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Imagine you're on a ski trip with your family. For months you've dreamed of swishing down the slopes together, enjoying winter's beauty and a time of family bonding and closeness. Now imagine waking up from your dream and finding yourself actually at the ski slope, where your 8-year-old son has "accidentally" taken a ski lift that transported him to a different mountain; your kindergartner is somewhere in ski school; your husband has given up looking for you after the two of you got separated (and is now at the lodge drinking hot chocolate); and you're a beginning skier on a Black Diamond expert slope struggling to your feet after your 20th terrifying fall.

During times like these, two things would be tremendously helpful. First, you'd give anything for some kind of global positioning device that could help "track" your kids and spouse so you could get back together (particularly to find your son who is now literally miles away). The other is having a pair of ski instructors suddenly show up and place their skis alongside yours, helping you safely down the mountain.

Even if you've never been skiing, we bet you can relate to the frustration this woman felt when her family was scattered all over the mountain, and the relief she felt when someone showed up to help her down a steep slope. Actually, these are the same goals we have for you as you read this article.

First, we want to help you during one of the most challenging times in a mom's life—raising preschoolers. And second, getting on the "same page" with your kids and spouse when it comes to closeness and connection is a good goal. However, with hectic lives and with "differences" often pushing us apart, it's easy to wake up one day and feel like our family is spread all over the map.

In our book, Parenting from Your Strengths, we talk about the importance of having a "Global Parenting System." A system to move your family towards increased closeness and caring as you understand your own unique God-given strengths and recognize those of your family.

How can you understand your God-given strengths as a parent? One fun way to do just that is to take a moment to go through the following lists:

Are you a lion, otter, retriever or beaver? Mark the box next to the list that best describes you.

You know you're a Lion Parent if …

1. You're a strong, assertive, take- charge person and parent. Whether at home or at work, you're the boss—or at least you think you are.
   
2. You are impatient with any obstacles that come in your way.
   
3. You don't have to be motivated—just pointed.
   

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