LeeAnn G Taylor - Embracing the Mosaic Life

Trusting our broken pieces to the Ultimate Artist

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A Trick for Toddler Tantrums

February 25, 2015 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

toddler tantrums 2

I have to be honest.

Parenting is hard work and I’m going to go out on a limb and say I’m not winning the “Mother of the Year” award any time soon. Remember, I’m letting go of perfectionism, so pursuing an award for the best mother ever just isn’t on my bucket list.

Sometimes good enough is good enough.

And although most first time mothers wish they did, we all know hospitals don’t send you home with a user’s manual when they roll you out to your car in a wheelchair holding your new bundle of joy. Newborns, with their squishy little faces and darling coos, grow into willful toddlers and, at least for me, at times it feels like an alien has taken up residence in our home!

My sweet, sweet baby boy has turned into a little man with his own thoughts and opinions about almost everything. His current favorite phrase when he’s frustrated is “NO, I DON’T WANT TO, MOMMY!” and he says it complete with an angry face and a stomping foot.

It’s epic. And not in a good way.

At times I’m tempted to get frustrated right back at him but instead, I’ve found a solution that works every time. Or sometimes. Or once out of every three times I try. {Ahem.}

Reading a book!

Truly, grabbing my frustrated little man, taking him out of his currently frustrating environment, and plopping ourselves on the couch with a fuzzy blanket and a good book is usually a great solution to the mayhem that occurs when his little toddler self is having trouble controlling his own emotions.

This week we received a new book in the mail, so of course this book made it to the calm-down-couch pile of books. {Part of the fun of blogging is receiving books to read and review and this was one of those times}.

The Berenstain Bears’ Please & Thank You Book

I grew up with the Berenstain Bears teaching me all manner of socially appropriate behavior through great quality children’s books. Reading was and still is one of my favorite things to do any time I have a few extra minutes (or hours!).

Please & Thank You Book

I was excited to crack open this cute little board book and see what new adventures Mama Bear, Papa, Brother, Sister, and Honey had in store for me. Small in size, the thick-paged board book is perfect for little hands still learning to turn the pages.

And what better topic for me to read to my strong-willed toddler than a book about manners? In The Berenstain Bears’ Please & Thank You Book Brother, Sister, and Honey yell “I want a cookie!” and Mama Bear is shocked at their poor manners!

In the span of 20 short pages, Mama Bear walks her cubs through a reminder of when to use the magic words – please, thank you, and you’re welcome – and rewards them for doing so with some of her scrumptious cookies and milk.

My “big” kids (ages 2 and 5) listened intently to the book and the littlest asked to read it over and over again, like little ones tend to do! It’s a great book for me to read during our “cool down” times after tantrums as a simple reminder of appropriate behavior and manners.

If you’d like your own copy to use during the inevitable toddler-tantrum moments, you’re in luck!

To win a copy of The Berenstain Bears’ Please & Thank You Book, choose one (or several) of the entry methods below.

Ways to Enter this Giveaway:

  • Leave a comment on this post.
  • Visit The Mosaic Life Facebook page. And *like* it if you like it. 🙂
  • Sign up to receive blog posts by email.

I’ll choose a winner on Tuesday, March 3rd. This would be a great addition to a child’s Easter basket this year!

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to the Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for giveaway.  Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.  I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway.  If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again.  Winner is subject to eligibility verification. US and Canada readers/addresses only. Winner must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen.”
This post contains affiliate links {full disclosure}. If you click through an affiliate link to make a purchase, we receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra charge to you. Proceeds help pay for this site and support our recently adopted Compassion International child, Eva, from Columbia.

Advent Ideas & Children’s Christmas Books – Sharing the Story of Jesus With Kids

November 14, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

On Sunday during our fellowship time at church, a friend, a busy working mom with three kids, asked if I was planning a Christmas post similar to my Easter one, 10 Ways to Teach Kids About Easter.

