Tweens & Teens

This is one of my favorite times of the year–not because the weather is especially nice (I’m not fond of the cold), but because it is a season of giving.  Everyone…

Strangest headline ever? I have something really profound to share with you about traditions. Let me back up a few years to when my children were much smaller and I…

What’s your first response when your children tell you about difficulties they are facing? Do you immediately jump in to help them solve their problems? If you do, then stop…

Our dear friends have a son who was a handful. He experimented with drugs and alcohol. Upon graduating from high school he gladly announced that he heard if you sign up for…

I should have this parenting figured by now, shouldn’t I?  I majored in Early Childhood.  I was a nanny before a parent.  I have five children, plus have fostered several…

There were four little boys gathered together and the larger boy, stepped out from the pack and growled, quite loudly, “Get away, we don’t want to play with you!” I…

Have you ever been through one of those seasons in life when you just can’t seem to get your head above water? Just being called “mom” likely puts you in…

My inbox is constantly bombarded with invitations from my kids’ school.  Do my children want to join swimming, tennis, robotics, karate, soccer, chess, basketball, or baseball?  Some activities are free,…

Have you noticed the words teenagers use on Facebook? They know we’re watching. What do you think they’re saying when we aren’t? Perhaps most upsetting to me is how normalized profanity…

If you sing these words to the Jason Mraz song “I’m Yours,” you will see a glimpse into the Hawkins home — well, actually more like a glimpse into my husband’s…