As a young mom, I would browse the parenting section of our local Christian bookstore only to become overwhelmed by all the choices. Brightly colored covers offered a new kid by the end of the week and tips on how to parent without going crazy. Other titles offered comfort with their claims to teach me how to be a calm and joy-filled mama. Some were written by experts and others were written by ordinary parents. Men, women, grandparents, ... Read More about Five Books I Wish I’d Read as a Young Mom
Motherhood
Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart
I have long wanted to be the parent who doesn’t just dole out punishments when my children disobey. My goal isn’t to produce a little army of “yes men” who blindly obey anyone in authority. I want to raise confident, competent adults who have the inner strength to honor God regardless of what the rest of the world does. I don’t believe in automatic “first-time obedience no matter what” (except to God), but being a permissive parent who is afraid ... Read More about Discipline That Connects With Your Child’s Heart
Devotionals for Busy Moms
I used to devour books by the dozens. I’d read theology, fiction, memoirs—whatever I could get my hands on. Except one thing. I didn’t ever read devotionals. (Well, except that one time I picked up a Guideposts and read the whole years’ worth in one sitting.) The problem was they only took like 2.3 seconds to read and if I was sitting down to read something, I sure enough wanted it to have some substance. Enter a new season: my ... Read More about Devotionals for Busy Moms
Parenting: Gospel for Both of Us
Last week, tilted back in the dentist’s chair, unable to speak, I listened to the technician praise my kids. “They are amazing. I wish every kid was like your kids. They’re so good.” I couldn’t argue with her or let her know the true reality since I couldn’t talk, so I decided to just bask in the moment. It kind of felt good. “Other kids run up and down the halls and yell and scream. It’s just unbelievable. And one little girl went out in the ... Read More about Parenting: Gospel for Both of Us
9 Things I Know About Adoptive Families
Dear Adoptive Families, You may be wondering why I’ve called you all here today. You are probably already on the defense, expecting me to ask you all sorts of inappropriate questions. You have little laminated notecards in your purse with “auto-responders” for queries such as, “How much did your kids cost?” and “Are they real siblings?” and your personal favorite, “Do they know they’re adopted?” (My family gets that one, even with obvious ... Read More about 9 Things I Know About Adoptive Families
two surprising concepts that revolutionized our parenting
I did not think of myself as someone who had it all together, but I suppose I came off as one who did. So many children had passed through my care that dozens of moms asked for input on parenting, never mind that I was a single, childless woman. After I married and infertility became my label, I still raised a few babies. They came five or six days a week and from infancy ‘til preschool I taught them and potty-trained them and loved ... Read More about two surprising concepts that revolutionized our parenting
Guilt vs. Grace
Earlier this year I was struggling with guilt. I mean, really struggling. Nearly every day there was some sort of failure in my life, something I wished I’d done better, some area I didn’t measure up to my own standard. I got impatient with my toddler. I didn’t keep the toys picked up. I let the bathroom get dirty. I was frustrated with my husband for no good reason. All those things happen on a regular basis if you’re a sinner ... Read More about Guilt vs. Grace
How Moms Shape Their Son’s View of Women
Little arms wrap around my waist as my young son hugs me from the side. I’m busy changing his baby brother’s diaper, so I hardly pause to ruffle his hair. “You’re beautiful, Mommy,” he suddenly says. That surprises me. I look down into my boy’s sparkling eyes. Honesty brims in his heartfelt gaze. He means what he said with everything in him. “Um… thank you, son,” I reply. He bounces off to go play. The moment has already faded from his ... Read More about How Moms Shape Their Son’s View of Women
A Letter to the Undocumented Mother
by Charlotte Gray Hey you, Yes, you, the one who is a mother without documentation to prove it. The one who has given mother-love to those who didn't come from your body. The one who wipes snotty noses at a daycare. The one who dries tears at the playground. The one who babysits for free so a child can experience a stable home. The one who cares for younger siblings full-time. The one who prays for the teenager racing down the street ... Read More about A Letter to the Undocumented Mother
He Gave Me Lydia
I will never forget the first sight of her itty bitty wiggly body, or hearing the sound of her dainty feminine cry! At long last, my baby was here! The doctor scooped her up and laid her on my chest. As we snuggled on our living room couch, skin-to-skin, full of tears, joy, relief, and thanksgiving, I remember greeting her with the only words I could say, "I love you so much!" Of course, that was my favorite moment of 2014, the ... Read More about He Gave Me Lydia
I Need Thee Every Hour: A Vision for Devotions in Changing Seasons
I first caught the vision when I heard someone share during a funeral at our church. The man's grandson reflected on many memories, but said that the one impression that would never fade was what he saw each morning during visits to their home. He'd awake to find his grandparents sitting at the kitchen table reading the Bible together. I was single then. But I knew that's the kind of marriage I wanted. That's the kind of priority I wanted to ... Read More about I Need Thee Every Hour: A Vision for Devotions in Changing Seasons
War Sirens and Oil Flasks
The siren sounded and I wasn't ready. For several days I had this nagging thought that I needed to prepare a bag for a quick trip down to the bomb shelter, if it came to that. Israel was engaging in Operation Pillar of Defense, and we were living through it. With the battle in the South escalating to missile attacks on Tel Aviv and Rishon Le Tzion, both only a forty-five minute drive from Jerusalem, the reality of our circumstances hit ... Read More about War Sirens and Oil Flasks
