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
Last week I went to an estate sale. This was a first for me. I was unprepared for the feelings I had walking through that condo touching all the personal things that this woman had collected over the years. Each item seemed to tell a story about this woman I had never met. My thoughts… Continue reading “Once Upon a Time, There was a Mom…”
I just spent the most wonderful two hours today with a friend. We laughed, cried, drank way too much coffee, prayed, and yes, opened up to each other by sharing some of our deepest struggles with our kids. As I reflect upon those special moments, I realize how much we need each other to navigate… Continue reading The Power of Friendship
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
“Why am I doing this anyway?” I muttered under my breath while moving about my day. I was irritated. Not just a little, but a lot. I am sure you have had one of those days before. There are days in ministry where serving people is not really appealing. I have them less often as… Continue reading Why Am I Doing This Anyway?
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
Nobody likes it when life throws you a sucker punch. Circumstances happen and we understand that. I can handle those normal disappointments. But what happens when disappointment’s blow comes from a person close to you? Someone who lets you down… again. What surprises me more is that even when you have become accustomed to those… Continue reading Dealing with Disappointment’s Blow
“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
