"Children want to see their imperfect, dysfunctional parents dance in the kitchen..."

"Children want to see their imperfect, dysfunctional parents dance in the kitchen, say "I love you" when they get off the phone, pray together, kiss as they say goodbye and speak highly of each other. Those moments of affection provide assurance to our kids – the world isn't all bad. Things are going to be OK at home."

From a great article you can enjoy by clicking here.

World's Toughest Job - Happy Mother's Day!

Check out this great interview for the world's toughest job...

Happy Mother's Day!

On Dating: Helping Our Children Find Mr. or Ms. Right - Part 5

[This is the fifth and final installment in a series of posts based on ideas, thoughts and inspirations we have read and collected on dating and that we have been trying to transmit to our teenagers and young adults since their pre-teen years]

The other's family will be your family...

It is very important to truly know his/her family, feel comfortable, loved and welcomed in his/her house, around his/her extended family, living and sharing their culture, food and traditions. You can get a good picture of how they are in a few weeks, you don't need years to find out that you are, or are not, meant to be for each other the rest of your lives.

Follow the right steps...

First meet the person, then talk about your and his/her life, show interest on the things he/she does, build a friendship, then create trust, understanding, sympathy. You then have a true relationship that allows you to share some more of your personal, intimate thoughts. After a prudent time, you commit and get engaged and then you seal that relationship for a lifetime with marriage, to love and serve him/her all of the days of your life. You share intimacy and have children, so they can be born on a place prepared to receive them, inside a family ready to take care of them.

Boys, be gentlemen...

Treat women with care, with respect. Don't send her by herself on an Uber or Lyft after a party for God's sake! Open the doors for her, bring her chocolates, flowers, surprise her.  Have good manners when eating and talking. Take good care of yourself, exercise, shower, perfume, deodorant - always! Admire your couple and never stop growing and learning as a person, feed your soul and pay attention to your spiritual growth. You should feel that she represents you, that the world stops when she arrives.

Girls, be ladies...

Demand respect and give respect, dress appropriately, laugh, be smart, take care of you appearance. Emphasize relationships based on the depth of a conversation, not only on the shallow base of the senses. Be elegant, move slowly, give the boys their place, admire your couple, be professional, keep growing and learning as a person, feed your soul and pay attention to your spiritual growth. You should feel that he represents you, that the world stops when he arrives.

Finally...

Life is short, so don't sell yourself cheap, aim high; you deserve the best and you are able to give the best and live a peaceful, joyful life, based on trust and respect.

On Dating: Helping Our Children Find Mr. or Ms. Right - Part 4: Warning Signs too.

[This is the fourth installment in a series of posts based on great ideas, thoughts and inspirations we have read and collected on dating and that we have been trying to transmit to our teenagers and young adults since their pre-teen years]

In a previous entry, we had mentioned addictions, disrespectful behavior, lack of commitment and indecision and the controlling type, as warning signs. 

The following are other warning signs to be on the lookout for.  To be dosed out repeatedly, with prudence, and age appropriately:

The impulsive type, unable to have self-control in actions and reactions. He or she is with you in public and is not focused on you but on others; lacks commitment; is simply not capable to be in love and faithful to one single person. He or she is not interested in having a plan for life together, having goals together, grow together; not interested in your improvements during life. 

The one that lacks a relationship with God. He or she has to share your believes and traditions. He or she should be open to accompanying you in your believes and should not be an obstacle in your spiritual growth. He or she should help you be a better person, faithful to your religion; should be able to align forces in order to raise a coherent family. He or she should have visible virtues like generosity, order, responsibility, prudence, justice, faithfulness, temperance, fortitude.  "If you see your boyfriend making jokes about church members or traditions or if he or she mocks or disrespects your believes, sacred places or persons, these are all warning signs. You need to be able to pray by your husband's or wife's side in case of an illness, tragedy or moments of great joy."

The unfaithful.  He or she "loves you in his or her own way", is not ready to commit,  is unable to make sacrifices, is unable to let go of others and be exclusive. Likes you, has a good time with you, shares lots of stories with you, spends a great time with you, but is not ready to move forward. If he or she is unfaithful while being your boyfriend or girlfriend, it is more than likely, almost guaranteed, that they will be unfaithful during marriage. 

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Others in this series: 

Part 1

Part 2
Part 3

Simon Sinek on Millennials in the Workplace