Many of us will be sending our kids off to school in the next couple of weeks. We'll spend plenty of money, time and creativity to make sure everything is in place to set them up for a great school year. And after all the supplies have been purchased, organized, and labeled, we'll start slaying the fear dragons and calming the anxiety butterflies that come with the first day. We'll reassure them of how far they've come and where they're going. Each scribbled lunchbox reminder will encourage them to step out and believe in themselves, to make a friend, and trust that awkwardness will pass quickly. Through it all, we'll go above and beyond to make sure they know they are seen, understood, and known. Because that's what we do as parents. And we'll believe all the words we plant in Continue Reading
A Hope-Filled Reminder: You Are Chosen
I love this time of year - pumpkins, bonfires, crisp air, cinnamon and nutmeg...too many soul-refreshers for just one to be chosen. All around us, the world just seems fresher, more alive and vibrant. The best of what can happen seems more possible. And life is filled with reminders of God's love sprinkled through each and every refreshing moment. For me, these love reminders begin with the choosing of a pumpkin...or two. I don’t rush the process because finding the perfect pumpkin takes time. And perfect for me doesn’t mean free of blemishes or uniform in shape and size. I’m looking for the kind that’s going to remind me all season long of one simple, refreshing truth. I’m looking for the kind with scars and bumps and dents. With deep ribs and visible character marks that Continue Reading
Prepare Your Child for a Blessing with Big Picture Thinking
When it comes to big-picture thinking, it seems there are countless more parenting books and resources promoting the concept of living in the moment. And while I'm all for learning to appreciate these singular gifts and even continue to count them myself, I believe limiting ourselves to the here and now of motherhood also limits us and our children. How easy it is for just one moment to consume and drain and overpower us faster than we consume our first cup of morning coffee. How quickly we lose focus and motivation because the impact of a moment knocks us off-balance and even off course. And how unexpectedly we find ourselves held captive by the drama of a moment we can't seem to escape. Instead of marking our moments, they leave a nasty smudge on us and our day. We become the mom Continue Reading
When Saying No Makes You the Mean Mom – #MadeForBrave Sisterhood
Are you brave enough, not to please? Even when it comes to motherhood? Will you stand firm and look like the "Mean Mom" when your hurting child begs for help, and others question your methods? Don’t misunderstand, I believed in discipline and had no trouble setting rules and following through. However, when it came to withholding my presence from a child visibly in pain, I struggled to muster up the strength to go against her wishes even when I knew it was best. So when the abrupt counselor suggested we quit taking our college-age daughter to the ER for her many ailments, I quivered in my seat. "What?" "You mean the next time she calls from her dorm room and says the pain is intense I am to tell her I will talk to you tomorrow?" With a firm answer, he replied, "Yes!" It seemed - Continue Reading