Sometimes I want to be selfish. I like having things go my way. I like being in control and I don’t like it when things happen that are A- outside of my control, or B- directly the opposite of what I would want to happen. Sometimes I want to sit in my room and pout…
Author: Jess Connell
Q&A: Getting Stuff Done with Kids Underfoot?
Q&A: My 2 practical questions are: I have a 2.5 yr old and 11 mo old twins….all boys….all active. The twins swarm my 2.5 yr old and it makes him angry, so he shoves / etc. We discipline him for this, but I have a hard time blaming his reaction when they are coming at…
Big Family Life: It’s Harder… and Easier.
It’s probably the most common thing I hear in the grocery store: “I couldn’t handle any more children. I haven’t even got patience for these TWO!” The funny thing is that I don’t ask people why they don’t have more children. Especially when I’m going through the checkout line… I can assure you my mind…
How I Built A First-Aid Kit for our Large Family
We’ve got 7 children. 6 of those are boys, but actually, our daughter ended up having the worst traumatic accident we’ve encountered yet (so don’t count out those girls!). We’ve had dozens of ER runs, and dozens more of NEAR-ER runs, where I carefully assessed the damage and ultimately decided to stay home and…
Mental Snapshots & Good Goodbyes
Important moments of life are often overrun with busyness, planning, stress, and “must-dos.” And the big “goodbyes” of life are often overshadowed by sorrow, a busy schedule, and stresses like packing, funeral planning, or travel plans. The expression of genuine emotion gets overlooked, stuffed down, or put off for a “later” that never arrives. Here…
From Grumpy to Grateful: Helping Our Children CHANGE Their Thinking
Is a grumpy child just destined to be grumpy? Since his lip naturally turns downward and his arms easily fold and his body crumples, should we just give in and let him be a grump? Well, no. Just like anything else (how our kids approach their schoolwork, what sort of attitude they bring to family gatherings,…
Why Your Kids Shouldn’t Follow Your Diet Plan
Moms nowadays are obsessed with their bodies. Modern diet trends are all about the extreme. Extreme butt-tightener. Extreme abs. Extreme consumptions of raw food. Extreme protein quantities. Extreme cutting of carbs. Extreme cutting of sugar. But here’s the thing: Extreme rules lead to extreme breaking of rules. And generally, moderation leads to health. And that’s why I won’t…
Q&A: Is Being a Stay-at-Home-Mom BORING?
Q: How do I keep busy at home? I find myself so terribly bored and restless at times. Being a stay at home mom is so boring! What am I supposed to do with my down time? Once chores and homeschooling are done for the day, I literally have no idea how to fill the couple of hours before I need…
The #1 Job Where Feminism Gives Anxiety and Self-Doubt
You may already know what I’m referring to. It’s the job where nearly everyone– celebrities, politicians, nurses, and stay-home-moms– struggles, almost from the first few minutes. In this place, we feel self-doubt we feel pressured to do it all we are ill-equipped in what we do we have no idea how to do it we’re pretty…
How I Record Podcast Interviews (and a Special Announcement!)
So I’ve been working on recording podcast interviews for my new Podcast– titled (announcement!) “Mom on Purpose.” Here’s the podcast cover you’ll see on iTunes– eeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! I’ll be launching soon. And I actually need your help. Will you join my Mom on Purpose Promo Team ? Once it’s ready for release, I need readers and listeners who are willing to share…