Lately, I have been wanting to scream from a mountaintop to all the parents in the world, “Stop letting social media suck the joy out of your parenting!” Daily, I hear the insecurity in the voices of young moms who tentatively ask, “Am I a bad mom if…” I see dads screaming at 5-year-olds on read more…
The Last First Day
After snapping the obligatory school photo of Michael this morning on the front porch, I suddenly realized–that’s the LAST picture. Ever. Thirteen pictures and my innocent six year old, who I was afraid would hear bad language on the dreaded school bus, is now literally an adult who drives himself to school. Seriously, that’s what happened to me–13 pictures read more…
I Think I Just Flunked My Kids’ Physicals
I had all the boy’s physicals this month. It reminded me of this post from a few years ago. We were ready THIS year. Summer 2011 Yesterday Matthew (9) and Christopher (11) had their annual physicals. It has been awhile since we have had one for any of the boys so I had forgotten the read more…
Think Twice Before Demanding Straight “A’s”
“So is it OK if I tell my fifth grader that he can have an iPhone as long as he has straight A’s?” This was the question I received last week with many variations occurring over the last few years from anxious parents hoping to find the best way to ensure school success. I’m not read more…
Random Thoughts on the Middle School Years
We have a lot of power to protect our kids from the negatives of middle school. Our power lies in our connection with our kids and our authority in our home. We need to be relationship driven with each child—based on unconditional love and rituals that connect us rather than an obsession with grades or athletics. read more…
Creating a Financially Healthy Christmas
With the Christmas shopping season in full swing as of November first, it is now time to take a breath and decide how to effectively navigate through this season with your family’s finances in tact. First and foremost, we must remember that the Christmas season is a time of remembering and celebrating the birth of read more…
Just for Fun Quotes
One Christmas a few years ago, a friend of mine gave me a “mom” calendar. Each day of the year had a particular story or quote that a mother was supposed to find endearing. I, however, did not. They said things like: July 25th “No test tube or radar screen can adequately describe what is read more…
Your Child: Specifically Designed for You
Without question, the number one piece of parenting advice I received early on was that my kids were created with unique temperaments. At that time, I had a laid back one year old and a strong willed two year old. Once I realized that the God of the universe actually designed their personalities, I was read more…
No Gender Differences? Really?
This month’s Parenting Magazine featured an article about raising a man(Parenting June 2013). I was obviously intrigued since I am raising four future men, so I quickly flipped to the article. What I found was the most serious case of Politically Correct propaganda that I have read in a long time. There is so much read more…