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 ...
When Your Marriage Doesn’t Match Your Dreams
Her inquiry was raw and brimming with emotion. To conclude, she anonymously posted, "I'm committed to our marriage, but I am tired." I'm aware that many have experienced this same sentiment in their marriages, even though Christians often feel a great deal of pressure to have a different kind of marriage. Yet, what are you to do when you feel ...
Someone Like You: It May Surprise You {Giveaway}
I was skeptical, as many Christian films lack quality. The acting is typically subpar, and the storyline begs for depth. After a pre-release viewing, it was refreshing to discover independent filmmakers successfully sharing hope. So much so that if you're looking for a solid, wholesome movie, I encourage you to head to the theaters this week and ...
DIY Resurrection Eggs for Easter
Easter can sometimes be puzzling for young children, but thanks to resources like the Easter Activity Workbook, Easter Treasure Hunt, and the Wordless Book, we can help them understand Jesus' love through the holiday. Another favorite when my kids were young are the Resurrection Eggs. What are Resurrection Eggs? The idea behind ...
Understanding Fostering, Adoption, & Orphan Care
Let's talk about adoption and foster care. Some adopt to expand their families. Others personally feel a command to "look after the orphans" (James 1:27). Recently, I sat down with my friend Holly to learn about her journey of foster care and adoption. It was eye-opening and inspiring, to say the least. The Fostering and Adoption ...
How to Teach the Bible as One Continuous Story
Growing up in a Bible-centered church, I knew all the classic stories like the back of my hand. Even at a young age, I could regurgitate the roller-coaster life of Joseph, the faith of Noah, and the excitement of David's youth. But if you asked me how Jesus fit into everything from Genesis to Revelation, I'd be stumped. Somewhere along the line, ...
Discovering Sabbath Rest: Trusting God in the Whirlwind of Parenthood
I emailed my aunt telling her all of our activities over the weekend. She graciously replied, asking, "What about the Sabbath?" At the time, I was a mom to four very young children who required diaper changes, food, clean laundry, and attention so they didn't get into trouble. I had to use every moment available in the week to stay afloat. But ...