Psalm 139 Comfort for a Want-to-Be Mom

psalm139.16As we start celebrating Mother’s Day around here at Beyond Bath Time our heart goes to those want-to-be moms. I know there are many of our friends and sisters who are dealing with infertility. This following post is from a young woman who is hoping for two pink lines!

“When my husband and I first started trying for a baby, we were ecstatic. We picked out names, thought of fun announcements, started planning around certain dates- we were ready for an addition. But month after month has passed and we’re not the ones making a pregnancy announcement- everyone else is. Feelings of despair and fear set in.

Continue reading

Return the Favor

By Erin Davis

30-day mom makeover graphic“For we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us” Luke 11:4.

Kids make mistakes. Lots of them. Sometimes those mistakes are pointed squarely in our direction as moms. We understand that missing the mark is part of the learning process but when we are extra tired, extra stretched or extra raw as we mother all of that disobedience, anger and loss of our personal property can sting. Continue reading

Learning How to Pray

By Erin Davis

30-day mom makeover graphic“Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples’” Luke 11:1.

Prayer. Add it to the list of things I feel guilty about as a mom right below never wanting to do crafts with my kiddos and being too cutthroat during games of Candyland with my four-year-old. Continue reading

If He Just…

By Heather Patenaude

ID-10035187Recently a friend shared her heart with me, “I am really struggling in my marriage.” The tears started to flow!

If he just came to church…
If he just prayed with the kids…
If he just would lead us spiritually…
If he just was saved…

Then there would be peace and joy. Continue reading

The Mom Sex Challenge

By Heather Patenaude

This month as we celebrate Valentine’s Day, I want to challenge you women to spice things up in the bedroom! As the conclusion to our series on sex and motherhood, (if you missed it be sure to check out those posts here) we want to encourage you to take action in the area of your sex life. Continue reading

What If He’s Not Interested?

By Erin Davis

Maybe you’ve been following our Mom Sex Challenge posts and think, “Yeah whatever, my husband is not interested at all in sex!” Trust me friend, you are not alone. Although it’s easy to think all men just want sex and want it all the time, there are cases where the wife has more of a sex drive than her husband. Continue reading

I’m Just Not That Into It!

By Heather Patenaude

Maybe over the course of your marriage you have had times and seasons when you are just not that interested in sex. The truth is, that happens to most of us married gals. Some of you may have experienced something more serious — a prolonged season of disinterest that has taken a toll on your marriage. Continue reading

Keeping Things Steamy After the Stick Turns Pink

By Erin Davis

I was on Pinterest yesterday and I saw a pin for pregnant boudoir sessions. I laughed out loud. Clearly, the gals in the lingerie with the adorable baby bump and no stretch marks are aliens. That’s the only explanation I can think of. What pregnant girl in her right mind feels sexy enough to schedule a steamy photo shoot?

Certainly not this one. Continue reading

Is There Romance After Kids?

By Heather Patenaude

ID-10034697Many people told us that life changes after kids come. It’s true. There’s no way to deny that children demand and need a lot of attention. They can do nothing on their own when they are little and as they grow parenthood challenges you in areas you didn’t know you were going to grow. (I like to say motherhood gives you gray hairs!) Continue reading

Authentic Intimacy: Sex During the Little Kid Years

By Heather Patenaude

How can you keep the love alive after the kids arrive? Dr. Juli Slattery, founder of Authentic Intimacy, tackles this question in more in her final installment of my interview with her. If you missed out, read part one here and part two here. Continue reading

Authentic Intimacy: What’s Okay For Christian Couples?

By Heather Patenaude

When it comes to sex, what’s okay and what’s “off limits” for married couples? Dr. Juli Slattery, founder of Authentic Intimacy, is tackling that question and more in part two of my interview with her. Check it out. If you missed out on part one, find it here. Continue reading

Authentic Intimacy: Distorted Sex, Heartbreak and Mommy Porn

By Heather Patenaude

Dr. Juli Slattery is a clinical psychologist, author, speaker, and broadcaster. You may recognizer her as the former co-host of Focus on the Family. She left that ministry in 2012 to launch Authentic Intimacy, “a non-profit organization designed to ministry to women on all topics related to intimacy in marriage and intimacy with God.”

I recently contacted Juli for the scoop on real, lasting intimacy. Here’s part one of that interview. Continue reading

Yep, We’re Going There: Sex And Motherhood

By Erin Davis

If there’s one thing I love about being a mom who blogs to other moms, it’s the safety I feel about broaching difficult subjects. From potty training, to anger management issues, we’re all in this together. It’s hard to shock another momma. We’ve wiped too many boogers for that. Continue reading

Self Control and Pickle Cravings

By Erin Davis

I’m so tired, I feel like I’m moving with concrete feet. The first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning is when I can take a nap. My pillow calls my name all day long. My husband and kids are getting on my nerves. Sometimes I want to yell at them. Sometimes I do yell at them. The next moment I’m in tears. I crave dill pickles. Oh, and dill pickle juice. I drink the stuff straight out of the jar. Continue reading

Parenting Tips From the Best Buy Guy

By Shannon Popkin

(from www.shannonpopkin.blogspot.com, 01.12.13)

ID-10049815“You’re not going to be happy,” I heard my husband say into the cell phone. He was home, checking whether we had a three-prong or four-prong electric cord for our dryer so I could buy the right replacement. Turns out we had no electric cord at all.

We have a gas dryer. With gas hookups. And a new electric dryer being delivered by Best Buy in the morning. Continue reading