When my children were younger, I wanted to find some ways to celebrate Christmas with an emphasis on spending quality time together as a family, particularly during their Christmas break….
intentional parenting
Margins Bless and Reduce Family Stress
Hurrying through the house, we searched under chairs and beds for the lost shoe. “You need to be more responsible and keep up with things,” I reminded my child. On…
Instead of Yelling, Try Helping
Recently, I was frustrated with a few of my children who were dawdling with their room cleaning. As I walked into their still-messy room to reprimand them for being so…
Having “The Talk” With Your Daughter
There may be nothing a parent dreads more than having “the talk” with her child. You know the one – the talk where we explain the so-called birds and bees,…
Leftovers, Again?
When I was a kid I used to get so disappointed when my mom told me we were having leftovers for dinner. I don’t know why, but for some reason…
What’s in a MOM: How do we do the mommy balancing act?
“The juggler in the circus,” “A stay-at-home mom in the business of raising successful children,” “COM (Chief Operations Manager),” and my favorite, “Your Majesty.” The above resulted when I asked…
Implement 4 Boundaries To Prioritize Your Family
“What can I get for you this morning?” the young man asked. I walked up to the counter and ordered my usual Americano with cream – extra hot. We exchanged…
Winning the Cultural War in Our Homes
I recently heard a minister on the radio say that as Christians, we should live our lives like we’re on a war ship, not a cruise ship! The analogy resonated…
Launching Our Children Like Arrows
This past fall a photo stream of parents dropping their kids off at college filled my social media newsfeeds. Proud, teary eyed parents, beaming teenagers, decked out dorm rooms, and…
Strong Willed Child Despair?
Sitting at the breakfast table with my Bible and Prayers of My Heart journal open, I prayed for patience; knowing that my two year old daughter, Lauren, would wake at…