When Your Kids Keep Making Decisions You Don’t Agree With

Yep, it happened again. One of my kids made a decision that I didn’t agree with. In fact, I was absolutely against it. When she shared her plan with me I gave her my reasons why her plan was not a good idea. My wisdom did nothing to change her […]

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A Conversation with the Family Looking Up Moms and Myself–Loving No Matter What

Last week I was delighted to be a guest on the Family Looking Up podcast. These three mamas–Andrea, Camille, and Beth–have thirteen kids (my best count from their pic) ranging in ages from baby to high school. They have lots of hands-on mommying experience. All of this contributed to our […]

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We’re Not Perfect, but We Love Each Other

“When I See Your Family I See the Perfect Family.” Recently someone said this to me. I didn’t know whether to first laugh or apologize for giving such an impression. I do not intend to give the impression that we are the perfect family. In fact, in two of my […]

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If You’re About to Send a Kid to College. . .

I chatted with a mom today who will be taking her youngest to college in about a week. The daughter is a junior so this mom knows all too well how quiet the house will be in a couple of weeks. She already anticipates her empty bedroom and one less […]

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The Best Is Yet To Come

I wrote this piece last night right before bed. “The Perfect Family” is my nickname for our neighbors who live across our little lake. I call them “The Perfect Family” because they are so fun and have a chocolate Labrador Retreiver.   The Perfect Family had a party tonight. It […]

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Are You Brave Enough to Give Your Child Wings?

“Send your kids to a local college so they will marry locally and stay close to home.” This was the advice someone gave to my friend whose daughter is a high school senior. I know this mom was well meaning. Hey, who doesn’t want her kids close? I confess I […]

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Three Keys to a Healthy Relationship with Your Teen/Young Adult Child

Later this week I will travel to spend time with Katie and her husband. We are all very excited. There was a time many years ago when I could not have imagined a fun visit like this. Most of you have read either here or in my book, Love No […]

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Two Tips to a Better Relationship with Your Adult Child

Did seeing your adult child during the holidays make you sad? Were you made more aware of the choices he is making that your don’t agree with? You loved being with your child, but you came away from your family celebrations with an ache in your heart. You sense that […]

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Navigating Changes in Your Holiday Traditions

“So how was your Thanksgiving?”, a friend at church asked me Sunday morning. She meant it to be pleasant small talk and she really did care. I started my reply with the usual, “Good, thanks for asking”, but before I knew it feelings that I thought were neatly tucked away […]

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Tips on Doing Life While Your Child is Making Decisions You Don’t Agree With

I often talk with parents, mostly moms, who are in a season of their children making decisions they don’t agree with. By the time a mom contacts me about her child, the child is making significantly poor decisions. I remember those days. The days turn into years. It seems they […]

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