As my kids were going off to bed recently, I found myself speaking plainly to them: "I'm sorry for being grumpy today. I was really grumpy. But you were also really annoying." Find me a parent whose own kids don't irritate the hell out of them on a fairly regular basis, and I'll give them … [Read more...] about TALKING TO KIDS WITH WORDS OF GRACE
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!
A FATHER’S ROAD TO ADOPTION
Is anyone else scrabbling about, the day before Fathers' Day, trying to think of a suitable gift for their kids' dad? Or is it just me? DesertDad is incredibly difficult to buy for. He doesn't really want anything, bar a decent whisky, and then I'm caught between whether it's appropriate for … [Read more...] about A FATHER’S ROAD TO ADOPTION
HELPING CHILDREN CONNECT WITH GOD IN THEIR EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES
Have you ever had a heart-to-heart with your child and wondered how to encourage them to connect with God about it all? Do you sometimes find yourself giving your kids a pep talk, but feeling it's all just a little bit hollow? Would you like to offer your kids something more solid when they're … [Read more...] about HELPING CHILDREN CONNECT WITH GOD IN THEIR EVERYDAY EXPERIENCES
MOTHERS’ DAY AND BABY LOSS
Approximately 1 in 8 pregnancies end in miscarriage. It's a startlingly high figure, and I count myself as guiltily fortunate to be excluded from it. But so many of my friends have experienced miscarriage in a variety of ways, at a variety of stages, that despite being daily driven up the wall by … [Read more...] about MOTHERS’ DAY AND BABY LOSS
HOW CAN I PARENT MY CHILDREN FOR FAITH? (A REVIEW OF THE PARENTING FOR FAITH COURSE)
In the never-ending pile of laundry, discarded vegetables and emotional melodrama that is Parenting, the idea of how we parent our kids on their faith journey can often get overlooked. Occasionally, I stick my head out of that pile and remember that our greatest ambition for our children is for … [Read more...] about HOW CAN I PARENT MY CHILDREN FOR FAITH? (A REVIEW OF THE PARENTING FOR FAITH COURSE)
30 SIMPLE LENT ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES
Want some creative Lent activities for families and children this year? Nope, thought you didn't. Because, if I know you well (and I'm starting to think I might), I know that you show up to this blog exhausted by parenting and life and everything in between. You really don't need anything … [Read more...] about 30 SIMPLE LENT ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILIES
GOODBYE TO GOODBYES – REVIEW
Listen - both you and I know that children's books are two-a-penny these days, but there's a book being released today which I really think you ought to buy for the young children in your life. One thing I'm passionate about (OK, so I'm passionate about many, many things - but that's not the … [Read more...] about GOODBYE TO GOODBYES – REVIEW
EYE CAN WRITE – REVIEW
You know my absolute favourite type of books? Those which are short and pack a punch. Short because...well, clearly, this exhausted mama doesn't have a lot of time to read, and who wants to be slogging on with the same book for months and months? War and Peace ain't gonna get finished in the next … [Read more...] about EYE CAN WRITE – REVIEW
WHAT GOES IN OUR ADVENT BASKET?
The kids and I love Advent, and all the fun preparations for Christmas. We have loads of little traditions that we look forward to, and try to focus on sharing the story of Jesus' birth in creative and fun ways. One of these traditions is our Advent basket. You may do something similar in your home … [Read more...] about WHAT GOES IN OUR ADVENT BASKET?