DEAR TIRED MAMA: I’m not writing this to shame you, or make you feel guilty about your parenting choices, as if this fact of life makes you a “bad mom.” But I’m a mom of 7 (going on 8) who spends a lot of my life analyzing problems in my own parenting and coming up…
Author: Jess Connell
3 Firsts From my 7th Birth That I’m Planning to Repeat With My 8th
I’ve had 7 different birth experiences in 7 different places, with 7 different care providers. Yes, you read that right! 5 different hospitals (in VA, TX, Thailand, and Turkey) on 3 continents + 2 home births in different states I’ve never had the same hospital, or the same doctor or midwife, twice. Lord willing, this…
So You Want to Have a Large Family?
So you want to have a large family? Or you’re on the fence and thinking about having more kids? Maybe your husband wants more, and you’re not sure? Or vice-versa? Before we got married, we both wanted a “lot of kids.” But back then we would have said that number was something like 3-5 kids. NOW?…
Q&A: Teens & Rude Tone of Voice?
Q: “My son (13 almost 14) often has a scowl on his face for no reason. I assume he is grump mode. I could be talking, reading scripture, or just driving with him. I ask “What’s wrong?” or say “Why are you having attitude?” Then he lashes out “Uh! MOM!….” I am likely to blame…
21 Ways Our Large Family Saves Money
Discount grocery stores— this is currently my top budget-slicing method. At Costco, one basket costs us about $300-400. At my discount grocery stores last week, I got 3 basketfuls of groceries for just over $150. It takes creativity, and a little more time (we went to 2 stores, 45 minutes away, rather than just 1 store…
When Your Kids Try to Boss You Around
Q: I am amazed by how I am noticing *already* eye rolling, sighing, attitude in general from my 5 and 3 year olds. We have zero tolerance at our house for disrespectful attitudes, and we also require obedience (“you obey Mommy the first time, with no sass.”). I am starting to notice especially with my…
You’re Not Limited to What’s In Your Box.
Sometimes we can feel like all we have to pass to our kids is what our parents passed to us. “Mom yelled. So I have a problem with yelling.” “Dad never taught us the Bible, so I don’t have a model for parents doing that.” “My parents never really snuggled or showed affection; it feels…
Q&A: What if I Don’t Feel “In the Mood?”
Q: I would like to see practical tips for how to make it a priority and how to feel ‘in the mood’ when I am so tired… A: Well, since you asked a straight question, I’m going to give you a straight answer. 🙂 I think waiting and hoping to feel “in the mood” may be…
Listen to Decide: Is Perfect Motherhood Your Idol?
Last weekend at our church, we had a ladies’ conference called “Identity in Christ.” In my session, I discussed how the roles of womanhood, and particularly motherhood, can be idolatrous if we let them form the basis for our identity. DON’T MISS THIS! CLICK NOW TO LISTEN — “Identity Idolatry” IDOLATRY SHOWS UP IN OUR DESIRES &…
Baby #8 and Why I Pick My Own Due Date
Exciting news! Baby #8 is on the way. 🙂 (Which you already know if you read last Monday’s post about Doug’s tremors. By the way- he ended up hospitalized and it became obvious it was his narcolepsy medicines causing his tremors. Thankfully, now that he’s off the meds, it’s all but stopped.) We are all…