I like to challenge myself.  Which means I also like to challenge my kids.  I like to have them do hard things and celebrate their accomplishment with a fun reward.  We went off sugar and treats for a year to go to Hawaii.  We went off electronics for 2 months for another trip.  You get … Continue reading Confidence and Pride →

I listened to the best podcast from The Life Coach School.  She was talking about buffering, coping mechanisms we use to deal with emotions we don't want to feel.  Eating, drinking, shopping, watching large amounts of television, reading for hours a day, etc...  There are so many ways that we try to escape from our … Continue reading Stop Buffering to Tolerate →

I've been talking with several friends lately about selfishness.  I live in a very religious community and there are many people who are striving to be a "good" person.  Being a "good" person often means unselfish. But unselfish is a tricky word.  Anything we do for ourselves could be termed "selfish."  Eating, brushing our teeth, … Continue reading Selfishness →

Yesterday I was able to sit in a church class for girls 11-18 that was being taught by an 18 year old girl.  I just love her.  She is passionate, funny, kind, and willing to be open about herself.  She did a really great job leading a discussion about receiving guidance from God. At the … Continue reading Don’t Just Study →

My husband and I have started the process to become foster parents.  That decision is a very long story that I will save for another day, but I did want to share something I've been thinking as we've been going through the process the last few weeks. There are good people in this world.  Yes, … Continue reading Good in the World →

One of the most effective ways, I've found, for establishing a new habit is to link it with a habit you've already developed.  Let me give you an example from my last week. I love playing games.  I played a lot of games with my family when I was growing up, and my husband and … Continue reading Linking Habits →

Yesterday I ended up having a pretty personal conversation with a teenage friend that was at my house.  He was talking about his parents, step-parents, why he sometimes engaged in risky behavior, what motivated him to engage in that behavior and what he got out of it, and how he was trying to make better … Continue reading Do I Pass the Test →

Yesterday, one of my kids sure didn't like me very much.  I think you have to be okay with that if you want to do your job as a parent. I had given this child some leeway on Saturday chores, agreeing that they could do them after snowboarding.  It didn't happen.  I reminded this child … Continue reading Sometimes Your Kids Won’t Like You →

The last few weeks, I've found that I'm one step closer to TWO different possibilities I've been pursuing.  I never intended for both of these things to happen at the same time, it isn't how I would plan or organize things, but that's how it seems to be lining up. I COULD choose to be … Continue reading Worrying about Possibilities →

Sometimes I'm not very patient, but maybe not in the way you are thinking.  Sometimes I'm not patient when it comes to letting other people come around to things on their own time, and in their own terms. I like to have close relationships.  I like to have deep conversations.  Sharing my experiences, thoughts, and … Continue reading Stop Pushing →