Hi Mama, Don’t let the picture fool you. It was a gulp down the coffee cold after it was almost spilled several times type of morning around here. Have you had one of those days? Our morning time of reading together was punctuated by screaming and crying. Lunchtime was chaotic. And naptime was a battle.Continue reading “Rough Day Reset”
Category Archives: Parenting
Playing With Your Kids?
Here’s a secret, Mama. It’s ok letting them play on their own sometimes. You don’t have to feel guilty sitting next to them and reading a book or doing a handicraft or drinking a hot cup of tea while they play—you’re actually modeling ways to engage the world (reading, crafting, reflecting) as they grow up.Continue reading “Playing With Your Kids?”
Gathering ‘Round the Table
Who’s gathering around your table today, Mama? More important than decorations, or perfectly matching cups and dishes, are the souls that gather there. What kinds of words are being spoken? What stories are being told? Who among those gathered there needs a word of encouragement that only your lips can provide? Who needs to knowContinue reading “Gathering ‘Round the Table”
Out of the Box Ideas for Getting Kids Outside
Hey Mama. Today is a “take your watercolors outside and paint rocks” type of day around here. How’s the weather where you live? While we’re all for active play outside, there are some breathtakingly beautiful days (like today!) that my kids have absolutely no desire to go outside. And I’ve come to realize that itContinue reading “Out of the Box Ideas for Getting Kids Outside”
A Gentle Reminder To Feed Your Soul
How are you feeding your soul this week, Mama? Is there a book that’s challenging you? Music that’s captured your heart? Scripture that sets your soul singing? A podcast that sheds light on an area you’re struggling through? Motherhood, womanhood, is not for the faint of heart. It’s deep important work you’re doing, work thatContinue reading “A Gentle Reminder To Feed Your Soul”
Forge Your Own Path
Sometimes, Mama, you have to forgo the typical way of doing things and forge your own path. Maybe that’s doing schoolwork outside (or up a tree). Maybe it’s leaning on frozen food or paper plates instead of choosing between takeout and homemade. Maybe it’s napping on a Sunday afternoon—or sleeping late on a Saturday morning.Continue reading “Forge Your Own Path”
Stop Watching & Start Living
Sometimes we spend so much time looking at what others are doing that we never get to the “living” ourselves. How’s your week going, Mama? Are you living the life you’re called to, or are you watching others live theirs while you scroll and wish things were different? Here’s a gentle nudge to start livingContinue reading “Stop Watching & Start Living”
Embracing the Less Than Perfect
Shout out to all the Mama’s embracing the less than perfect. To the ones whose backyards are far from Instagram worthy (hello, fellow city dwellers!), but get daily use, making mud pies and staining knees, patchy grass and all. To the ones who don’t have the dreamiest toys, but whose kids’ imaginations have the freedomContinue reading “Embracing the Less Than Perfect”
One Thing Well
You can’t do it all, Mama. But you can do one thing well today. Sometimes in the rush to get everything done, attend to all the needs, put out all the fires, check off all the boxes, we come to the end of the day and can’t even for sure say what we did. TheContinue reading “One Thing Well”
“I’m Bored…”
It’s ok to let them be bored, Mama. The most wonderful play sometimes happens through boredom. In our home, saying “I’m bored” leads to a few suggestions of things to engage in; “Perhaps you want to make an art project? You haven’t built with blocks in awhile. What could you create with Legos?”…or an invitationContinue reading ““I’m Bored…””
Next Door Hope 