As we gathered around tables set with gold, blue, and green chargers topped with china; iced water poured into crystal, flowers brimming over vases, we also noticed several lovely, mismatched little pitchers scattered amongst the setting. Some were plain creamware, others cut-glass, some painted with dainty flowers, others edged in gold. Joining us at the table set in her kitchen area, Sally Clarkson picked one up and reflected, “We wanted you to take with you a reminder of your need to be filled, as you constantly pour out to your families at home.”

Jun 10

Jun 10 4 Steps to Help Your Children Fight the Comparison Trap

Angie Tolpin

Discipling Children, Faith, Parenting, Teens, Friendships

We’ve all been there, the comparison trap. That place where we don’t feel good enough, where our standards and expectations of ourselves meet who we really are. That place where we look at what others are doing with their kids or what we think they are doing, and we feel like a failure. Social media perpetuates this comparison trap and we fall for the bait over and over again.

The comparison trap is a very real place and we are all tempted to fall into it. Whether it be comparing our marriages, jobs, families, children, churches, you name it. But what we don’t often realize in the midst of fighting the good fight against falling into this trap, is that our children are also being tempted to fall into it as well.

Apr 24
Apr 24 Dear Mom: It's OK to Set Boundaries with Your Children

Chrystal Hurst

Discipling Children, Parenting, Toddlers

I have been tucking children in the bed for years.

Years I tell ya.

It’s part of our nighttime norm and routine and I honestly get real satisfaction from fulfilling this duty and delight.

I used to tuck everybody in. Literally. All of my fantastic five.

Feb 6
Feb 6 "Our Worst Day Ever" (and New Morning Mercy)

Kara Chupp

Parenting, Discipling Children

Remembering back...

He said--
"Don't you kinda think this was our worst day ever?"

I inwardly nodded.
To our boy I just said,
"I'm sorry."

And he said,
"Me too. Maybe we can have a do-over?"

It started from the moment they got up.
I was tired.
They were tired.
It was raining and we all needed naps looooong before nap time.

Jan 28
Jan 28 When You Mother The Broken

Sara Hagerty

Faith, Prayer, Parenting, Discipling Children

he day we pulled up into our driveway with them -- into the home that had been full of empty bedrooms for years while we waited for them -- we sat with the keys in the ignition while they, buckled into boosters in the back, slept off days of sleepless travel and we sighed.

Done.

We’d finished the hardest part, hadn't we? They were … home.

Jan 2
Jan 2 The Four Parenting Rules I Won’t Ever Quit Using

Elisa Pulliam

Discipling Children, Parenting

One thing I’ve learned through this parenting journey is that there is no formula for producing well-behaved, God-fearing, lovely to be with children. It’s not like math, where 2 + 2 = 4 every time. There are too many factors involved, like: