Love is the only thing that matters and the only thing worth living for. Still, despite our best intentions, many of us tend to miss the mark when we communicate with others—especially those we love most—as negative patterns and destructive relational cycles veer us off course. When that happens, it’s important to keep in mind that the way we approach and respond to each other is paramount to deepening our connections. But old habits die hard, so how might we move in a better ... [Read more]
Parenting
This category contains 11 article(s).
In Stillness and Silence: Reflecting on the Nativity of Christ
The second week of December brought a rare snowstorm to the Northwest. Seeing my backyard blanketed in white was a bit nostalgic for me. When it snows, it takes me back to my childhood in the Midwest, building snowmen, ice skating on the pond and sledding with friends. As a father, I had the opportunity, recently, to relive the past. While I was enjoying watching my children create snow angels, throw snowballs, and compete to see who can travel the fastest and the farthest on their sleds, I ... [Read more]
Book Review – Parenting Toward the Kingdom
In Parenting Toward the Kingdom: Orthodox Christian Principles of Child-Rearing (Ancient Faith Publishing), Philip Mamalakis, PHD, aims to “connect the daily struggles of family life and parenting to timeless truths of the Orthodox Christian Church.” By invoking centuries of combined wisdom from St. Paul, St. John Chrysostom, St. Theophan the Recluse, St. Porphyrios—and many others—Dr. Mamalakis transcends time and space with a generous offering on parenting, including research from the field of ... [Read more]
Be Fruitful and Multiply
In his second interview with OCN (Orthodox Christian Network), Fr. Timothy Pavlatos likens the blessings of children to “precious jewels in the crown of marriage” while also explaining the meaning of God's command: “Be fruitful and multiply,” (Genesis: 1:28). The miracle of having children, says Fr. Timothy, is an expression of God’s love for all humanity and an opportunity to be co-creators with Him—something that is beyond comprehension, though not beyond the human experience. Take a ... [Read more]
Peace, Humility, Courage: Pillars of Christ’s Love
There are three pillars that allow the love of Christ to flourish in a family and in relationships. Our love is incomplete but Christ’s love completes us—and those around us. The pillars are peace, which is a product of the Holy Spirit; humility, which allows us to recognize our shortcomings; and the courage to desire to follow God in a world that pulls us away from Him. Each pillar uniquely draws us to our Creator and then opens our heart for His love to reign within us and in the hearts of our ... [Read more]
Raising Independent Children to Be Dependent on God
Fr. Timothy Pavlatos, a licensed marriage and family therapist and a nationally certified counselor, and his wife, Presvyetera Vicki, know a thing or two about raising children—after all, they are rearing their nine children together. Still, amid shifting cultural values and a host of other modern-day challenges, bringing up kids today is no easy matter. And yet, God’s grace could help play a big role in this equation—if we let Him. Not too long ago, Fr. Timothy, the Family Wellness ... [Read more]
Book Review – Blueprints for the Little Church: Creating an Orthodox Home
We are all familiar with the need to convert our hearts and minds to become more fully Orthodox, and this most useful book, Blueprints for the Little Church: Creating an Orthodox Home, by Elissa Bjeletich and Caleb Shoemaker, helps us to also convert our homes and family life into living more fully as Orthodox Christians as well. Blueprints does an excellent job in helping the reader understand not only what the “Little Church” is all about, but also how to transform and convert our homes and ... [Read more]
On Anxiety and Depression
Q: Stories about people with depression seem to pop up everywhere today: in print media, on the web, and on morning talk shows. Give us a working definition of depression, and tell us how it is different from just having the blues once in a while. Fr. Tom: Life is filled with many challenges and opportunities that create normal emotional ups and downs, sometimes referred to as “having the blues.” But when a person finds herself stuck in the “down” times for a long duration, she may be in the ... [Read more]
Listening: Face to Face and Heart to Heart
A key element in the success of any relationship is the ability to listen. Throughout our many years of marriage, raising a family, and interacting with other couples and families, we have seen a variety of listening styles that impact the ways in which couples and spouses relate to one another. These behaviors stem more from the needs of the listener than those of the speaker. Common listening behaviors Let me fix this: These kinds of listeners believe it is their duty to solve everyone’s ... [Read more]
Beyond Ethnicity: The Role of Emotional Culture on Family Dynamics
Our daughter Olivia was five and our son Petros was a newborn when we saw the now legendary movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, starring Nia Vardalos for the first time in 2002. Though many regard it as a comedy, we perceive it more of a documentary—a movie that was plenty hilarious, a bit haunting and something we as Greek Americans can be proud of and at the same time—humbled. My wife, Kim, and I find it ironic and timely that the main character’s (Toula) baby girl in the stroller in the ... [Read more]
