Diligent Decisions

The calendar flips to November and holiday pressures rise as leaves and temperatures fall. Lists, shopping, and party planning shift into full gear. These tasks added to already full schedules often elevate stress and worries to unhealthy levels. This year, instead of releasing our pressure valves by barking at our families (which I NEVER do), …

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A Relentless, Joyful Presence

Relentless. It was one word my son used to describe me for my 50th birthday. It’s not a word I would have used to describe myself, but in retrospect, I’m happy he sees me that way. As parents, we need to be relentless in so many ways. We relentlessly share our love, faith, encouragement, discipline, …

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Joyfully Shine & Bend

A dense cloak of darkness, fog and incessant rainfall obscured visibility. Dangerous hazards made navigation treacherous. Then in the distance, a small beacon of light emerged. Inching forward, its increasing presence provided the necessary guidance safely home. Parenting can sometimes feel like a dark and stormy night. We don’t know what to say, do or …

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Joyful Teachers

From the moment they arrive, we are our children’s first teacher. We instruct them how to eat, walk, bathe, dress and the list goes on. It’s tempting to do things for them, but this is actually a disservice. We are to teach, not do. And the most important thing we can teach our children is …

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Joyful Guardrails

What’s your greatest joy? My children and being their mom brings me more joy than anything else in life. But joy is not the only feeling that comes with parenting. There’s also worry, frustration, fear, even anger blended with the love and joy we experience as parents. How can we minimize these and find more …

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