Eleven weeks into lockdown (or is it eleven months? Hard to tell) it is no surprise that I'm writing now about isolation as a parent. I guess we've all experienced this, in our own ways, during lockdown season. We may have felt isolated from our friends and families, from our church and small … [Read more...] about THE LONELY PARENT: COMBATING ISOLATION
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.
25 FAMILY GAMES (THAT EVEN GROWN-UPS WILL ENJOY)
My family loves a good game - which is just as well, really, as our entertainment options are fairly limited right now! It's a hobby my husband and I enjoy (many a date night is spent playing a game!), so I guess it's been natural to pass this down to our kids. We've been playing board games and … [Read more...] about 25 FAMILY GAMES (THAT EVEN GROWN-UPS WILL ENJOY)
YOUR TODDLER IS GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS JUST FINE. AND SO ARE YOU.
You're probably reading this in a snatched moment of peace, perhaps during naptime, after bedtime, or even on the loo - the only place you can ever get a few seconds to yourself these days. I'm going to hazard a guess that you're also feeling guilty right now, knowing that there's something more … [Read more...] about YOUR TODDLER IS GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS JUST FINE. AND SO ARE YOU.
HOW TO MAKE EASTER SPECIAL (PLUS FREE EASTER EGG HUNT PRINTABLE!)
Easter is a tricky festival to celebrate with children. On the one hand, there is so much joy - we are celebrating the ultimate pivot point of all of history! But on the other hand, there is a whole load of sadness and gory stuff which happens beforehand. For our adopted children, especially, … [Read more...] about HOW TO MAKE EASTER SPECIAL (PLUS FREE EASTER EGG HUNT PRINTABLE!)
PARENTS: DON’T ADD GUILT TO THE BURDENS YOU’RE ALREADY CARRYING
Which New Year's Resolutions did you make this year? I'm going to hazard a guess that home schooling wasn't one of them. (Unless you're a home educator. In which case I imagine the 10,000% increase in online educational resources over the last week has felt rather like all your Christmases … [Read more...] about PARENTS: DON’T ADD GUILT TO THE BURDENS YOU’RE ALREADY CARRYING
FAMILY DEVOTION IDEAS (WHEN YOUR KIDS ARE RUNNING RIOT)
I don't know if you've ever tried sitting down with your family for a planned time of Bible reading, prayer, worship or all three. If you haven't, imagine unicycling into a lion's cage, balancing a ball on your head, and holding raw steaks out in front of you whilst listening to some vintage … [Read more...] about FAMILY DEVOTION IDEAS (WHEN YOUR KIDS ARE RUNNING RIOT)
10 BEST FAMILY DEVOTIONS (TO BRING KIDS AND GROWN-UPS TOGETHER)
A common question amongst time-poor Christian parents who want to nurture their children's faith is: What are the best family devotions? What are the best ways to come together as a family around God's word? What will really ignite our faith as individuals and as a family? And will we make it out … [Read more...] about 10 BEST FAMILY DEVOTIONS (TO BRING KIDS AND GROWN-UPS TOGETHER)
HOW TO SURVIVE SCHOOL CLOSURE AS A FAMILY
With schools having closed in many countries, and increasing numbers of people here in the UK needing to self-isolate with children, I wanted to share with you a few ideas about how to survive at home with your kids. Now, I have four children between 5 and 10 and, much as I love them dearly, I am … [Read more...] about HOW TO SURVIVE SCHOOL CLOSURE AS A FAMILY
I WANT TO SAVE THE PLANET…BUT I’M LATE FOR THE SCHOOL RUN
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