Last time, we talked about the importance of naps. But at some point (which, as I mentioned, with our own children typically happens around four years of age), your child will pass the stage for daily naps. Occasional naps may still be needed, but this child has mastered her own attitudes and isn’t crying out…
Naptime Matters.
Naptime. Quiet time. Siesta. 🙂 Call it what you want. But do not underestimate its importance for happy family life, particularly with kids about four and under. In actuality, this principle of setting aside certain hours of the day for the purpose of rest can serve any family of any age and any size. CHILDREN…
Favorite Family Games
As a family, we love playing games together. Good quality games: contribute to a family environment of fun and learning together, make holiday times and extended evenings with other families more fun, give a great opportunity to model appropriate behavior for winning and losing, and allow you to observe your children’s reactions and tendencies to competition,…
The Side God Takes in the Mommy Wars
We’ve all heard of (and experienced) the Mommy Wars. But what is God’s view of it all? As mothers, we can feel completely removed– even from other believers– if we make a parenting choice that is contrary to what they are choosing or what they chose. No matter where you live, if you’re reading this…
Ep. 07: Find Joy Amidst the Chaos
Being Mom means embracing a previously-unexperienced level of chaos, and yet, important questions wait for us in the middle of the messes and noise: where is my identity, what are my responsibilities, and how can I find joy? Listen as Jess talks with Emily Jensen (mom of 4 kids, ages 3 and under), about the “discomfort factor” of…
Here’s What I Learned Watching My Friend Be “Busy At Home”
Almost 6 years ago, we decided to stay in America, after (almost) 6 years of living abroad. I flew to Istanbul, Turkey (our former home) to sort, sell, and pack our belongings there. While there, I stayed a week in our friends’ home, observing her normal household routines. Mother of four kids (then, ranging from 8 to 20…
Q&A: I’m Nervous. What If the Kids Can *Hear Us* Making Love?
Today’s Q&A is a really practical, common concern for many women: WHAT IF the kids can hear us making love? It’s something almost all couples have to work through. Here’s the question I received: Q: I just read your post about “make love – let him hear you”. In the post you reference letting your husband hear your pleasure…
Ep. 06: Parenting with Unity & Wisdom
What’s a mom to do when dad approaches discipline differently? Can we get on the same page? And how do we reach out to find the parenting wisdom we desperately need? Listen as Jess talks with Emily Jensen (mom of 4 kids, ages 3 and under), about thinking through parenting issues alongside our husbands how we can tell when we’ve…
Here’s How I’m Fighting the Lies of Self-Pity
At some point this last year (I didn’t date it when I wrote this down), I took time to try and write down, in precise language, some of the things I believe about myself. Things I didn’t want to admit, but that I could tell were impacting my choices and thinking. Tears streamed as I scribbled…
October 2016 Round-Up: Podcasts & Posts
Did you miss something? Catch up and get the encouragement your heart needs. BABY WATCH & MY WRITING/PODCASTING SCHEDULE Sometime in the next 4-6 weeks, God willing, we’ll meet our new little person. Yippee! 🙂 At that point, my blogposts will slow to 1 post a week. Mom On Purpose podcasts will continue to be released once a week, every…