I've been thinking a lot about strategies for encouraging your kids to confide in you. Let's start with a familiar scenario for all moms: "Mom, can I have a snack?" "Hey, Mom, can we practice our duet now?" "Mom, she's not sharing!" "Mom, will you check my Math?" "Mom, when is snack time?" "Can you help me with this, Mom?" "Mom, let me tell you about the dream I had last night." "Mom, do you remember that time when...?" "Mom!" "Mom?" "MOM!" I wish I had a dollar for every time my kids call my name each day. No, seriously. I really do wish that. And then I wish I earned extra money for all ...Read More
Cut the Smut: Teaching Your Son to Guard His Eyes
"Mom, can I look at this?" The answer should have been an easy yes. In an ideal world—and perhaps even in a decent world—I would be able to rest easy in my son's perusal of the Sports Illustrated magazine while he sat in the allergist's waiting room, confident in the knowledge that the sports magazine contained only...well, sports. Unfortunately, the world isn't ideal, and is drifting further and further from decent. And so I couldn't let my son flip through the magazine until I first checked every page. I finally handed it to him after neatly removing—you guessed it—a full-page picture of ...Read More
How to use the Bible as a Parenting Manual
Parenting is hard; but we sure are lucky to be able to use the Bible as a Parenting Manual. Let's be honest. When we begin our parenting journey, we don't have a clue. (Please tell me it wasn't just me.) Not only did I not have a clue to start with, but I also didn't have enough functioning brain cells to get a clue on my own. (Sleep deprivation anyone?) For example, my husband and I probably changed our newborn daughter's crib sheet fifty times in the first week of her life. I'm sure you're aware that infants are notorious for those messes we affectionately call "diaper blowouts," and I think ...Read More
3 Surprising Lies Christian Parents Believe
One of the most powerful shaping influences in our lives is culture, for better or for worse. In this "Information Age," it has never been more critical to filter cultural messages through the lens of biblical truth. We do this first by knowing the truth. Recognizing what's not truth is impossible without knowing what is truth. Spending time in God's Word and absorbing His truth by the power of His Spirit enables us to identify the lies touted in our world. 3 Lies Parents Believe Here are three commonly believed lies many Christian parents believe, and a corresponding Scripture which offers the right ...Read More
8 Ways to Spiritually Detox Your Family
Detox is a hot topic these days, isn't it? As scientific research continues to reveal the mind-blowing amount of toxins in our environment, many people want to do everything within our power to limit those agents that are so harmful to our bodies. So we detox our homes. We detox our cleaning supplies. We detox our bodies. Our pets. Our environment. Even our wardrobes. (Don't believe me? Google it!) As powerful as physical detox can be, I'm a believer that there's another kind of detox that's at least as critical, and in fact even more so. Spiritual detox. As human beings, we are so much ...Read More
5 Warning Signs You Should NOT Be Disciplining Your Child
Most Christian parents are aware that the Bible—and particularly the book of Proverbs—encourages discipline of children. Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him. (Proverbs 13:24) Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him. (Proverbs 22:15) Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart. (Proverbs 29:17) These are direct references to child discipline. But even more compelling are the implications of biblical examples. Take David, for instance. It seems from biblical accounts of ...Read More
Why It Would Require an Act of God For My Kids to Attend Public School
If you got past the title and you're still reading, you're probably either internally fuming or cheering. It's true. It would take an act of God for me to send my kids to public school. But I don't say those words as someone who chalks up modern-day "acts of God" as an impossibility. I say them as one who very much believes that God is alive and working—in numerous ways I can see and in countless ways I can't even imagine. I say those words as one who has a personal relationship with Him, and who trusts Him to direct my paths in very real ways with very real intentions and very real ramifications. The fact ...Read More
How to Raise Modest Kids in an Immodest World
"Mama, Chloe is gonna LOVE this dress!" my four-year-old daughter gushed in front of the mirror one Sunday morning. With her eyes shining brightly and her dimpled grin broad, she was clearly delighted by the thought of her friend's certain approval. And that's how I knew we had a lot of work to do when it comes to modesty. Not because of the dress's hem length or sleeve style or neckline. And not because of its cost or extravagance. You see, it wasn't my daughter's dress that was immodest. It was her heart. Her heart that wanted her friend to pay attention to her. To notice her. To admire her. And ...Read More
