I’m not going to pretend that I’m an expert at parenting teens, but I’m certainly in the thick of it. Right now I’ve got three teenage daughters. I also work with teens at church, so helping teens is on my mind daily. I’ve been so worried about my teens during the last couple years of […]
parenting
Date Nights for a Year with Pogo Pass
We try to do something that resembles a date EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK. We started a few years ago and it was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made for our marriage. I’ll admit, I like a formulaic date night. I like eating dinner out and I like movies. I also like sitting at home […]
7 Ways to Keep Joy in Christmas
Six years ago I wrote Why does everything have to be so special?! The post still holds up, but I’ve learned more insight from the last 6 years I want to share. I’ve really begun to understand how to find my lane, while I navigate life through depression and perfectionism, family struggles, and more. Let […]
Avoid the Flu and Other Junk Too (warning: it gets a little woo woo)
Yes, some of these suggestions are a little woo-woo. Some suggestions might actually be scientific, but who knows? All I know, is I do all of these things because I’m desperate for my family to stay healthy. The idea of sickness cycling through myself, my husband, or my four kids terrifies me. I do not […]
Open Letter: To My Daughters in Middle School
A few years ago I explained some things to my girls as they entered middle school and were starting puberty. I told them the things I wish someone had told me when I was their age. I must warn you, that I don’t beat around the bush. I don’t want to speak in flowery language, […]
Sneaky Parenting: Music & Teens (… are you watching Songland?!)
We are three weeks into a new series out by NBC called Songland. I started watching it on a whim, but I’ve decided to start watching it with my kids because I’m interested in shows that we can enjoy together and talk about later. It is so interesting to watch the veil lifted on the […]
Continuing “the” Conversation
I’m not one of those moms who thinks I’m doing everything right. But, I am feeling good about the open connection I have with my kids. My girls tell me stuff and ask me stuff! I don’t pretend they tell me everything, I mean, they’re 13 and 11, BUT … they ask me a lot […]
Let Them Try
The picture above is of my third daughter Izzy organizing and cataloging her stuffed animals last summer. If you remember from her “help” with my living room, Izzy is often organizing and decorating differently than I would. And I’ve really learned to love it. For the declutter challenge, we’ve started into the bedrooms, which means […]
Having THE TALK. (My Book Recommendations)
I have a very important, but intimidating, task ahead of me in the next few weeks before school starts. I’ll be giving my 10-year-old the talk before she heads into the 5th grade. Even though I’ve done this before, this still won’t easy for me, though it has to be easier than the first time […]
Why I JUST SAY NO to Red Ribbon Week Overwhelming Me
When the papers start coming home from school about all the Red Ribbon Week daily dress-up activities, I used to die a little inside with dread. I’d think, “How can I add one more thing when I already feel maxed out?!” A few years go, I let go of all that. After my 4th kid […]