Creativity is imagination, and imagination is the secret ingredient of any kind of achievement. As much as we work to raise knowledgeable kids who can master the three R’s, science and history, we have to put a great emphasis on cultivating imagination, and in many cases, that starts by letting our kids become bored.

Extra curricular activities have the potential to shape our children and prepare them for the future. With some research and planning, we can find the right programs to suit our kids’ talents and interests and with our encouragement, our children can build the character to lead and influence their generation.

Have you ever noticed that some kids are hard wired to tell the truth? When they do try to lie, they are really bad at it. Their faces turn red. They sweat, and they stumble over their words. Other kids are naturals, but for them, telling the truth can be challenging.

Has an apology ever left you feeling frustrated and unvalidated? How about the apology that subtly blames you? It usually goes something like this, “I’m sorry that you got your feelings hurt.”

What does obedience mean in your household? Can each person in your family give a clear definition of what it looks like to be obedient? There is power in definitions. A shared vocabulary helps everyone to be on the same page and brings a certain clarity and peace to family life.

Winston Churchill said, “He who fails to plan is planning to fail.” Those who seem to be the most successful think through possible obstacles and devise a contingency plan. In the days leading up to the New Year, consider taking out your 2015 calendar and glancing over the year.

When we were kids, most of what we did would be called “open play.” According to Tim Holliday, owner of Children’s World toy store in Sarasota, Florida, open play means, “You take [a toy] out of the box, and it’s up to the child to figure out what to do with it.”