Tag: parenting
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Calm Myself, Calm My Child
I grew up in a household with a lot of yelling. My dad shouted at me. My siblings and I screamed at each other. We were raised with loud words as our primary method of communication during conflict. Our family had no tools to maintain calm. This made us feel scared. We feared our dad ... -
Spooky Dilemma: Do Teens Deserve to Trick or Treat on Halloween?
The leaves are falling along with temperatures; the calendar flips to October, and it is officially spooky season. As we drive through the neighborhood, skeletons and pumpkins adorn porches and lawns. Excitement over costume planning is all the buzz. Now for the dilemma. Can you be too old for Halloween? I see the debate on ... -
From Overwhelm to Confidence: Setting Practical Expectations for the New School Year
The start of the new school year is upon us. The long lazy, days of summer are ending. It is time to shift away from our night owl, vampire tendencies and become functioning members of society again. I have a confession. My house is not ready for this change, and it is going to be ... -
Lord, Please Allow Me One Normal Unextraordinary Day
During my youth, planning my future was a full-time job. I dreamed of every detail. I knew I wanted to be a mother. God’s plan was never in doubt for me. I created timelines in my head for my perfectly normal life. The straight path we would follow. Instead, we are on a twisty, dark ... -
On Being a Step-Parent
I have a tough job. Many say it’s the most difficult job out there. It’s demanding. It’s time-consuming. It’s thankless. And I don’t mean my career. I’m a parent. Well, I’m a step-parent. They say parenting is the most difficult job there is, but I would add that step-parenting is just as, if not more, difficult. ... -
My Teen Begged for Help and My World Stood Still
Content Warning: Self-Harm, Suicidal Ideation “Mom, just take me. I’m begging you. I’m not stable.” Words no mother dreams of hearing from their sixteen-year-old child. No amount of planning prepares you to react to this type of request. My teen begged for help, and my world stood still. What happened next? I found strength that ... -
Why School Absolutely Does Not Function as a One Size Fits All
Raising kids comes with a myriad of decisions. What foods to eat? Which soap to use? What toys to play with? Use technology or not? The list goes on and on. Before I had children, I thought your child turns five, you send them to school, and that is where the decision-making ends. School is ... -
Why We Need to Encourage Emerging Identity Over Mass Conformity
Motherhood keeps me on my toes. As soon as I have it “all figured out”, here comes another curve ball to keep me guessing. My current dilemma, how to encourage the emerging identity of my growing children. As the mom of a teenager, I am in the weeds watching my maturing child figure out who ... -
Why Motherhood Requires Learning To Let Go And Watch
Motherhood is one crazy roller coaster of emotional ups and downs. While a handbook would be nice and often feels required, one does not exist. -
Pandemic Parenting – Why We Gain And Lose In The Era Of Covid-19
The world is coming up on an anniversary. In March 2022, it will be two years since the world shut down. I remember it as if it was yesterday. Government officials said in two weeks, we would be getting back to normal, don’t panic; we only need to flatten the curve. Two weeks became two ...