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
Discipleship for parents
As parents, we can end up investing so much time in our children that we neglect our own spiritual journey. Here are some great resources and ideas to support mums and dads as we seek to draw closer to Jesus together.
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)
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THERAPEUTIC PARENTING?
Our adopted boys have been with us over three years, yet I'd never properly come across the idea of 'therapeutic parenting' until two years in. As we've become more familiar with this approach, we've started to ask ourselves what does the Bible say about therapeutic parenting? Is therapeutic … [Read more...] about WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THERAPEUTIC PARENTING?
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
PARENTING CHILDREN FOR A LIFE OF FAITH (REVIEW)
Earlier this week, I wrote a message to Christian parents whose adult children don't follow Jesus anymore. I was responding to what some of my readers have shared with me, as well as trying to think ahead and put myself in their shoes in 20 years' time, attempting to understand what I might be … [Read more...] about PARENTING CHILDREN FOR A LIFE OF FAITH (REVIEW)
FOR THOSE WHOSE CHILD WALKED AWAY FROM THEIR FAITH…
One of the greatest and most unexpected joys of writing this blog has been acquiring a number of, ahem, more senior readers - those who may have grown-up kids and/or grandkids. If this is you, please know that I am soooo blessed by your presence here, your words of encouragement and the fact you … [Read more...] about FOR THOSE WHOSE CHILD WALKED AWAY FROM THEIR FAITH…
WINDOW ON THE WORLD – BOOK REVIEW
I know you don't read this blog for tips on how to be a wonderful Christian parent. But even so, if you happen to have missed the part about me not having a friggin' clue what I'm doing, let me put it in plain text for you: I AM ABSOLUTELY CLUELESS WHEN IT COMES TO GUIDING MY CHILDREN IN … [Read more...] about WINDOW ON THE WORLD – BOOK REVIEW
CATCHING CONTENTMENT – BOOK REVIEW
I don't know about you, but my mood is very, very dependent on my circumstances. When life is going well I feel great - happy, secure, confident, content. Throw in a disappointment, some bad news or a fractured relationship, and suddenly I'm dissatisfied with life, restless, lacking in confidence, … [Read more...] about CATCHING CONTENTMENT – BOOK REVIEW