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 ...
Parenting
Training a Child to Release Anger
Sixteen years ago, I wrote a blog post during a season when my oldest child —affectionately called Bubs—was struggling with safely releasing anger and frustration. Reading it again now, I’m reminded of how much growth can happen when an adult slows down, listens, and chooses to train instead of simply telling a child to stop a behavior. Why ...
13 Tips to Navigate the Holidays with Sensory-Sensitive Kids
The holidays are hard for most children and adults. But for children navigating Sensory Processing Disorder, Autism, or ADHD, the large groups of people, over stimulation, and changes in routine can send the whole day into a downward spiral. I learned—many times after the fact—that the best way to help my children (and myself) was to prepare for ...
Who I Truly Am
A few years ago, my daughter came to me with a statement that stopped me in my tracks. Sweet Pea, who was 13 at the time, looked at me and confidently said she was a follower, not a leader. When I asked how she knew that, she shrugged and said, “Because my friends told me I am.” I remember taking a long, slow breath. Those simple words revealed ...
Helping a Child Understand Purpose (Even at a Young Age)
What's your purpose in life? It’s a question that feels big—definitely too big for little hearts still learning to tie shoes and hold crayons. But the answer, in some ways, is beautifully simple: we were made to glorify God. Why Purpose Matters How does knowing one's purpose help? According to Faithward.org, understanding what the Bible ...
Pumpkin Carving Fun… and a Tasty Treat!
For 20 years, our family has had a special pumpkin-carving tradition with Papa. When the kids were young, their favorite part was picking shapes for the faces—triangles for eyes, zigzags for mouths, and even some creative asymmetrical designs. Carving the pumpkin also opened the door to share the Gospel. As the kids got older, their designs became ...
Parenting Without Comparison
We all do it. Compare the things we own. Compare our marriages. Compare what we know. And yes… compare our children. As another school year begins, let’s pause and talk about how comparison affects us as parents — and what we can do about it. Here is Becky's story. When Comparison Creeps In “I need to teach Jack Bible stories!” I said to ...
Raising Kids Who Truly Apologize
As moms, we’ve all been there—two kids in tears, one clinging to a toy, the other muttering a quick “sorry” before running off. But deep down, we know that kind of apology doesn’t build character or heal relationships. What our kids need is to understand why their actions hurt others and how to respond in a way that shows genuine heart ...
Helping Your Preschooler Learn at Home
If only teaching our kids looked like the picture-perfect moments we imagine—smiling child, tidy table, eager heart ready to soak in knowledge. In reality, teaching your own preschooler often feels messy, frustrating, and personal. One mom from our ABCJesusLovesMe Facebook group put it perfectly: “I find it is easier to teach other children, ...
How to Teach Volume Control: Free PDF
“Why are you using your yelling voice?” “Please turn down your volume.” “I need you to talk quieter, please.” Do those phrases sound familiar in your home? If so, friend, you’re not alone. Those were regular lines in our home when my son was younger. For the longest time, I felt like a broken record, constantly reminding him to lower his ...