Sometimes all a kid needs is a clear path and a little ownership. Recently, Anderson had been walking through a tough season—struggling with making good choices and responding truthfully in certain situations. After some heartfelt conversations with his mom, Emily, we decided to put a plan in place. Not a punishment, but a purpose. Together,… Continue reading The Power of a Plan: How One Simple System Sparked Big Growth
Tag: kids
🤦🏽♀️When We Get It Wrong (And What Comes Next)
Today at the pool, I had one of those moments as a mom—the kind that humbles you, sticks with you, and teaches you something important. I was chatting with a friend when Lucy walked over. She didn’t look particularly happy and quietly said she was cold. It was well into the 90s, and the sun… Continue reading 🤦🏽♀️When We Get It Wrong (And What Comes Next)
The Heart Before the Name
Yesterday I picked Lucy up from her Critter Barn camp, and the first thing she said—before even buckling her seatbelt—was, “Can we please have a playdate with my new friend?” I smiled and asked what any mom would: “What’s your friend’s name?” She looked at me, shrugged both shoulders high with a sheepish grin, and… Continue reading The Heart Before the Name
When Kids Visit the Hospital: How Children Can Be a Light in Hard Places
Hospitals can be intimidating places—especially for children. The sterile halls, constant beeping, machines with strange blinking lights, and people in scrubs hurrying from room to room… it’s a lot to take in. But sometimes, when done with care, bringing a child into those spaces can offer a kind of healing adults alone can’t give. My… Continue reading When Kids Visit the Hospital: How Children Can Be a Light in Hard Places
Holding On, Letting Grow
There’s something so sacred about this in-between space—the space where your child is growing up right before your eyes, but still reaching for your hand. Lucy just turned six. And lately, I’ve felt the quiet shift—these small but powerful signs of her becoming. She can now pour the milk from the fridge all on her… Continue reading Holding On, Letting Grow
Our Favorite Faith-Based Storybooks (That Aren’t Cheesy)
If you’ve ever rolled your eyes mid-story while reading a children’s devotional or Christian picture book, you’re not alone. We’re a Jesus-loving family who also appreciates good writing, beautiful illustrations, and books that speak to children’s hearts without sounding like a PowerPoint presentation. Over the years, we’ve found some gems—books that actually move us, inspire… Continue reading Our Favorite Faith-Based Storybooks (That Aren’t Cheesy)
Mr. Great Grandpa
Some days your child says something so clever, so unexpected, it stops you in your tracks. This was one of those moments. A long time ago, I told Lucy about my Grandpa—her Bompa’s dad—who used to tease me and steal bites of food off my plate during family dinners. It was a silly, sweet memory… Continue reading Mr. Great Grandpa
🌱 When They Don’t Need You… As Much
This morning, I caught a moment that stopped me in my tracks—Lucy, stepstool in place, reaching into the fridge to grab the milk all on her own. No help needed. No “Momma, can you…?” Just confidence, independence, and quiet capability. It was such a simple thing. But it whispered something deeper: She’s growing. It’s what… Continue reading 🌱 When They Don’t Need You… As Much
🌤️ He Painted the Sky Just for You
“Momma, did you see the beautiful clouds God made for you today?” That’s what Lucy asked me the other day, and I nearly melted into a puddle of love right there. She wasn’t just pointing out a pretty sky—she was offering me a glimpse into her heart, and into the faith that’s quietly taking root… Continue reading 🌤️ He Painted the Sky Just for You
📚 Words That Paint Pictures: Why Vocabulary-Rich Books Matter
There’s a quiet magic that happens when a child is immersed in quality literature. It’s not flashy or loud—it’s subtle and steady, like a stream that carves out beauty over time. And if you listen closely, that magic starts showing up in the way they speak, the way they think, the way they see the… Continue reading 📚 Words That Paint Pictures: Why Vocabulary-Rich Books Matter
Raising Light 