In the Storm

I spent the day, a week ago, sitting beside a hospital bed. Of my son’s 1,387 days on earth, he’s spent about 68 of them in a hospital.  There’s nothing quite like waiting beside a cot in the NICU, where your tiny child lies, to teach you about life.  It’s …

Sibling Squabbles

Difficulties between siblings can be really stressful and challenging, for everyone involved. Everyone knows siblings often struggle to get along, but sometimes I think we are still rather taken aback by it. It helps me to keep in mind that it is inevitable. No matter how much teaching you do, …

The Power of Words

We’ve all heard the same mantra, passed down for generations: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” The question is, is that true? I would argue that James would disagree: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his …

Perspective

It’s funny the days that stick out in my memory.  For as amazing as it is to have a day go smoothly, to have kids that cooperate and are cheerful, to have time to accomplish things and maybe even time to rest…it’s usually the harder, stickier, challenging days that I …

Parenting Yourself

When seeking to parent with gentleness and grace, often the hardest (and most important) part is controlling yourself and changing your own reactions.  As I’ve continued on this journey, I have found that when I shame and “punish” myself, I inevitably end up acting worse. So, I’ve been working towards “parenting” …