It took me two and a half years to settle into my role as mama. It happened on August 6, 2018, at 1:14 p.m. It was the moment my second child was born. Right as I knew my life as … Continue reading
When a Mom Says No, She Means No
Tag Archives: Parenting
7 Ways to Get Your Teen to Actually Talk to You
A few years ago, I had a student in my class who insisted on sitting in the back row, his hoodie pulled up and his arms folded. He never spoke. After a few weeks, I asked to meet with his … Continue reading
Mama, I Give You Permission to Just Sit and Watch
Breakfast has been eaten. The dishes have been washed and set out to dry. Your kids are both quietly playing in the living room. And there is a load of laundry sitting on the couch just waiting to be folded. … Continue reading
We Are Not Made For Work
Sometimes I feel like a bit of a loser. It might be after getting off the phone with an old friend who balances being a mom and working her dream job. It might happen after spending an evening lounging on … Continue reading
5 Ways to Set Your Kids up for Dating Success (Even Before They’re Ready to Date)
I did a lot of dating when I was a teenager, but I was only in one long-term relationship before I started dating my husband. I’m not proud of the fact that I went on lots of dates, but rarely with the same guy more than once or twice. If any of those great guys are out there reading this, I apologize for my immaturity. Clearly, I wasn’t quite ready to be in a committed relationship when we dated.
Now that I have my own children, I’m thinking ahead to when they start dating. I want them to have a healthier experience than I did and I know that comes from laying some groundwork. I also know they’ll start talking about it with friends way sooner than their first date. Here are 5 teenage dating tips you can use well before your kids are old enough to date.
Abandoning the Allowance: How to Teach Money Management and Household Responsibility at the Same Time
I grew up in an allowance-giving household. For $3 a week, I was in charge of feeding the dog, setting the table, and cleaning my half of the room I shared with my sister. I took my job seriously, and … Continue reading
7 Things It’s Okay Not to Control for Your Kids
In my years as a youth minister, I have seen way too many mothers fail to control everything about their children. I’ve known mothers who choose their teens’ clothes, who email teachers to argue about their children’s failing grades, who … Continue reading
5 “Bad” Traits in Children that Will Benefit Your Kids as Adults
My son is incredibly sensitive. It’s a beautiful trait, but his sensitivity can make life very difficult at times. He’s easily hurt, whines quite a bit, and breaks down into tears at least once a day. But his sensitivity also … Continue reading
Why Time-Outs Don’t Work, and How You Can Make Them More Effective
My husband likes to tell the story of the first time he realized that getting a time-out was just an opportunity to play with his toys in the privacy of his own room. Getting punished just didn’t seem so bad … Continue reading
Dear Friends I’ve Lost in Motherhood
To all the friends I’ve lost since becoming a mother: I’m sorry. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better friend. I’m sorry I haven’t reached out to you in months or even years. I’m sorry we don’t have the relationship we … Continue reading
