My eldest son turned 14 in May. I was determined to find a birthday gift that would have lasting significance. After looking high and low for a gift, a thought occurred to me. I headed to the garage. I pulled out a practically new tool bag that I had bought some time ago. I had intended to fill it with all of the duplicate tools
How to Savor Parenting: Three Steps
Following is something I shared when I spoke with fellow moms at a local homeschool group last week. Today, I share it at Passionate Purposeful Parenting… Being a parent is hard. We face the task of raising little ones, pre-teens or young adults – or all three in my case! We search for answers to this problem or that. We long for encouragement in our
Trust Him – Passionate Purposeful Parenting
I grew up in Southern California. One of our favorite summer Saturday outings as a family was to visit one of the many large regional parks in Orange County. One Saturday morning while I was in middle school, my dad called all of us children together and asked a question: “Would you like to go to Eisenhower Park, or my park today?” “Dad, what’s your
He waits…patiently
A four year old boy sits, waiting patiently. Ten minutes pass. Twenty. Thirty. Still he sits, watching. He leans in toward me periodically, wanting to get a close up view of what I’m doing. A boy’s construction truck playthings are not made like they were when I was a child. Back then they were big, heavy metal boat anchors. The only danger back then was
Asking Forgiveness versus Saying I’m Sorry
Humpphh! {arms folded across the chest and frowning face} I’m sorry. Would you please forgive me? {eye contact with another person or head bowed in prayer} Which one sounds genuine to you? Both of the above imply an attitude. One is a statement. One is a question. I’d love for you to join me at Passionate Purposeful Parenting today.
Daddy Destinations
The Earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. –Psalm 24:1 My wife recently attended a two-day blogging conference. While at the conference, I spent the days with the children. Our family has long had a tradition of Daddy Destinations. A Daddy Destination is a trip to some unannounced place that I have chosen. These trips are usually
What We Need
I recognized the cough. The bark that comes in the night after tucking in. So the youngest girl and I went out in the cold, night air. Cold air to battle the croup. We snuggled on the front step and awed at the full moon. We decided that this was a treat. Once her breathing had steadied, we went back inside. Daddy had the cool
Where is your identity found? by Melanie Robbins
I’m not a very good wife or mother sometimes. My husband knows through my tone, attitude and words that I don’t like what he just did. The kids are arguing and I raise my voice and tell them to stop fighting. I struggle with sin and make mistakes. At times I feel like I really blow it. I use to get really down on myself