The Easter post shares ten different ways parents can share the story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection with their children using hands-on activities and books and she had enjoyed using the ideas to make the story come more alive for her kids.

Today I’m sharing similar resources for the Advent season and Christmas.

Be sure to read all the way to the end for a giveaway of an awesome prize pack of children’s Christmas books!

Celebrating Advent With Your Children

If you’re not familiar with the concept of Advent, it is simply taking the time before Christmas to anticipate Christ and celebrate Christmas, His coming to the earth. Generally Advent celebrations begin on December 1st and continue through Christmas Day.

Here are a few ways to celebrate Advent, the anticipation of Christ’s coming, with your children:

1. Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands by Amanda White

truthinthetinselcover

For preschool to elementary kids, this printable gives you 24 days of Scripture reading, ornament crafts, talking points and extension activities, plus fun printables and templates! If you’re not super crafty (like me), you can download the printable ornaments for your kids to color and hang instead and read the scripture reference each day.

Be sure to read to the end of this post to find out how to win your own copy of this great curriculum or click this link and use the code MOSAICLIFE to get 20% off. 

2. Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp

Unwrapping the Greatest Gift

This absolutely gorgeous hardback book is designed to be read year after year for the Advent season. The quality of the book is such that I can imagine it becoming a book that is passed down to future generations.The illustrations remind me of The Jesus Storybook Bible illustrations and are just beautiful!

I received a copy from the publisher Tyndale for review and am absolutely thrilled to be using this book for Advent this year for our kids (ages 8, 5 and 2).

The book starts out where all books should start out, at the beginning! From creation to the flood to the story of Abraham, each day works through the Old Testament stories and progresses toward the ultimate revelation of Jesus as King.

Each day has a “Thoughts to Discuss” section and a “Family Activity” idea.

Neither of these sections are overwhelming and provide just enough “extra” to go deeper with older children. I also love the free printable ornaments you can download from Ann Voskamp’s site that go along with each day.

3. What God Wants for Christmas: An Interactive Nativity for Children by Barbara Rainey

What God Wants for Christmas

I’ve admired Dennis and Barbara Rainey from Family Life Today ever since I found out I was pregnant and knew I’d need some help with raising a child. The parenting process hasn’t come naturally to me and their practical advice has helped me along the way.

While I haven’t used this resource myself, it comes highly recommended online by other moms who have used it with their children to create meaningful conversations about Christ’s coming during the Advent season. The set includes nativity characters, a pop-up nativity scene, written materials, and an audio book on CD.

For more detailed info, you can listen to a conversation with Barbara and one of her children talking about how they use this resource on the Family Life Today radio show.

4. Read a Different Children’s Christmas Book Each Day in December

This was my friend Kathy’s idea and I think it’s a great one. Most kids love to sit and listen to a story being read aloud, so doing so during the days leading up to Christmas creates great time and space for creating happy family memories. Add hot cocoa and popcorn to story time and you can get almost any kid to sit and listen for a few minutes!

cocoa

I’d encourage you to look for Christmas books in your local used bookstore, ask friends for recommendations, or review the list below for some ideas. If you have a bit more time and want to create some mystery and excitement for your children, wrap each book ahead of time and allow your child to pick out the book and unwrap one each day to read.

You might not already have 25 Christmas books focusing on Jesus, but if you start now and add to your collection throughout the years, you’ll soon have plenty of books to choose from during the month of December.

A Review of Children’s Christmas Books

I’m excited to share these three books with you, as they’re some of the first in my own collection of children’s Christmas books that tell the story of Jesus.

Two of these are also included in the huge Children’s Christmas Book Prize Pack Giveaway at the end of this post, so you’ll have a chance to win your own copy too! Thank you to Cross Focused Reviews and Ambassador International for providing review copies and giveaways for my readers.

The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell

This hardback book has absolutely beautiful illustrations and tells the story of Jesus’ birth by focusing on how God kept His promise to send His people a new King. Perfect for preschool and early school-aged children, it is short enough to keep their attention and focuses on one theme, that Jesus is “a new King; a rescuing King; a forever King!”

