I am not a naturally competitive person. In games, races, debates, etc., I will automatically concede far before an actual defeat. So in dealing with my kids, I lean heavily towards letting them learn from the natural consequences rather than debating with them to try to convince them that I’m right. If my kids choose … Read More about Parenting a Preteen: Five Fights You Can’t Let Your Tween Win
Six Creative Ways to Communicate with Preteens and Teenagers
Parents often accept the breakdown of communication with their preteens and teens. We’ve been conditioned to think that’s it’s normal for our kids to hide away in their bedroom, never speaking to their family, only coming out to grab some food before sullenly re-entering their cave. Just thinking about my kids acting like that makes me so sad. But … Read More about Six Creative Ways to Communicate with Preteens and Teenagers
Five Fights to Let Your Tween Win
From the moment Briney started talking at the ridiculously early age of four months, people began telling me how dreadful the coming teenage years would be. So I steeled myself. I read books about raising teenage daughters. I listened to parents of teenagers when they talked about parenting successes and failures. I talked to the … Read More about Five Fights to Let Your Tween Win
Six Things to Watch on Netflix This Summer That the Whole Family Will Enjoy
Summer is my favorite season. I love how time slows down just a little. We are still incredibly busy, but there’s at least one night a week that we make time to eat some homemade popcorn and watch a movie or show together. With kids ranging in ages from nine to two, it can be … Read More about Six Things to Watch on Netflix This Summer That the Whole Family Will Enjoy
My First Father’s Day without One
My son got knocked off his feet by a wave today. My wife and I were standing in the shallow, cool waters of the Gulf of Mexico watching our kids splash in the surf. It was going great. None of the kids were being brave beyond their skills and they were all getting along. Perfect. And … Read More about My First Father’s Day without One
How to Teach Kids to Memorize Scripture
Y’all. Parenting is hard. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Probably tomorrow. There are approximately 652 things to do each day to make sure that your kid just stays alive. If you add in any extracurriculars or attempts to eat organically, that number increases to like 986. And there are some days … Read More about How to Teach Kids to Memorize Scripture
I’m Late Because You Aren’t My Priority
I recently had a friend stop talking to me for four months because I was late to pick her up for a lunch date. Twenty minutes before I was supposed to be at her house, my father-in-law died. I called her, explained the situation, and decided to keep the date primarily because I felt like … Read More about I’m Late Because You Aren’t My Priority
Cheap DIY Foaming Hand Soap
Y’all. My kids whine and complain about washing their hands about 70% of the time, and yet when they get in the bathroom, they use ALL the water and soap. It’s nuts. This post, Cheap DIY Foaming Hand Soap, contains affiliate links for your convenience. This means that if you click on a link, we’ll … Read More about Cheap DIY Foaming Hand Soap
You Are the Best Leader for Your Church
I hear you. You’re saying, “No, I’m not. There’s no way I’m the best leader for my church.” But you are. You saw this post, and you clicked to read it because you have at least some desire to serve in your church. And after fourteen years of being married to a minister, I’ve heard … Read More about You Are the Best Leader for Your Church
I’m Not a Homemaker
There’s a storm on Saturn that has been raging since 2004. That’s four years before my kids started their cyclone of chaos, but sometimes it seems like they could give the Dragon Storm a run for its money. I keep waiting to see the meteorologist switch to a radar over my house ME: Stays up … Read More about I’m Not a Homemaker
How to Bible Journal When You Aren’t Talented or Creative
Two years ago, my husband bought me a beautiful leather bound journaling Bible. I was so excited! I’d seen tons of pins with lovely designs across pages with Washi tape and water colors. So I sat down with my empty Bible and some colored pencils and… froze. Completely froze. This was a really expensive Bible … Read More about How to Bible Journal When You Aren’t Talented or Creative
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