This is my first summer not working since 2006…my children were 3, 2, and 6 months old then.  I’m thinking things will be slightly different this year!  Since I like to be honest here, I’m overwhelmed by the idea of summer.  I decided I need a summer schedule for the kids.

When I thought about summer and what my goals were, I knew I wanted to limit their screen time (TV, computer, Wii) without having to actually keep track of how much they’ve been on.  You know, an easy, lazy way to limit it.  I also knew I would ideally … Read the rest

I was talking to my neighbor the other day, and wondered how it is that I can stay calm as a substitute teacher, but staying calm as a parent is a much greater challenge!  In a room full of 26 middle schoolers I seem to keep things under control but my three children can make me lose it in no time at all.  We laughed, and I said it’s probably because I’m not allowed to snap in the classroom.

Well wouldn’t you know, I felt convicted from that conversation.  It turns out I AM capable of keeping my cool, I … Read the rest

There are goods and bads in every stage of parenting.  We always come out the other side stronger, smarter (hopefully), and sometimes with a few emotional scars.

We’re nine months into parenting a 10-year-old, and I’m not exaggerating here – something changed the moment she turned 10.  This is slightly worrisome for me because in June we’ll have another 10-year-old, and another 18 months after that.  So…

I’m learning that I have to shift the way I parent, which is not an easy thing to do.  She wants so desperately to be grown up but she just isn’t.  I’m trying … Read the rest

We have goals.  We have the bar set.  We have expectations and limits.

And sometimes there need to be temporary exceptions.

As parents, of course we want what is best for our children in every area of their lives.  Chad and I have been on a journey to teach our kids about healthier eating and a major part of that is just not having the less healthy options in the house very much.  Their breakfast options are eggs or oatmeal, and their snacks have been replaced with fruit and yogurt.  I haven’t bought cereal, freezer waffles, granola bars, or crackers … Read the rest

Parenting stages are so incredible and vastly different.  I’ve been told all along the way that parenting doesn’t get easier, just different.  True, true words.

So right now, my little darlings are 8, 9, and 10.  I’d say we’re about knee-deep into the journey of learning to expand their boundaries, grow their independence, and let them into the decision-making process rather than inform them of the final decision.

Here is where I’m floundering…in the same conversation I can be encouraging them and teaching them more responsibility, then calming tears and giving hugs.  It’s just an odd place to be.  Not … Read the rest

My friend Heather wrote a great post about giving first-time moms a break, and I’ve heard a lot about this lately, and even been convicted of it myself.  I think, “Oh she’ll learn when she has a second.”  And while that may technically be true, it’s also completely dumb to say.  OF COURSE she’ll learn more upon having more children, but she’s also learning an insane amount just by having one.

Nothing prepares you for being a first time mom, Heather says in her post that not even being the oldest of 8 children managed that task.  You may … Read the rest