when god opens doors…. walk through
My husband and I have two amazing boys ages 8 and 11… After a year or so we started looking into adopting another child. We did some research on International adoptions and other adoption agencies and each time we just got scared and didn’t do it.
bedtime tantrums
Do you struggle with bedtime? Is this the time of day you have the worst power struggles with your child? When you're worn down, being patient with a child who wants to cry, stay awake, or make excuses is hard. No matter your child's age, this is a universal space for parenting decision-making….
why we host epic kids parties
My mother-in-law rolls her eyes and thinks we go overboard, other family members think we are crazy, my mom always wants to join the fun and the parents of my kid’s friends who attend parties at our house know that the kids will get dirty, be tired and have a blast. This is the story of why we love to plan and host Epic kids’ parties….
raising connected adults
Have you ever deeply pondered the role of a parent? What qualifies you to be a parent? Every species on earth reproduces, but raising children is not the same across the spectrum. Human children have far different experiences. The pressure to succeed as a kid is felt by the parent and often influences the parent's decision-making…
from homeschool naysayer to cheerleader
All my life I have been, what I would call, an anti-homeschooler. I would always say, I went to public school and turned out just fine. If I’m honest I also thought, kids who are homeschooled are socially awkward and don’t have the emotional intelligence to be successful when they get older….
it’s not the same.
Parenting, to me is one of the toughest, most rewarding jobs that God saw fit to gift me. Since I started way earlier than most in my graduation class, my parents assumed that I had ended or limited any possible future success. I was determined it would not be an end, but a chance to impact and influence…
that’s a personal question
My husband is Santa. I mean, the real deal. He works for an organization that offers photos for special events, and he is the man in the red suit. He's pretty awesome at listening to gift requests and reminding kids that mom and dad always have to approve the list Santa is given. He is fantastic at setting expectations and reminding kids to leave carrots out for the reindeer. But there is an important part of his job that few people notice….
never too late to win
The signs were there since kindergarten. My middle child, Brett, hated going to school. Hate is a strong word, but an appropriate one. Brett didn’t just whine and moan about it like many kids. The school year started out fairly well. He liked his teacher and classmates. However, after a week long Thanksgiving break, he began refusing to get out of bed, get dressed and go to the bus stop….
foundations of joy
One of my greatest joys in life is being a mom. God has blessed me with four wonderful children. Each unique in their own way. Created and designed by the hand of God for a purpose. As a mom my job is to help guide and direct each of them towards that purpose.
what do you think?
Has your child ever stumped you with a question? You know the kind… "Daddy, where do babies come from?" or "Why do grownups say bad words?" …..
do I need a swimsuit for this?
I once made the statement that "parenting is more like lifeguarding." And when I think about it, I really do believe that is true. We get these little people in our lives and our focus then becomes keeping them healthy, happy, and safe. It starts at birth.
living today while planning for the future
I want a happy adult relationship with my child where they desire my company and I desire theirs….
to say no or not to say no!
You may have been told that telling your child “no” will defeat them, deflate them, or lower their self-esteem. You may be like me where you are curious if there is anything wrong with letting your kids do things other parents have rules about. Is bedtime really all that important? Is it alright to let them have sugar or drink soda? Should you let them have unlimited screen time? Do they really have to clean their toys up or make their bed? Who is really going to hurt anyway?….
raising connected adults
Have you ever deeply pondered the role of a parent? What qualifies you to be a parent? Every species on earth reproduces, but raising children is not the same across the spectrum. Human children have far different experiences….
labeling every drawer
My kids were scheduled every moment of the day, my house was spotless at every moment, and absolutely everything was in order; nothing was left undone. I had one of those really great label makers, and every item in our home had a place to be stored, and it was labeled. We were homeschooling, and we were in control of every moment of our lives.
gratitude check
What are we thankful for today?
Your kids ask for things, and sometimes they are things they need, while other times these are things they want. Some things are frivolous, and others are intriguing as you consider what your child values at the moment. Value is not always about money…
roach to unicorn
Less than 50 percent of parents believe they are doing a good job parenting. That seems like a pretty small number to me! I’ve been working with parents for over thirty years, and whether the children in the home are small or teens, parents express feelings of inadequacy. The great news is that not everything we are doing is mind-numbing or exhausting. Think about the best day you’ve had parenting. Who was there with you? Why was it the best day ever?