Are you a better summer mom?

May 16, 2013 By Nicole O'Dell

Are you a better mom in the winter or the spring? The fall or the summer? I feel like a better mom in the summer. Here’s why:

In the winter, I tend to hide out. I love the cold. I love the snow. But I find it excruciating to search for 47 gloves, socks, scarves, and hats to pile my littles outside when someone will invariably have to go to the bathroom almost immediately. It’s so much easier to stay in and put on a movie…and 10 pounds.

Another reason why I feel like a better mom in the summer is that, while the spring is lovely, rain brings me back to point number one. There’s nothing worse than having to pick up the kids from preschool when it’s pouring rain. Not only do I have to walk a mile to the door to grab them (okay, not a mile, but it feels like it when the rain is beating down) and then back to the car, but then I get to load them into their seats while my backside gets drenched. And this always happens about an hour after I washed my hair and gave it a nice blow out.

Fall is my second favorite, but the hard part about fall is that school has started and we’re easing into the blend of multiple over-full schedules again.

Summer. There’s something freeing about those months. Reduced schedules. No major early-morning requirements. Kids can go from pajamas to bathing suits and back to jammies again with no mommy guilt. In fact, I feel quite proud when they have spent the entire day outside playing, when the TV has stayed cold all day long, and when everyone has sun-kissed cheeks and noses.

But along with the settling of the routine, and the lightning of the load, there can tend to come a misplacement of other priorities. For us, morning devotions are a big priority. This is something I do with my kids, most commonly led by the teenagers, on a daily basis. It will take strict intentionality to make sure the daily devotions continue through the summer months when everyone is waking at different hours and heading in different directions.

Another concern is mealtimes. Do we relax the guidelines and the schedule so much that we let go of things like family dinners or family breakfasts? It takes intentional commitment to those family times to make sure they happen even in the relaxed schedules of the summer.

The third thing is communication. Without the extra time in the car going from place to place and with the lightning are some of the stringent requirements like meals and sporting events and things like that, when do we make up for the lost time for communication? Maybe a month before we’d have spent 40 minutes in a car chatting with the kids on the way to this or that, but now that time is gone.

It all comes back to that intentionality. Plan ahead for the coming summer months. Be intentional about Bible study, meal times, and communication. I guarantee you’ll feel like an even Better Summer Mom!

What are some of the tips you have for really making it work in the summer?

Blessings,

Nicole O’Dell

Photo by Ian Kahn, courtesy of Freedigitalphotos.net

3 Comments | Filed Under: Boys, Family Management, Fun For Kids, Girls, Parenting, Teens Tagged With: Nicole O'Dell, parenting, Summer

About Nicole O'Dell

Nicole O'Dell, founder of Choose NOW Ministries and host of Choose NOW Radio: Parent Talk and Teen Talk, is a youth culture expert who writes and speaks to preteens, teenagers, and parents on preparing for life's tough choices. The mother of six, including toddler triplets, she’s author of YA fiction, including the popular Scenarios for Girls interactive fiction series and the Diamond Estates Series, and non-fiction for teens including Girl Talk, 2/1/12, based on the popular advice column she writes with her two daughters. Hot Buttons, O’Dell’s non-fiction series for parents, pre-empts peer pressure by tackling tough issues and was recently endorsed by Focus on the Family. Visit www.nicoleodell.com for access to her bustling blog network and other resources.

Jewelry that tells a story. {Origami Owl Giveaway}

May 16, 2013 By Ruth Schwenk

I know that you will love the giveaway we have today! Origami Owl necklaces are unique and versatile. After going through the steps listed below and carefully crafting my very own unique piece, I received my locket in the mail a few weeks ago from Amber. Although I liked the way it looked online, I have to say I loved the way it looked in person. I also love how you can change out your charms and dangles to go with whatever you are wearing or how you are feeling.

“Origami Owl Living Lockets are an extension of you. Each locket is custom designed with charms that tell the story of your life and represent the things you love. We believe there’s something truly special about a treasured piece of jewelry that tells your story in a way that only you can!”

Here is a peek at my locket . I have a dangle that I am waiting on as well.

If you are interested in staying updated on Origami Owl news and special discounts and giveaways Amber will be doing, be sure to follow Amber’s Facebook Page.

Amber is offering a great giveaway for the readers of The Better Mom!! Would you like to win a $50 store credit for Origami Owl?? You can enter to win below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received compensation and this product to review. All opinions are my own. For full disclosure click here.

103 Comments | Filed Under: Fashion, Fitness and Health, Giveaways

About Ruth Schwenk

Ruth is the wife of a pastor, who is her best friend and the love of her life. She is a blessed homeschooling mother to her four beautiful children, and she eagerly awaits meeting her five others in heaven. She has a passion for following God, leading worship, rescuing orphans, and inspiring others to create a God honoring family.

She thoroughly enjoys warm spring breezes, blooming lilacs, tall skim mochas with whipped cream, root-lifter, eye cream, gel polish, laughing (lots of it), venti iced teas, exclamation points!!, family worship time, and snuggling up to read a good book with her family.

She is the creator of The Better Mom and she tweets at thebettermom.

