Dear daughter, you have been blessed with a mother’s heart. It is beautiful to watch you take a toddler by the hand and lead him, to watch you gaze with wonder and adoration at babies and do all your little body allows to care for them. God has blessed you with a love for children. … Read more
The summer before my son started kindergarten I was talking to another mom at church with a son the same age. When she found out I had decided to homeschool, she said something to the effect of, “You’re so brave.” I didn’t feel brave. But she wanted to know where I got the confidence to … Read more
Earlier this week, I gave my one-year-old angry eyes and angry words. “Just go to sleep! No, you can’t do that. Leave it alone.” I was that mom. The mom that is so ornery you feel uncomfortable for her child. I’m not always the mom I want to be. We were on an airplane on … Read more
It’s getting to the season when so many of us look forward to the fresh start of the new year. I seem to look forward to the fresh start of each new season. Every few months I am looking for ways to set new goals (though I could definitely use some better structure in that … Read more
I can’t say that I have always loved motherhood. I am committed to motherhood because I know it is the most important job in the world, and I feel God’s encouragement and help, but there have been times when motherhood has been completely overwhelming, to the point of being devoid of joy. Maybe devoid is … Read more
Imagine you’re living in the 1800s on a homestead. You’re living in this cute little log cabin (let’s ignore the fact that it would be freezing in the winter) and there isn’t a technology screen in sight for the next 100 years. Your little kids play happily in the dirt with a few homemade toys … Read more
Sometimes I need a lot of positive advice to keep me from getting overwhelmed. I wrote the following during one of those times. I’m posting it here for anyone who feels the same need. Take a deep breath. It’s not as bad as you imagine. You’re doing better than you think you are. You’re probably … Read more
“We could change the world if we told the right story.” –Brian Doyle Brian Doyle died last year. I don’t turn on the news or read the news. I only hear the trending news which comes up in ordinary conversation. So the news of his death didn’t reach me until I woke up early one … Read more
I’ve been thinking a lot about the desire we as parents have to help our kids reach their greatest potential. Because of this desire, we tend to think that we need to expose our kids to hundreds of different activities and experiences (not to mention ideas and opportunities). The sooner we find out what they’re … Read more