Silencing Those “Bad Mom” Whispers

I couldn’t seem to shake them — those “bad mom” whispers in my head. As I raised my children, they became a familiar companion — constantly reminding me of my mothering inadequacy. When I couldn’t seem to get my kids to school on time: “A good mom would set better consequences and this wouldn’t be a problem.” When I lost my temper: “See? You blew it again. What a great example for your kids.” When I disappointed one of my children: “This is what they will remember about you. All the times you screwed up.” When I gave in when I should have stood firm: “You …

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The Truth about Moms and Schedules

Have you ever wondered how some women just seem to do it all?  She’s the boss lady who owns her own scripture shop, homeschools her kids, and is writing a book. She’s the executive at the office who serves as chair to multiple non-profit organizations, and she’s always at her sons’ (many) baseball games. She’s the mom who goes to the gym, runs the trail, and plays tennis all before ten in the morning. She’s the one who takes food to the Food Pantry and makes her kids’ after-school activities her first priority. We all know women like this in …

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The Unique Struggles of a Special Sibling

“He gets mad at the smallest things and always causes a scene. I’m embarrassed to be seen with him.” ” I feel ignored and resent how much time he demands from my parents.” Click To Tweet “Why can’t I just have a NORMAL family like everyone else?!” “As much as I am embarrassed to be around my brother, I worry about if he is OK without me.” “It hurts when people are rude to him… but I feel guilty and ashamed because I am the rudest to him of all.” “Who will take care of her if something happens to …

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Be You, Bravely

This Halloween, I just knew my girls would want to be Anna and Elsa from Frozen. Like most other four year old girls (and their parents, if we are being honest!), they have fallen in love with the story of these two sisters. But, when it came time to get dressed to go trick or treating two weeks ago, my girls refused to wear their new costumes. If I’ve learned anything about being a mother, it’s that I’ve got to pick and choose my battles. So, instead of forcing them to wear their Anna and Elsa costumes, I said, “Okay, …

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Even Moms Need More Sleep

 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. Genesis 2:2 ESV She’s here, she’s there, she’s everywhere. You’re the mom, which means you are always on the go: groceries, diapers, and carlines are a part of your everyday world and somewhere in the chaos of it all we’ve bought into the lie that we’ve got to be some kind of supermom.  You know, faster than a speeding bullet, stronger than…oh, who are we kidding, we’re not super mom, nor should …

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Living with Hands Wide Open

My chest tightens as electricity shoots through my neck into my shoulders. My heart beat races and my left eye twitches.  I’m messing them up, my mind races ahead twenty years. They will be in therapy because I…I can’t do this.    I see them in my mind’s eye, twenty years older, telling their counselors how much they hate me. My eye twitches faster. I take a deep breath and rub my temples. If only I could… But there is no time. “MOM! She stuck her tongue out at me,” one precious child bellows. “He kicked me!” another retorts.  And …

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If You Give a Mom a Minute

I steal from my children. The loot is nothing tangible—I don’t swipe quarters from their piggy banks or cookies off their lunch plates. What I steal is more valuable. Time. Bit by bit, I snatch precious time from my kids—in increments of just a minute. “Mom, can I please have a cup of juice with my breakfast?” Sure, sweetheart, just give me a minute. “Come see my picture, Momma! I colored it for you!” Wonderful! I’ll be there in a minute. “Mom, I need your help. I can’t pull the cap off my glue stick.” Okay, just a minute. “Will …

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Working hard at Working from Home

Every mom works hard, but especially with recent economic challenges, many moms have added part-time jobs or working from home jobs to their already full plate. While it seems ideal, at first, to work from home, the flexibility soon runs up against the walls of expectations, boundaries, and understanding. Take it from a girl who has spent years working from home: Working from home is hard work! I’ve learned 5 tips that have helped our family balance my “pay check work” with our home life. If you’re trying to juggle a job or considering it in the new year, I …

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Making Time For Mom Even When Life Is Busy

The New Year brings in new opportunities to start things over. Most people start thinking about starting an exercise routine, eating healthier, and maybe even reading their Bible more. There’s nothing wrong with any of these, of course, but what if this new year we, as moms, also made it a priority to start making time for us. Did you just shake your head and giggle a little? I think you did. You might be thinking, “How on earth can I stop and make time for me, don’t you know how many things there are to do right now?” You …

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Surviving December With Small Kids

What do you get when you mix two young children, one tired mom, and a Christmas to-do list? Definitely not peace on Earth. “Don’t step there!” My hand jerked toward my toddler’s ankles, but too late. Her foot crunched a row of Christmas ornaments arranged meticulously on the rug, prepped for hanging. “I sorry, Momma!” Her sock hovered over a sparkly blue star, crushed into five pieces. “I told you to stay on the sofa! Sweetie, if you want to help Mommy decorate the tree, you need to be very careful around the ornaments. Now it’s broken.” Her bottom lip …

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