arenting is a sacred responsibility, but not just because we are guiding our own children. God uses it to refine and grow us, His daughters, as well. You may have heard it described as the process of sanctification—that fancy, theological word that means to make us more Christ-like. Thankfully, it is by God’s grace we are saved and it is by His grace that we become conformed to the image of Christ.

One of the hardest parts about teaching our kids is the fact that we are still often in the process of learning ourselves—from controlling our emotions to developing appetites for the true and good things in life. Most of us still struggle in some ways.

(parents) are the gatekeepers for our kids. We’re the first line of defense. And we determine what we let in around them and what, or who, we don’t. When it comes to the enemy’s attacks against them, we need to realize that it is their identity he’s after.

Satan loves nothing more than trying to transform every situation from a molehill into a mountain. We need to be on the lookout for this tactic and aware of his manipulative ways.

he average adult makes approximately 35,000 decisions each day. Some decisions are made without consciously thinking about them while we agonize over others. Despite the fact that decision-making is such a huge part of our lives, most of us grew up with little to no guidance on how to do it.

you’ve been parenting for more than two years, you’ve undoubtedly experienced at least one meltdown of epic proportions. I know I have more times than I can count! Picture this: You’re in the middle of Target, your child spots that toy they’ve “always wanted,” and you, the villain of the day, dare to say no. That’s it—their last straw. They crumple to the floor, flailing, screaming, and suddenly, all eyes are on you. Your face flushes, and you’re left with a split-second decision: Do I scoop them up and make a mad dash for the car, abandoning my half-full cart? Do I try to calm them down right there? Or do I just start flailing on the floor beside them? If I’m being honest, I often landed somewhere between option two and three!

The topic of big emotions is a hot one in parenting, but you can navigate these intense moments in a way that truly fosters emotional intelligence, strengthens family bonds, and leads to a more peaceful and productive home environment. We’ll delve into the fascinating science behind these emotional eruptions, explore real-life strategies I’ve used as a mom, nana, and child development specialist, and hopefully help you feel much more confident the next time your little one falls apart in a massive way.

here you are again, standing in your hallway after your child’s bedroom door slams shut. Your heart’s still racing from an argument that started with math but ended with tears and sharp words. You’re left thinking, “I have no idea what I’m doing.”

When your child needs emotional support, it can leave you feeling like you don’t know how to respond or even overwhelmed with your own difficult emotions.

For many of us, emotions weren’t something we grew up discussing. Maybe your house was full of yelling. Maybe it was stone silence. In mine, big feelings either exploded or got stuffed—there wasn’t much in between. So, when my kids started having big emotional meltdowns of their own, they felt terrifying. I didn’t have tools—I had triggers. I had to learn how to process my own emotions while figuring out how to support theirs.

you had told me five years ago I’d be the one operating a laser cutter at home, I probably would’ve laughed. My husband has worked in the precision machining industry for years, and we already had a 3D printer creating replacement parts for home appliances and some of my husband’s car repair projects. We even used it last Christmas to make some fun Christmas presents.

STEM talk is pretty common around our dinner table. But the idea of a laser cutter? That was new—and honestly, it was the promise of STEM learning paired with a home-based crafting business that drew me in.

After spending time in STEM educator groups and going down a serious YouTube rabbit hole, I discovered that laser cutters aren’t just fun tech toys. They’re incredibly powerful learning tools that offer a hands-on approach for both adults and students to explore digital design, engineering, problem-solving, and creativity. Plus, they’re not as intimidating as they look once you understand the basics.

Question: How Do We Refresh Our High School Learning?

lmost from the beginning of history, people and theologians have debated and tried to quantify the soul. The Bible talks about it and Jesus tells us to love God with all of it, but still, it’s hard to grasp.

Now don’t worry, I will not weigh in except to say, I think it’s in your bones. That deepest part of your being that speaks to you. Some might call it the gut, but I like bones better.

I’ve heard people say with passion, “I just feel it in my bones.” Now, of course, they don’t mean they feel a tingling sensation in their real bones like their femur or tibia, but I know what they’re talking about. It’s that place…you know…YOUR SOUL.

In homeschooling, it’s that part of you that whispers, “Take it easy…stop and enjoy…you’ve done enough.” It might insist, “That stuff doesn’t matter…who cares if they learn that…this seems stupid to me and a waste of time.”