Today’s Great Giveaways! 10 Best Decisions Every Parent Can Make By: Bill and Pam Farrel One of the greatest desires parents have is to prepare their children to transition succesfully into adult life. In this book Bill & Pam share tips and techniques from nearly 18 years of parenting that will build your children’s confidence as you help them discover the unique gifts God has put inside them. Ruby Slippers By: Jonalyn Grace Fincher Jonalyn Fincher wants to show that women can be both fully human and fully feminine. Traditionally, femininity has been a role women play, a role defined …
Remembering
Today is Memorial Day. The day our country takes a break and celebrates. But often we forget what Memorial Day is about. Perhaps we as mothers need to remind our kids about our country’s past. We need to remember the whys behind our national holidays and pass on the whys and traditions to our kids. Here is how I talked to my kids about Memorial Day. “Why do we celebrate Memorial Day?” I asked my kids while we ate lunch. “To honor our presidents?” my nine-year-old asked. “No,” I shook my head, “but good guess.” “To celebrate Christmas,” my four-year-old …
Mentoring Decoded
She came to my house to pray. I longed for the time and loathed it too. My kitchen was a mess. Dirty dishes lined the sink and crumbs littered my table. My living room looked like a toy store threw-up in it and I didn’t have time to get my house tidy before she came. I planned to pick-up, wipe-down, and clean-up, but time eluded me. I couldn’t rescind the invitation. It was too late. When she arrived, I opened my door and apologized for the mess. She said, “Angela, I wish I played more and cleaned less when my …
Mommy Guilt
I am not the perfect mom. I love my husband and my kids, but I mess-up–often. Some days I make lots of mistakes–other days I do better. However I will never be perfect–not this side of heaven. Sometimes I pick-up every mistake I make, but my burden is heavy. It whispers to my heart. You will never do this right. You are messing up your children. You are a bad mother. You will never be enough. My heart convulses as I lose myself in the lies my burden feeds me. I lose my joy in fear. My strength evaporates in …
Because They are Listening
“Jesus help me,” I whispered barely audible. My last nerve pulled tight. My eyes flashed with anger. Hot words piled up in my mind begging to be released. “Jesus,” I breathed. “I can’t do this. Help me. Please help me.” “Mommy, why are you saying help me?” I didn’t even know she could hear me. “I am frustrated sweetheart and I don’t want to do or say anything in anger. So I asked Jesus to help me – do what is right and be a good mommy.” “Oh,” she wrinkled her nose and ran off. Our kids actually listen. When …
Transform Discipline with Debriefing
I sighed and prayed as I walked to her bedroom. She wailed, fearful of her punishment. Earlier she spoke out of anger and frustration. Her disrespectful words hit their mark. Anger flashed in my eyes, my tone betrayed my wrath, but by God’s grace I did not yell – a sign of His fruit in my life. I opened the door and encouraged her to calm down. She took heaving breaths as tears soaked her bed. When she quieted we talked. It was a humbling time for both of us. We admitted our faults and failures. Then talked about how …
How to Mother in the Spirit
“Jesus I can’t do this,” my whisper barely reaches my own ears. “Help me. I need you.” “Mommy what are you saying?” “Now you listen,” I think to myself. “I’m just asking Jesus to help me,” I reply to her question. “Are you mad at us?” She looks at her siblings. “Is she intentionally trying to knock me off the edge?” I wonder as I formulate my answer. “No sweetie, but I am frustrated at how things have gone today. Mostly I am frustrated with myself and I need Jesus to help me.” Saying those words out loud knocked something …
Why Having “The Talk” Is Not Enough
There is no question the culture in most developed nations is sexually charged. Sex sells everything from shampoo and deodorant to lawn mowers. According to a report by Harris Interactive in 2007 68% of TV shows have explicit sexual content. The “wardrobe malfunction” of the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show reminds us that even sporting events are not safe. In a world where our young girls are being sexualized (see Toddlers and Tiaras), is it reasonable to think that one sex talk is enough to combat what our culture throws at our kids daily? Instead I challenge you to begin …
There is No One Right Way
My belly bulged and my heart swelled. Excitement tingled in my every pore. I had everything mapped out in my head. Excitedly I typed out a birth plan – full of my ideals of natural birth and no needles in my back. My husband and I took a natural child-birthing class. I read parenting books and listened to seasoned friends. I knew what I would and wouldn’t do. I thought I was a prepared mommy. Then my stubborn first-born chose not to come. A week after my due date my doctor induced my labor and my labor did not follow …
How to Mother When You Long for More
Sun filtered through the blinds as I blinked my eyes open. A new day loomed before me. Another day I knew I was not pregnant and I likely would never be again. My empty womb seemed to mock me and though it was empty it felt heavy with despair and longing. My soul felt heavy too. Burdened with a longing that would not be met, saddled with questions of why, and the pain of apparent injustice. As I shook my head to clear it, voices began to call to me from down the hall. Although I desperately wanted to stay …