Motherhood Challenges Need a Grit and Grace Life

It Feels Like My Teen Is Rejecting Me, But I Know It’s Something Else

When my daughter hit puberty she moved straight into her room. It seemed dramatic and overnight, not a gradual release. One day I can’t get a minute alone and the next I hardly know she lives here—except for all the half-filled cups she leaves all over the house. One day she drones on and on about horses, YouTubers, recess, and pizza in the cafeteria, and the next she answers with as few syllables as possible. I do my best to lure her out from her room with the promise of her favorite foods or movies, but mostly she retreats. Some days I hear music, and other days I hear power tools from behind her closed door. She rearranges. She paints her nails. […]

It Feels Like My Teen Is Rejecting Me, But I Know It’s Something Else Read More »

Another School Shooting, We Must Prepare Our Kids

In the Wake of Another School Shooting, How to Prepare Our Kids

By Darlene Brock / Motherhood, Life & Culture

Another school shooting and our hearts clench. The image of another mother clinging to a photo of the child instantly taken from her while doing nothing more than attending school rips the hearts and strikes fear into every other parent. While the debate will continue on gun control, that’s not the discussion I want to have because I think there is something much more pressing that every mother needs to do. Prepare your kids. In every part of their lives, it is our job to prepare them. The thought of having this be a conversation required to raise children today seems almost outrageous. But we have to face our current reality, so it is one we unquestionably need to have. It’s time

In the Wake of Another School Shooting, How to Prepare Our Kids Read More »

Happy Mother’s Day! Raising Great Girls, Free Now!

By Darlene Brock / Motherhood

Moms, it’s almost Mother’s Day! As an act of solidarity with my fellow girl moms, I want to give you a gift. I didn’t have boys, so if you’re a boy mom, I can’t help you as much there. But from May 5-9, my Raising Great Girls Kindle eBook is absolutely free. If you’re anything like I was in my motherhood journey, you probably have times of feeling every insecurity, a bit of a failure, with a boatload of mom guilt mixed in. I’m sure you also have seasons you think “I’ve got this!” and you do! But no matter the season you find yourself in, I want to give you some of what hindsight taught me: hard-earned wisdom that I share

Happy Mother’s Day! Raising Great Girls, Free Now! Read More »

A Note to Women Grieving on Mother’s Day

By Carey Melton / Motherhood

I won’t pretend to know or even understand all the situations that could make a woman grieve around the celebrations of Mother’s Day. I also won’t pretend to understand the unimaginable pain of losing a child. For Those Grieving on Mother’s Day What I can tell you is that I have grieved. Sometimes I still grieve, and not just on Mother’s Day—but maybe on a random Tuesday too. Like many of you, I’ve been on both sides of Mother’s Day being difficult to celebrate. I lost my mom; actually buried my mom four days before Mother’s Day 20 years ago. I’ve also grieved because I longed to be a mother so badly. Grief would rear its ugly head at pregnancy announcements for

A Note to Women Grieving on Mother’s Day Read More »

To Moms of Boys in Middle School

By Amanda-Lee Pitzer / Motherhood

Sometimes I really hate being a parent. As I got off the phone with my son’s school, I was furious. Before now, he’s never really been one to get in trouble at school. He was well-behaved, had good grades, and a good group of friends. But this year he was thrust into middle school and into all the challenges that middle school brings. He has been through a lot, but he has come out the other side with a heart bigger than most his age. He feels deeply and strives to be a good friend and do his best. Challenges of Having Boys In Middle School So yes, this little boy turning adolescent threw me for a loop today when I got

To Moms of Boys in Middle School Read More »

Ask Dr. Zoe – I Don’t Feel a Bond with My Newborn; Is this Normal?

