We all need to have our “love buckets” filled–kids and parents alike. Every individual, as well as every family, has unique ways to send and receive messages of love. Sometimes, it is by showing love in new and/or creative ways that the message really gets across. Sometimes the best way to show love […]
KIDS vote: What is your best quality?
We talk a lot about the mothering attributes we want to develop, but now it’s time to reflect on what our kids want us to develop–or better yet, the qualities they already recognize and appreciate in us! Perhaps this small survey will provide valuable insight into what matters most to our children. So think about it, […]
Managing Time Online – Episode 3
My children are dancing around me in the kitchen, anxious to go out to Chuck E. Cheese, and I am typing on my computer, trying to finish “just one more thing.” For many moms in this digital age, balancing on and off-line relationships, work, and activities can be a challenge. How can we let the […]
A Mother Without Children
Submitted by Amanda Shaw: When I heard about your photography contest I knew that I had to submit this picture. I don’t know anything about photography so hopefully it fits your criteria. This is my all time favorite picture of motherhood. In the picture are two of my kids and my third is taking the […]
What Lessons Would I Learn Tonight?
Photo by Jennie Rowen Submitted by Jennie Rowen: Last night I had a plan. It entailed getting the kids to bed early so that I could watch a movie and then go to bed too. So, at about 7:45 I started directing the kids to their rooms so I could read with them and send […]
My Wild and Precious Life
Catherine and her Children Submitted by Catherine Arveseth: Five four and under. Two sets of twins. One big sister. That’s our home. When our oldest daughter was 19 months old, our twin girls were born. After years of disappointing infertility, the heavens seemed to be cracking open. Thanks to wonderful doctors, new science, and some […]
Baby on Board
Submitted by Judy Kay Kyker: Now that Jack has become a maniac crawler, our morning-nap school hours are even more precious (I home-school my kids). Even just a week ago I could set him down with a few toys and know that he would be perfectly happy right there in one little spot while […]
Book Summary: I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids
This book does a beautiful (and hilarious) job spelling out the incredibly high expectations we set for ourselves, and then it provides a “shot in the arm” to cure us all from this problem. With chapter titles such as “I Love Being a Mom, I Just Hate Doing It,” and “Am I a Bad Mom if…
Book Summary: Momfidence!
I’m just going to quote from the back cover…it describes it well: “If the latest ‘breakthrough’ child-development theory, parenting technique, or child-appropriate diet makes you worry or groan (or just want to lie down for a nap), it’s time to make way for Momfidence! Paula Spencer, parenting…
Book Summary: Left to Tell
An amazing woman shares her story of how she survived during the Rwanda genocide in 1994 when she and seven other women huddled silently together in a cramped bathroom for 3 months. She shares how she relied on faith in God and the power of forgiveness to overcome.
Book Summary: Sink Reflections
As the mother of three small children, I used to waste time and energy moping that despite my desire to maintain a clean and orderly home, I would never have four hours to clean the entire house. Using the 15-minute-a-day approach has brought amazing results! My home is never immaculate, but now it is always pretty clean. Who new 15 minutes a day could make such a big…
Book Summary: How to Get Your Child to Love Reading
Well, mostly I just like the lists. It is easy for me to find topics my children are interested and then check those books out from the library. I also really like the extra ideas the author gives, such as little crafts or snack ideas to go along with certain books. My favorite thing about this book is that as a school teacher, I thought I knew lots of books.