wisdom thought or suggestion on Marriage, Parenting, or Life. Four Qualities at the core of Jesus are Respect, Humility, Servanthood, and Compassion. These are the same four qualities that will help your child be similar to Jesus in all their associations with others.
Jesus showed RESPECT to everyone, including the Pharisees who did not respect Him. A child may feel free to disagree with others but should always respect everyone even if another person has a differing opinion.
The Bible says, “Jesus HUMBLED Himself on the cross for the sins of the world.” True humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less. A child with humility will not have a superior attitude and look down upon others but instead view everyone as an equal.
Jesus “came not to be served but to SERVE.” Likewise, a healthy child with a servant’s heart will give to others in various ways by putting the interests of others above their own. Serving is giving to others without expecting anything in return.
Finally, the Bible says Jesus had “COMPASSION” on those who did not believe He was the Son of God who opens the door to heaven. A child having both sympathy and empathy for others will possess a compassionate heart for everyone.
For a Child: Example is not the best teacher, EXAMPLE IS THE ONLY TEACHER! So ESSENTIAL ATTITUDES ARE CAUGHT from a parent more than taught by a parent!
Please follow me on Facebook and “Like” and “Share” when you read a post that is beneficial so others may receive the post. In addition, I now have six marriage videos on my YouTube Channel, “Dr. Randall Schroeder.”
If you enjoyed reading this post you may enjoy reading other posts found on the website, www.DrRandallSchroeder.com, under “PRACTICAL WISDOM for Marriage, Parenting, and Life.” Thank you!