Teenagers
I’m Raising Someone’s Husband
My oldest son sent me this. His fiancé was moving states to join him at his new job so he made this welcome basket and had it on the counter when she arrived after the 8-hour drive. It was a proud mom-moment, but I take no-credit for what he did. It was all him....
Lessons Learned Around a Dining Room Table
I grew up in a small home but with big love. We didn’t have a formal dining room, rather a spot between the kitchen and family room where a space was created. My parents had a round oak table, barely big enough for the four of us, but because of the leaf we could...
10 Relationship Red Flags to Share With Your Teenager
Last week I was invited to join a group of women to see the recently released movie “It Ends with Us”. I had not read the book so I went into the movie thinking it was a rom-com. . I was incorrect. It is a love story, but not a romantic love story. It is a damaged...
Why Parents Need to Chill out on Their Back-to-School Excitement
As August draws near and parents prepare for back-to-school, be mindful that your child might not be as excited as you are for them to return to school—especially those in middle school and high school. While parents see the excitement of a new year and new...
PSA-Avoid This Word on IG
It’s my pet peeve. Sounds silly because it’s just one word. I know it’s meant as a compliment, but I’m coming clean. I am not a fan when someone comments the word “GOALS” on a social media post. I see that word and I cringe. Every.Single.Time. Aren’t goals a good...
As Our Kids Get Older, We Get a New Always
My daughter decided at the last minute to come home for the weekend. She had only been back one night since January so she needed the respite that only home can provide. We loved on her, and she loved right back. We made her favorite cinnamon rolls, had lunch with...
Choosing The Good Stuff is Not Always The Easy Choice
The text came on Sunday afternoon from my daughter who’s home from college. She knew I was off work the next day and needed what she calls the “basics”— solid colored shirts, t-shirts, and jeans. She asked to go shopping together, about two hours away from where we...
Casserole Sunday
Every Sunday I get the best text of the week. “Hey… Will you make me a casserole”. It comes from my middle child, the one who doesn’t ask for much. The independent one, a hard working college student, not a big talker, and the one who rarely leans on others. I call...
What Your High School Junior Knows
Dear Parents of High School Juniors, As someone who has the privilege of working with high school students every day, hear me out on this one. Sometimes things are so obvious that we fail to take notice. Please, please, please, stop telling your precious child that...
The Longest Shortest 9 Months
We move them in— we move them out. It’s the longest shortest nine months What happens during the dash of drop off and pick up is a different kind of growth. It’s the kind of growth you can’t predict or prepare for and the kind of growth every young person needs....
