Though I remember the pain of a bad break-up, it is the betrayal or rejection of a friend that still seems to hold a sting. Why is that? Do we allow friends into a space in our hearts that we rarely permit others? I’m not certain. But I do know that it can take effort to risk being open to new friendships. But as healthy friendships are pivotal to a vibrant life, we want to learn how to safely move forward and be responsive to budding friendships. So here are 5 secrets to overcoming trust issues in friendships. [Read more…]
Dear Friend, You are the Perfect Mom For Your Child
Dear Friend! You are going to laugh at me, but I had an epiphany about motherhood the other night. It only took me 20 years. I’m so quick, I know! Ha! But anyhow, it reminded me of a conversation we had awhile back. So I wanted to share my epiphany with you. And of course, I just wanted to check in with you too:) So here’s my brilliant realization! My Dear Friend, YOU are the perfect mom for your child. [Read more…]
Surviving the Emotional Toll of Family Court
Going to court is extremely stressful. Enduring court when there is children involved is nothing short of traumatizing! In this post, I desire to give comfort and practical tips to those that are involved in family court. Both from personal and my professional court advocacy experience, I know court dealings can be confusing, drawn out, and stressful. While I hope that you personally never experience a court hearing, unfortunately, for many families it is a reality. Here is some practical advice for surviving the emotional toll of family court. [Read more…]
7 Steps to Completely Make Over Your Life
I was stunned at where I found myself. This was so NOT where I imagined, dreamed or ever planned I would be. In my twenties, I found myself a single mom. And I had no solid plan on how I was going to truly care for myself and my child. My life felt like it had spiraled out of control. Sometimes our lives need a tweak or the ability to reframe our thinking. But sometimes we need a whole reboot. I knew that if I wanted my life to become a life I was proud, structured around my values, and full of peace and joy then I needed a complete overall. So what do we do when our life needs a do over? Here are 7 steps to completely make over your life. [Read more…]
5 Ways to Develop a Household Cleaning Style that Deepens Relationships
We had the same argument for about a year straight. Country Boy loved having people over for dinner…spontaneously. I like a plan. And of course I needed time to clean my whole house! After the umpteenth time of us disagreeing about having company over at the last-minute, I decided that this was NOT working. So I made a decision that for one year I would say yes every time my husband asked to have people over. In that year I learned a lot about myself, hospitality and my cleaning style! How we think about our home, cleaning and our clutter can increase or kill relationships. Here are some of my lessons learned with 5 ways to develop a household cleaning style that deepens relationships. [Read more…]
What Every Teen Craves from Their Parents
When I teach groups, I am always shocked when I hear a similar phrase over and over from the teenagers. In my current groups, we have both parents and teens. But every time we separate and gather into a smaller teen only group and start discussing life at home, a common theme arises. You know what every teen craves from their parents? Time! That is the number one need teens will say they wish they had more of with their parents.
3 Types of Relationships For Healthy Personal Growth
Who did you spend time with for the last get together or holiday? If you need advice, who do you ask? These are some of the questions I have started asking parents in the groups I teach. It is interesting to reflect on who we spend our time with throughout the week. Today, I would like us to examine 3 types of relationships for healthy personal growth. And I am going to share with you the one relationship type you can’t live without! [Read more…]
Signs You Married a Country Boy
Marriage is hard. Parenting is challenging. So in celebration of all our hard work lately let’s have a little fun with this post, because we all need to be able to step back and enjoy the hilarity of life! Country Boy and I are blessed to have families with very similar values. But when it comes to where we grew up, life was very different. It is definitely a case of city girl meets a country boy! So here are some signs you married a country boy that I have learned. [Read more…]
A Secret to a Happier Marriage
Remember when you got married? You were so in love! You saw only the best in your man. But somewhere along the way during married life it became harder to see the finest in one another. Do we just give up on what we want? Do we try to change our husband? What if instead of settling or driving ourselves nuts trying to change our man, we discovered his secret strength. Want to know a secret to a happier marriage? When you see and release the hero in your husband. So put on those rose-colored glasses girl! Because you are about to be amazed at the prize you won when you married YOUR man! [Read more…]
The Secret to Achieving Your Big Goals
Being sick and tired of something is not usually a good thing. Unless you are talking about preparing to achieve a major goal. Unless we are so fed up with a habit we have or a pit we keep falling back into, we probably won’t do the hard work of changing. I have found, doing groups and watching my own habits that there is a secret to achieving your big goals. [Read more…]
