December 2, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on Christmas Luke Reading and Questions: Chapter 2
My family has a yearly tradition of reading a chapter a day of the book of Luke, leading up to Christmas. It has been such an enriching experience that helps center our holiday season on what is most important to … Continue reading
November 2, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on I Don’t Need You to Lie to My Kid
I had an experience this last week that’s left me a little unsettled. I don’t like being unsettled. I took my daughter in for an appointment with a pediatric dentist. We typically all see the same dentist, but she had … Continue reading
October 20, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on When Your Parenting Rules Need to Bend
Yesterday morning I was listening to a great podcast interview with a very wise, very credentialed woman who was giving parenting advice. She was talking about the importance of resilience and how our kids need to face disappointment in order … Continue reading
June 9, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on My Son and The Baby Sister He Didn’t Want (a love story)
For many years I have been telling nervous potential foster parents that if God is asking you to become a foster family, he is also asking your kids. I have encouraged parents to talk to their children, include them in … Continue reading
April 14, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on Ignoring Your Adopted Child’s Questions Doesn’t Preserve Their Innocence
I read this summary of a podcast interview with Thomas Rhett about the adoption of his daughter and I’m not okay with it. I don’t want to pretend that this interview was a full description of how he’s handling adoption … Continue reading
February 11, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on Stop Beating Yourself Up About Movie Nights
I was smoothing down my seven-year-old’s hair the other night while we sat next to each other on the couch. He was snuggled up next to me and it occurred to me how rare these moments feel as he’s getting … Continue reading
September 8, 2021
by Maralee
Comments Off on Radio Interview on Letting Your Kids Fail
I told my son yesterday that my biggest goal in parenting is not for him to have the best childhood, but for him to grow into the best adult. Obviously, that’s an oversimplification. I’d love it for him to have … Continue reading
July 22, 2021
by Maralee
Comments Off on Encourage the Safe Mistakes
One of my favorite moments of spring every year is buying some plants to put in the ground. I love the whole experience. Reading the little tags to figure out if this plant will fit the spot I need to … Continue reading
June 17, 2020
by Maralee
Comments Off on My Kids Don’t Need Two of Me (radio interview about dads)
This was a fun conversation to have with Stan (who is coincidentally, one of my dad’s best friends). Dads aren’t perfect. They don’t need to be. I think it takes time for us to make peace with that reality both … Continue reading
May 28, 2020
by Maralee
2 Comments
I’ve been reading the story of a family that just breaks my heart. They very publicly crowdsourced funds for the international adoption of a child. They very publicly brought him home and talked in detail about his history. They very … Continue reading