Walking With Your Husband

May 15, 2013 By Unveiled Wife

My husband and I love to walk side by side and talk about our marriage. Our favorite time of day to go for walks is during the evening when the sun has a warm glow. We seem to go on walks more regularly since our son has been born, and sharing something we have always loved to do with him makes it even better.

Going on a walk with your spouse has the potential to inspire new goals, put you and your husband on the same page and reconcile issues you have been dealing with. Going on walks may spark the conversation to cover topics you may have never talked about before or it can be a time of bonding where talking does not take place at all. You just do.

You just walk side by side, an outward expression of your friendship and love.

Walking with your husband also encourages health and wellness. Walking gets your heart rate up, it burns calories, being in the sunshine will give you vitamin D, and walking has been proven to reduce stress. Walking is good for your body. Walking with your husband will motivate both of you to do it regularly.

I always love how every walk my husband and I take is different… even if it is the same road, with the same turns, and the same view. The weather changes, the colors around us change, the clouds in the sky always paint new pictures, the aroma depends on who in the neighborhood decided to cook and our conversations change. The new experiences we encounter together on our walks encourages and benefits our marriage and I am confident that going on a walk with your husband will bless your marriage too!

Don’t hesitate and don’t delay! Go for a walk with your husband today!

- Jennifer Smith unveiledwife.com

photo credit: @unveiledwife

5 Comments | Filed Under: Marriage/Relationships Tagged With: activities to do with your husband, better marriage, things to do in marriage, walk with husband

About Unveiled Wife

Jennifer married her best friend Aaron in January of 2007. They jumped straight into missions living in three different states and three different countries during their first two years of marriage. Her passion for missions, writing, and marriage led her to create Unveiled Wife, where she blogs about being a wife with every intention to inspire other wives to develop God-centered marriages. Her and her husband are expecting their first child later this year. You can find Jennifer on Twitter and join the Unveiled Wife Community on Facebook.

Reaching Through to the Hearts of Our Children

May 14, 2013 By Lisa Jacobson

More than anything else, it’s what I care about. Their little hearts.

It’s what matters most to me as their mom. Sure, I want them to behave, to learn all they can, and to live meaningful lives. But where are their hearts? That’s what I really want to know.

And what does a mama do to minister in those deeper places?

Lately, I’ve been talking this over with our older children (does the word “child” even apply to a 17 or 19 year-old?) and asking them what touched their hearts when they were younger. What helped them connect when they were struggling, or when we were in a tough season. What’s kept our hearts tied together through it all?

Of course, there’s no formula. No 5-Step Program. It’s a Holy Spirit thing and by the grace of God. Along with a whole lot of love, patience and persistence on the parent’s part.

So then how does a mama go about reaching her child’s heart?

Ask God for wisdom. Okay, I say “ask”, but I’ve been known to literally cry out to Him, desperately seeking His light on a situation. It seems often it’s in the wee hours of the night when He’s revealed the Real Issue underlying a certain behavior or serious concern. At other times He has simply shown what the next step should be. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God (James 1:5a).

Make your child’s heart the highest priority. Above our schedule, activities, and even other ministries. Hearts do not become hardened overnight – this only happens over time – so keep a close watch that they remain tender and open. This also means that we can’t be so busy that we’re unable to see what’s going on, or have the time to do anything about it. Parenting takes TIME. Tons of it. Keep your heart with all diligence (Prov.4:23a).

Listen carefully. Sometimes as parents, we get too caught up in the talking. Lecturing. Teaching. But it’s good to remember that listening says a whole bunch too. Listening says, “I love you and I care.” Even if our child is off-track, this might be the chance to identify where there’s been a mistake (yours or theirs) or just a plain bad attitude. After we’ve heard them out, then we can lovingly correct where necessary. Let every man (or mama) be swift to hear (James 1:19a).

Point them to the truth. As parents, we are to be truth-tellers. We have the responsibility to gently lead them to what is good and right. It’s not about our “rules” or “preferences” or “expectations”, but a matter of grounding their hearts in the truth. Teach them to love God’s Word and to look to the Savior for the answers. Trust in The Lord with all your heart (Prov.3:5a).

Accept that it’s a process. We can easily fall into thinking that how it is now – is how it will always be. Not so! That’s the voice of the Enemy seeking to discourage. She’s having troubles with lying? Maybe today. But not forever. He’s been angry or withdrawn? Maybe today. But not forever. Patiently pursue their hearts and believe that God is the Redeemer He says He is.

After all, He’s redeemed you. And me.

Because as much as we care about our children’s hearts? More than anything else.

Our Heavenly Father cares about them far more.

Amen?

In His grace,

7 Comments | Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: behavior in children, children's hearts, motherhood

About Lisa Jacobson

Lisa is the happily-ever-after wife of Matt Jacobson, literary agent and author, and together they enjoy raising and home-educating their 8 children. She's also rather fond of dark chocolate, French press coffee, and deep friendships (though not necessarily in that order). She encourages women to embrace the rich life of loving relationships and the high calling of being a wife and mother. You can find her sharing her passion for husband, home, and family over at Club31Women and on Facebook