Derek held our baby first. I couldn’t. I was shaking from the labor and the, oh so many drugs that had been pumped into my body. Besides I was leaning over the side of the hospital bed puking into a …
Teaching My Children Generosity
“You have to share!” “Take turns!” “Give it to her already!” “I’m sorry, but you just can’t have it your way. All. Of. The. Time!” My attempts to guide my children toward kind, generous behavior go from patient to livid …
The Mess Means People Live Here
I’m surrounded by evidence that I have four children. In my house. My car. My garage. Even on my stained clothes. Depending on the day, my inner pendulum swings between embracing the mess and resenting every crumb-maker in my family. …
Noticing the Man In Front of Me
“I still remember the days I prayed for the things I have now.” A spontaneous Friday morning work date. My husband Derek sat across from me in a downtown hotel lobby with Wi-Fi and coffee for the taking, our respective …
Believing the Best in Someone Even When (Especially When You Don’t Want To)
I was sitting at my MOPS table when another mom called me out. Though I didn’t like it, I knew she was right. I was headed into a visit where I was assuming the worst was going to go down. …
Maintaining Family Bonds That Span the Distance
As I sat on the sofa nursing the baby, I just wanted my mom to come over and fold my laundry. Though she also wanted nothing more, the miles between us prevented that kind of spontaneous face-to-face. There is a …
How a Toddler is like a Gerbil
My high school home ec teacher assigned me a 10-pound bag of flour for a week. It was my baby to carry from class to class, home and back to school again. She made it very clear that toting baking …
When Your Daughter Is the Mean Girl
My heart began pounding faster as I listened to my friend’s voice coming through my cell phone. Part of me didn’t want to believe it was true, not my child, but part of me knew it was. I trusted the …
Why Awkward is Good in Friendship
Once upon a time there was a woman (okay, me) who was shocked. I was a little disgusted even, when I discovered my friend made a decision with which I so strongly disagreed. I couldn’t believe it! Other people maybe, …
Taking a Preschooler Swimming in 34 Steps or Less
There’s nothing like hot summer days to want us all to get to some water. Whether the pool or the lake, water and the preschooler, means a little work on the adult’s behalf. Here are a few steps for the …