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 ...
Mommyhood
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 ...
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 ...
Unwrapping Joy: Choosing Contentment over Comparison
How easy it is to get wrapped up in the holiday comparisons. I struggle every year. My house isn’t beautiful enough. Did you see her tree?The gifts I've chosen won't be what people want. They will think I don't listen to them well enough to know what they want and like. Other families have better traditions than we do. They ...
Thriving Amidst Differing Spiritual Beliefs in Marriage
Do you long to raise children with strong faith, but your spouse doesn't seem to share your vision? It's a common challenge in many Christian families and it can feel disheartening. However, there's hope in navigating these differences with grace and understanding. ▼ Jump to Listen to Episode #46: Thriving Amidst Differing ...
Navigating Grumpiness: Finding Gratitude Amidst the Hard
Ever feel like you're walking through life with a perpetual frown? Are you tired of how your grumpy attitude is impacting your relationships, especially within your family? You're not alone. Grumpiness is an emotion that can easily take over our lives, especially when life becomes a bit challenging and weariness sets in. However, allowing ...
A Parent’s Crucial Role in Teaching Sin and Redemption
We talk to our children about sharing, being kind, and taking turns. But how often do we talk to our children about sin and redemption? I recently received a heartwarming email from a listener who was encouraged by our Parenting to Impress podcast. She sought insights on discussing sin with her children without casting a shadow of doom and ...
The Power of One-Liners & Broken Records
If asked what the most beneficial tool in my parenting toolbox is, I would say - without any hesitation, "One-Liners." Also called broken records, these pre-scripted, parenting quotes have been instrumental in training my children. And parents and teachers continue to echo my sentiments as they have also seen these short phrases transform their ...
My Discipline Mistakes: New Podcast
Have you ever asked more experienced parents what they wish they would have done differently in parenting had they known what they know now? What about the boundaries that they are so glad that they held firm to? We all come into parenting with expectations of what we will do and how it will be. But not long into the journey something sneaks ...
Advice We’ve Learned Along the Way
From the moment you find out you’re becoming a parent, everyone has a word of advice for you! When well-intentioned and from someone you trust, these words of wisdom have potential to shape and direct the course you take. But if you look to social media or Google for your advice, you’ll be overwhelmed with the results! So, how do we discern ...