A favorite post from my archives...a game changing mindset shift. Hope you enjoy--This whole thing began a few months before our trip, but while we were away, expanding became my recurring theme. I've talked about it just enough that now all of the boys talk about it too. Or maybe they make fun of me talking about it, but regardless, it's kind of a thing now.This is how it all got started...It was an afternoon like many others...My boys were rough-housing and loud, and in that
Parenting and Family
What A Middle School Boy Needs Most from His Parents.
Hey Friends! I am sharing a reader (and author, I might add ;)) favorite post from the archives today. I'm guessing many of you have read this at some point, but I know there are things in here we could use reminders of often. Also: After receiving a number of emails and messages from moms-in-the-thick-of-it lately (you know who you are) I think this post covers much of what is on mom's minds...Hope reading it (even if again,) it offers you a few fresh reminders and some encouragement in
What happened in the hardest season of my life
Today I am sharing a post from my archives. This is an extra special one to me because, well -- it brings me back to such a challenging season of my life. A season that forever changed me. Anyways, I hope it encourages a few of you this week. XO, Monica******************* Moms of Little Ones... If you've got one or more little person in your home, this one is for you. I'm talking babies, toddlers, preschool, and the like. These days are crazy to say the least.I can say that the
Talking to your Teen/Tween about Peer Pressure
With summer on the horizon, I can't think of a better time to cover the next "Conversation" in our series! Today is all about talking to your kids about...peer pressure.The term "peer pressure" has been thrown around so much that many of us gloss over it. We might assume kids are already aware of peer pressure, and they've heard all the messages: Just say no. Don't succumb to pressure. Believe in yourself. Be YOUnique. All of the cliches that hang on the walls of
For the days that matter. {every day} A word of encouragement.
Hi friends...While I've been away, I've begun the daunting task of looking over hundreds of posts in my blog files -- some published, some unpublished...some inspired, but unfinished, others clearly begging to be trashed. ("blog spring cleaning" --it's a big job.) Anyways, I found a special post tucked away that for some reason was never published. I thought maybe this was a good time to share it. I hope there's something in it for you.BTW: This post was written 4 years ago -- (I
Talking to your kids about how to treat the opposite sex
Remember when the most important manners we taught our kids were as simple as: share your toys, play fair, be nice, and don't pick your nose in public?These might have cut it in on the playground, but when adolescence hits, everything gets more complicated. In their tweenage years (<-- that works, right?) our kids need more guidance than ever. Interestingly, however, these are the years a lot of parents become the most quiet.Don't be that parent.Our kids continue to need us
Talking to your teens/tweens about their future
Recently, one of my sons seemed a little off. Before bed I finally just asked him what was going on. He spilled out then that he was feeling super stressed about his future. In my head, I was like, "What!? You're hardly a teenager! What is there to stress about?" but I held back. He went on to confess that he sometimes lays awake at night concerned about what kind of job he'll have, how he'll provide for a family, and on and on.It kind of broke my heart to think my kid was carrying
Conversations with our kids, Part I: Identity and Image
Welcome to the first post in my new series: "Conversations to have with your teens/tweens now" (click here for the introduction.) Today I want to talk about the uber-important, all-consuming, (seemingly) life or death topic of Teens/Tweens and IMAGE.This is an important topic because whether you talk about it or not, I guarantee it is on your kid's mind.The teenage years have always been a time of wrestling with issues of identity and self-image. The teen years are filled with