
Imagination happens best in the dark!
A few weeks ago, I was a guest teacher at an elementary school in my area. I was asked to talk about the many careers

A few weeks ago, I was a guest teacher at an elementary school in my area. I was asked to talk about the many careers

I’m here with five tips for life in all its beautiful feelings when you say goodbye to those kids, whether it be to kindergarten or

“These words that I am commanding you today must prove to be on your heart; and you must inculcate them in your son and speak
If you want your child to be God-honoring, it is important that you bring God into conversations with your child on a regular basis. For
If you do lose your temper when applying discipline to your child and end up acting like a child yourself, you need to cool down,
As a parent, you should discipline in a direct and intentional way that demonstrates to your child that you are in control and that the
Discipline is a part of growing up. As a parent, this is your responsibility. However, don’t allow your discipline to be an adult shouting match
More than anything, your child wants focused time with you. Everyday life can be full of adventure and packed full of great learning experiences. At
Life should be full of fun for you and your child. Create ways to have fun together. This does not mean always investing dollars on
An outstanding educator and leader in educating students in San Bernardino, CA, Margaret Hill, posted a quote on her Facebook page a while back from
Andy told me this morning on the way to school that his dad is starting to build a new underground condo project for senior ants
It is tempting at times to “lay the law down” and demand your kids “do what they are told.” To get your child’s ownership on
This week I’m taking a bunch of tests to see if I am learning anything. I wish school never gave kids tests. It seems the
What is your vision and dream for your child? Just like you, your child was born for a purpose. Each of your children are fearfully
This is a big week. Halloween is always fun. All the kids in school dress up and we put on quite a parade. I
Being a parent is dynamic. What works well today might not work tomorrow. A good parent is capable of adjusting to change and making adjustments
Dad is traveling for his business this week. Mom is still not feeling well after two weeks of being sick and Dad even seems
Telling stories with meaning as a parent are quite easy. You need to OBSERVE, LISTEN, RELATE, RECALL, and CONCLUDE. Here is what I did as
Well, I went camping and decided it was not a good idea to take Andy. Boy, am I glad! There was a big anthill not
Your life may seem mundane to you but to your child your life stories can be unforgettable memories for your child. Your stories can teach
This coming weekend I get to go on an overnight camp-out with other boys and their dads from our church. We’re going to set
Look for opportunities to do something with your child that results in helping others. If your child is old enough to be in school you
I heard Mom tell Dad this morning at breakfast that she still didn’t feel well. I think she’s in pain. I wonder what’s going
The next time you are out with friends and your son or daughter are with you, express how proud you are of something that your
Andy told me last night that he will be playing in the Grand Ant marching band again this year. He still plays the tuba. Talk
Caring parents take responsibility for the results of their child’s behavior. For many parents this is a challenge. Life is busy and often kids end
This week I am trying out for the school jazz band. I sure hope I’m accepted this year. I practiced my trumpet over the summer
Verbally expressing a compliment is important but writing a compliment down and giving it to a child is much more powerful. Here is a suggestion.
Tomorrow night is a big night at school. We have only been in school for a week and we are already hosting all of our
My grandson’s first grade teacher prepared a year-end gift for each child in her class: A personalized compliment book. Every child in class was instructed
Summer is over and that means it’s back to school. It’s still really hot outside so I am glad my classroom has air conditioning.
Your ability to lead as a parent has a direct impact on the results you want to achieve in your children. What are you doing
This morning as I was brushing my teeth a terrible thought hit me: School was about to start again. What happened to the summer vacation?
Yes, life is busy. Most of us feel we need to multitask just to survive. I watched a father the other day spend some “quality
The best part of the vacation last week was the two days of camping. Mom and Dad slept in the camping trainer with Becky and
Your child is capable of coming up with surprising insight. Be listening, because your child is likely going to be teaching you a thing or
We leave later today to drive to the farm for a week of vacation. I have been looking forward to this. No mowing or pulling
Language has implications. What you say to a child has lasting impact. Choose your words carefully so you can truly engage with the thinking of
Dad said I did so well mowing the lawn last week that now I could mow it every week. He is trying to push all
Leadership skills don’t come out of a kid without encouragement from those that see it! Achieving leadership skills is a journey that involves you as
Dad assigned me a new job this morning. He thinks I am now old enough to mow the lawn with the power mower. This means
Your child is full of exceptional potential. Your child was created for a purpose. It is your responsibility to identify the likely strengths of your
I am on restriction for some dumb thing I did this last weekend. I am usually a good kid but what I did to by
Encourage your children to use their imagination. Allow their little minds to dream big dreams. When you hear about an imaginary friend engage your child
About two hours from my house there are some really big mountains. Every summer Dad and his friends like to spend a day in the
I mentioned earlier that I am not the best swimmer. Last week Dad arranged for Sam, one of the summer lifeguards at the pool, to
When talking to your child about something important, get down to his or her level. You can kneel down or sit down next to them
Every Sunday my family gets ready and goes to Promise Church together. Sometimes I don’t want to go but Mom and Dad say this is
Since school is out I can sleep till eight o’clock in the morning. Mom then wakes me up and says there are a lot of
Raising your voice and demanding obedience seldom accomplishes your intended objective. Find ways to personally connect. For example, take their face in your hands and
Last weekend Andy got permission from his Mom and Dad to go with me to my grandpa’s farm–if Uncle Andrew came along. Uncle Andrew is
I always look forward to the big city picnic on the 4th of July. We go to the park right after a quick lunch and
Find moments every day to have a meaningful connection with your child at his or her level. The more moments, the better! This means leaving
Sam is my neighborhood friend. He lives at the far end of my block. Sam is a year ahead of me in school but we
Last Saturday night was the band concert in the band shell. I think this was the best we ever played. There were over 300 people
If you need to correct your child, never do so in anger. Never put them down. Don’t stomp on their little self-esteem. Remember, they are
Big mess up today. I forgot my music and left it home today. I should have put it away after practicing last night. When I
Embrace your child’s make-believe friends. After all, you also had your make-believe friends when you were his or her age. Join in the adventures your
Before Joey’s dad left for work, he reminded Joey to be sure and pull all the weeds in the flowerbed along the driveway and right
School will be out for the summer in two weeks. I can’t wait to be finished. Had a surprise today. My band teacher announced we
When it is time for bed, try lying down next to your child, holding their hand, and asking them about their day. Listen to what

