I don't know about you, but I struggle to retain *any* sort of spiritual focus during Advent. It's not that I don't want to. It's just that the obligations of present shopping and wrapping, tree buying and decorating, family-dynamics negotiating, Secret Santa organising and school activities … [Read more...] about 20 Best Books to Read During Advent
Books and resources
Here are the best books and resources that our family has used to nurture faith over the last few years. You'll find a whole host of resources for different age groups (including adults), and if there's something you're looking for which isn't here, let me know and I'll do my best to add it!
21 Fabulous Bible Studies for Women
Much as I love the Bible, if I'm being totally honest, I don't always find it an easy read. I mean - it's so BIG! And much of it is hard to instantly understand or apply. Other bits don't seem relevant to my life right now, and still other bits feel over-familiar, from which it is hard to extract … [Read more...] about 21 Fabulous Bible Studies for Women
THE BEST CHRISTIAN FICTION BOOKS FOR MUMS
The thing you have to know about me right from the off is that it took me well over seven years after becoming a mother to get into a decent reading habit. And by 'decent' I don't even mean every night for half an hour. I mean some nights, for as many minutes as I could muster before falling … [Read more...] about THE BEST CHRISTIAN FICTION BOOKS FOR MUMS
MAKING FRIENDS AS A MUM
Today I'm delighted to welcome author and mum Ruth Leigh onto THFF. I read Ruth's brilliant book The Diary of Isabella M Smugge recently, and it was un-put-downable! Any parent will recognise the hubbub of family life that Ruth so aptly observes: busyness, constant meal provision, playdates, sick … [Read more...] about MAKING FRIENDS AS A MUM
THE BEST CHILDREN’S BIBLE DEVOTIONALS – FROM TOT TO TEEN!
There's nothing like a couple of messages from blog-readers to motivate you to write a blog post you've been meaning to write for a year. Talk about a kick up the backside. It has FULLY been my intention since early last year to compile a whole load of fabulous individual Bible devotionals for … [Read more...] about THE BEST CHILDREN’S BIBLE DEVOTIONALS – FROM TOT TO TEEN!
A CHRISTIAN PARENTING BOOK FOR SINGLE PARENTS
I've long had a particular admiration for those of my friends who are single parents. I even wrote about single parenting here. Let me be clear: I have a husband, and parenting STILL stretches me to the end of my resources and then some. (In fact, sometimes I say I have five children, because - … [Read more...] about A CHRISTIAN PARENTING BOOK FOR SINGLE PARENTS
THE BEST 2020 CHRISTMAS PICTURE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
I LOVE Christmas. And I LOVE Advent. (I even wrote a book about Advent). I love all the fun and creative ways we can anticipate the excitement of Christmas during December with our families. One of our favourite traditions is our Advent basket. It's so simple - I just throw all our Christmas … [Read more...] about THE BEST 2020 CHRISTMAS PICTURE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN
HOW CHRISTIAN FICTION ENCOURAGES BUSY PARENTS IN THEIR FAITH (+ REVIEW OF ‘THE MARRIAGE OF INNIS WILKINSON’)
As I write this blog, the tone I adopt is largely of the assumption that FAMILY LIFE IS CRAZY. Busy, loud, messy, dishevelled, chaotic - you choose the word. If this doesn't resonate with you, then can I politely suggest you're on the wrong website? Perhaps try Pinterest for some ideas of … [Read more...] about HOW CHRISTIAN FICTION ENCOURAGES BUSY PARENTS IN THEIR FAITH (+ REVIEW OF ‘THE MARRIAGE OF INNIS WILKINSON’)
HOW HISTORICAL FICTION CAN HELP US TEACH OUR CHILDREN ABOUT RACIAL EQUALITY
The tragic death of George Floyd, and the riots, injuries and deaths which have taken place since then, woke many of us up to systemic injustices when it comes to racial equality. And because many of these injustices are a direct result of actions taken many years ago, it's become increasingly … [Read more...] about HOW HISTORICAL FICTION CAN HELP US TEACH OUR CHILDREN ABOUT RACIAL EQUALITY