How we can be world-changers. You and me.Recently, I've talked a lot about New Years' goals and all kinds of ambitious plans here on the blog. If you're an Enneagram fan, you're not surprised that I'm an Enneagram 3...also known as "The Achiever." And I confess, I love it. I love dreaming, writing, creating, and sharing. And when it's done, I can't wait to do it all again.But over the past few weeks I've been shifting my priorities a bit, and in case
parenting
When Your Kid Argues about Everything {5 tips}
Hi Friends! I'm just barely back from nearly five weeks in California. It was such a fantastic trip, with some great surf, (Luke had some great heats, and took 2nd place in the National Air competition! :)) and a thousand more memories made. While I unpack suitcases and hug my boys a repeatedly (five weeks is way too long!) I wanted to share one more READER FAVORITE POST from my archives. This may be the post most discovered through google-searches, proving that I'm not the only mom with a
Birth Order: What Middle Children Need Most from Their Parents
I seem to have a pretty good sample for a study on birth order...Josiah, 15 (below, left), Jonah (on the right, below,) 13, and Luke (center, below) almost 11.Levi, who arrived six and half years later, throws me for a bit of a loop. I always say he must fall somewhere between a first born, and a baby. (And a Tasmanian devil, but that's another story.)But really, I have always been intrigued by the topic of birth order. Not only do I have a great sample to study in my home,
Five Ways to Avoid Mother’s Day Disappointment
5 Tips for avoiding Mother's Day Disappointment Aloha Friends! So...I was not planning to publish this post again this year. Since I wrote it a couple of years ago, and shared it again last year, I thought I'd take a year off. :) But the Today Show Site just published it on their Parenting page, and I had a number of readers tell me they hadn't seen it before...So, I thought I better share it... It has been one of my most read and shared posts (top 10 at least), and it is truly
What a Mom Needs Most from Her Family: 25 Things
I recently came across this post from 3 (short) years ago, and with Mother's Day right around the corner, I couldn't help but think HOW MUCH we moms could use this right now. I mean, really.Because if there is one thing I've learned in my nearly 19 years of being a mom it is this: PLAN AHEAD. And: COMMUNICATE YOUR NEEDS. (ok, that is 2 things.) But really, Mommas, don't wait for Mother's day to be disappointed. Take a minute to think about what you need/want in the season you are in.
Giving Your Kids the Tough Love they Need, and Getting the Respect you Deserve (A video)
This morning, as all of my guys were headed out the door to surf, I had a brief interaction with one of my boys in which I raised my voice justenough to make a point, and...well, got a little bossy. They were in a rush, so the two of us didn't exactly work through things or even have the chance to kiss and make up before he left, and for that -- I felt a little bad. But not that bad. The truth was: That son needed it, and he knew he needed it. I had no regrets over what I had said, or even
How Fifteen Minutes could Save your Relationship with Your Teen
15 minutes that just might save your relationship with your teenagerToday I am sharing one more favorite post from the archives...If you missed this one, I hope it inspires you to parent with thoughtfulness this week. If you've read it before, then perhaps it's a healthy reminder.*****This weekend something came up...once again...with one of our sons. It was an incident related to the way he treats one of his brothers, and honestly--we've all gotten pretty fed up with this
When you can’t take ANY MORE…{try this}
A favorite post from my archives...a game changing mindset shift. Hope you enjoy--This whole thing began a few months before our trip, but while we were away, expanding became my recurring theme. I've talked about it just enough that now all of the boys talk about it too. Or maybe they make fun of me talking about it, but regardless, it's kind of a thing now.This is how it all got started...It was an afternoon like many others...My boys were rough-housing and loud, and in that