Both of my kids (5 and 2) listened intently, fascinated by the slightly different approach to the story of the birth of Jesus. I love books that connect the Old Testament promises to the New Testament fulfillment of those promises and this is a great introduction to that theme for young children.

christmas promise

A Donkey’s Little Tale by R. Mitchell Scott

Oh, I just love this sweet book! Written from the perspective of the donkey as Mary rode to Bethlehem, the book is a poem of sets of two line rhymes sharing what the donkey must have experienced that particularly special late night.

There is a tenderness conveyed between Mary and Joseph that is precious. The different perspective of the donkey along with the rhyming words keeps the kids’ attention. The illustrations are simple, inspired by the author’s own clay figures, and are quite charming.

donkey

The Manger Mouse by Sarah Martin Byrd

This book tells the story of Jesus’ birth from the perspective of a little mouse named Matty. Young and insecure about his significance in the world, with his mother’s encouragement he becomes an integral part of Jesus’ first night as a newborn on earth.

The illustrations are done with beautiful pastels and are big and bold, good for little ones listening along with the story but not able to read yet.

In addition to the basic story of Jesus’ birth, there are so many lessons that can be drawn from this short story about the importance of our gifts, no matter how “small”, how God uses the unlikely to accomplish the important, and having courage in the face of uncertainty.

mouse

More Reader & Blogging Friend Favorites:

I asked around for more children’s Christmas book recommendations that tell the story of Christ and I’m thrilled to share even more great books from readers and other blogging friends online. These look amazing and I can’t wait to add some of them to our own collection!

20 Best Children's Christmas Books

Why Do We Call It Christmas? The REAL Story Behind the Holiday by Phil Vischer

Song of the Stars – Amanda W.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree – Linda B.

The Gift of the Magi – Anne H.

The Legend of the Candy Cane – Martha Kate Stratton

The Three Gifts of Christmas – Amanda W.

The Little Match Girl – Anne H.

The King’s Christmas List – Amanda W.

The Steadfast Tin Soldier – Anne H.

Room for a Little One – Sarah E.

The Donkey’s Gift – Angela L.

A Charlie Brown Christmas – Deidra L.

The Pine Tree Parable – Amanda W.

The Tale of Three Trees – Daisy Rosales

The Littlest Angel – Heather K.

A Christmas Prayer – Amanda W.

The Wonder of Christmas – Amanda W.

Children’s Christmas Books Prize Pack GIVEAWAY!

update: this giveaway has ended

Some of my blogging friends and I have gathered together to offer a huge prize pack of children’s Christmas books. Enter the giveaway for a chance to win all 8 books plus the Advent resource, Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands.

If you win, you’ll be well on your way to building an awesome library of Christmas books for your kids to enjoy year after year.

We are all so excited to share these books with you!

Children's Christmas Book Giveaway

LeeAnn is giving away: A Donkey’s Little Tale, The Manger Mouse, and Truth in the Tinsel: An Advent Experience for Little Hands

Gennie is giving away: The Polar Express

Ashley is giving away: The Berenstain Bears – The Joy of Giving

Susana is giving away: What is Christmas?

Britta is giving away: The Adventure of Christmas – Helping Children Find Jesus in Our Holiday Tradition

Nelle is giving away: The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet

One lucky person will win them all!

To have a chance to win, enter using the rafflecopter widget below. (Click here to enter if you can’t see the widget.) Giveaway is open to U.S. residents and ends Monday, November 17th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This post contains affiliate links {full disclosure}.

 

Sharing with Faith & Fellowship, Advent Ideas Linkup, The Missional Weekend, Mommy Monday, and The Mommy List.

Parenting With Purpose: Day 20 – Train ‘Em Up Book Series

October 23, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

This past weekend we went on a whirlwind trip to the mountains for a relative’s wedding. It was an absolutely gorgeous location and a beautiful time to reflect on the importance of strong marriages as we seek to build God-centered homes for our children.

