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 ...
Parenting
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 ...
How Much Time Is Enough?
"Am I spending enough quality time with my child?" It's the kind of question that creeps in while folding laundry, driving, or scrolling late at night. I remember asking an older, wiser mom this exact question: How much time should I be spending with my children each day? Being a high school math teacher, she smiled and shared a ...
When Occupational Therapy isn’t an Option
If you’re raising a child with Sensory Processing Disorder and don’t have access to occupational therapy (OT), I see you. It’s overwhelming, and the daily challenges can leave you feeling helpless and alone. But mama, you are not without tools or hope. While OT is a wonderful resource, I want to share practical, home-based strategies that made a ...
What Are They Absorbing?
A couple of weekends ago, I had a rare moment of quiet before church began. But it didn’t last long. A 4th grade boy—who I know by face but have never really talked with—walked up and asked if he could show me a drawing he was working on. Without waiting for my answer, he flipped the paper upside down and dove into the backstory of his caricature ...
The Sacred Season of Motherhood
There are seasons in motherhood that feel long and heavy—and others that feel like they’re gone in a blink. I came across these words from a childhood friend, and they struck such a deep chord in me, I knew I had to share them. Maybe you're in the thick of it right now—wiping noses, reheating your coffee for the third time, and carrying what feels ...
How to Train a Child to Sleep In
After reading 7 Gentle Tips to Help with Early Risers, Shelley asked: “How do you actually train a child to stay in their room until you come get them? My 3-year-old comes into our bed every morning between 4 and 5 a.m. and goes back to sleep. I know he needs more sleep, but I also need my morning quiet time. Help!” If this sounds familiar, ...
7 Gentle Tips to Help with Early Risers
My life changed the day I decided to wake up before my young children to spend time with God in prayer and reading His Word. But getting there wasn't easy. I had every excuse in the book:"My kids wake up so early. I could never get up before them.""As soon as I wake, my kids get up.""I am exhausted. I need every possible moment to sleep." I ...