By Dr. Zoe / Ask Dr. Zoe, Motherhood

‘First-time Mom’ asked: As a new mom, I sometimes feel guilty not having that initial bond with my newborn and miss my before-mom self. Is this normal and how or what is the best way to get rid of these thoughts? I love my little one a lot. Dr. Zoe answered: Dear Momma, Somehow society has created this often unspoken consensus that a good mother is all sacrificing and perfectly content to lose herself in motherhood. I don’t believe this, nor have I seen that it is healthy or creates a better outcome for children. I really despise the word “normal” and prefer to use “healthy” instead. There are many behaviors that are “normal” in our society that are not healthy and

Ask Dr. Zoe – I Don’t Feel a Bond with My Newborn; Is this Normal? Read More »

5 Quotes That Will Encourage You, Working (Super) Mom

By Ashley Johnson / Work & Money, Motherhood

Working moms do it all—but it’s hard! The struggle to find work and life balance is real, but in the end, what really matters is that you tried your best. At least, that’s what I’ve been told from the women who’ve seen it through. One thing I know that all of us working moms could use is a little encouragement. Just a quick note that says, “Hey, I see you. I see all of the obstacles you overcome every day. It’s not always flawless, but you put your heart and soul into it. You are a strong woman, and you’re a good mom.” So, working mom, these 5 quotes that will encourage you: “I think every working mom probably feels the same thing:

5 Quotes That Will Encourage You, Working (Super) Mom Read More »

How Can I Connect and Communicate with My Teenager? with Jerusha Clark - 182

How Can I Connect and Communicate with My Teenager Better? with Jerusha Clark – 182

By This Grit & Grace Life Podcast / Podcast, Motherhood

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | MoreAre your teenagers driving you crazy? Are there days when you wonder who replaced your sweet, small child with a taller, sarcastic stranger? Handling the attitudes and emotions—and, sometimes, the whereabouts—of teens can be a daunting task, and one that a lot of first-time parents of teens aren’t prepared for. While seeing your child blossom into a young adult can be insightful and rewarding, it can also be painful to witness the more difficult changes and crises that can often accompany this stage of life. Bestselling author and speaker Jerusha Clark sits down with Darlene Brock and Julie Bender to chat about how parents can

How Can I Connect and Communicate with My Teenager Better? with Jerusha Clark – 182 Read More »

Social Media Is Impacting My Child—What Can I Do About It?

By Caroline Beidler / Motherhood

One morning as I sat sipping my coffee for the glorious 10 minutes before my little ones wobble out of their rooms, I opened my phone to an article about school closings. There was going to be a return to virtual classes in many areas of the country because of threats of school violence on the social media platform Tik Tok (the one where kids do dancing that they’ve rehearsed for hours in front of a mirror) and other social media. I read about how social media threats were causing many teachers and students to fear for their lives. I turned to my husband and shared the headline. “How can this be?” I asked incredulous. “School shootings being talked about on social

Social Media Is Impacting My Child—What Can I Do About It? Read More »

If Kids Disrupt Our Lives So Much, Why Do We Do It?

By Ashley Johnson / Motherhood, Audio Articles

(Listen to the audio version of this article here.) Before I had kids, I used to see all of the motherhood memes on social media and scroll right on by, rolling my eyes a bit. Why are there so many? Now that I am a mother, I read almost every single one, laugh, screenshot the best, and send them to my friends. They’re funny because they’re true. All of them. The ones about how your kid never asks their father for something if mom is in the room. The ones about how your toddler has a meltdown because you cut their sandwich in half (even though they asked for you to cut it in half yesterday), about how you never knew what

If Kids Disrupt Our Lives So Much, Why Do We Do It? Read More »

The Thief I Let In: A Day in the Life of a Working Mom

By Carolyn Gordon / Work & Money, Best Of, Motherhood

It was a typical morning. The alarm went off at 6:40 a.m. Snooze was hit once. There was a sleepy, teething baby girl that took over the spot of my husband, who had left for work. Our son was already up, sitting on the couch and watching cartoons. His pleading for pre-packaged blueberry muffins woke up his sister. Ready or not, it was time to kick it into high gear and get ready for school and work. Sounds of the blender, breast pump, and electric toothbrushes filled the house. A computer charger, matching sock, and school folder couldn’t be found. Then, the realization that I didn’t have a sitter for my daughter for that afternoon’s work meeting, the lab stealing the last

The Thief I Let In: A Day in the Life of a Working Mom Read More »

How Do I Raise My Kids when the Culture and Bible Collide? with Dr. Jim Denison – 177

