• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Hope-Filled Family

  • Adoption
    • Adoption process
    • Parenting an Adopted Child
    • Blended families
    • Explaining adoption to others
  • Faith
    • Discipleship for kids
    • Discipleship for parents
    • Books and resources
  • Family Life
    • Parenting
    • Marriage
    • Education
    • Home
  • Seasons
    • Christmas & Advent
    • Mothers’ Day
    • Easter & Lent
    • Fathers’ Day
    • Summer
    • Halloween
    • Birthdays
  • About
  • Shop
  • Basket

Parenting

Parenting is such a challenging role! And there are so many people telling us how we should do it.

I am not one of those people. But I hope that by sharing my own - often highly flawed - experiences, I can offer reassurance and empathy to others going through similar challenges.

6 WAYS THAT CHRISTIAN FAMILIES CAN CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

February 22, 2021 3 Comments

International Women's Day, Christian perspective, Christian families, for kids, discrimination, prayer, books and resources.

March 8th has become a stalwart in the calendar of festivals and holidays as International Women's Day (IWD). Growing in prominence, and with a different theme each year, it's a chance to celebrate how far we've come in gender equality, and raise awareness of situations in which women still have … [Read more...] about 6 WAYS THAT CHRISTIAN FAMILIES CAN CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY

Education· Family Life· Parenting

MAKING FRIENDS AS A MUM

February 12, 2021 4 Comments

How do I make friends as a mum? Ruth Leigh, The Diary of Isabella M Smugge, Instant Apostle

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

Books and resources· Parenting

HELPING OUR CHILDREN MANAGE THEIR EMOTIONS AROUND CHRISTMAS

November 19, 2020 2 Comments

Helping our children manage their emotions around Christmas

I know my children aren't alone in experiencing high levels of anxiety, worry and stress around Christmas. They were adopted at 14 months - but even now, at 6, there are a lot of nerves surrounding any kind of transition or change in routine. Lots of children find this time of year difficult. … [Read more...] about HELPING OUR CHILDREN MANAGE THEIR EMOTIONS AROUND CHRISTMAS

Adoption· Christmas & Advent· Parenting· Parenting an Adopted Child

A CHRISTIAN PARENTING BOOK FOR SINGLE PARENTS

November 17, 2020 1 Comment

A Christian parenting book for single parents - Surviving and Thriving on the Single Parent Journey by Kat Seney-Williams, Lion Hudson, Care for the Family.

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

Books and resources· Parenting

HOW SHOULD I TEACH RACIAL EQUALITY TO MY KIDS? (4 BAME FAMILIES SPEAK UP)

October 22, 2020 Leave a Comment

Talking to children about racism, BAME issues, racial injustice, equality and diversity is never easy. In this blog post, four BAME families share what they'd like white families to know about these important issues.

It’s been a thought-provoking few months in terms of racial injustice and equality campaigning. Motivated by the tragic death of George Floyd, people the world over have been asking themselves how such overt examples of racism can still be happening – and discovering that systemic racism is, very … [Read more...] about HOW SHOULD I TEACH RACIAL EQUALITY TO MY KIDS? (4 BAME FAMILIES SPEAK UP)

Family Life· Parenting

12 CHRISTIAN HALLOWEEN PARTY IDEAS (WHICH DON’T CELEBRATE THE SCARY STUFF!)

October 8, 2020 2 Comments

What can I do instead of celebrating Halloween? Here are 10 creative Christian Halloween party and treat ideas to help you mark All Hallows Eve with integrity and fun.

Every year, Halloween rolls around sooner than I'm expecting. And every year, I feel like I've once again failed to come to any workable conclusion about whether we should or shouldn't participate as Christians, and where our boundaries lie. Last year, I expressed some of this in my post … [Read more...] about 12 CHRISTIAN HALLOWEEN PARTY IDEAS (WHICH DON’T CELEBRATE THE SCARY STUFF!)

Faith· Halloween· Parenting

DOES POCKET MONEY ‘SPOIL THE CHILD’ – OR TEACH INDEPENDENCE?

September 22, 2020 6 Comments

Why do kids need pocket money? Should every child be given pocket money? Does pocket money teach independence, or does it ‘spoil the child’? This article sets out some useful guidelines for pocket money, including when pocket money should not be given.

I've been wanting to write about pocket money for SO LONG! Not because it's an area I have all the answers to, but because there are so many interesting questions around it (like "Does pocket money spoil the child?" - a big one on Google!), and ideas for how to make it work beautifully. I've … [Read more...] about DOES POCKET MONEY ‘SPOIL THE CHILD’ – OR TEACH INDEPENDENCE?

Family Life· Parenting

WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK A SECONDARY SCHOOL?

September 15, 2020 5 Comments

What should I ask on my school open day? What are good questions to ask a high school? If you’re after ideas for looking around secondary schools, how to approach open days and what to ask, here is some guidance.

I've been a mum for nearly 11 years. It feels like my main career - but, way back in the distant recesses of time, I was a secondary Music teacher. I taught for three years, then did another three as Head of Department in a different school. A brief experience, maybe, but enough to be pretty … [Read more...] about WHAT QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK A SECONDARY SCHOOL?

Education· Family Life· Parenting

20 CARE PACKAGE IDEAS FOR A KID WITH A BROKEN ARM

July 25, 2020 Leave a Comment

What can I buy for a child with a broken arm? Here are 20 ideas to go in your care package or gift basket, all of which make practical and fun gifts for a child or teenager.

Do you know what I used to say about my kids? How incredible it was that none of them had ever broken a limb. I mean, if you've ever seen my kids, you'll understand why. They are always climbing things, jumping off things, swinging on things, pushing the boundaries of what might be considered … [Read more...] about 20 CARE PACKAGE IDEAS FOR A KID WITH A BROKEN ARM

Family Life· Parenting

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 15
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

The Hope-Filled Family - UK Christian parenting and adoption blog by Lucy Rycroft
Should you send your child to a school in special measures? What if the local school is failing? What do you do? Read our story here.
This article explains why adopted children are more susceptible to pre-birth factors which might affect their development, such as domestic violence, drinking alcohol and substance abuse. It counters the argument that just because a child is taken into care at birth they will be 'fine'.
For those days (or weeks, or months, or years) when you feel like you're failing at parenting, here is your hope, your encouragement and some practical ideas.
How to have great family bible time for kids when it’s noisy and chaotic. The best family devotionals often happen in the chaos, and this post tells you why.
Looking round prospective schools with your adopted or fostered child? Here are the questions you need to ask.
The four attachment styles are explained in this clear, no-fuss blog. What they are, how to spot them, and how to parent your child with this knowledge.
How adoption/fostering might affect toddlers' behaviour.
Is church just an extra curricular activity? Is it important for my family to attend church? What happens if we skip church?
Are you a lonely parent? You're not alone - literally. Many of us struggle with social isolation when we become parents. Here are some ways to combat it.
  • About
  • DISCLOSURE POLICY
  • COOKIE POLICY
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Contact Me

Terms and Conditions