“Why don’t you just grow up? You’re thirteen. Act like it.” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. “How can I act like it?” my daughter said in desperation. “I’ve never been thirteen before!” I took a deep breath and sighed. My daughter was right. I was expecting a lot… [Continue Reading]
parenting
The Importance of Reading Aloud to Kids (and Getting Truth Deep In Their Hearts!)
I didn’t grow up in a reading home, but when I was in the sixth grade my family moved next to a library and that changed everything. I fell in love with books, and I was swept away to imaginary worlds. Yet so many times I wished I had someone to talk to about the… [Continue Reading]
Staying Strong When Your Heart Feels Weak
I’ve never thought of myself as a weak person. That is until the day I crumbled onto the floor of my bedroom, feeling as if I had nothing left to give. Tears had flowed earlier that day, but not now. I’d been trying to reach out to my angry daughter throughout the day but to… [Continue Reading]
7 Prayers to Say for Your Children
7 Prayers to Say for Your Children So many times I find myself praying for the same things for my children. That they are healthy. They they are safe. That they are obedient. The other day I was reading the Bible, and I came upon Philippians 1:9-11: I pray that your love will overflow more… [Continue Reading]
Secondhand Forgiveness | Debora M. Coty
My daughter Cricket came home from second grade in tears. Again. Her teacher had rebuked her in front of the class for asking another girl for help with a math problem. Cricket felt humiliated and stupid. And it wasn’t the first time. Because of a learning disability, Cricket had difficulty with some subjects, particularly math…. [Continue Reading]
Prayers for the School Year
It’s the beginning of the school year, and I have so many hopes and desires for my children’s year. I want it to be a year of learning, yes, but I also want so much more. I want this to be a year in which my children grow spiritually, not just physically and educationally. I… [Continue Reading]
What’s Behind Your Child’s “Mad”?
As a parent, it’s easy for me to get upset when my children get angry. I want them to control their emotions. I want them to control themselves. But through the years I’ve discovered that one of the best ways to deal with anger is to figure out where it comes from. Once we figure… [Continue Reading]
How to Raise a Strong Girl in a Princess World
When my oldest daughter Leslie was 5-years-old she refused to wear pants… for a whole year… because she was a princess. I thought it was cute for the first month, but we lived in Montana. Have you ever tried to dress someone in a snowsuit while they were wearing a dress? I have seven daughters… [Continue Reading]
How Parents Can Handle Teen Emotions
You can read the first blog post of the series here ~ What You Really Need To Know About Emotional Teens. On the top of my to-do list, today was writing this blog on how to handle emotional teens. It’s easy to make that a goal and spout all types of wonderful advice on a… [Continue Reading]
4 Ways to Cultivate More Peace in Your Mothering | Rebekah Hargraves
Sometimes, the words “peace” and “mothering” just don’t seem to mix. Between all the household tasks, the tantrums, the training, the constant needs, and the loud voices calling “Mama!!!”, it can feel like peace is nowhere to be found. I am of the belief, however, that even amid all the craziness and chaos which can… [Continue Reading]
Creating a Happy Bedtime Routine for Kids
Want to learn how to create a happy bedtime routine? I share three tips sure to help you to create a happy routine that doesn’t leave you stressed out. The fast way to get happy kids is to get rested kids, yet getting kids to go to sleep is often one of the hardest things in… [Continue Reading]