Hey there, Mama! Are you wondering how to raise a happy kid? Are looking for practical strategies to resolve conflict, build character, and create peace in your home? Here are 10 random-but-helpful tips and tricks that make my day-to-day life with a little one happier. I use these on a regular basis because each one brings a bit more peace … Read More
The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling for You and Your Child
If you are considering homeschooling your child, I’d love to cheer you on and contribute my two cents to the complex decision before you.
Half the Distance and Twice as Far
The kids and I accompanied my husband to a tech conference. We love this conference for three big reasons: Ryan connects with the people and ideas that help him to grow professionally The older kids attend classes about robotics, 3D printing, electronics, and technology. And, well, it’s at an indoor water park. Work + fun + family = yes, please. … Read More
You Really Just Had to Be There.
The summer after my sophomore year in college, I ate my lunch on an iceberg in Iceland. I was studying Arctic Biology and had boarded an amphibious boat to tour the glaciers. We docked on a particularly hospitable glacier and I munched a sandwich while – hundreds of feet below us – the ancient ice melted and headed out to … Read More
Getting Your Hands on the Good Life: with Instructions for a Hilarious Party Game and the Most Important Daily Discipline of Your Life.
Have you ever played the Cooking Mitt Game at a party? The gist is that each person takes a turn unwrapping a gift that is hidden under layers and layers of wrapping paper. To make things interesting, when it is your turn, you don cooking mitts. Each contestant clumsily gropes at the wrapping paper through the thick mitts – sometimes … Read More
The Scurrying and Crackling of Life: Motherhood is About Being With People
One of the little perks of our helter-skelter schedule this year is that I get more one-on-one time with our Lia. Once a week, we drive together to her violin lesson and then have some free time – just the two of us to do whatever we want. This is refreshing on many levels. For example, I can give my … Read More
A Study in Letting Your Guard Down
Saturday morning I thought I’d drop Viv off at ballet, go grocery shopping, and take a few of the younger kiddos to the local Insect Fair where you can eat chocolate-covered crickets and see the model of a giant ant. Somehow, the day veered in a different direction and, instead of the Insect Fair, we welcomed two goats into the … Read More
Let’s Teach Our Kids About Jesus
The heart-and-soul of our home is Jesus. Our children are our beautiful mission field. We want to build our daily habits, conversations, problem solving, and traditions on His gift of love and forgiveness yet so many days, I wonder if I’ve even spoken His name to our children. I find that I need to be proactive to worship and prioritize … Read More
Getting the School Year Off the Ground
Well, here we go! A new school year is upon us. We logged two days of school before embarking on a week’s journey to New England. I wanted to try on our new schedule and make sure we had all of the supplies that we needed. Now that we’re back from a wonderful trip to Boston, Plimoth Plantation, and West … Read More
3 Ways to Connect with Your Child: Share!
When you share something from your world with your child, you open your arms and welcome her into relationship with you. Whether it’s a bite of your cupcake or the Scripture that’s been encouraging you lately, look for a way to share your personal world with your child. He’ll treasure your generosity and trust. Share a treat with him. Whenever … Read More
