Sensory play is one of those things that kids really enjoy —water tables, bins of rice, finger paint, play dough. Adults, on the other hand, tend to dread. Why? Because they are often messy, leading to sticky kids, wet clothes, and messy floors. Maybe if we could see all of the learning, calming, and development happening below the surface, it ...
Day to Day
Easy Visual Chore Schedule for Teaching Kids Responsibility
When my kids were young, I tried multiple chore charts and posters, but nothing seemed to stick. I found that my kids (especially those with ADHD) needed something more hands-on—something visible, movable, and easy to carry from room to room to help focus and remind them of their daily responsibilities and routines. Just in time for summer, I ...
Raising Courageous Kids
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about that tricky balance we have to strike as moms. Here's just one area. You want to teach your child how to navigate the world—things like ordering their own food, asking for help, or advocating for themselves—but you’re also constantly weighing that against keeping them safe. Then there’s the future to ...
Letting Go of Fear in Parenting
Mama, can we sit together for a moment? Feel free to bring your coffee. When my kids were little, I would constantly count them—“one, two, three, four.” I knew where they were, what they were doing, and I felt like I could keep them safe. But then they grew up. Now they’re leaving early for activities, heading to work, going off to ...
The Sanctification Process: Why Sin Keeps Coming Back
Have you ever caught yourself thinking, I thought I already dealt with this sin? Maybe you prayed about it. Maybe you confessed it. Maybe you truly believed you had victory over it. And then—sometimes just an hour later—it shows up again. It can feel a little like playing whack-a-mole with your sin. You push it down, and suddenly it pops back up ...
Caring for the Body God Gave Me: A Drastic Change I Made
As a work-from-home mom who spends most of the day on the computer, getting enough movement has been a challenge. I could fit in a 20–30 minute workout or an evening walk, but that still left hours of sitting during the day. When I read the statement that sitting all day is the new smoking, I knew something needed to change. After talking ...
For the Mom Who Feels Unseen
You were made to be part of God's story,A beautiful note in his song.So let his light shine as you walk through the world,And remember...you always belong! These words are the repeated chorus in Jinger Dugger Vuolo and her husband Jeremy's new book You Always Belong (ad). The book gently helps children understand God’s love and their place in ...
Do I Deserve Happiness? A Biblical Look for Moms
As moms, we often hear, “I just want my kids to be happy,” or even, “I deserve happiness.” But is this what God promises or desires for us? Culture tells us happiness is the ultimate goal—choose what makes you happy, change your circumstances if you’re unhappy. Yet what does Scripture tell us? Read the episode transcript What Happiness ...
When It Doesn’t Go as Planned
About a year ago, Melanie and I recorded a podcast episode we didn’t know would be our last for quite some time. The break wasn’t planned, but life required it. 2025 brought confusion, heartbreak, grief, and parenting decisions that didn’t come with clear answers. Today, I want to share why that pause happened and what God has been teaching us ...
Trusting God in a New Year
Happy New Year! Do those words bring peace…or anxiety? I used to love the start of a new year. A clean calendar. A fresh planner. Excitement about what might be ahead. That changed. When the New Year Brings Anxiety While I still enjoy a brand-new Be Intentional planner, I've stepped into this new year with an anxious heart. Honestly, ...