I remember being asked to be a MOPS Mentor. At the time, I didn’t know what that entailed, and truthfully, I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out. Still, I decided to watch some other mentors, see what they did, …
Conversation Two: The Four Most Important Conversations You’ll Have as Parents
This is a four-part blog series. Each consecutive day this week will feature Conversation one, Conversation two, Conversation three and Conversation four in both print and video. These excerpts were taken from a chapter written by Axis in Dennis and Barbara …
TOP 10 Teacher Appreciation Gifts
“To teach is to touch a life forever.” – Anonymous Teacher Appreciation Week is May 7-11 and if you’re like most parents, you are wondering what to give your child’s teacher this year. Take it from me, an elementary school …
Don’t Let the Bully Define You
It started when she was in fifth grade. Suddenly my daughter who had just come out of her shell and transformed from a shy introvert into an outgoing and active child, was being left out and picked on by her …
Beauty in Simplicity
Another Monday arrives, I feel the weight of yet another week coming: how will I keep the children entertained this week, will my activities measure up and am I doing enough as a mom? Will I be seen in the …
How I Love My Actual Life
I woke up this morning to dirty dishes in the kitchen sink, bills on the counter waiting to be paid and puppy poop on the carpet. Not exactly the life of fairytales and movie scripts. And to make mundane matters …
Don’t Worry, My Child
You do not have to worry, child. Not about the spelling quiz, the untied shoes, the next soccer game, the day you are late to school. Don’t worry that you will have to stand in the front row of the …
GIST: How Do I Know When I’m Over-Parenting?
Maybe we can make a deal. We’ll agree that “doting” is OK for a baby – if you agree to discontinue doting as soon as your child gets a little older. Deal? Doting over a baby in its first 12 …
Growing Children, Growing Dreams
The path to motherhood is varied and diverse. Many of us arrive here after what feels like a lifelong marathon, trying to carry the promise to term after many failed attempts. Some of us arrive at motherhood with intentional strides, …
Marked With Empathy
I was a history major in college. The way the world has arrived at the place it is now, the causes and effects, the victors and the victims, the passive people and the active, their environments and thoughts and words, …