Blog

Making a Video Course for Shine
Making a Video Course for Shine

I’ve always wanted to create a video course. Writing for teens is my favorite–and yet. So many of them love images, videos, a human voice, an animated interactive…

Continue Reading
ByChristinaOct 28, 2023
Are You Valuable? Consider the Stanley.
Are You Valuable? Consider the Stanley.

October Newsletter Are You Valuable? Teenagers Ask This Question… I coach high school students. This means I sit across from them and listen carefully as they talk about…

Continue Reading
ByChristinaOct 25, 2023
Cut the Cord: Break Up with Your Cell Phone
Cut the Cord: Break Up with Your Cell Phone

We went to the woods… Last month, I chaperoned a freshmen retreat at our high school. For three days, 100 of us lived differently—in cabins, walking miles across…

Continue Reading
ByChristinaOct 24, 2023
A Prayer for Catie & Sophmore Year
A Prayer for Catie & Sophmore Year

Dear Lord…. Here we are, God. Year 2. Lord, You keep working Your perfect plan, and I continue to be grateful. Thank You for being with Catie through…

Continue Reading
ByChristinaSep 1, 2023
Dear Sam (on your first day of 10th grade)-
Dear Sam (on your first day of 10th grade)-

Two realities defined this summer: Texas suffered a terrible heat wave and you ran hundreds of miles. Running and running and running. When the temperature stayed in triple…

Continue Reading
ByChristinaAug 26, 2023
Dear Nate (on your first day of 8th grade)-
Dear Nate (on your first day of 8th grade)-

Thank you, sir, for this Summer of Ping Pong.  The hundreds of games we played together (ping! pong! ping! pong!) set the summer tone. You are bouncing between…

Continue Reading
ByChristinaAug 25, 2023
Dear Elisabeth (on your first day of 10th grade)…
Dear Elisabeth (on your first day of 10th grade)…

Dear Elisabeth (on your first day of 10th grade)… Today, two of your teachers announced that theirs is the hardest class in high school. For the rest of us,…

Continue Reading
ByChristinaAug 23, 2023
5 Tips for Staying at a Vacation Rental
5 Tips for Staying at a Vacation Rental

Before you book a VRBO or AirBnB, here are 5 lessons we’ve learned as owners. 1. Read the Reviews (Carefully) Everyone reads the reviews before they book. But…

Continue Reading
ByChristinaJul 10, 2023
4 Reasons Your Teen Needs Camp
4 Reasons Your Teen Needs Camp

A month ago, our daughter Catie left for her summer at Camp Lone Star. She’s serving as a counselor. We’re happy for her to have this unique, wonderful…

Continue Reading
ByChristinaJun 19, 2023