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
May 5, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on Signs Your Potty-Training Toddler Needs to Poop
The most important part of potty-training is learning how to read your child’s cues. There are some very simple and straightforward indicators that your child needs to poop(/has already pooped). All you need to do is be alert for these … 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
March 29, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on Some Thoughts on Our (Maybe/Hopefully/Probably) Last Homestudy
I should definitely be cleaning right now. In less than two hours a woman will be coming to judge my home (very literally) and I’m sure I should go take the clean laundry out of the dryer and get it … 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
January 20, 2022
by Maralee
Comments Off on How to Make Small Talk with a Large Family Mom
I had an awkward interaction with someone the other day. It wasn’t the first time. It certainly won’t be the last. When people see a large family, it’s kind of tough not to comment on it. In the immortal words … Continue reading
September 10, 2021
by Maralee
2 Comments
Today marks fourteen years that I’ve been a mother (plus the four before that where I was a house mom in a group home, but I digress). 7 kids: 5 adopted, 2 biological. Ages 14 to 1. I’ve learned a … 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 19, 2020
by Maralee
2 Comments
I’m a good mom. I don’t yell. I’m structured and the queen of routine. I enforce nap times and bedtimes. I make sure grapes are cut in half for little ones and meals always contain vegetables. I make chore charts. … Continue reading