It wasn’t until I saw a second line appear on a home pregnancy test that I began to understand just how much anxiety is associated with motherhood. At first it was concerns about the possibility of miscarriage, preterm labor, or stillbirth. These concerns soon gave way to fears about SIDS and apprehension about whether or not to sleep … [Read more...] about Overcoming the Anxieties of Motherhood
babies
Mom’s Milk Freezer Pops for Teething
My precious girl has been having some cranky days recently because of teething pain. We have some teething toys that can be refrigerated, but these didn’t seem to be doing much to soothe her pain. I’ve heard some mothers say that they freeze washcloths dipped in breast milk or freeze milk onto pacifiers in order to create “momsicles” or … [Read more...] about Mom’s Milk Freezer Pops for Teething
Affording Stay-At-Home Motherhood
I love telling stories about when my husband and I first met. One of the best stories is how he, during our very first interaction, asked me how many children I wanted. His question didn’t bother me and it set the tone for open, honest communication in our relationship. Given this initial discussion, it likely won’t surprise you that we … [Read more...] about Affording Stay-At-Home Motherhood
Choosing What is Better: Finding Time to Spend With the Lord as a Busy Mom
Jesus, while in the home of Mary and Martha, commended Mary for listening at His feet and gently chided Martha for being distracted by all the preparations that had to be made (Luke 10:38-42). In years past it was easy for me to set aside time to read my Bible and pray each day, but now that I face the demands of marriage and motherhood … [Read more...] about Choosing What is Better: Finding Time to Spend With the Lord as a Busy Mom
Tips for Tear-Free Tummy Time
Tummy time—time spent on their bellies instead of on their backs—can be a trial for many babies. When it’s tough on them, it’s also tough on their parents and other caregivers. My daughter, Amaris, used to cry during tummy time. I began experimenting with our approach and searching for ideas on how to make it more tolerable. … [Read more...] about Tips for Tear-Free Tummy Time
Make Your Own Breastfeeding Necklace
Like many infants her age, my daughter has begun wiggling, poking, tugging at my hair, and pinching while she nurses. Though these behaviors can be a bit frustrating, they’re a good sign—they’re completely appropriate for her age and show that she’s on track developmentally. Be that as it may, how can I get her to settle down and eat? I’ve … [Read more...] about Make Your Own Breastfeeding Necklace
What To Do With Baby: A Guide to Developmentally Appropriate Play
Once Amaris, my infant daughter, stopped sleeping for most of the day, I found myself staring into her beautiful eyes and wondering what exactly I should do with her. I would hold her, talk to her, and sing to her, but given that children learn through play, I wondered if I should be doing more. I looked into developmentally appropriate … [Read more...] about What To Do With Baby: A Guide to Developmentally Appropriate Play
Scriptures to Calm Mom When Baby Won’t Stop Crying
It was just a short time ago that I shared a number of encouraging Bible verses for pregnancy. My pregnancy is now over so my ankles are no longer swollen, I can easily take a deep breath, and my hips no longer ache, but my need for encouragement is far from over. I’ve traded these challenges for new ones: crying, late night nursing … [Read more...] about Scriptures to Calm Mom When Baby Won’t Stop Crying
