Susan Merrill's Blog, page 15

4 Common Mistakes Husbands and Wives Make in Marriage

Guess what? There’s no such thing as a perfect marriage! No matter how great a relationship may look on the outside, every couple has struggles because every person makes mistakes.

If you’ve read many of my blog posts, you know that Mark and I have made our share of mistakes. Instead of making excuses for our behavior, we have tried to learn from what we’ve done wrong so we can grow as a couple. Our marriage isn’tperfect, but we are always looking for ways to love each other better. A foundat...

Wants and Needs: Can Your Child Tell the Difference?

“But mom, I neeeeed it!”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard these five words come out of my kids’ mouths—and the expression on their faces when they say it is almost funny! I use the word rather loosely here because, in reality, understanding the difference between a need and awantis extremely important and not to be laughed at. Unfortunately, countlessparents think it’scute when their young children pout for treats, demanding their wants until their amused moms and dads acquiesce. Ho...

Are You Too Serious to Laugh?

“Mommy, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, why?”

“You never laugh anymore.”

My kids can read me like a book. I have heard these words several times. We all have stress, but when stress exists for long stretches of time, it can become the norm. And we become too serious for laughter. During those periods, a mom can forget how to laugh.And that is bad. In fact, it is probably worse than we think because it can affect our relationships.

When I think back on my favorite memories, so many of them are filled...

3 A’s for an Awesome Marriage

Join me on Periscope tonight at 9:00 pm EST to discuss: Will Your Child Stand for What They Know is Right?

I recently posted a video of me and my friend Lesley doing a Periscope session where we talked about the 3 R’s of discipline. Today, I have 3 more letters on my mind to share with you: 3 A’s for an awesome marriage!

I am sure that every married person who is reading this post wants an awesome marriage. Many of you already have that, others are striving for it. Often, what can get in the...

The 3 R’s of Discipline

Don’t you wish there was one single set of instructions on how to discipline every child? We all do. But, in reality, there are lots of decisions which moms must make along the way with different answers for each child.

Have you fallen into this cycle? Your child breaks a rule. You discipline (or, yell). Child breaks same rule again. You discipline (or, yell). Child breaks same rule… again and again and again!

There is a way to break this pattern so your discipline gets to the heart of their...

Are You Encouraging Your Spouse to Cheat?

Last month, countless lives were turned upside down when hackers posted the personal information of an alleged 32 million users of Ashley Madison, an online service that promotes and facilitates adultery. The website’s slogan reads, “Life is short. Have an affair.”

While the site claimed to have 39 million members, disheartening in itself, what really affected me was the number of pastors and men in ministry whose names were listed among those seeking extramarital relationships. What would le...

How to Be Spontaneous in Your Marriage

Join me on Periscope tonight at 9:00 pm EST to discuss: The 3 R’s of Discipline

Once upon a time, I was spontaneous and fun. In fact, my husband would say it was one of the characteristics that attracted me to him.

I was ready to go anywhere at a moment’s notice. I was always looking for a chance to be creative and romantic. I was constantly surprising Mark with impromptu scavenger hunts and silly poems. I was full of energy and ideas.

But then what always seems to happen…happened. Life caugh...

Peering Into Eternity

I can still clearly remember the day my heart stopped. At only 17 years old, I had a cardiac arrest.

I was a cheerleader for my high school, and our football team was playing for the district championship. It was an intense game. I was on the sidelines, willing our team to victory. Feeling every play. My senses on high alert.

The clock was running out, the game was on the line, and a huge upset play turned the outcome in our favor. Along with all of my friends and the other fans, I cheered wi...

3 Ways to Foster Friendships Between Your Kids

Even with a growing number of only children, about 80% of Americans have at least one brother or sister. And like it or not, they are to some extent stuck with each other for their entire lives! For most people, sibling relationships are the most enduring of all relationships, outlasting that with parents, spouses, children, or friends. But sometimes, it feels like children were born not to get along with each other. As a parent, I am WAY too familiar with the whining and bickering that frequ...

6 Mistakes College Freshmen Make

Graduating from high school can be one of the most exciting times in a young child’s life, but it can also be one of the scariest! All of a sudden, your teenageris thrust into the world to make decisions with potentially life-altering consequences. So how do you make sure your child does it right? The first step is avoiding some of the most common mistakes college freshmen make. Go over different points on this list as you talk or visit with your teen during theirfreshman year.

1. Over-commit...