Tales from a Mid-Lifer

Tag: Parenting

  • God Answered a Little Sister’s Prayer

    “Mrs. X!!” The voice of a young man from my children’s school called behind me in our local supermarket two days ago. As I turned and smiled, I was greeted by a wide smile of his own – a 17 year old boy I’ll call “Tom” who has been on…

  • Letting Go of What We Can’t Control

    I’ve read two Mom blogs recently where the Moms are going through a challenging time with their teenager(s). I’ve learned myself over the last few years (and I’ve blogged about it) that teens make their own decisions and definitely exert their own free will – at will. I keep this…

  • The Bedrooms Tell the Passing of Time

    My times are in your hands. Psalm 31:15 Mama, will you sleep with me? This request came from my 15-year old and sometimes is even asked by my 17-year olds. I said “yes” and I woke up to this :):As I laid quietly, listening to the breathing of my girls,…

  • Mom Is Breaking The Rules?

    Mom Is Breaking The Rules?

    I’ve often proclaimed that I am a rule follower. I like rules. They work for my inner cautious child who craves order. “Grey areas” make me uncomfortable and delay my decision making ability. I tend to endlessly ponder the “what ifs” and “if not, then what?” Then, I question the…

  • Moms Influence Other Kids Too – Not Just Their Own

    Shuffling into my kitchen with a pile of groceries, I was surprised to find my daughter’s friend standing by the counter after school. I smiled at her, breathless from dragging in the bags. “Hi! It’s nice to see you! But, I thought you were grounded…?” “Oh, I am. Just not…

  • Trouble Will Come. Why Am I Surprised?

    “In the world you’ll have trouble.” John 16:33 Many people draw closer to God when trouble comes. I tend to step back, surprised by it. As if I should somehow be immune. I am a passionate prayer partner for others, but struggle when it’s personal. While I lean into God…

  • The Boston Marathon Bombing

    As today marks the anniversary of last year’s tragedy in Boston, I am re-posting what I wrote last year in response. After contemplating the horror of what happened, my youngest daughter came to the frightening realization that everyone is capable of evil. Boston. Last year on September 11th, my 14-year old daughter…

  • I Didn’t Want to Leave Church on Sunday

    I especially didn’t want worship to end. As is often true for believers, sometimes the hardest weeks end in the most intimate worship.  It is something inexplicable to those who don’t know Christ. Praising an invisible God despite disturbing news and years of seemingly unanswered prayers. Those kinds of hard…

  • I Can’t Be All Things To My Kids

    Gulp. I said it. Once upon a time, I really believed I was all things to my kids.  That is probably normal for young Moms with small children. Or, maybe I was just an egomaniac, but I’m going with the fact that I was young and inexperienced. I hadn’t yet…

  • Is It Really All “Small” Stuff?

    In the late 1990’s and early 2000’s when the “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff: And It’s All Small Stuff” books were at the height of their popularity, I would read the title and wonder, “What about the Mom of twins who just found out that she has stage 4 cancer?…

  • Shhh…I’ve Been Doing “Nothing”!

    My husband and I are both “A-” personalities. I know a few true type A’s, and while I admire their daily sanitized and shining kitchen floors, that’s not happening in my house! Therefore, I’m an A- to a B+ on most days. I share this to illustrate the truth that…

  • The (Un) Enthusiastic Mom

    Ten years ago I had a quote on my cork board in my home office. It read: “Be the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.” One of my friends spotted it one day and laughed, “That’s you alright.” At the time, I was also reading the book, The Power…