The Growing Up Dance
Several months ago, when reading a book to my four-year-old, I read the word embarrassed. “What’s that mean?” he asked. “It’s feeling like you look silly to people when you don’t want to”, I explained. “Like when I was Winnie the Pooh?” He wondered. I knew exactly what... Read More
Family Life | Make It Personal
Don’t Miss Date Night!
When I informed my daughter one night that a sitter was on her way because mom and dad were going out on a date, she crossed her arms to express her displeasure that she was not being invited along on the outing. “You guys like each other more than... Read More
Family Life | Fight For The Heart
2 Words Sticky Faith Taught Me to Say
Today’s guest post is by our friend Kara Powell who has recently published The Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family through her research with Fuller Youth Institute. We are so excited for this new resource that is written specifically for families who want to help their kids grow... Read More
Create A Rhythm | Family Life | Imagine The End
How to Slow Down Childhood
The minute you have a kid, a chorus of people will come around you and proclaim, “They grow up so fast! They grow up so fast!” Before you have even left the maternity ward or adoption agency with your child, you will feel the great pressure of time bearing... Read More
Create A Rhythm | Family Life | Imagine The End
What Happens at Dinner
If you were a fly on the wall of my house between 5:00 and 5:30 pm you would observe something that—after some time—you might describe as dinner. You would notice how seemingly haphazard, disorganized, and muddled it was, but at some point, you might be able to discern... Read More
An Open Letter to the Future Therapist of My Children
Dear therapist who will one day be counseling my children, There are two things I need to say right out of the gate: 1. I tried my best. 2. I hope you have a sound machine. The second point is more of a personal preference rather than a... Read More
Second Child
I am a second child. So I know what it’s like . . . to have the fewest baby pictures. to feel invisible when an older sibling walks in a room. to wear the hand-me-downs. to feel forgotten when younger siblings are born. to compete for attention. to... Read More
Birth - 5 years | Elementary (K-5th) | Family Life
Sibling Warfare
Three years ago, when I found out I was pregnant with my second boy, I was relieved. I already had one, so the immediate thought in my mind was, “I got this. I know boys. This will be my oldest son—version 2.0.” But literally, from the moment I... Read More
5 Unexpected Things I’ve Learned as a Dad
I’ve been a dad now for just over 22 years. That’s a little over half my life. I’ve learned a few things in my time as a dad. I’ve learned that. . . When you assemble Christmas presents on Christmas Eve, you will discover that stores that sell... Read More