As we are coming off the summer filled with family time and holidays, there has been daily of reflection. As Tommi and I watch the maturing of our youngest two children—twins Hadassah and Tanner—and soon depart for college, being at our homestead in North Carolina with family, this reflection was a great reminder of my grandparents, both Jefferson and Julia Vincent as well other ancestors. The...

If you are a parent, uncle, aunt, brother, sister, grandparent, boss, co-worker or a friend, chances are you are a leader, whether you accept it or not. There is a person or many people who look up to you and take your cue as to how to handle the issues of life. They learn from you. You are a mentor. We all know that with life comes challenges and opportunities. Handling those challenges not only allows you to grow as a leader and as a...

There is an ancient proverb that says “Bad company corrupts good character.” It is so true. As parents, we often keep close tabs on who our children are hanging out with because we want to make sure they don’t run with a bad crowd. It also holds true with our spouse or partner.  By Troy Vincent There are so many stories that we can recall where a good kid thought he or she could change someone’s questionable character, and ends up being influenced in a negative way. A speaker discussing successful marriages once made the tongue-in-cheek statement, “When a man sees a woman he wants to marry, he wants...

Tommi and I have been talking about oneness, and the importance of individuality. Why is this important? God has made us each unique in our own way. Individuality is being who you are, just as God created YOU. This type of diversity is important to a relationship. By Troy Vincent Sr. Communication is key to bringing that diversity into agreement. So often we are not flexible on our positions. In relationships, there are constant negotiations toward common agreement. It can range from buying a car, raising children, managing external relationships,  where do we want to go for dinner,  our next family vacation, to what the family agenda is...

Last Friday, our middle son Taron was excited to get back to campus in Columbus, Ohio, a six-hour drive from our home in Virginia. Partially excerpted from http://TheAthletic.co Before he left, I began my normal routine of getting his car ready by checking every headlight and tail light, and making sure the brake lights were working properly. I located his insurance card and registration, and double checked that he had his drivers license. My son Taron is 19 years old,...

During our prolonged season of physical distancing, families are being forced to engage with one another. The term “forced” sounds as intended, the choice has been taken away. By Tommi Vincent During our prolonged season of physical distancing, families are being forced to engage with one another. The term “forced” sounds as intended, the choice has been taken away. With the exception of a few meltdowns and squabbles here and there, I am proud to report we really do love each other. I...

Inevitably children grow up and hopefully bloom into their own lives. That time is nothing you can plan for. Maybe better stated, the flood of emotions cannot be planned for. By Tommi Vincent To date we have had two of our children go off to college, and yet as we cross this bridge once again, it does not get any easier. It gives us great joy to consider our children moving forward into the next chapter of their life, but this does not come without...

By Tommi Vincent Empower children to be self-sufficient who recognize thoughtfulness is one of their most powerful weapons. Giving deference to mindful thoughtfulness as a parent requires a genuine desire to know your children in an intimate way beyond duty.  Children start out as feeble infants. They solely rely on their parent’s ability to nurture...

By Tommi Vincent How strong is your village? It really does take a village to assist us in raising our children. Even in a two-parent home, Troy and I rely on the support of family and friends. The quality of individual matters. We have learned from our past experience, just because a relationship is familiar...

By Tommi Vincent Raising children is an honor and privilege that must not be taken lightly. Our parenting style is largely shaped by how we were raised. As a child I can vividly recall moments when I swore, I would not be like my mom or dad. Of course, this was in the moments when...

By Tommi Vincent How do you get your children to buy into the process of success? It is not an easy task. The process requires FAITH, MENTAL TOUGHNESS, and PATIENCE. The requirements are challenging for adults, let alone young developing minds.  Keeping your mind geared up for the process maybe the most challenging aspect.  In VINCENT COUNTRY, we have...

Children learn how to become adults by watching adults. The greatest influence in shaping this development are the adults they spend the most time with. As parents our priority is not only to govern ourselves accordingly, but ensure the other adults we allow around our children are individuals they can model after too. It is a rarity that a community of people do not play a role in raising children. Especially when parents work and have responsibilities outside the home....

When you have multiple children, you learn quickly; parenting requires a customized approach for each child. By Tommi Vincent Of course, you have your core values. Those are the consistent threads that are woven through out every aspect of your parenting. Every day in the process requires flexibility, because no one child is the same. In VINCENT COUNTRY, our faith, rooted in Jesus Christ, is at the center of everything. It...