Snack time used to be one of my least favorite times of day. Sometimes my kids would sit down at the table and make requests (this was often for snacks I didn’t have on hand and, of course, each child would want something different). Other times I would offer one item (or let them choose between two items) and they would grumble because they … [Read more...] about 5 Ways a Tub of Ready-to-Eat Snacks Benefits My Family
Raising an Inheritance
Storage Solutions for Kids’ Puzzles
We have about 20 kids’ puzzles stacked on a bookshelf in our living room. They all fit there, but they’re a bit of an eyesore and it is difficult to access the one our kids ask for because inevitably that particular one is at the bottom of the stack! As you can see, we need to find a better way to store these puzzles. This is … [Read more...] about Storage Solutions for Kids’ Puzzles
Names Are Gifts We Give to Our Children
Are names merely indiscriminate titles that help us know when someone is speaking to us or is there more to it? I believe the latter, specifically that names have the power to shape our lives in significant ways. We see examples of this in Scripture. Though names sometimes recorded an aspect of a child’s birth (see Esau and Jacob in … [Read more...] about Names Are Gifts We Give to Our Children
4 Wonderful Things About Interracial Families
I’ve heard a few mixed-race adults discuss the race-related challenges they experienced while growing up. For example, some struggled with identity, feeling like they didn’t really belong. Others were teased or felt misunderstood. I’m hopeful that my own children (who are mixed) will never feel this way. There are several reasons why I … [Read more...] about 4 Wonderful Things About Interracial Families
Snow Activities for Families Living in Warm Climates
My two older kids are fascinated with snow. They frequently ask me when it will snow and if they can do things like build a snowman. They aren’t quite old enough to understand that we live in a location (the Texas Gulf Coast) where snow is rare. Because they desire to play in snow so much, I’ve been on the lookout for “snow” activities that … [Read more...] about Snow Activities for Families Living in Warm Climates
Christian Parenting Affirmations
This last summer, as I was preparing to give birth to my third child, I wrote out some labor affirmations on note cards. Affirmations—statements meant to encourage, inspire, and energize—are helpful during labor because delivering a baby (vaginally or via C-section) is strenuous, requiring a lot of mental and physical energy. As I was caring … [Read more...] about Christian Parenting Affirmations
12 Crafts to Help Kids Understand the Christmas Story
My 2-year-old and 4-year-old are really into crafts right now. They ask to draw, paint, make masks, create collages, or do something else creative every single day. I’ve found a number of cool Christmas crafts for them that yield secular symbols of Christmas (trees, wreaths, bells, etc.). I don’t have a problem with these, but I want to make … [Read more...] about 12 Crafts to Help Kids Understand the Christmas Story
7 Ways to Keep Babies and Toddlers Out of Christmas Trees
Young kids love the bright lights and shiny ornaments on Christmas trees as much as we do. Unfortunately, they don’t want to appreciate these by gazing at them like we do—they want to touch and perhaps even taste them! This is first and foremost a safety issue, but it’s also a frustration for parents who want to decorate for … [Read more...] about 7 Ways to Keep Babies and Toddlers Out of Christmas Trees
