My wife and I have four children, so every night we make sure four kids brush their teeth, four kids say their prayers, get a story, are hugged, kissed, and four kids tucked in. And there are all sorts of things that pop up to distract us from getting this accomplished. Whether a child isn't in a listening mood, we can't find a blankie or special stuffed animal (penguin), a sibling won't share time in front of the mirror to brush teeth, or someone is convinced mommy and daddy didn't pray with ... [keep reading]
Send Your Children Back to School in a Special Way
A typical school year brings a backpack full of adjustments for your children—different classrooms, new teachers, and tougher academic challenges. But this year could be especially unsettling for your kids and your family as you cope with the new realities of life amid the coronavirus pandemic. This fun and functional workstation is a small way to make your young students feel secure and special, especially if your home has become their new classroom. Decorate to ... [keep reading]
10 Great Reminders That God Never Changes
Our world seems to change by the minute, doesn’t it? As I type these words, my circumstances are drastically different than what they will be when you read this. School schedules and reopening plans are unknown for many of us. If school does start on time, the conditions our children will be in seem to change by the hour. No matter the age of your kids, you likely wake up and wonder what foundation will get swept out from under you next. The past couple weeks have increased my anxiety, ... [keep reading]
Seeking Connection in a Disconnected World
Do you remember your first love? Recently, I had such an opportunity when cleaning out my memory boxes. Covid-19 has been good for some things…like cleaning and organizing! The letters were from a boy I went to high school with—a boy two years younger than me, and a different religion—and thus a forbidden love. Back then we wrote letters—old-fashioned letters written with blue Bic pens on 3-ring notebook paper. We didn’t express our love openly—that was too dangerous. We wrote in “code” – ... [keep reading]
Here’s the Solution for Summer Boredom
With many parks, pools, playgrounds, and other entertainment options severely limited this summer, you might be finding yourself wondering how to keep your children occupied on days when it's too hot to stay outside or on long road trips. We've put together a downloadable activity pack filled with coloring pages, crafts, mazes, and more to take with you in the car or keep the kiddos busy around the house for a few hours. And the best part? It won't cost you a dime. Download your FREE ... [keep reading]
6 Ways to Become an Intentional Mom
My childhood was difficult and filled with sadness. I didn’t grow up in a Christian home, so when I became a Christian, and soon after a mom, I had no idea what I was doing. I felt so lost. I remember going into my daughter’s room night after night, kneeling beside her bed, and crying my heart out to God for help. To make matters worse, my fears and frustration caused me to get angry and often lose it with my kids. I felt like a horrible mom, but I kept asking God for help. You know ... [keep reading]
Embrace the “Good Old Days” This Summer
I remember the day my parents bought our first desktop computer. It was a bulky white box and displayed less than six colors. As a young girl in the middle of my elementary years, I was fascinated and addicted from the first time I used it. When I look back at my childhood, you know what’s funny? My favorite memories have more to do with real life than looking at the computer screen. Playing outside with the neighbors for hours on end. Jumping on trampolines. Swinging on swings. Watering ... [keep reading]
How to Build Trust and Create Connection with Your Child
If you had told me years ago that I would have twelve children, I doubt I would have believed you. But God’s plans are so much bigger than mine. My husband, Russ, and I recently celebrated our 36th wedding anniversary. We married in college and began our family a few years later. We loved children and believed they were a blessing. A big family sounded good; maybe we would have six kids, although that might be excessive. We were blessed to have those six and then we added one more in ... [keep reading]
Rediscovering the Value of a Dad’s Presence
During this lockdown, I have had more face-to-face time with my kids than I ever have in their entire lives. While I’ve been working from home, I’ve had lunch with them every single day. With no commute, we’ve used the extra time to create hilarious games to play and read through exciting books together. If there’s a question about schoolwork, I’ve been able to just walk over to the dinner table to help them out. And with all other social gatherings cancelled, our weekends have been filled to ... [keep reading]
Making Memories with Your Kids This Summer is Simpler Than You Think
What do you remember most about childhood? Take a moment and reflect on that question. I’d guess, like me, you’ll have flashes of memory, like seeing a scene from a movie. Perhaps your scene is sitting around your dining room table, eating dinner, or a family vacation. Perhaps you will recall something fun you did, like playing sports or hanging out with a special friend. You might remember the color of your mother’s drapes or the smell of the BBQ in the backyard. When I reflect on my ... [keep reading]
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