On the way, I took a new book I received from Tyndale House Publishing for review. Normally I’m reviewing spiritual development books to find the great ones to share with you; but this time, knowing this parenting series was coming up, I signed up to review a kids book instead. I’m so glad I did!

Pretty Place - YMCA Greenville

Tell Me About Prayer is a book in the Train ‘Em Up book series. I loved so many things about this book!

Geared for kids ages 4-7, even my 2 year old loved the songs on the CD that accompanies the book. My 5 year old kept asking to listen to it over…and over…and over…until we decided it was time to take a break!

8 Reasons Our Family Loves the Train ‘Em Up Book Series

Here’s what we loved about it:

1. A train conductor named Steve narrates the story. They just won over my son for sure! It’s complete with all the important train “noises” you would expect from a “choo-choo” adventure.

2. The overall concept of prayer is a difficult one for kids to understand but the book is broken down into simple explanations about what prayer is and what it’s for.

3. There is a sticker page. All kids love stickers. No more explanation needed!

4. My daughter is just now learning to read so listening to the words and following along in the book was an academic exercise in addition to a spiritual growth one.

5. In addition to the narration and music included in the book there are extra songs at the end that support the concept discussed.

6. Kids sing the words but I found myself impressed with the quality of the background music behind the words. Let’s just say with kids music, this isn’t always the case.

7. The Train ‘Em Up book series covers a variety of sometimes challenging topics on a kid’s level. Other topics include: Tell Me about the Bible, Salvation, Church, Baptism, Faith, Grace, and Praise & Worship.

8. The books are affordable. With each one priced at $5.00, these make fabulous birthday or Christmas gifts!


How to teach kids about prayer - Tell Me About Prayer Book

More about the Train ‘Em Up book series:

Train ’Em Up is an interactive, fun-filled, and affordable series that uses a train locomotive theme for teaching kids core Christian beliefs and principles. In Tell Me about Prayer, a friendly train conductor, Mr. Steve, teaches kids what prayer is all about, how we should talk to God, and why our conversations are so important to Him. Through bold graphics and interactive songs and stories, Train ’Em Up makes it easy for parents and teachers to explain biblical concepts like prayer in a way that helps with attention, memorization, and recall while building a solid faith foundation. Each book in the series includes a CD with sing-along songs and narrated stories with sound effects, plus a colorful sticker sheet!

Looking for more ideas and resources for Parenting With Purpose as you create a God-centered home? You can find the whole series here.

Parenting With Purpose - Train 'Em Up Book Series

This post contains affiliate links {full disclosure}.

Parenting With Purpose – Day 16: How To Be An Undivided Mom

October 19, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Today I’m excited to share an interview with author and blogger, Kayse Pratt. I connected with her last year when she launched her book, Undivided Mom. The 14-day devotional was just what my momma-heart needed at the time and I’m thrilled to share my interview with her with you today.

If you’ve ever felt pulled in a million directions as a mom and are craving some focus, you’ll want to read on! Be sure to read to the end for a special coupon code for The Mosaic Life readers.

{Also, today, Sunday, October 19th is the LAST DAY to enter the giveaway for the Seeds Family Worship entire 9 CD collection including a bonus copy of each CD to share with a friend. ENTER HERE.)

First off, here’s a bit about Kayse so you get can to know her heart before we dive into the interview:

Kayse Pratt

Kayse Pratt is a teacher turned stay-at-home mom of two, married to her favorite musician. She is a lover of books, freezer cooking, date nights, and all things chocolate. Kayse writes to encourage women, leaving them refreshed by truth, strengthened by honesty, and encouraged to live out God’s purpose in their lives and homes.  You can find her hanging out on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or writing about faith, family, and real life on her blog, KaysePratt.com.

