Updated and reposted 2020. Parenting in the Franz house is emotionally arduous right now. Bubs, at 16, is embracing new responsibilities such as driving to school and starting a part-time job. It's as if he's spreading his wings to prepare for flight right before my eyes. I find myself wondering: When did the little boy who was the ...
From Chaos to Calm: Family Vacation Tips
What's the first emotion that comes to mind when you think about family vacations? For many, it's a mix of joy and apprehension. Personally, I've experienced both ends of the spectrum; family vacations have brought some of our happiest moments and also some of the most challenging. There's something about cramming a family of six into tight spaces ...
Are You Losing to Gain?
I woke up this morning thinking about the quote, "In order to gain something, you must be willing to lose something." I don't know the original source but wonder if it's a modern take on Matthew 16:25, "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." I understand the biblical call to deny myself ...
Summer Goals for Every Age {Free Printable}
I love summertime. Just thinking about the slower pace, evenings spent outside, camping trips, gardening, and ab-building laughter with friends puts a smile on my face. Looking back through my past blog posts, I’m reminded of how much has changed—three of our four children now have summer jobs! But some things remain the same. We still use these ...
Announcing the ABCJesusLovesMe 100 Hours Outside Play Challenge!
Are you ready to say goodbye to couch potato days and hello to vibrant outdoor adventures filled with play, learning, and essential Vitamin D? Join the ABCJesusLovesMe 100 Hours Outside Play Challenge and watch your child thrive, and your life get easier! The Challenge Our goal is simple: Spend 100 hours outside with your child or students ...
How to Break Free from Lies to Embrace the Truth
Ever wonder why stories about people not practicing what they preach hit us so hard? We've all seen those headlines about people who talk the talk but don't walk the walk. It's a sobering reminder that integrity isn't just a word – it must be a way of life. This ministry centers around adults being intentional with the children in their lives. ...
From Taylor Swift to Truth: Guarding Hearts
Last week, I posted a cautionary message on social media about Taylor Swift's brand new, 31-song collection. Boy, did I strike a nerve! At this point, the post has been viewed by 29K people, garnered a plethora of comments, and has been shared multiple times - both positively and negatively. That's a huge win in the marketing world. But I can't ...
Tips to Help Kids Tackle Test Anxiety {Free Printable}
Tests are an understood part of our children's lives. Whether it's those elementary spelling quizzes, the high-stakes AP or ACT/SAT exams in high school, or even the GRE for grad school hopefuls, it feels like there's always another test around the corner. And let's face it, tests create varying levels of anxiety in our children. And for ...
What’s So Important about Play Stick-to-itiveness?
Resharing from 2013 an update to one of the most popular posts on Parenting to Impress.Last week I shared a simple plan to teach your child to play independently. But in writing the post, I realized that there is an additional aspect to fostering independent play: what I call "stick-to-itiveness." Stick-to-iveness is a real word. Like...in the ...
How to Teach Your Child to Play Independently
Resharing from 2013 an update to one of the most popular posts on Parenting to Impress. Among moms, there's a prevalent belief that the more time you spend playing with your kids, the better mom you are. Don’t believe me? Just check social media. There you'll find picts of moms doing fun activities with their kiddos, followed by a flood ...