First, a story; then, a confession. When we first moved into our house, I decided that our third bathroom should be used only when company came. That way, I reasoned, I’d merely dust that room when company came. Our potty trained child for some reason developed a fascination for that bathroom, and regularly at dinner [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized

For a long time, I debated whether to have breakfast the first part of the morning, or the last. I’ve been doing the first, because it seems silly to get the kids dressed and teeth brushed only to get food on shirts and teeth all over again. Here are the things I want done in [...]

Filed under: Practical Parenting, Uncategorized

I’ve been reading several articles on teaching children about money. At first glance, this would be a secular task. After all, principles of saving, interest, spending all seem pretty secular. Seems like the only important thing to teach our children is to make sure they give that tithe to God, and all the rest is [...]

Filed under: Family Devotions

Lee and I have been looking at curriculum options for our children’s church. I had looked at kids4truth awhile back, but couldn’t figure out what it was all about. A few weeks ago, I got back on and started looking around. I got really excited about this program, so I thought I’d pass it on. [...]

Filed under: Book Reviews

We’re actually in a calm period; our children seem to be playing well together, for the most part. And my current behavior challenges are bathroom challenges, not fighting challenges (including one child who doesn’t want to get up to go to the bathroom in the morning and is making a smelly place behind the bed). [...]

Filed under: Getting Along

Today we started Chapter 2 of Parenting with Wisdom. We didn’t get very far, but we did start it. Of course, if you know anything about my mom you probably can guess what the secret ingredient is. You can find the answer in Proverbs 24:3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized

Lee poked a bit last night about singing in church (conversations with the lights out can be very nonthreatening). David’s response was, “I don’t know.” This morning while we were looking up birds we knew in David’s bird guide, I asked David if the kids at church sing. I figured the third-person approach was a [...]

Filed under: Communication and Meaning

My dear oldest son has the unusual capacity of metacognitive skills, that of knowing how and what he’s thinking. Ask him what he’s thinking about, or why he did such-and-so, and you’ll often get a cogent answer. (Not always. After all, he is four years old.) So occasionally, I have this brilliant idea when I’m [...]

Filed under: Communication and Meaning, Discipleship

Yesterday we had company over, a couple whose children are all grown. I was getting some last minute preparations done before we sat down, and the woman asked to help. It was apparent by her efficiency that she was light years ahead of my puttering self in the homemaking department. After a pleasant dinner, she [...]

Filed under: Mom Time

I thought of yesterday’s crying post when we ate lunch (and dinner) today. When Laurel (nearly nine months old) sits down in her high chair, she wants food now. Waiting for everyone to get in place, and for prayer isn’t easy. I’m tempted to give her a little bit of food to hold her over [...]

Filed under: Mealtime