Hey sweet moms…many of you have been asking questions and we want you to know WE HEAR YOU and WE ARE HERE FOR YOU. Here’s a recent question that was sent to us at The M.O.M. Initiative ~ “When my son goes over to his friend’s house, they let him watch movies I don’t approve of and play video games I don’t like either. I love the parents but I’m how do I tell them that he is not allowed to watch certain shows or play certain games when he’s over there?” Two weeks ago, we looked at some foundational questions …
Getting It Together + & The TMI Monday Link Up!
Kayse Pratt is a wife, mommy, and writer whose brand new eBook Getting It Together: Your Guide to Setting Up a Home Management System That Works releases on Monday, December 31. I’m delighted to talk with Kayse about how we can set realistic home management goals for the new year–without getting overwhelmed! How can we start the new year with reasonable get-myself-organized goals? Kayse: For me, having a system is key: a central place for all of my home management stuff! My goals themselves have to be organized: project lists, cleaning schedules, etc. I think it’s important to start small, creating manageable …
Remembering What Went Right
It’s the day after. All the built-up anticipation is spent. We’ve got a whole 364 days ’til we do it all again. And if you’re anything like me, you’re already making lists of what you’ll do better next year: I won’t forget the _____. I won’t burn the _____. I won’t leave the _____ in the freezer. I won’t say _____ to _____. I’ll remember to buy a _____ for _____. I’ll make sure _____ acts more (or less!) ______. Stop. Yes, reflection is a powerful part of change and growth. But today, instead of reflecting (perhaps even obsessing) on …
Grow Your Gratitude: Happy Thanks-Living! & The M.O.M. Initiative Monday Link Up!
The Typical 2 I’ve always heard that there are two ways to focus on thankfulness: Keep track of what I’m thankful for (i.e. in a gratitude journal) Share my gratitude with those for whom I’m thankful (i.e. by writing a thank-you note) A New (for Me) #3 But over the last month, I’ve discovered a new way — new for me, at least! — to focus on thankfulness. I’ve been asking people this question throughout the day: “What’s one thing you’re thankful for right now?” And I marvel at the diversity, the depth, the humor, and the honesty of each …
Raising Kids to be Independent Adults: How to LET. THEM. GO. & The M.O.M. Initiative Monday Link Up!
with Karen Ehman My friend Sheila Wray Gregoire asked a great question last week: “When Does Childhood End?” I agree with her premise that one of my duties, as a mom, is to help my kids find their route to independence, maturity, and purpose. So it’s been hard to admit that I was a “smother mother” when my daughter was in high school. I ran interference with my daughter’s teachers so often, she did not learn how to advocate for herself. She didn’t know how to ask, “When can I come make up the quiz I missed yesterday?” or “Why did …
A Holiday-Ready Heart
Maybe November and December are your two favorite months of the year. Perhaps preparing for, living through, and cleaning up after the holidays don’t phase you in the least. You may have your Christmas shopping all done, your cards ready to mail, and your menus completely planned. If these are true for you, then The PURSE-onality Challenge “A Holiday-Ready Heart” is not designed for you. (But please join us anyhow and give us your best advice!) However, if you… dread dragging out the holiday decorations… wonder how what should be “the best of times” often ends up …
Part 3: Kids & Cell Phones – the WHAT and WHERE
Part 1: Kids & Cell Phones – the WHY Part 2: Kids & Cell Phones – the WHEN and HOW Part 3: Kids & Cell Phones – the WHAT and WHERE Several years ago, during a Faculty-Student Home Worship, I realized that our ten student advisees were not particularly engaged in the discussion my husband was leading. At first, I thought perhaps they were a bit shy, as it was early in the school year and we were all starting to get to know each other. But I found out later where their attention had been: texting their friends …
Top 10 Things We’ve Done Right as Parents
Subscribe today for your FREE copy of… FACING YOUR FEARS – 31 STORIES FROM M.O.M. Mid-life isn’t treating Daniel kindly. He’s taking every immature choice of our college-aged kids personally, asking, “What did I do wrong?” Last night I told him, “I need a list of ten things we’ve done right as parents.” “10? As in the fingers on both hands?” he asked incredulously. “I married you. That’s my one.” I insisted he wasn’t getting off so easily with a cop-out, no matter how endearing. And after just a few minutes of brainstorming, he was surprised — …
eBabies + iTeens + YouToo: Kids and Cell Phones – the WHEN and HOW
Subscribe today for your FREE copy of… FACING YOUR FEARS – 31 STORIES FROM M.O.M. eBabies + iTeens + YouToo: Kids and Cell Phones – the WHEN and HOW Re-Viewing WHY Before we discuss the WHEN and HOW, though, I want to touch on one WHY that we didn’t discuss last time: emergencies. Many parents give their children cell phones so they can communicate in the event of a crisis. A few examples of how such proactive planning may not always succeed: When we still lived in southern California, we experienced a strong earthquake. …
eBabies + iTeens + YouToo: Kids and Cell Phones – the WHY
Subscribe today for your FREE copy of… FACING YOUR FEARS – 31 STORIES FROM M.O.M. eBabies + iTeens + YouToo: Kids and Cell Phones – the WHY I couldn’t wait to see Annemarie’s face as she opened her final 8th grade graduation gift. The video camera was rolling and my husband was strategically positioned to catch close up photos. “You have to guess what it is before you can open it!” I said, handing Annemarie a simple gift bag. When the bag began ringing and vibrating, she almost dropped it in surprise. Shock and comprehension …