Interview with Kayse Pratt, Author of Undivided Mom: Finding Christ in the Chaos of Motherhood

undivided mom book kayse pratt

Hi Kayse! Please introduce us to your family and your online home.

Hi! I’m Kayse, wife to Jon & mom to Emily (my spunky almost four-year-old) & Nathan (my happy almost one-year-old). I am blessed to be able to stay home with them, and I’m so grateful for that. I write a few times a week (or every day in October!) about faith, family, & real life over at KaysePratt.com. You’re all welcome there!

What was the catalyst that led you to write Undivided Mom: Finding Christ in the Chaos of Motherhood?

There was one day when I was finishing up a writing project at the same time that my daughter was needing my attention. I kept telling her, “Just a minute, Mommy is almost done!”, but the minutes just kept ticking by. Instead of throwing a fit, she walked over to me, closed my computer, and said “Mommy, would you talk to me? I really just want to talk to you.”

Talk about breaking my heart!

I realized then that my priorities were not where they should be, and that I needed to make some serious changes. My “job” as a mommy comes first, my kids come first – before work, before my to-do list, before anything else. They are the work God has given me, and I needed my daily life to reflect that. That’s where Undivided Mom was born.

How will moms benefit from setting aside time to work through this 14-day devotional when life is already so busy?

Well, first of all, the devotions are SO SHORT! You can read them in the school pick up line, or before you go to bed at night, or while you’re hiding from the kids in the bathroom. It won’t take long.

And really, if you’re a mom, you’re exhausted. You need something funny, relatable, & true to feed your soul, to refocus your day, and to give you the strength to keep serving your kids. It’s my hope that the devotionals in Undivided Mom will do that.

What are your best tips and tools for setting boundaries around social media and screen time so moms can use their best energy on their priorities?

Well, first, I have to be honest and tell you that this is not something I’m perfect at. I still struggle with this every day. There are a couple of apps for your browser, like StayFocused, that allow you to set timers for certain sites, like Facebook or Twitter – that way you’re limiting your time on there each day.

I also love the idea of a Social Media Sabbath, which is something I learned about from my Life Coach, Carey Bailey. The idea is that from sundown on Friday to sundown on Sunday, you take a rest from social media in order to be really present with your family. My husband and I are talking about starting this for our own family.

Sometimes, though, our work IS social media! If you’re a blogger, a virtual assistant, or anything else where your business is online, setting these boundaries can be difficult, because there are times when you really do need to be online.

In those cases, I highly recommend setting office hours. Whether that’s when your kids are sleeping, or if you need to have a sitter come in to watch your kids for a few hours a week, you do what you need to do to get your work done without splitting your attention between your kids and your online life. We just hired a babysitter to come in for 4 hours a week so that I can do this, and let me tell you, it’s changing my life!!!

What benefits have you seen in your own life from putting some of these boundaries in place when it comes to your relationship with your children?

Again, I’m not perfect at this. But when I do it well, when I set aside social media and focus on my kids, THEY NOTICE.

Their behaviors improve, there are less tantrums, less arguments, and more snuggles. Everyone is happier, including me! Whether we realize it or not, social media really takes a toll on us. As moms, we already have SO MUCH on our plate, that to add facebook and twitter and pinterest on top of that, as more things we need to “keep up with”, it’s exhausting.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love social media as much as the next person, and sometimes you can find me in the bathroom, hiding from my kids and scrolling through my newsfeed!

But I think everyone is happiest when the boundaries are in place, our life is simplified, and we don’t feel stretched so thin. For me, simplifying the things that demand my attention, and saying “No”, or “Not right now” to the things that don’t fit into my priorities as wife & mom, really makes a difference in my overall peace & happiness when it comes to my everyday life. And I’d say the same thing is true for the kids!

Undivided Mom Quote

 

Ready to Get Your Own Copy of Undivided Mom: Finding Christ in the Chaos of Motherhood?

