For the last post in the Rock Motherhood Biblically Series, Mariann Foster of Our Start has put together some practical ways we can spend time with God daily in this busy season of motherhood. Because you can't be your best as a mom without staying plugged into the One who gave you this calling, right? As a mom, I know days can start with a bang before you even climb out of bed. It's easy to get caught up in all the tasks that need to be done. And you may even forget to spend quality time with the Lord. But spending time with God is the only thing that can give us the energy to make it through our busy days and weeks. Here are several tips to help you carve out time to spend with God each day and renew your strength as you pour into ... Read More...
5 Ways To Keep Your Marriage Strong After Kids
Last month, my husband and I celebrated 15 years of marriage. 15 years. That's more than double the national average these days. I don't say that all braggy because we're somehow rockstars at marriage. No, I think of that number and marvel at God's grace that we're still together. Our marriage has come under attack at various points over the last decade and a half. That's why we have to stay on guard, especially in the midst of the very busy years of parenting where the interests and activities of our children threaten to trump our time together. We need to be intentional at working on maintaining the relationship with our spouse. The most troubling years of our marriage came right after the births of both of our children. Sleep ... Read More...
6 Reasons Children Need Chores
A few days ago, I took my children with me on a weekly grocery shopping trip. They were eager to help with pushing and loading the cart, along with checking things off the list, as we went to not one, but two stores. It wasn't always this way, though. I used to be reluctant to let them help. I frequently picked up after my kids, cleaned their messes, and generally required very little of them. It worked well, for a little while. Until I realized they were always waiting and looking to me for... everything. I couldn't really be angry with them- I had been enabling their helplessness. Thankfully, my other half has expected much more from my kids. He pointed out that I can still serve my children without waiting on them hand and ... Read More...
7 Keys To Effective Spiritual Training For Kids
*Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. That means if you choose to make a purchase, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission that helps support this ministry. We've all heard the famous Proverbs 22:6 verse, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it." But how, exactly, are we to train a child? Between laundry, cleaning, throwing dinners together, and keeping the kids from destroying the house and each other, training our children spiritually seems like an impossible task. It is our responsibility, however, to point them to the Truth in God’s Word and live it before them daily. I promise you- it's not as overwhelming as you think! These 7 keys to ... Read More...
8 Things Your Kids Need Most From You
One thing I've learned for sure in the last decade of parenting is that well, being a parent is hard. And we're all spending so much energy trying not to get it wrong. There are plenty of expectations we put on ourselves that make it even harder. Are we depriving our kids of worthwhile experiences by not enrolling them in every possible extracurricular activity? Will they grow up to be social pariahs because we chose to homeschool them? I've fallen into the trap of believing my kids have to have things that, in reality, they don't really need. When they're all grown up and ready to embark on their own parenting journeys, I don't think they'll look back and wish they always had the latest toys, clothing, and technology, or a schedule ... Read More...