On Monday I wrote about the let down I often feel after Mother’s Day. The truth is there isn’t a bouquet of flowers big enough, card wordy enough, or break from housework long enough to satisfy my craving for other’s to notice how hard I work as a mom. Continue reading
Every year I get a Mother’s Day hangover. No, not that kind of hangover. It’s sweet tea only for me at Mother’s Day brunch. I’m talking about a general feeling of yuckiness, disappointment and let down that leaves me feeling … bleh. Continue reading
I’m always curious to know why kids love their moms … that’s why I asked some of my favorite children, younger and older, from my church, to tell BBT.com why they love their mommas. Their answers will make you laugh (watermelon makes the list) and some might even make you cry (one girl talks about her mom giving her life). But in each answer is embedded truth about you, dear momma. Even when it seems like you’re just making another peanut butter and jelly sandwich (or slicing up some watermelon) you’re doing kingdom work. Continue reading
I love watching my friends Melissa, and her husband, Jason, intentionally build a strong and loyal relationship with their children. Parker and Claire are six-year-old twins and full of personality. The four are pretty much inseparable.
It’s rare for Melissa to miss the nightly routine of stories, prayers, and tucking in bed. But there have been a few occasions when either she, or Jason, couldn’t be home by the twins’ bedtime. They’ve established a special little tradition for those unusual times. Continue reading
“I’m going to be @ church @ 11 a.m. to pray for Sarah* and her family. Join me if you
can. If you can’t-plz stop & pray @ 11.”
The teenage daughter of a friend of mine was in trouble. She had made repeated bad choices and her mom, Rhonda was at the end of her rope. Not knowing what else to do, another friend sent that text to several of us who attend Mom2Mom, the mom’s group at our church.
Continue reading
“I want to go punch that little boy in the nose!” I punched the air with my free hand for emphasis, and almost dropped the phone.
SHANNON POPKIN loves the power tucked into a good story. As she connects with other women through writing and speaking, her passion is to tell stories within the context of the One Great Story — God’s. Shannon has been published by Thriving Family, MOMSense, and Family Fun, and she blogs at Tiny Paragraphs. Though she and her husband, Ken, are officially ‘Beyond Bath Time’ duty (their kids now shower behind locked doors), they’re convinced that the adventures of parenting have just begun!
Image: imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
My daughter, Lindsay, remembers the day in first grade that she couldn’t play with Abby at recess. She wanted to, but I had told her she couldn’t. I said that Abby wasn’t a good influence, and Lindsay needed to have more than just one friend. “So tomorrow,” I told her, “I don’t want you to play with Abby. I want you to find a new friend, instead.”
For Lindsay, this was the longest recess of her life. She walked around sadly, twisting her toe in the wood chips, and wondering why Abby wasn’t a good friend. Wondering when she would ever have a friend again.
Sadly, I don’t remember this day at all. I don’t even remember Abby. I do remember worrying about Lindsay’s friend choices and the patterns that she was establishing. I worried a lot.
But at present, from our perch in her second half of eighth grade, Lindsay’s first grade friendships seem rather trivial to me. And I told her so. I said, “Oh, Linds… I’m sorry. I’m sure it wouldn’t have hurt you to play with Abby.”
So, Lindsay wanted me to tell you this. She’s thinking that you might have a kindergartner or first or second grader who has chosen a less than stellar friend, or has picked up some bad habits, or is falling behind. She wants you to know that parenting is a process and you don’t have put shellac on your kid just yet. There is time for some tweaking and fine tuning.
And in seven or eight years, you’ll realize that the one you’re making the most adjustments to is you.
SHANNON POPKIN loves the power tucked into a good story. As she connects with other women through writing and speaking, her passion is to tell stories within the context of the One Great Story — God’s. Shannon has been published by Thriving Family, MOMSense, and Family Fun, and she blogs at Tiny Paragraphs. Though she and her husband, Ken, are officially ‘Beyond Bath Time’ duty (their kids now shower behind locked doors), they’re convinced that the adventures of parenting have just begun!
Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
If you’re waiting for your little ones to grow up enough to sit still for Bible stories—stop
waiting! They are ready to hear. They’re never too young for you to start.
I had the opportunity to help out in the “Infants and Crawlers Class” last week and was amazed. We had eight little ones. Two were in swings, two were in our laps, and the rest were gathered (in various stages of crawling, standing and sitting) around the teacher. The children were fascinated with her large laminated pictures of Rahab and the spies she protected. As Miss Emily started telling the story, every child looked expectantly into her animated face. Continue reading
In my twenty-five years of pastoral ministry, I don’t think I have met a mom, including a preschool mom, who feels like she has done a good enough job. Most mothers labor under the weight of guilt—of frustrated ideals, imperfect performance, and deficient production. The laundry remains undone; story books unread, and tempers flare. . . . Continue reading
Just because nursing is natural, doesn’t mean it comes naturally. That’s the lesson that Jill learned the hard way as she tried to nurse two babies while battling an insufficient milk supply.
Most moms have been where Jill has. Her vision of motherhood looked one way, and the reality looked another. But Jill’s story is ultimately one of hope as she urges other moms to do what is best for their baby without guilt or shame.
So pour yourself a cup of Joe (or grab a caramel macchiato from Starbucks like Jill and I) and pull up a chair. Let’s get real about what to do when motherhood doesn’t go according to plan.
What mothering challenges have you faced that felt the most unnatural to you? In what area of motherhood do you most need to lay down the guit? Continue reading
“Being a mother has been so much harder than I imagined. I have been in tears many times over the past few weeks and in the evening I have been very depressed. The only thing that helps is knowing that God is with me and He is teaching me through this process.”
This new mom’s words took me back several years. We were living in a suburb of Dallas, Texas, with our firstborn. My husband drove our only vehicle into the city for morning classes, followed by afternoon and evening responsibilities at the church where he served as pastor. I was left home alone all day, with no vehicle, no family or friends close by . . . alone with a crying baby. And it was hard. Continue reading
I yelled at my daughter yesterday.
I raised my voice and spoke in anger.
I lost my temper over socks. Yes, socks. It’s a long story. And afterwards, I felt like the worst parent in the world. Continue reading
“Well I breastfed my baby until she was 18 months old.”
“My baby didn’t have any troubles nursing. He knew just what to do.”
“My baby has never had one ounce of formula.”
We’ve all heard the stories and for moms who experience breastfeeding that is easy, I say
yahoo! But breastfeeding doesn’t always come naturally, and then what? Continue reading
A couple of days after we brought Noble home from the hospital, I became nearly overcome by a wave of postpartum depression. One minute I was sitting on the floor, folding tiny clothes and the next minute I felt like a dark cloud of sadness had wrapped itself around me. Continue reading
My mom is one of those people who likes taking walks at night when people’s lights are on. That way, she can catch a glimpse into their home! We tease her for that. Continue reading