I thought I had to be doing a great job as a mom to feel OK about myself...I'm finding that I can feel overwhelmed about myself as a mom and still be OK. Here's a letter to my daughter on her birthday.
Read MoreI was starting to feel more and more annoyed with my kids, and like I'd much rather just feel scrolling mindlessly through my phone. I knew something was wrong.
Read MoreHere are some examples of how I can be more than just a needs meeter without having to take extra time for planning, preparing or without having to be perfect.
Read MoreWe tend to think that outings and fun things will make our kids happy, but then they just AREN'T happy like we expected.
Read More"I haven't done good enough as a mom. I am not a good enough mom. I don't spend enough time listening to them, giving them enough attention, playing with them, being affectionate enough with them. I'm failing as a mom."
Read MoreI had an ideal picture of what I thought motherhood would be like. It's not as ideal as I thought.
Read MoreI find myself looking at my iPhone way too much.
Read MoreMaybe it's not so much about whether or not I had the epidural, or if my birth was completely natural or not. Maybe my labor was tailored specifically for me and what God wanted to work in me. Maybe He had unique plans for what He wanted to lead ME through and how I'd encounter Him in the middle of it all.
Read MoreMy 2 year-old, Bethie, actually talks about Frozen so much, and pretends to be Elsa so frequently, that I was actually starting to feel a little concerned. This past week, it felt like every conversation, every sentence out of her mouth ended up returning somehow to this now-epic kid’s movie.
Read MoreOur first daughter Ava has been having a lot of episodes recently where she complains and talks back and whines. I've been trying to follow my husband's lead and jump on these instances of talking in ways that we don't want to talk to each other in our house. I've been really working on trying to catch her, to NOTICE when she's doing it (because naturally, I won't even notice it; I'll just reply), and being firm in my response.
Read MoreIdeal or horrible: perspectives on parenting typically fall into these polar opposite extremes. I do so much better when I acknowledge the reality that parenting is hard, while holding onto the truth that it's a gift.
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