By This Grit & Grace Life Podcast / Podcast, Motherhood

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Email | TuneIn | RSS | More Today’s culture is experiencing a shift that often runs counter to biblical beliefs. As parents and women of faith, this can create challenges we weren’t anticipating. When added to normal parenting duties, this shift can leave us feeling fearful or anxious toward the future our kids will grow up in. Dr. Jim Denison joins Darlene Brock and Julie Bender on This Grit and Grace Life podcast to discuss how parents of faith can raise their kids confidently in an age where the culture deems biblical values oppressive and outdated. He also shares what parents can pray for, and how they can practically prepare their

How Do I Raise My Kids when the Culture and Bible Collide? with Dr. Jim Denison – 177 Read More »

5 Ways My Blended Family Learned to Adapt

By Amanda-Lee Pitzer / Motherhood

“So … I’m going to need to wear those pants of yours tomorrow.” “Um, that doesn’t sound like asking,” her dad interjects. I’m just sitting there, as my stepdaughter and I continue to figure out this whole stepparenting thing. I want to be her cool BFF that she feels comfortable sharing things with … even if that means she shares my closet. I don’t want to correct her when she’s wrong. I’m afraid to speak up, even when I’m frustrated when I have to go hunt my things down in her room (and while I do so I hear my own mother’s voice, “Amanda-Lee, I don’t care if you use my stuff but PUT. IT. BACK!”) Or, as I step in and

5 Ways My Blended Family Learned to Adapt Read More »

6 Necessities that Moms of Littles Can’t Leave Home Without

By Caroline Beidler / Motherhood

Today, we went to the splash park. The morning was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky. The kids were being my little angels as I like to call them. We sang in the car on the way there. My son read his book while my daughter looked out the window and talked to herself about silly, adorable things. Like how Elsa needs a haircut. We pulled into the parking lot and it wasn’t too busy. There was a nice spot left in the shade. Everything was going great … until it wasn’t. Toddlers Are Like Ticking Time Bombs Until the outing actually started. Until other kids showed up. Until I started having cramps and needed chocolate (which I did not bring).

6 Necessities that Moms of Littles Can’t Leave Home Without Read More »

Mastering the Exhausting World of Babies and Tots

By The Grit and Grace Team / Motherhood

There’s no doubt our kids light up our lives. Truly, they are some of our greatest treasures in life. But do you ever feel like motherhood is a little bit harder than you expected it to be? Ok, maybe a lot harder… You are not the only mom who second-guesses the way you do things from time to time, fights mom-guilt, and wonders if there are easier or simpler ways of doing things. Many of our writers and staff members are moms just like you, and we share some of our joys, struggles, and ah-ha moments with others so they might find help, encouragement, laughs, and solidarity. From newborns and babies to toddlers and tots, these articles will help you navigate and find

Mastering the Exhausting World of Babies and Tots Read More »

Navigating Life with Adult Children

By The Grit and Grace Team / Motherhood

A mother’s love doesn’t end when their children grow up. Parenting an adult child is complex and wonderful. These articles explore the dynamic relationship from all sides to help mothers thrive in this new role. 5 Great Reads for Mothers of Adult Children How to Be a Praying Parent Throughout Your Child’s Life Your children will never stop needing you, and you’ll always be ready to lend a helping hand or some sage advice. But intercessory prayer is a great tool for your children to find their way, both when they’re young and on their own, and this article is packed with sweet anecdotes and important areas to pray over. How to Be a Praying Parent Throughout Your Child’s Life

Navigating Life with Adult Children Read More »

My Epic Halloween Mom Fail Turned Into a Great Story

By Jodi Shultz / Motherhood

“This is so not how I pictured it going in my head.” Have you ever been in the middle of an epic mom fail moment, shaking your head and saying this to yourself? Oh, I sure have, and I don’t know about you, but the holiday season seems to bring on a next-level expectation and drive to produce some perfectly Instagrammable moments for my family. You know, the kind where festive music is playing, holiday projects are finished, and everyone is smiling and happy so you snap a picture to post on social media so everyone will rise up to praise you and call you blessed. Which is all fine and well when things go as planned, but when it doesn’t, look

My Epic Halloween Mom Fail Turned Into a Great Story Read More »