Weak. It’s not what we want to be. It’s far more glamorous to be strong. Able. Buff. Ripped. Cut. Well-off. Certain. Capable. Adept. Fierce. No one enjoys being the needy one. The one asking for things. The one with nothing to contribute. There’s ease in being the one with enough margin, enough wisdom, enough financial…
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What Many Parents Get Wrong About “Strong-Willed” Children
There’s a common response I receive from younger moms, after they hear/read my no-nonsense advice about tantrums, attitudes, and arguing. “I bet you haven’t actually had a strong-willed child.” “I don’t think this will work; maybe my kids are more strong-willed than yours.” “You have a lot of kids, but have any of them been…
Q&A #2: Homeschooling, Discipline, & Frustrating Moments
Q: I know my son needs to be trained out of some of the bad behaviors he’s picked up over the last 6 months of having a really loose schedule, but I feel so angry at him. I am so worn out and he talks back so much, and all I want to do is…
God’s Kindness in a Year of Survival Mode
Throughout my life, I’ve experienced God’s kindness. Parents– I was raised by a dad and mom who knew God and taught me about Him, did the best they could with what they had, loved me well, and entrusted me to the big God that they themselves trusted. Teaching– teachers and professors who taught me to…
What to Do with a Discontent, Manipulative 9-year-old?
Q: “I need some serious advice here. My daughter is 9 years old but ever since she was very young like four years old, she has been very discontent. Nothing we try ever seems to make her happy. It’s like nothing is ever good enough. She takes little interest in any kind of extracurricular activity….
IS IT POSSIBLE to Shake Off the Materialism of Christmas?!?
Q: What do you do for Christmas celebrations? How do we get through without it being a focus on presents and stuff and food? Is it possible to shake off the materialism of this season? Sure, I have a few thoughts, in no particular order: #1- I don’t know how old your kids are, but…
When Homeschooling IDEALS Collide with the REALITIES of a Large Family
Hi Jess, I don’t know if you answer emails like this since you aren’t active on your blog, but wanted to tell you I took your advice to heart and am not blogging. It was the best decision. I had my fourth baby, and I would’ve had to lay down priorities in caring for my family to…
Cooking for a Crowd, on the Cheap
Q FROM A READER: How do you feed your large family? The older my son gets, the more he’s eating, and I’m realizing I need to get better at cooking more food for less money. Yup, with 9 kiddos (8 of whom are sons!!), you know I understand! This is an ongoing point of analysis…
When You’re Not Perfect Enough
Have you ever felt that heavy certainty of heart? The guilty pronouncement that declares: “You’re not perfect enough“?? Sadly, it seems to be more prominent in certain places. And from personal experience I can say– it often accompanies the choices we make as mothers, particularly as homeschooling mothers. In truth, it shows up in other places too. The SJWs at Evergreen State,…
5 Thoughts Before I’m 40 + a Life Update
Well, hello there! It’s been a while. Allow me to share some hodge-podgy thoughts I’ve been pondering, as I approach my 40th birthday this month: (1) No matter what choices you make, life contains pain. Fear of pain can not be what rules our decision-making. God doesn’t promise easy roads, comfortable circumstances, good emotions, or…