Dear Mom, Now that I have children and grandchildren of my own, I’m beginning to realize what a challenge it is to find the balance between encouraging them to continually strive to do better and instilling confidence in them and letting them know that I’m happy with their best efforts. I’d like to know your […]
Since the beginning of time loving brides and grooms have had the privilege of picking out their life partners. However, it’s a different story for the groom’s mother when she becomes partners fused together with her daughter in law after the ”I Do’s.” Mother in-laws have shared that at first they find their new role was a daunting challenge especially if she wasn’t consulted or didn’t give her consent. But it’s a challenge that can be overcome the […]
Would you rather clean your house than spend the day with your mother in law? A survey by iVillage in 2010 found that 51% of DILs (daughter-in-laws) said, they would rather spend the day cleaning their house than with their MIL ( mother in law); and 28% percent they’d rather have a root canal! A Cambridge University study of hundreds of families over […]
Many couples are putting their children at the center of the family. This doesn’t sound like a bad thing, after all, aren’t your grandchildren the apple of your eye too? But when parents put their children ahead of their own needs, ahead of their marriage, it may seem child friendly, but it can lead to complications. When children are the absolute center of […]
The conflicts between mother-in-laws and daughter-in-laws is still going on it has raged throughout all of history. Nearly 2000 B.C. Rebekah complained to her husband, Isaac, that her daughters-in-law were making her life so miserable that she would rather not even be alive. Read Genesis 27:46). Today, some 4,000 years later, women are still complaining to their […]
By the time the first note of the bridal march is played, thousands of decisions have been made, for better or for worse. Knowing what to do and what not to do can help you to avoid missteps so you can make the most of your perfect day. There are many details involved in making your […]
Would it surprise you that some of the best lessons about how to strengthen a marriage can come from those who have suffered through divorce? I want to share with you five things couples have learned the hard way that you can do today to help strengthen the bonds between you and your spouse. Terri […]
Today’s children live in a world filled with adventure, mental stimulation, topical issues, and personal challenges. The values they learn now, between the ages of 5 and 8, will shape the rest of their lives. When I was about six years old, I had an adventure that shaped me for the rest of my life. I went to Disneyland with […]
Being a grandparent in today‘s world isn’t what it use to be, it’s better. If you’re already a grandparent you know that being a grandparent today isn’t just about babysitting and boasting it can be the most challenging role of your life. Grandparents today are so different from all other generations especially from their grandparents. A new grandparent […]
Childhood is hanging your pictures on the refrigerator, and tea parties you always cater. Childhood is chasing butterflies and picking flowers, playing with blocks and making towers. Childhood is hating nap time, and thinking everything is MINE. Childhood is crayons and coloring books, playing hide and go seek in all the right nooks. Childhood is […]
Grandparents love indulging grandchildren, love surprising them, love giving them presents, and love seeing the smiles on their fabulous faces when they walk in the door. It’s so much fun! Isn’t it? A recent grandparent poll asked grandparents this question: Do you have a grandparent rival? 62% said, Yes I can’t help it and 38% said, No […]
The nursery rhyme “Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief ” is a great reminder that we don’t know what the future holds for our grandchildren. We don’t know in what directions our grandchildren will choose to walk. What we do know is that we are privileged to walk with them along their paths and share in their journey. Who knows, […]
A relationship isn’t like Grandma’s silver that you can take out of its box once a year to polish. It’s something that needs constant spiffying up. How you and your partner cope with these statements: I had a hard day or I have bad news to tell you can set the stage for how the two […]
Hip, Hip, Hooray! There’s a baby girl coming in May and she is my granddaughter. There’s something about interacting with a baby that ignites something magical in all of us. isn’t there? They stare at us with inquisitive eyes and they are curious about everything that is happening in their world. We look into their eyes and we remember a time before, when […]
Life is full of opportunities to create a happy heart. My mother use to say the most wasted of all days, is one with out laughter. She believed in positive thinking and that singing happy songs help to make for a happy heart. She loved to dance, sing and laugh. When I was a young girl my mother […]
Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer. Days of Juicy Juice, Goldfish and Mom’s yummy home-made monster cookies. Dust off the sun and the moon and sing a song of cheer. Fill your lunch boxs full of your favorite summer goodies. Lock up the house, load up the SUV and buckle up and lets Go, Go, Go […]
Are you wondering how to get your grandchildren moving, spark their imaginations, and make the evening so much fun, they’ll want to come back next week? I just read a list of activities suggested for grandparents by Grandparents.com and I have added a few comments of my own to their list. I hope you enjoy reading a […]
Do You Hear What I Hear? has always been one of my favorite Christmas Carols. I love the soft, gentle notes as they draw out the words:” Do you hear what I hear?” I melt as the violins respond: “A song, a song high above the trees with a voice as big as the sea.” I […]
Your loves name is more than a word. When you say his or her name aloud or in your head, it evokes everything, all your memories, all the time you’ve spent together, all the trips you’ve made, the children you’ve had, and the obstacles you’ve overcome. Some people only say their partner’s name when they’re […]
Every grandparent enjoys a unique position in their grandchildren‘s lives. You don’t have to strive to be special. You’re special by definition. You can come into your own as a grandparent, if you put your own distinctive stamp on your role by being inimitably who you are. If you do, you’ll find you have a devoted […]
