Tuesday, August 16, 2005

What Are Fathers & Sons Reading?

My father introduced me to some great books and authors:
Kipling, Jack London,Ceaser's Gaul, Bible Stories, Aseop's Fables, The Red Badge of Courage and more. Much of the time, I simply observed what dad was reading. A great deal of the time dad was introducing me to books about character building.

If I could change one aspect of the reading dad introduced me to, it would be an inclusion of books on family founders. Literature about men who built strong families that carried on for generations. In almost every genre there are great opportunities to learn about family. History books, great novels, poetry and short stories abound about family. Literature about the sacrifice family members make for each other.

What are Good Sons reading today? Are fathers and sons discussing great reads? Are fathers stimulating their children to read about family as well as character?

Monday, August 15, 2005

The Enterprise at SouthofBoston.com

This is a wondeful story about finding fullfilment through extended family.
The Enterprise at SouthofBoston.com

Sunday, August 14, 2005

FCA: Family Caregiver Alliance Home

Here is an excellent source of caregiving information & support.
FCA: Family Caregiver Alliance Home

Friday, August 12, 2005

Just what is this thing called family? - Hugh Mackay - Opinion - theage.com.au

The following is a thought provoking piece which starts off with a great question.

Just what is this thing called family? - Hugh Mackay - Opinion - theage.com.au

Wednesday, August 10, 2005

From China, with love: Grandmas come to care | csmonitor.com

This Story from The Christian Science Monitor is an example of how modern extended family can have a global reach.

From China, with love: Grandmas come to care | csmonitor.com

2005 Relay For Life of Mill-Ridge - General Donation

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Staying Connected With A Purpose

How many of you have a vision of the internet as a powerful family resource?
What are you doing to use the internet to stay in touch?
Who in your family are you in touch with regularly? Who are you leaving out?
Are you connecting with family with a purpose in mind?
Who in your family needs to be introduced to the internet as a family resource?
Can you design an online family event? For example: a family blog where all have an opportunity to contribute. Pictures of family can be added.
Do you have family reunions which can be improved by internet connections?
How can you pull together family resources? Can the internet prepare your family to take advantage of opportunity & to deal with adversity?
Have you thought of having a family on-line gift registry? This can be used for weddings, birthdays and all gift giving occasions.
More on this soon!

Saturday, August 06, 2005

Chicago Tribune | You take the upstairs...

Tuesday, August 02, 2005

Science,Tecnology & Globalization

Science, Technology and Globalization are bringing new forces to the power of extended family. Look at the internet groups which are cultural and kinship related. See how DNA is being used for geneology.Watch developing countries adopt ecommerce, and retain their workforce within extended families.

Monday, August 01, 2005

Growth,Unity,Longevity & Contribution

As you compare almost all institutions: Associations, Private Clubs, Churches, Corporations,Unions and Governments. All have expectations of growth, unity among their members, longevity for the organization and all expect economic & social contributions from their members. All make varying efforts towards these ends.

Compare this with the family as an institution: Today's families do not value growth. Instead, we have family planning aimed at minimizing growth. Unity gives way to frequent divorce, custody battles, our laws seem to make it easier to divide family. Family unity is further divided by social behavior which often puts an emphasis on setting boundaries among our wider family members. Economic contribution gives way to the values of personal independence. What about longevity? Do we even consider what it is to have a long lasting family name?

We would not expect to have strong Associations, Clubs, Churches, Governments and Unions without emphasis on Growth, Unity, Contribution and Longevity. Why not the same expectation for family as an institution?