PDF Version – $3.99 using coupon code

  • If you’re the kind of person who loves to print out your devotional material, make notes, or just have paper in front of you, the PDF version is the best way to go. You’ll receive a download right to your email.
  • This option is also a good one if you have a laptop or desktop computer and you often sit with your computer to read.
  • If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for a friend or relative who already has plenty of “stuff”, this is a great option. Just print out the PDF version in color, hole punch and put in a nice binder. Add a special touch by writing notes to her in the margins as encouragement.

You can download a copy here. Be sure to use the coupon code UMSPECIAL20 for 20% off through October 31st.

Amazon Kindle Version – currently on sale for $2.99

  • If you have a Kindle, this version is your best bet. With Amazon’s 1-Click buying, you’ll have the devotional delivered to your Kindle in seconds and ready for your morning quiet time tomorrow!
  • If you don’t have a Kindle, but would love to have the option to read the devotional on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop, this is a great option too. Click the banner below and you can download the free Kindle app to read this and other ebooks anywhere. Did you know you can find thousands of free ebooks on Amazon too? You’ll need this Kindle app to download them, but they’re really FREE!

Looking for more ideas and resources for Parenting With Purpose as you create a God-centered home? You can find the whole series here.

Parenting With Purpose - How to be an Undivided Mom

This post contains affiliate links {full disclosure}.

A Reflection on Rest & Recreation – Psalm 62

August 6, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

This week I’m away with my extended family for rest and recreation.

I’m in the middle of reading the book Simplify by Bill Hybels and he shares a perspective on recreation that I just love.

Recreation is a time to re-create energy in your life. If what you consider to be “recreation” is draining your energy instead of adding value and energy to your life, you may want to reconsider your choices of entertainment and recreation.

Note: I received a review copy from Tyndale House Publishers. The book doesn’t release until August 19th, but already I’d highly recommend pre-ordering it. He shares 10 practices to unclutter your soul and so far it’s fabulous! He shares wisdom from years of experience and gives practical suggestions for real life change. This is my kind of book for sure!

reflection on rest and relaxation - lake

photo credit: mclcbooks via photopin cc

So…as I pursue re-creation of energy in our lives, we’ll be sharing some time together as a family at the lake, taking the kids (5 kids ages 5 and under!) to the pool, trying out our hand at fishing and boating, playing lots of Ticket to Ride, reading, and just enjoying one another’s company.

My sister lives in Nashville (a 7 hour drive with no potty breaks), so my kids are thrilled at the opportunity to spend quality time with their cousins.

And my sister? Well she’s the best a gal could ever ask for so I’m pretty pumped about spending a week with her too!

my sister Meghan

As the summer winds down, I’d encourage you to take some time to reflect on how you can incorporate regular times of rest and recreation in your life. For Worship Wednesday, center your heart on this message and allow your soul to find rest in the security of our salvation.

My soul finds rest in God alone, my rock and my salvation. And I will not be shaken.

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If you’re reading in an email or reader, click over to the blog to view today’s Worship Wednesday video and allow your soul to breathe.

Aaron Keyes – Psalm 62

My soul finds rest in God alone, my rock and my salvation

A fortress strong against my foes and I will not be shaken
Though lips may bless and hearts may curse
And lies like arrows pierce me
I’ll fix my heart on righteousness, I’ll look to Him who hears me

O praise Him, Hallelujah, my Delight and my Reward
Everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God

Find rest, my soul, in God alone amid the world’s temptations
When evil seeks to take a hold I’ll cling to my salvation
Though riches come and riches go, don’t set your heart upon them
The fields of hope in which I sow are harvested in heaven

O praise Him, Hallelujah, my Delight and my Reward
Everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God

I’ll set my gaze on God alone and trust in Him completely
With every day pour out my soul and He will prove His mercy
Though life is but a fleeting breath, a sigh too brief to measure
My King has crushed the curse of death and I am His forever

O praise Him, Hallelujah, my Delight and my Reward
Everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God
O praise Him, Hallelujah, my Delight and my Reward
Everlasting, never failing, my Redeemer, my God

O praise Him, O praise Him, Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Note, this post contains affiliate links. If you click the link and make a purchase, our family receives a small percentage of your sale (at no cost to you). We’re in the middle of radically trusting God in our finances, and every little bit helps toward our goal of financial freedom so we can faithfully follow God’s lead in our lives. Thanks for your support!

