Anyway, for those who missed it, the interview on connecting your children together and how God might interject into the sibling relationship can be found here… Family Life Today International Broadcast with Brett Johnston

If we can help answer any questions or to set up a talk to your community group, feel free to contact me directly or talk to Jim Miller at Tate Publishing @ (405) 376-4900.

May every sibling find joy in each other!

Brett

Become a Fan – Close Kids – Connecting Siblings For Life on Facebook

I wanted to share a little bit about her amazing story from the depths of marriage to a redeemed and strong partnership with the man she told “I do”.

From Sandy:

Marriage is hard work! Have you ever longed for the wise counsel of an experienced married woman to ask those “But how?” and “What if?” questions about your marriage?

When author Sandy Ralya’s marriage was in trouble, she would walk into church each Sunday morning desperate for help but not daring to ask for it—everyone else’s marriage seemed so perfect.  Her life appeared beautiful on the outside, but inside it was a mess.  Over time, Sandy turned to God through reading the Bible and prayer and sought guidance from godly mentors and Christian counselors.  What she learned transformed her life and then her marriage.

In Beautiful Womanhood: A Biblical, Practical Guide for Wives, Sandy passes on Biblical principles, practical tips, and inspiring stories from her life and others to guide and encourage any wife looking for God’s best in her marriage.  This book also serves as the curriculum for Beautiful Womanhood small groups led by marriage mentors.  Beautiful Womanhood Mentor Edition is also available.

Purchase Beautiful Womanhood At Amazon Online Store.

Here’s an introduction to the Beautiful Womanhood Ministry:

Beautiful Womanhood is a Christian mentoring ministry for wives.  Beautiful Womanhood strengthens marriages by encouraging women in their role as a wife, equipping marriage mentors, and helping women build loving, godly, and supportive relationships with other wives.

To learn more about the Beautiful Womanhood ministry, log on to www.beautifulwomanhood.com.

Blessings,

Sandy Ralya

Author & Speaker

www.beautifulwomanhood.com

Until next time.  All the best,
Brett
Order Close Kids – Connect Your Children For Life from these fine retailers

Become a Fan – Close Kids – Connecting Siblings For Life on Facebook

Family Life Today is an awesome program that is really making a difference in families!

Find a station here

Get more information from FLToday.com here

Podcasts will be available after the show airs as well.  I hope you love it.

Also for those of you in the Fort Worth area (my hometown), I will be at Barnes & Noble this Saturday from 1-3.  Please stop by and say hello, I would love to see you.

Brett

Become a Fan – Close Kids – Connecting Siblings For Life on Facebook

Link to Article about preserving the sibling relationship.

Thank you for all the support, friends.

Brett

Become a Fan – Close Kids – Connecting Siblings For Life on Facebook

Here is a post from International Family Mazine about “Close Kids”.

According to the organization, their goal is “to be informative, identifying and humorous to those caregivers across the globe who work hard to create family in our lives.  It contains articles of interest, international factoids or Ifs, arts and humor, product coupons and consumer information, expert advice, a global directory for networking purposes and other interactive elements.”

It is a beautiful web space, so take a look!

Brett

How can we help our kids have a great relationship as adults?

That was the question and hopefully we are a step further today.  But this is only the beginning!  As our kids get older, there will be more pitfalls sure, but many great joys as well.  And many chances for us to influence their relationship.

I’ve always said to groups, I hope someone smarter than me writes a better book about having well connected kids.  That statement has never been more true.  The goal ultimately for us is to do the best we can to form a bond between our kids that is transcending.  Any help is always welcome.

Thank you to all that have helped and supported us along the way.  May you and your children find all the wonderful surprises God has put in your path.

Brett A Johnston
closekids.com

PS. If you have not had the opportunity to purchase a book yet, today is a perfect day.  Amazon is already hosting an amazing sale!  Click any link below to purchase from your favorite bookseller or talk to your local store today.

We have had so much positive news coming out of families making it a stated priority for their children to be close.  It is both gratifying and humbling that you share this dream with us.

Bless you all this holiday season!

Brett

PS. Pre-orders are also available as full version copies of the book on Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, Borders.com and BooksAMillion.com!

Also $2 for every book sold on the web site until Christmas will go to Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation.  So if you have been waiting, now is the time!

From Maggie Cary – Classroomtalk.com

Are your sons gentlemen? It’s a word that we don’t use too often these days. The way we raise our boys today will determine the types of men that we have in our society in a decade or so. With more equality for woman and girls, we are now asking less of our young men and boys. Each day I see boys, and girls too for that matter, that are not held accountable for their actions. The older I get the more it scares me. All parents need to teach courtesy, manners and respect for others as a life skill.

Some might argue that, “ladies first,” is a phrase from the past. Maybe so, but as a parent and teacher, nothing pleases me more than seeing a boy with manners. Proper courtesy to others is a reflection of a family’s values. Teaching manners instills both a respect for others (including siblings), and respect for oneself, which in turn will help alleviate the impetuous behavior you describe. Do your sons practice the behaviors listed below? If not, perhaps it’s time to teach them these:

1. Open the door for others, especially women, mothers with strollers and older people;

2. Shake hands and look people in the eye when greeting them;

3. Assist seniors (grandparents, etc.) with getting in or out of the car and carrying groceries;

4. Take off hats during the National Anthem (any country’s) and Pledge of Allegiance;

5. Know not to interrupt adults or peers when they are talking and instead listen and have respect for what others have to say, even if they have a different point of view;

6. Accept responsibility for actions, good and bad, and;

7. Use “please,” “thank you,” and “excuse me” as appropriate.

Good manners should be an unconditional parental expectation. The best way to teach manners is to model them daily yourself. Although children often learn best by emulating what they see, it’s also important to make clear what your expectations are. Don’t wait for misbehavior to tell your boys what you expect, tell them when things are calm, tell them when they are alone, and tell them as a group. Without “nagging,” tell them often, and praise them when they exhibit good manners. Children want attention and will strive to get it. As you notice and praise one of the boys when you catch them doing the right thing, the others will catch on. If they get more attention when they are praised than when they are corrected, the good behavior will become the norm.

Of course all of the above goes for girls too. Although when they get older they’ll appreciate, “ladies first.” You can count on it!

As we near launch time of the book, I wanted to say a special thank you to my wife, Tiffini!  Without her, this project would never have come.  She was there from the initial idea to the very end.  All her insights, ideas and passion makes it really our project, not just mine.

As it gets closer to January 18th, I have found myself more concerned with promotion of the project than remembering what is important.  Living the truth.

The whole idea was based on our desire as parents for our children to grow up and have a wonderful relationship together.  The book is and always will be secondary to that end.  So not only must I thank her for her contributions, but I must thank her for keeping me focused on the important things.  God, family and love of each other.

If you want to join us, please come aboard.  If not, that is OK too.  My hope is someone out there will read this book and figure out even more ways to connect siblings and share them with the rest of us.

From our family to yours, Happy Holidays.

Brett

To say thank you for all the subscribers to the newsletter and those who helped along the way, I’m offering the special buy one, get one free to give a friend!  Make another parent’s day by giving them a free copy of Close Kids.

This offer will not last long.  So order today and give your children the gift of a life long, positive friendship.

Click Here to Order Now
Click Here for More Information!

All the best,
Brett A Johnston