Parenting from the Heart

Being a mom to my two boys has been the best, wildest. most stretching experience of my life.  My boys are a joy and blessing.  I truly love being their mom because I love them with that passionate-crazy-overwhelming-breath stopping love of a mother.  They give me smiles and memories and a window into life that I would never otherwise have. 

I gave birth to my first son when I was 35 years old.  We found out about a child in our extended family who needed fostering while I was pregnant so we began the process of making her a part of our family.  She came to live with us when our first son was only three months old.  Her biological mother decided to re-enter the scene, so our process of attempting to adopt her came to a screeching halt as we went through having to provide visitation and become the facilitators of our "daughter" making a reunion with her natural mother.  She was with us almost a year and then she moved back to her biological mother.  After our foster daughter left, we had a season of grief and a long period of healing.  We always wanted more children.  Seven years after our first son was born, God gave us our second son.  Our boys are such sweet brothers.

 I have made my fair share of mistakes as a mother and have grown and learned and read and researched and prayed my way through this journey.  On this page you will find posts about parenting.  I will write about my own personal experiences as well as sharing wisdom about raising children.

Series of Posts Discussing the Wisdom of Francois Fenelon
Some Good Ol' Parenting Wisdom
The Importance of You, Mom
Screens Off, Hearts Open
Virtue and Vice
The Importance of Good Modeling
A Gentle Means of Instruction

Series of Posts About A Child's Emotional Needs
What A Child Really Needs
What A Child Really Needs: Confidence (Part 2)
What A Child Really Needs: Worth (Part 3)
What A Child Really Needs: Constructive Activity (Part 4) 

A Series of Posts on Discipline Vs. Punishment
Discipline vs. Punishment
Discipline Looks Toward the Future (Part 2)
Discipline vs. Punishment: The Parent's Attitude Matters (Part 3)
Discipline vs Punishment: Fruit or Fallout (Part 4)

A Series of Posts about Character Development 
Character vs. Conduct (Part 1)
Character vs. Conduct (Part 2)
Character vs. Conduct (Part 3)
Character vs Conduct (Part 4)

Motherhood: A Message for the Hurting (on Mother's Day)
You Are Sheer Joy
Busy at Home
Boredom is a Boy's Best Friend
Gentle Parenting Isn't Always Smooth and Easy
Boundaries and Consequences in Parenting
Laundry
Parenting by Heart
When Growing Pains Get the Best of Me