The Tired Mother’s Creed {with free printable & book giveaway}

May 6, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

Today is for the tired mamas. The ones struggling with comparison and “I don’t measure up” syndrome. Let this guest post from Lisa-Jo Baker encourage your weary soul.

For the days we are running on empty. For the days we just don’t think we have it in us to read one more story, play one more game of Uno, wash one more round of sheets. For the days when we think everyone else has it all together. For the days we’re sure anyone else would do this job better.

For those days. You know the ones.

DSC_0671-640x426

Repeat after me:

  1. I shall not judge my house, my kid’s summer activities or my crafting skills by Pinterest’s standards.
  2. I shall not measure what I’ve accomplished today by the loads of unfolded laundry but by the assurance of deep love I’ve tickled into my kids
  3. I shall say “yes” to blanket forts and see past the chaos to the memories we’re building.
  4. I shall surprise my kids with trips to get ice cream when they’re already in their pajamas.
  5. I shall not compare myself to other mothers, but find my identity in the God who trusted me with these kids in the first place.
  6. I shall remember that a messy house at peace is better than an immaculate house tied up in knots.
  7. I shall play music loudly and teach my kids the joy of wildly uncoordinated dance.
  8. I shall remind myself that perfect is simply a street sign at the intersection of impossible and frustration in Never Never land.
  9. I shall embrace the fact that in becoming a mom I traded perfect for a house full of real.
  10. I shall promise to love this body that bore these three children – out loud, especially in front of my daughter.
  11. I shall give my other mother friends the gift of guilt-free friendship.
  12. I shall do my best to admit to my people my “unfine” moments.
  13. I shall say “sorry” when sorry is necessary.
  14. I pray God I shall never be too proud, angry or stubborn to ask for my children’s forgiveness.
  15. I shall make space in my grown up world for goofball moments with my kids.
  16. I shall love their father and make sure they know I love him.
  17. I shall model kind words – to kids and grown-ups alike.
  18. I shall not be intimidated by the inside of my minivan – this season of chip bags, goldfish crackers and discarded socks too shall pass.
  19. I shall always make time to encourage new moms.
  20. I shall not resent that last call for kisses and cups of water but remember instead that when I blink they’ll all be in college.

~ with love from one tired mother to another.

{click here to download the below printable version}

The-tired-mothers-creed-by-Lisa-Jo-Baker-e1340157222508

{To see the video reminder of why all mothers are braver than they know, click here}.

surprisedbymotherhood-book-banner

This guest post comes with love from Lisa-Jo Baker to our community in celebration of Mother’s Day. If you haven’t already – treat yourself, your mom, your sister, your BFF or your grandma to a copy of her new book, Surprised by Motherhood: Everything I Never Expected About Being a Mom.

And now for the FUN stuff!

Three (yes, three!) lucky readers will win this bookplate signed by Lisa-Jo to whomever you choose. Thank you Lisa-Jo for your generosity to our community. You are a blessing to so many of us! (Ok…keep reading…there’s more!)

You are mighty because you mother. Lisa-Jo Baker

ONE of you lovely ladies will win your own copy of this must-get-tissues-before-you-read motherhood book sent directly from me to you.

Let’s call it my Mother’s Day gift to this awesome community of women living authentically in the midst of our brokenness as God picks up our pieces and crafts us into the masterpieces he created us to be. Plus, everyone loves a gift, especially one celebrating mothers!

No matter what stage you’re in when it comes to motherhood, I promise this book will encourage. And remind you that you are braver than you think. So…enter away!

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