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Brat Talk: Great Expectations and Eliminating all of Mama’s Excuses

 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

Boundaries · Boundaries for children · Boundaries for kids · Brat Talk · Discipline · Discipline · Family Life · Ministry · Mothering · Parenting · Uncategorized

Brat Talk: Consistency, Consistency, Consistency…Any Questions?

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?

Boundaries · Boundaries for children · Boundaries for kids · Brat Talk · Discipline · Discipline · Family Life · Ministry · Mothering · Parenting · Uncategorized

“Drag Me!” Dealing With Power Struggles

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

Boundaries · Boundaries for children · Boundaries for kids · Brat Talk · Discipline · Discipline · Family Life · Ministry · Mothering · Parenting · Uncategorized

Getting Rid of the Gimmies!

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!

Boundaries · Boundaries for children · Boundaries for kids · Brat Talk · Discipline · Discipline · Family Life · Ministry · Mothering · Parenting · Respect for authority · Uncategorized

Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones but Words Can Always Hurt Me

“He called you WHAT?” “He called me a dork,” my daughter answered with giant puddles in her eyes. Many emotions soared through my body as she explained how this fellow teammate had chosen to pick on her during track practice the previous day.  I responded as any good mother would do: “Well, honey, the next… Continue reading Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones but Words Can Always Hurt Me

Boundaries · Boundaries for children · Boundaries for kids · Brat Talk · Discipline · Discipline · Family Life · Middle Age · Mothering · Parenting · Uncategorized

That’s Not Fair!

“But I didn’t mean for it to happen!” These words ring out on a consistent basis in my home.  Somewhere along the line we’ve bought into a lie that says we are only responsible for the consequences of our behavior if we INTENDED for something to happen. But that is not how life works.  Just… Continue reading That’s Not Fair!

Boundaries · Boundaries for kids · Christianity · Discipline · Discipline · Middle Age · Mothering · Parenting · Uncategorized

Running in the Rain

I’m sitting in my warm house, sipping coffee, and listening to the fall of the rain on this wet, summer morning.  It has not been like this for long.  I’m in training for a 15K and when I got up this morning, I had a choice: run in the rain, or not. So began the… Continue reading Running in the Rain

Boundaries · Boundaries for kids · Brat Talk · Discipline · Discipline · Mothering · Parenting · Respect for authority

R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

It is amazing to me how little it takes for a small child to challenge a parent who is so much bigger! How could they possibly believe that they are stronger than their parents?  After watching kids AND parents for more than 20 years in ministry, the sad truth is that many of them are. … Continue reading R.E.S.P.E.C.T.