by Jess Connell · January 5, 2015 Parents instill appetites in their children. We know it’s generally true with foods. I didn’t grow up eating: Russian goulash Thai peanut chicken over a bed of sprouts & star fruit for dessert Ethiopian injera I did grow up eating:  Even as an adult, while I might occasionally try […]

Over the years, in myself and others, I’ve observed a tendency toward laziness as moms. I’m not talking about laziness in how we clean, decorate, dress our children, or save money for our family. No, in those ways we can be quite purposeful and diligent. What I mean is this: many of us tend to lazily overlook the […]

Last week it hit at once, unexpectedly. The wearying combination of both physical and emotional tiredness. We’ve had a busy couple months with life and ministry. I’d been schooling faithfully since our daughter was in the hospital, and that probably contributed, too. But the thing that had given the biggest gut-punch was that one of those […]

Naptime. Quiet time. Siesta. Call it what you want. But do not underestimate its importance for happy family life, particularly with kids about four and under. In actuality, this principle of setting aside certain hours of the day for the purpose of rest can serve any family of any age and any size. CHILDREN NEED […]

by Jess Connell · June 1, 2015 I sometimes hear moms almost bragging about it… “it’s been ages since I’ve used the restroom alone.” “She’s persnickety & suddenly won’t eat anything I make!!”  As if being a Mommy Martyr makes you a good mommy. There is a HUGE difference between what the average mom puts up with […]

by Jess Connell · February 12, 2016 Here’s a 4-minute video I made with my 3- and 5-year-olds to share some ideas of specific ways to get down in the floor and play with your preschoolers. IN THE COMMENTS, SHARE: Do you do wrestling play like this with your little people? Any other ideas along these lines […]

Naptime. Quiet time. Siesta. Call it what you want. But do not underestimate its importance for happy family life, particularly with kids about four and under. In actuality, this principle of setting aside certain hours of the day for the purpose of rest can serve any family of any age and any size. CHILDREN NEED […]

by Jess Connell · February 12, 2016 Here’s a 4-minute video I made with my 3- and 5-year-olds to share some ideas of specific ways to get down in the floor and play with your preschoolers. IN THE COMMENTS, SHARE: Do you do wrestling play like this with your little people? Any other ideas along these lines […]

by Jess Connell · June 1, 2015 I sometimes hear moms almost bragging about it… “it’s been ages since I’ve used the restroom alone.” “She’s persnickety & suddenly won’t eat anything I make!!”  As if being a Mommy Martyr makes you a good mommy. There is a HUGE difference between what the average mom puts up with […]

by Jess Connell · June 1, 2015 I sometimes hear moms almost bragging about it… “it’s been ages since I’ve used the restroom alone.” “She’s persnickety & suddenly won’t eat anything I make!!”  As if being a Mommy Martyr makes you a good mommy. There is a HUGE difference between what the average mom puts up with […]

Last time, we talked about the importance of naps. But at some point (which, as I mentioned, with our own children typically happens around four years of age), your child will pass the stage for daily naps. Occasional naps may still be needed, but this child has mastered her own attitudes and isn’t crying out […]

Last time, we talked about the importance of naps. But at some point (which, as I mentioned, with our own children typically happens around four years of age), your child will pass the stage for daily naps. Occasional naps may still be needed, but this child has mastered her own attitudes and isn’t crying out […]

We heard it so much over the last 9 months. “MeiMei needs a sister!” “You poor thing! So many brothers! Do you know what this one is yet?” “Oh goodness, you guys need a little girl this time!” Now I know… having a son would mean we’d have 7 boys, right? I mean, 7. BOYS. […]

We heard it so much over the last 9 months. “MeiMei needs a sister!” “You poor thing! So many brothers! Do you know what this one is yet?” “Oh goodness, you guys need a little girl this time!” Now I know… having a son would mean we’d have 7 boys, right? I mean, 7. BOYS. […]