Recently, a Hope Tribe member got in touch to share her concerns about the environment, and her guilt that, in the busyness and intensity of having young kids, she didn't feel like she was doing very much. I find it hard to be an environmentally friendly mum and meet the expectations that are … [Read more...] about I WANT TO SAVE THE PLANET…BUT I’M LATE FOR THE SCHOOL RUN
Family Life
Whether you're looking for support in parenting or marriage, education or homemaking, this is the page for you. Feel free to browse, and if there's something you'd like to see, don't hesitate to give me a shout!
20 ZERO-WASTE SNACKS FOR CHILDREN
OK, so we all know we should be reducing our plastic use, right? But how many of us find this easy, least of all with busy families to manage and care for? As one Desertmum reader said (see I Want to Save the Planet...But I'm Late for the School Run), "I know I'm meant to not purchase fruit in … [Read more...] about 20 ZERO-WASTE SNACKS FOR CHILDREN
THE FOUR TYPES OF ATTACHMENT STYLES EXPLAINED (A NO-FUSS GUIDE BY AN ADOPTER)
Even though I've been an adoptive parent for four years, attachment styles in children still confuse me. It's a complicated area of psychology for sure - but in case we weren't perplexed enough, it turns out that different professionals use different words for each attachment style too! As if our … [Read more...] about THE FOUR TYPES OF ATTACHMENT STYLES EXPLAINED (A NO-FUSS GUIDE BY AN ADOPTER)
THE BEST FAMILY WORSHIP SONGS (WHICH WON’T MAKE YOU CRINGE!)
We're big fans of music in our family, not least because I'm a Music graduate and my husband has always been an avid music-listener - both live and recorded. In fact, I often moan at him because he has to have music on in the background All.The.Time. The other night when we were trying to learn … [Read more...] about THE BEST FAMILY WORSHIP SONGS (WHICH WON’T MAKE YOU CRINGE!)
DEAR WORLD: PLEASE STOP USING THE LABEL ‘WORKING MUM’
For years, women who work outside the home have protested against the label ‘full-time mum’ being used for a woman who stays home to look after her children. And rightly so. If a child has an accident at school, that mum will likely have to leave work to attend to the emergency – because she is, … [Read more...] about DEAR WORLD: PLEASE STOP USING THE LABEL ‘WORKING MUM’
MINISTRY-PROOFING YOUR MARRIAGE: PREVENTING PASTORS’ MARRIAGE PROBLEMS
As a vicar's wife, I'm all too aware of the demands that full-time ministry can put on a marriage. I'm saddened, but not surprised, when I read about pastors' marriage problems - the challenges of maintaining a healthy family life when you're also pastorally involved in lots of other people's lives … [Read more...] about MINISTRY-PROOFING YOUR MARRIAGE: PREVENTING PASTORS’ MARRIAGE PROBLEMS
SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRITUALITY: 6 WAYS TO ESTABLISH A CONSISTENT BIBLE MESSAGE FOR YOUTH
I'm delighted to have none other than my own brother and sister-in-law on the blog for today's teen-themed post! Colin and Carol have two boys (aged 17 and nearly 16), and are my go-to for … [Read more...] about SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRITUALITY: 6 WAYS TO ESTABLISH A CONSISTENT BIBLE MESSAGE FOR YOUTH
CHRISTIAN PUBERTY EDUCATION: TALKING TO OUR TEENAGERS ABOUT SEX, RELATIONSHIPS AND THE BIBLE
This week, we're focusing on raising teenagers, with a new post each day. We've looked at communication, and what happens if our teens go off track, and today we're looking at - well, we couldn't really ignore it, could we? - how we teach our teens about sex, relationships and what the … [Read more...] about CHRISTIAN PUBERTY EDUCATION: TALKING TO OUR TEENAGERS ABOUT SEX, RELATIONSHIPS AND THE BIBLE
WHEN FLEDGLINGS FLOP: WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR TEENAGER IS OUT OF CONTROL
Every day this week I'm focusing on raising teenagers, and today I'm delighted to have fellow author Gail Gritts join us. Gail is a mum of 5 - now all grown-up - and has a powerful testimony of how two of her children hit rock-bottom. Read on... When the mother bird pushes her fledglings out of the … [Read more...] about WHEN FLEDGLINGS FLOP: WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR TEENAGER IS OUT OF CONTROL