How many times have you asked your child to pick up their toys to simply have your request ignored? More than you can count? Maturity vs Heart When this occurs, I encourage you to ask yourself the following question. Is my child not picking up the toys because of a maturity or heart issue? In other words, is it that they can't or ...
Mommyhood
Tempted to Skip the Old Testament?
For the last 20 weeks, I have been reading through the key chapters of the Bible and I am thrilled that over 400 of you have joined me in this journey. We started with fun stories of Creation, Noah, the Red Sea, and the Battle of Jericho. But this week we are chin deep in II Kings and the major and minor prophets of the Old Testament (OT). ...
Are You Growing a Dysfunctional Family?
I discovered this pivotal commentary in my Bible and thought I would share. I will break the paragraph down for easier reading. “Dysfunctional families have common patterns: 1. They do not talk - keep family secrets2. They do not see - ignore inappropriate behavior as well as altered perception of reality3. They do not feel - disregard ...
What are Age-Appropriate Cooking and Chore Ideas for My Child?
There is a saying, "Don't do for your child what they can do for themselves." It has become my parenting motto as I strive to prepare my children for the real world. But what are age-appropriate options? Age-Appropriate Cooking and Chores List To help you get started passing the baton of responsibility to your children, I've ...
What is Setting You Apart?
A few years ago I reviewed the book She's Gonna Blow! by Julia Ann Barnhill. The book was filled with wonderful ideas for anger management. But in the midst of helping mommas learn to stay calm, Julia Ann took a moment to highlight some women who had an impact on her life. First, Julia Ann shared stories of how the older women in her ...
What to Do When You Are Overwhelmed
I don't typically share two posts in a week, but God is showing me some ideas to manage my summer-stress level and I can't wait to pass on the tips! Grab the Be Intentional Planner This summer has about pulled me under. While all of the activities have been wonderful, the fun has caused me to start each morning behind and ...
Potty Training Cheat Sheet
I am happy to report that I successfully potty trained four children. Woohoo! But, I remember the days when doubts entered my mind. Potty training is one of those parenting tasks that many dread. It is messy, frustrating, and is almost completely controlled by a child whose favorite word is "No!" Looking back, I loved the beginning ...
You Must Try This Home Hint
According to the New York Times, Pinterest is a $10 to $11.3 billion company. They have made a fortune sharing and organizing tips and ideas. Why is it such a hit? Because moms especially are desperate to make their lives more simple and beautiful. Because I am decoration-ally challenged, I can't make your life more beautiful. But, I do ...
I’m Giving You Permission to Not Go on a Family Vacation This Year
Last week's blog post compiled a plethora of tips for family vacations. For those hitting the beach or visiting a National Park, I hope you found helpful the planning and money-saving secrets. But, did you notice how I ended the blog post? "God made a beautiful world and when it is time for your family, I hope that you can experience it!" ...
Are You Skipping These Learning Opportunities?
Yesterday Little Man set up Monopoly, begging everyone in the family to join him. It is a game that I loved as a child. As a parent, I tolerate it. Crazy how things change like that. But, I knew it was important to my young son. Even though it wasn't always pretty, I was thankful that I grasped the moment. As we played I recognized the ...