Tag Archives: parenthood

Reprieve

My daughter and I were arguing before I snapped this photo. It was a signal to surrender (my words, not my parenting decision). My husband often tells me I say too much in conflict with my teen. Once is enough, and I don’t need to explain myself. But I can’t resist the need to makeContinue reading “Reprieve”

Finding Happy (when it is fleeting)

Yesterday morning, my husband and I walked through a farmer’s market then crossed a bridge and wove our way down quiet streets, around traffic cones and construction fences, and along a river to a Japanese garden. I wish my imagination was grand enough to have allowed me to melt into the garden and transport toContinue reading “Finding Happy (when it is fleeting)”

Where did she come from?

I never imagined myself walking beside a teen daughter. I think, with her being my last child, I just figured I would step into the next season without much consideration. I’d been mothering for a long while already. However, it really is different than raising teen sons. I was a teen daughter once. And thereContinue reading “Where did she come from?”

What My Daughter Needs to Know About Drama

Can we talk about drama? And I don’t mean the kind that captured my heart in high school, when I transformed into a character on stage. I am talking about a different kind of drama—found in high school too…but oh, so not fun in any way. I have a tween girl. And knowing this timeContinue reading “What My Daughter Needs to Know About Drama”

I am losing

I am losing. These three words came out of my mouth the other day. And it surprised me how much they sum up my state of heart when it comes to being the only spiritual leader in my family. On any economy, I am pretty much scraping the barrel, most days, if the currency isContinue reading “I am losing”

A Prayer, Mama

Today, I watch the snow fall in heavy descent. And while the earth is blanketed in white, my thoughts are pressing into the dark corners of my mind. My heart curls its fists as I realize the reason for the additional peace of a snow day—the fact that this day is void of the niggleContinue reading “A Prayer, Mama”

Humility, Love, and Pre-Teens

I am in the thick of teaching my youngest about what it really means to Love sacrificially. A big idea for an eleven year old. But, as I hear about her encounters at school, the societal pressures of a whole student body of pre-teens, and the acceptance rate according to your appearance and your “in”Continue reading “Humility, Love, and Pre-Teens”

A Mom’s Peacemaking

A long time ago, a friend spoke some truth to me that went dormant in my heart. Lately, it is pressing on me more and more. She said, “You shouldn’t let your kids offend you.” This was after I admitted to being personally offended by my school age children’s words. It’s so hard to notContinue reading “A Mom’s Peacemaking”