June 19, 2019
by Maralee
1 Comment
I partly paid my way through college by working a job on the grounds crew. In the Georgia heat I learned about the pain of fire ant bites, the strength of kudzu that can only be hacked back with a … Continue reading
June 7, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on The One Thing Young Kids Need to Know About Sex
I currently have four kids in elementary school from Kindergarten to fifth grade. My kids have not experienced any sexual abuse (to my knowledge), we have been very careful about any potential porn exposure, and we closely monitor their involvement … Continue reading
April 29, 2019
by Maralee
2 Comments
My mom played piano and organ for our church when I was a kid. This meant some Saturdays she’d bring my sister and me to the dark, empty church building where we would entertain ourselves for hours while she practiced. … Continue reading
March 25, 2019
by Maralee
2 Comments
The other night we were having dinner with my parents, my sister, brother-in-law and their children. My 9-year-old volunteered to pray and she ended it with a heartfelt plea on behalf of her little cousin. She said, “And please let … Continue reading
March 1, 2019
by Maralee
1 Comment
Last night was a disaster. Today is “Dress Like Your Favorite Book Character” Day at school and it ends with a book parade where the kids show each other their costumes. For years I have successfully avoided any interaction with … Continue reading
February 22, 2019
by Maralee
Comments Off on Rocking a Baby, Learning to Dance
Recently a friend handed me her baby. He was a little fussy and I found myself doing that walk/rock/dip/dance move I’ve perfected over 12 years of parenting six kids. How many late nights did I spend pacing the halls like … Continue reading
November 11, 2018
by Maralee
Comments Off on Mom Moment: I’m not Raising Nice Kids
This last Sunday I asked my four-year-old what he learned in his Sunday School class. As usual, his answer was both adorable and enlightening. He showed me a picture he had colored of Paul being arrested and told me, “Jesus … Continue reading
October 28, 2018
by Maralee
Comments Off on Mom Moment: Giving Our Kids Freedom to Fail
The other afternoon I was sitting on my porch, reading a book while my kids played in the yard. All at once I was startled by the sound of my son’s voice yelling, “Mom! Look over here!” I couldn’t see … Continue reading
October 26, 2018
by Maralee
3 Comments
About two weeks ago I listened to a forty minute interview with a popular Christian author and speaker. Something I heard in that interview just felt like getting a rock in my shoe. While I’m going to use a specific … Continue reading
October 5, 2018
by Maralee
Comments Off on Teaching Empathy to Children (radio interview)
Empathy isn’t natural for kids. It’s something they learn by watching our example, and through the conversations we have. It’s become important to me to teach my kids about empathy intentionally and thoughtfully. I was glad to share with the … Continue reading