There are few things more frustrating to a parent than an arguing child. The days and hours fly past us enough already, so who has time to argue over every little thing? Unfortunately, even the youngest child can be masterful at arguing and it’s easy to get sucked into the vacuum early on. There is no need… Continue reading BRAT TALK: Kids Who Like to Argue
Their little faces pressed against the screen looking at me from the porch. My earlier frustration began to dissolve and was replaced quickly by feelings of guilt and compassion as I tried to wrap up my phone conversation. Have you ever been constantly interrupted while trying to have an intense or important conversation? If you have children,… Continue reading BRAT TALK: Helping Kids Learn the Art of Good Interruptions
He looked at me with wide eyes trying hard to make sense of my words. “Really, I mean it. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that you were made to be a rescuer and make this world a better place? Try being a hero, instead of a killer. You were made to be a hero!” He… Continue reading Finding Our Feelers in a “Me” World and Teaching Our Children to Care
I have parented my adopted child for over nine years. I will never be the same. It is the hardest thing I have ever done. On the days I am frustrated, it is good for me to go back and remember how far we have come. I only wish I had known… Continue reading Mom’s Top Ten Survival Tips for Raising Your Child with Attachment Issues
It may surprise you to know that this mother and pastor’s wife struggles with intolerance towards “dumb” people. I’m not referring to intellect when I use the term “dumb”…but FOOLISH people who choose over and over to do dumb things. So when I was recently asked to teach our girls how to identify a “fool”, I jumped… Continue reading Mom’s Top 10 Ways to Spot A Fool
I seem to have knack for weird parenting encounters. Last week I listened to a mother drone on and on about why her son was a problem. This kid is a typical pre-adolescent boy; creative…lazy…and as his mother explained, a trouble-maker. He would fall into the “not EVER fun to be with” camp. Now Mom… Continue reading Brat Talk: Great Expectations and Eliminating all of Mama’s Excuses
CONSISTENCY. Is there any other word that strikes fear into the hearts of people more than this word? This word follows us into every area of life: diet, exercise, devotions, and yes, parenting. Last week at church, I was enjoying conversation with another mom. You know how rare that can be when kids are around! … Continue reading Brat Talk: Consistency, Consistency, Consistency…Any Questions?
It was one of those Sundays where I wish the earth could have swallowed him up. What a great lesson in obedience for all those church kids! But here I was facing the moment of truth. Who was in charge? This kid was new to our church…obviously. Sitting in one spot and listening were not… Continue reading “Drag Me!” Dealing With Power Struggles
Last week I read an article about a girl who was suing her parents. She apparently (according to her parents) didn’t want to follow the rules or contribute to family life around the house and she had left home. However, she still felt “entitled” to a private education and college funding from her parents. Really? … Continue reading Getting Rid of the Gimmies!
I resist labels. I don’t like the boxes that words put us in. There is one label, though, that I need to use today. As a parent for nine years of a child who has suffered from multiple broken attachments, let me introduce you to RAD, or Reactive Attachment Disorder. I have made friends with… Continue reading 7 Confessions of a RAD (Not Bad) Mom
