There are few things more frustrating to a parent than an arguing child. The days and hours fly past us enough already, so who has time to argue over every little thing? Unfortunately, even the youngest child can be masterful at arguing and it’s easy to get sucked into the vacuum early on. There is no need… Continue reading BRAT TALK: Kids Who Like to Argue
“It’s a terrible thing to grow old.” He said it with tears in his eyes and a trembling voice. I was in a mad rush to leave the country for a week. There was a plane to catch, kids to place, luggage to grab. In the midst of the busyness of my morning, I suddenly noticed this… Continue reading Refusing to Give Regret the Right to Rule
Their little faces pressed against the screen looking at me from the porch. My earlier frustration began to dissolve and was replaced quickly by feelings of guilt and compassion as I tried to wrap up my phone conversation. Have you ever been constantly interrupted while trying to have an intense or important conversation? If you have children,… Continue reading BRAT TALK: Helping Kids Learn the Art of Good Interruptions
He looked at me with wide eyes trying hard to make sense of my words. “Really, I mean it. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that you were made to be a rescuer and make this world a better place? Try being a hero, instead of a killer. You were made to be a hero!” He… Continue reading Finding Our Feelers in a “Me” World and Teaching Our Children to Care
The frustration was building on her face. She would not look my way. Perhaps it was to stay focused; most likely it was to keep from letting the tears escape. My heart hurt as I watched this girl of mine struggling to keep her composure. Golf is a long game. It is one thing to… Continue reading Helping Our Kids (and Ourselves) Navigate the Green When Life Just Doesn’t Care
Her tears fell freely as I wrapped my arms around her shoulders near the end of the funeral. Her young heart filled with sorrow as she processed the loss of a friend-forever in her mind. Maybe not really forever, but when you are young, a lifetime can feel like forever. We live each day with… Continue reading When Pain Calls Your Name
She bounces when she walks. It is an outward sign of her inward joy. And she has so much of it. I don’t know how it happened. How it happened that she is so joyful is a mystery because she started life with so little. Almost ten years ago now, they handed her to me. … Continue reading All I Learned About Life From My 4th Grader as She Heads Off to School
I have parented my adopted child for over nine years. I will never be the same. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. On the days I am frustrated, it is good for me to go back and remember how far we have come. I only wish I had known… Continue reading Mom’s Top Ten Survival Tips for Raising Your Child with Attachment Issues
“I wish I could be a more self-confident! So many times I’ve whispered this prayer when I’ve had to do something new. Your hands shake, mouth gets dry, stomach flutters, and those legs feel so unsteady…don’t you hate that feeling? God asks us to do crazy things that require us to step OUTSIDE of our… Continue reading A Holy Confidence and The Cry for “Girl-Power”
It may surprise you to know that this mother and pastor’s wife struggles with intolerance towards “dumb” people. I’m not referring to intellect when I use the term “dumb”…but FOOLISH people who choose over and over to do dumb things. So when I was recently asked to teach our girls how to identify a “fool”, I jumped… Continue reading Mom’s Top 10 Ways to Spot A Fool
