Getting Started
 "IT'S TIME."
"Right now?" I asked, as the adrenaline pumped through my body and I jumped out of bed. Even though the digital alarm clock read 3:45, I was wide awake.
"I think so," Tami said.
Moments later we were in the car, racing toward the hospital. We were both so excited about being first-time parents, but I also felt some nervousness. As we drove into the hospital's parking lot, I took Tami's hand and said, "Our life will never be the same."
At the time I had no idea how true those words would be. When a couple welcomes their first child into the world, everything is turned upside down. Suddenly you're a family. The rules of life change. You have pressures, feelings, and responsibilities that can seem overwhelming. You now must deal with the care and growth of a little human being. Many new parents aren't sure what to do. Some had good examples of parenting; some didn't.
If only there were a manual that taught us step-by-step how to create a perfect family. But unfortunately such a guide doesn't exist. In fact, perfect families don't exist. We all have our struggles and challenges. Every family—a combination of unique backgrounds and unique personalities—faces unique situations. While there might not be any guaranteed formula to building a great family, there are a number of tried-and-true rules that will help you move in the right direction.
So here are 20 rules that I've found will get every family started in the right direction.
- Plan Ahead
- Admit Your Mistakes
- Find Your Golden Moments
- Encourage Them
- Have Fun
- Get to Know Each Other
- Motivate Work
- Discipline Fairly
- Provide a Great Example
- Tell Them You Love Them
- Choose Your Battles
- Make Your Marriage Great
- More Books and Less TV
- Escape Together
- Cool Down
- Manage Your Stess
- Fight Kindly
- Pray for Them
- Create Traditions
- Let Go
To find out more about each of these rules, order "20 (Surprisingly Simple) Rules and Tools for a Great Family."
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