As my maternity leave comes to an end I am left with familiar feelings.  How many working mothers out there dread leaving their children to work everyday? Yet how many stay at home moms feel a desire to get out from under the pressures of their household and do something else? Either way we are left unfulfilled. I stepped into the shower with these thoughts one day and this is what came out of my head. 

We look forward to weekends and summer. We look back on fond memories and sometimes on mistakes. We look forward, and we look backward but do we live in the now? They say life passes in a blink of an eye, so don’t blink. To do this, we have to spend time noticing our own metaphorical blinks.

Growing up, we hear phrases and mantras all the time from the grown-ups around us. It may not make a lot of sense to us when we're young, but as we grow older, these life lessons start to sink in. We realize what those words of experience might have been trying to teach us all along. As I venture into my third decade of life, I continue to grow and learn. The following are a few that have been ringing in my ears as I navigate adulthood.

Whether you are witnessing your child being bitten or your child is the biter, each scenario is hopelessly out of the parent's control. Or is it? The act may be age-appropriate, but that does not mean there is nothing you can do to help the situation.

Is it our money or my money? Do you pay the bills together, or do you owe each other? One of our first fights as a newly engaged couple set the groundwork for this exact issue. It never occurred to me that other couples might do things differently when, in fact, there are generally three different ways couples handle their bank accounts.

Leaving your child in the arms of a stranger goes against our basic instincts. Adjusting to these very different circumstances is never easy. Eventually every child (and parent) will adjust. But with these steps to preparation you can ensure a smooth and happier transition! 

Going to school with a baby is no small feat. Maybe you’re pregnant and still finishing school. Perhaps you’ve decided to start school with a baby at home. Whatever your situation, to anyone who is already on their way down this path, I want you to know it is possible. And I’m going to help you through this!

Children under the age of 14 are considered exempt from the Christian tradition. But that doesn't mean we can't include them. Shouldn't we put a little more into showing them the deeper meaning of this time? How will you involve your little ones in the season of Lent?

You may love your spouse, but are you staying in love with each other? It is entirely too easy to lose that young love you had before bringing kids into the family. Date, laugh, prioritize, and love each other again.

Congratulations! You’re expecting! Now the question becomes, when do you share your excitement? How long do you keep this big news a secret? In a time of high emotions (and hormones), making these decisions can be complicated. Here are guidelines to help you decided when the time is right for you.

“Never go to bed angry” A favorite cliche marriage advice. I think of this phrase every time I go to bed angry knowing we can fix the problem in the morning. This phrase and so many others are floating around the universe so commonly known yet so incredibly misguided. Couples are getting married with entirely false ideas of what marriage looks like behind the white picket fence. I feel it is my duty to air out these misleading ideas, not to darken the concept of marriage, but to shed light on it instead.

On this Mother's Day, in order to appreciate what my mother has done for me, I want to understand where she came from when she was my age. To do this, I interviewed my mom about what life was like as a mother in her 30s and found that mothering does not need to be nearly as hard as we all make it on ourselves. It all comes down to one simple act of love.

Its Teacher's Appreciation Week! This one's for the daycare teachers. someday soon, society will be opening up again, and you may find yourself preparing to head back to work. What is the plan for your little one? There is a great debate over what is better for children. I hope to shed some light on this side of the debate. And, being that this week is the one week set aside to appreciate teachers, I find it worth speaking up for the daycare side. With any luck, I can help make the decision easier for you.

We’ve all been told to stay home. Though, as humans, we have an innate desire to explore our world! Babies are no different. In fact, they depend on it.  Let’s uncover the innocent ways parents are delaying their child’s development. 

Mothering is hard! One of the reasons is because of all the gray areas. Adding to the confusion are the many myths about raising children that lead us into motherhood with the wrong impression. After earning a degree in child development, I worked with parents in a daycare center who would come up with the wildest ideas about child-rearing. While I could not disagree with them at the time because I do pride myself on being respectful and professional, now is my time to set the record straight.

Husbands check on your wives! They have been stuck indoors with your children, and they are not okay! The unfair truth is, nurturing often comes more naturally to women than to men. But that doesn't mean you don't have a place in the family. If you want to be anything more than just "the breadwinner" of the household, I am here to help you be more involved and find your place as a father.

A couple who prays together stays together! Marriage will be messy at times. Instead of giving into anger, turn to prayer.  Whenever you feel close to one another, turn to prayer. Whatever the reason, just pray. Outlined here is what I consider to be the top five qualities you want to pray for to strengthen your marriage. 

Whimsical or mathematical? In celebration of my husband's birthday, we are talking about love. Together we break down that four-letter word and explore all that goes into loving one another. To better understand love means to better control it's power over us.

“You’re never truly ready to have a baby.” You’ll hear that a thousand different ways from parents giving unwarranted advice. While there is some truth to the statement, by no means does it remove the fact that you should at least prepare as much as possible. In fact, those who have had children entirely unprepared are more likely to be the ones who will support your efforts. I have compiled a list of what I believe to be 5 important qualities to have when you decide to bring a baby into your family.

If you’re finding communicating with your partner to be more a battle of wills, this could be your answer! My husband and I have discovered a game we call “playing tennis.” It is clear and calm. Most importantly, it’s an effective way to communicate. Talk your way through anything with a friendly game of tennis.