As parents of young children, we are always seeking the most effective ways to interact with them, either through a bonding experience or with a new activity that might keep them happy and entertained. But as we try to select …
Why Suffering Is Key to a Successful Marriage
“I don’t want us to be afraid of adversity,” my husband says. We’re in the van, on our way home from church, of course, because that’s when many of our fights happen, the boys in the back eating granola bars …
Choose Vulnerability
Vulnerability: one of life’s most radical opportunities for immense failure or intense joy. Relationships allow us a choice: to enter in with all that we are, or to cautiously hold ourselves at bay. Subconsciously, or maybe consciously, we evaluate others. Are …
The Unfurling
He’s looking at me with that look in his eyes, the one that holds the monsoon. The tears are coming, the fit, the fight. I think about just giving in, giving him another snack before dinner. I see his lips …
Encouraging Your Brave Collective
My four-year-old daughter happens to be the biggest fan of me doing the Brave Collective. No, really. She found a shirt with a feather on it and wears it every time I have a Brave Collective. She sits by me …
Finding Friendship in Unlikely Places
I don’t know what it is exactly about motherhood that encourages people to dole out unsolicited advice. I’ve been “that mom” in Target too many times, whose child is wailing while a perfect stranger begins sharing their tried-and-true methods for …
How Motherhood Is Like The Velveteen Rabbit
“Mommy?” My three-year-old son stands before me on the rocky mountain path. We’re in Jasper and we’re hiking. “Yes, sweetie?” He looks solemn beneath his sideways ball cap. “You’re beautiful.” Then he turns and skips away, leaving me breathless. I …
Hello, Dearest
, You may have noticed one teeny, tiny change on the cover of our magazine, but it’s so tiny you might not have noticed. It’s like one of those object searches I always found myself doing in waiting rooms of …
5 Things I Refuse to Feel Guilt for As a Mother
I believe in the mother-instinct. I believe in GUT, versus GUILT. So here are five things in particular I refuse to apologize for. 1. I will not feel guilty for letting my kids watch some television. It allows me to …
Teaching My Children to Risk and Fail
(Even When I Don’t Feel Like It) “Be careful.” “I’m not so sure about that.” “Don’t fall.” The words come out like a reflex, their meaning gone even as I say them. It’s the mama bear in me combined with …