Andy’s best ant friend is a school classmate named Dickter. Dickter is a bit shy and lives in the poorer section of town. Dicker has
What a stressful week I have had! I am sure glad those tests are over. Whoever came up with an idea like testing us kids
After the lights are out and the conversation is over, don’t leave your child for a few minutes. Keep holding your child’s hand. Allow them

Who is your best friend? Andy’s best friend is a boy named Joey. I know, it sounds a bit strange. It’s not too common for
Well, you want to know what happened to my science presentation? You are going to have to get The Goofed-up Science Project book at AndyAnt.com
The Andy Ant adventure stories were started in my young daughter’s dark bedroom when she was about ready to go to sleep. How can you
What started as fun bedtime stories in 1975 for my daughter when she was almost three years old has resulted in a series of wonderful
I am in trouble big time! Remember that science project assignment? I kept putting it off and now it is due this Friday. My teacher
Reading stories to your child is wonderful and encouraging, but making up stories that relate to your child’s life is even better. To help you
What do you like to do in the summer when it’s hot outdoors? Andy Ant loves to swim, but his pool is very different from
Well, Ms. Adams, the student teacher is helping prepare us for year-end tests. She is trying to be helpful but I wonder. Today she explained
As a parent, you should know your child’s teacher well. You are in a partnership together to ensure your child is learning all he or
One Saturday morning Andy Ant and Joey decide to ride Joey’s bike to a friend’s house to hang out and play some video games. As
The highlight of my week last week was the visit to the Science Museum. What a place! They had everything you can imagine there. Science
Volunteer in your child’s classroom or a regular basis. This demonstrates to your child that you are really interested in what is going on and
Learning to play an instrument is always fun. As fourth graders, Joey and Andy both play in their school bands. Joey plays the trumpet, and
This week my whole class is going on a field trip to the Science Museum. My teacher feels it will help is see how science
Make sure your child is involved in a church-based learning program geared for one’s age. If you want your child to grow into adulthood with
Who is your best friend? Andy’s best friend is a boy named Joey. I know, it sounds a bit strange. It’s not too common for
My teacher reminded us of the science project this morning. She never gives up loading the work on us! It is even difficult to enjoy
The Adventures of Andy Ant stories are not religious stories as such, but each story makes at least one reference to God. Andy and Joey
What do you like to do in the summer when it’s hot outdoors? Andy Ant loves to swim, but his pool is very different from
Andy’s best ant friend is a school classmate named Dickter. Dickter is a bit shy and lives in the poorer section of town. Dicker has
What a day! I had a spelling test as soon as school started this morning. Did not do as well as I thought I would.
If you want your child to be God-honoring, it is important that you bring God into conversations with your child on a regular basis. For
What started as fun bedtime stories in 1975 for my daughter when she was almost three years old has resulted in a series of wonderful
Spring Vacation is over and I am back in school. I am already looking forward to summer break! My teacher announced big assignment today. Each
If you do lose your temper when applying discipline to your child and end up acting like a child yourself, you need to cool down,
One Saturday morning Andy Ant and Joey decide to ride Joey’s bike to a friend’s house to hang out and play some video games. As
This week I am trying out for the school jazz band. I sure hope I’m accepted this year. I practiced my trumpet over the summer
What an exciting time I had this last week. The trip to the family farm was so much fun. It was still too cold to
As a parent, you should discipline in a direct and intentional way that demonstrates to your child that you are in control and that the
Learning to play an instrument is always fun. As fourth graders, Joey and Andy both play in their school bands. Joey plays the trumpet, and
School is our all week for Spring Vacation. Mom and Dad surprised me this morning by telling my brother, sister and me that we are
Discipline is a part of growing up. As a parent, this is your responsibility. However, don’t allow your discipline to be an adult shouting match
Before Joey’s dad left for work, he reminded Joey to be sure and pull all the weeds in the flowerbed along the driveway and right
Another storm came through last week and we had a lot of rain for three days straight! Each day it rained Mom had me bundle
More than anything, your child wants focused time with you. Everyday life can be full of adventure and packed full of great learning experiences. At
Another nice warm day yesterday with no rain. I was able to pay outside in shirt sleeves all afternoon. Andy and Dickter came out from
Life should be full of fun for you and your child. Create ways to have fun together. This does not mean always investing dollars on
This has been an unusual winter. Parts of the country have had lots of snow and really cold temperatures. Other parts have had lots of