Praises of a Wife and Mommy

  Photo by Nicola Barts : https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-mother-and-daughter-looking-at-the-mirror-together-7944368/ Let us start by saying that no autistic child is “inflicted” on a parent, or that parents of autistic children love them any less, or would want them any other way. Often, their condition can give way to some amazing moments of bonding and love, and help the strength of their personality show even more clearly. Yet it’s important not to be patronizing or saccharine either, as autism is considered a disability. This means there will be special challenges and difficulties that come with managing it, no matter if your child low or high-functioning. Moreover, sometimes, these added struggles can be very draining on parents. It’s entirely understandable to feel that way. As such, parents supporting an autistic child deserve self-care management too, when they have time to practice it. That’s why many developing tools, such as the top apps for autism , have been embraced ...

Selah and I had a great time at the Secret Keeper Girl event in our city! The traveling ministry is all about teaching girls who they are in Christ but also how to be cute and still hold high standards of modesty.   It really does do a good job of teaching our younger girls to be more cautious with how they dress when the world tells us to do whatever.   Selah and I did have a great dinner together too... she picked Noodles and Company.  

When it comes to taking family road trips , this time of year - the festive season - is the most popular time for packing up the car and driving halfway across the country to spend time with your nearest and dearest. Of course, part of celebrating the holidays is traveling to be with your family and friends, something which you most probably enjoyed doing pre-kids. (Adult road trips can be a lot of fun, can’t they?) Photo source: Flickr However, now that you’re a parent, you most probably dread family road trips. The never-ending toilet breaks because everyone needs to go to the bathroom at different times, the constant moans of ‘are we there yet?’, and the arguments caused by boredom can make family road trips incredibly stressful. The problem with getting stressed out while traveling is that it can make your journey less safe. Did you know that one of the main causes of car accidents is a lack of concentration? So it’s important that on car journeys, the driver is not di...

Last week I told you that I would be sharing my review on the book " The Christian Parenting Handbook ."  Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller wrote an amazing story that every parent should read.  The book outlines 50 different strategies that are easy for parents to try and use each day.  I ultimately love the ideas and stories that are shared with in the book.  It was really helpful for me to understand what heart issue my children might be facing when there is disobedience.  After reading " Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, in You and Your Kids" the "Christian Parenting Handbook"   was the next book to follow up with and take honor to the next level with looking at heart issues in myself and with my children.  Using a lot of the strategies are also so important for keeping parenting on a Biblical foundation.   I also told you to get excited about all the freebies you can get by getting your book La...

Some days it's the very small details that make a mom's day.  I know 10 years ago I would never imagine how happy and proud I am that my son has used the potty today!  :)  It is funny how strange our perspective of good days change after having children.   I was just telling friends that I have decided to push off potty training because my little guy has been fearful of the toilet the last few weeks.  I'm not sure how or why since he had gone potty twice and was so proud but he is still under 2 so I do not want to push him.   Then today he looks at me and says, "Poopy"  so we rushed to the potty and he successfully did his business.  YAY! I know we still have a ways to go for potty training but its the small victories worth getting excited about! :)    

Isn't he adorable as he tries to be just like his daddy.   I love seeing my kids modeling what they see from us.  It's always a good reminder for us as parents to be extra cautious of what we say, act, or do when our children are in our presence.   So let this cute picture remind you too that your actions are speaking very loud to your children.  What are you teaching them? Do they see you reading your Bible?   Did they see you scream at that other drive? (Guilty there)  Do they see you hugging and loving on your spouse? (in a good way)  Are they hearing love and words of affirmation coming out or hurt?  I often hear that children have lost the art of respect so parents are you showing respect to the people around you and teaching it to your children?   When your child acts out before you start the punishment ask yourself if you yourself have modeled that same behavior they are showing you!   ...

I have noticed more and more that it can be so easy to try to please people.   I like to help people by lessening their stress so I will say "yes" to helping what ever task it might be.  In the last couple years I have started to use "no" more often!  There is a great balance in the yes/no battle.   I also have noticed in me that I like to please my kids which when I look at it more closely could become a dangerous thing.  As a parent I of course want my children to have fun and love me.  I have been blessed with 2 great children and the tempers I see from them really are not bad at all compared to other children I have witnessed.  I work with children and have for years so I have seen several different cases where I wonder if a parent is afraid of seeing the bad behavior again so instead of saying "NO" they give in.  Many parents are gaining instant happy children but can that harm them?  If always giving in and not staying consistent bec...

Thank-You Practical Parenting for the Tips on Teaching Kids to follow directions! Here are a few of the highlights I loved: 1.  Avoid reasoning:  Children under the age of 6 have little understanding of abstract consequences.  Telling your daughter to put her toys away because she might trip and hurt herself has little meaning.  If it didn’t happen already, why would it?      This tip is great for me since I am always trying to reason and it is a great reminder that she might not have the understanding.  2.  Avoid yelling:  Believe me, I know, sometimes this is easier said than done.  Parents can easily get caught up in a cycle of repeating the same command in a louder and louder voice until they find themselves having an adult temper tantrum.   Your child will quickly learn to wait to perform the task when the yelling starts.       Ah Hello... This make sense but yet I catch myself raising my voic...

I am so thankful that Selah's fever is broken and she seems like her normal self, minus the cough and funny raspy voice.  She has been playing and even asked if we could play with shaving cream again.  So I thought lets make a snowman with the shaving cream.  :)  It was a lot of fun for both of us.  :)  She loves crafts and I love to set them up for her.  :) So yesterday this was Selah at the clinic getting a nebulizer treatment: She had a fever of 103 at this time... my poor lil munchin and... this is today doing her snowman craft.  WHAT A DIFFERENCE! I think her snowman is adorable... we are still waiting for the weather to warm up a little so we can make a real snowman outside.  :)

"I'm a Big Sister Now" by Joanna cole and "Arthurs baby" by Marc Brown have been read several times to my daughter lately.  We are trying to get her prepared for her baby brother to arrive.   I am sure there are several good children's books out there to read to her but these are the only 2 that we have.  I think we might head to the library to check some more out too.   Any suggestions?  I would also like to read an adult book myself... anyone know of any good ones?  Selah had her sibling class on Saturday and she seemed to enjoy it.  I am still trying to figure out our plan for transitioning.  Here is our plan right now: 1. Selah and daddy will go pick out a gift for mommy and baby before heading to the hospital and mommy will have a gift for Selah from her brother when she gets there.  I am thinking a dvd so she can watch it right in the hospital room.   2. print out a picture of Selah that says "I'm big sister Selah" and pla...