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16 Year Old Boy and The List
This article is reposted from one of my earlier blogging days. I just sent my 16 year old boy out the door with his 12 year old brother to get "groceries." 16 year old just got his license two days ago. On the list: Drive to the grocery store. Buy pop, apples and...
10 Things to Know About Parenting Girls
I was Christmas shopping for my sons at an outlet mall. I have two teen boys and a college-man coed. My store options were Adidas, Under Armour, Nike, and other jock retails. After the first round of purchasing basketball shorts and swoosh t-shirts, I was bored. I...
5 Reasons to Reclaim Quiet
Every once in a while, I pull back, escaping the chaos and busyness of life. Two or three times I've said, "I'm going away" to my family, checking myself into a bed and breakfast overnight. This happens when I'm pulled to my limit and know I may snap if I don't have...
25 Reasons Marriage Stinks & 26 Reasons Why It’s Good
Today's my 26th anniversary. Our marriage can be defined as "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," only it's Italian Girl Marries Mennonite Farmboy. I was going to write eloquent thoughts, but the post "25 Reasons Why I Suck At Marriage After 25 Years" was sitting in my...
6 Ways to Equip Kids in an Artificial World
Perfect. Popular. Sexy. Flawless. These were answers to questions I asked middle school girls at a recent conference. The questions I asked included: Who does the world say you should be? Who does social media say you should be? Who do your peers say you should be?...
5 Reasons to Engage in Your Teen’s World
“You mean they’re talking this way, at age twelve?” a shocked parent asked after I told her about an inappropriate conversation in which her child was involved. Are you aware of what kids your age are talking about? From Elvis to twerking, generations of parents have...
Where Is God Calling You? – A Give Away
Seven years ago I left the profession I love. I wasn't sure what was next for me, but I knew I needed something different that would better fit our family and heal things that were broken. I read a book that summer, "When I Lay My Isaac Down" by Carol Kent. Her story...
Some Things You Keep – Give Away
“There’s been an accident. Mom fell asleep in the garage. She’s dead.” When I heard my father say those words, I stood motionless beneath his hand that rested on my head, wondering if he was truly talking about my mom. The reality soon set in, but the grief and...
3 Responses to A Mother’s Anxiety
In the last post, we identified "what-if's" that feed a parent's fears and anxiety. We identified three steps to manage momentary and long-term fears. 1. Stop. 2. Breathe. 3. Listen to God. You can read about the first two principles here. Let's get to the third...
The Mother’s Anxiety We All Have
When I recently asked for topics you'd like me to write about, a mother's anxiety came up. I can relate. So I'll write. ********************** Anxiety creeps in the minute you see the "+" on the pregnancy test: What if something's wrong with the baby? What if I won't...
10 Ways You Value Your Children More Than God
“You honor your sons more than me…” 1 Samuel 2:29b God’s word is complete for parenting. Even in 2015. 1 Samuel shares a principle parents of teens need to hear: Do you honor your children more than God? It’s an eye-opening question. You strive to raise good kids....
5 Tips for Organizing the Mess
When toddlers were underfoot, I longed for less messy days Then my oldest became a teenager, I had a toddler and elementary kids in between. Life got crazy. How do you keep track of the mess? Here are 5 household and lifestyle tips I’ve used to manage the...