May 1, 2012
by Maralee
Comments Off on Pizza would make me feel better
I don’t know if all five year-olds are this way, or if it’s just my son Josh, but boy does that child have a flare for the dramatic! I have come running from the other room to attend to a … Continue reading
April 21, 2012
by Maralee
Comments Off on “Good job, Mommy”
It is absolutely lovely to parent a child who is a natural encourager. My daughter Bethany is one such child. If I finish my dinner, dress myself for the day or even just use the bathroom Bethany will congratulate me … Continue reading
April 1, 2012
by Maralee
Comments Off on Guilt- the great motherhood equalizer
Is there anything more universal in parenting than guilt? I remember my very first night as a mother I lay sweating in sweltering heat under a mosquito net in Africa listening to a podcast about parenthood where a man spoke … Continue reading
March 21, 2012
by Maralee
Comments Off on You know what they say about assumptions
The other evening I took my five year-old Josh out on a grocery trip with me. Since the two of us rarely have time to chat about things without the interruptions of his younger siblings, I wanted to be really … Continue reading
March 1, 2012
by Maralee
Comments Off on As soon as. . .
While each child is unique and each mother finds her own way of doing things, I have found there are some universal parenting truths. I’ve got a list of them, but I’m sure each mom could add her own. I … Continue reading
February 21, 2012
by Maralee
Comments Off on Our secret identities
As my boys continue their love of superheros, the subject of identity seems to keep coming up. The other Saturday morning Josh yelled to me, “Mommy, when I turn off the lights, I am like a REAL SPIDER! See this! … Continue reading
February 14, 2012
by Maralee
Comments Off on My daughter and me
After five years of houseparenting in a boys home and then the adoption of our two sons, adding our daughter Bethany to the family was quite an adjustment. She can be such a little girl- like the other day when … Continue reading
January 21, 2012
by Maralee
2 Comments
Have you seen these great recipe websites that let you change the number of servings you need and they’ll automatically adjust all the ingredient amounts? What a fantastic idea! I just wish they had an option for putting in how … Continue reading
January 14, 2012
by Maralee
Comments Off on Obedience or confession? Take your pick.
I am a big fan of preparing your kids ahead of time for what’s coming. I have definitely been known to overprepare my kids for simple trips to the grocery store or Grandma’s house just so I know they know … Continue reading
December 14, 2011
by Maralee
Comments Off on Tell me you love me or go sit in time-out
There are some parenting moments that just plain feel wrong. Have you ever had to remind a child to say “thank you for the meal” after dinner? Shouldn’t they just thank you because they’re grateful without having to be forced? … Continue reading