Motherhood Challenges Need a Grit and Grace Life

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

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 […]

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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

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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

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

By Smart Living with Grit and Grace / Podcast, Motherhood

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | 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 children to

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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

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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).

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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

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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

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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

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Expecting Twins? How Mommas Can Best Prepare for A Double Pregnancy

By Caroline Beidler / Motherhood

If you are expecting twins, there is one thing that I, a former twin carrier, would like to plead with you not to do. This one thing, like a giant red button with a sign hanging from it that says “do not push,” is tempting (trust me, I’ve been there). You will want to push it. You will want to see it. You will start typing into Google… But don’t. Trust me. Stop. And I’ll tell you why. The Reality Starts Sinking In—You’re Expecting Twins When I was early on in my pregnancy with twins, there was no denying how much my life was never going to be the same. I noticed how much was changing—and strangers enjoyed pointing this out as

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Grieving Our Dog Revealed the Power of Family Love

By Melissa Solle / Motherhood

Unlike many families we know, our family, thankfully, has experienced very little death or illness. Our kids have been to less than five funerals in their whole lives, and as their parents, we aren’t too far off of that number either. We’ve lived relatively grief-free for decades. Recently, however, we had to euthanize one of our beloved dogs upon the advice of our veterinarian. For many people, dogs truly are a member of the family. It takes all of 10 seconds for a puppy to be forever a part of your heart. If you know, you know. Grieving our dog is hard, and sometimes still painful, but it’s teaching me a lot about the power of family love. Remembering Our Beloved Dog,

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Raising Great Girls: An Interview with Darlene Brock

By Bethany Gilliland / Motherhood

“Mom” is the job that gets no break, no personal time, vacation, or maternity leave—because that particular break is part of the occupation. Motherhood isn’t just one job, but many, and those jobs are accomplished in different ways at different times throughout your child’s life. If you have the added pressure of raising girls, it just gets more complicated. So, I thought I’d get a few answers from the author of the book, Raising Great Girls: Help for Moms to Raise Confident, Capable Girls, (perfection not required), Darlene Brock. It was a pretty easy task since I also work with her. Question: I know you’ve written this book from hindsight, but tell me about what your life looked like when you were

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How I’m Learning to Trust God as My Son Becomes a Man

By Amy Saxby / Motherhood

I half knew it was mistake when I made the call. My brothers had flown into town so that we could celebrate my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary. It was a special day. We gathered with friends and family at a famous local restaurant eating ribs and exchanging stories. And in that moment, I missed my boy. I’m in a New Parenting Season as My Son Becomes a Man A few weeks before, he graduated from high school. We celebrated with a big party and a day later we drove him eight hours north to work at a Christian camp. It was a whirlwind. So many endings and beginnings all smashed together. As I looked around the restaurant, my heart was happy to

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Why You Need to Let Go and Let Your Kids Spread Their Wings

By Torrie Sorge / Motherhood

As a parent, letting go can be one of the hardest parts of the job. God gives us our little ones to love, care for, protect, serve, guide, and prepare. But what are we preparing them for if we’re not willing to loosen our grip and give them some freedom along the way? This reality hit me hard when our son was in eighth grade. I think we can all agree some of life’s hardest years are during middle school. Trying to find your place amidst the hormones, acne, peer pressure, and academic expectations can be exhausting. Despite all of the challenges, Logan was a great student, making straight A’s and becoming a member of the National Junior Honors Society. He’d proven

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10 Mom Hacks That Will Make “Back to School” Easy

By Carey Melton / Motherhood

Whether you’re a stay-at-home mom or working mom, going back to school changes the flow of any routine you got into during the summer. Each new school year seems to be different, too. There can be new drop-off and pick-up guidelines, new start times, and new opportunities for your kids to be involved in before or after school activities. If you’re a seasoned “back to school” mom or are just now in the heart of this juggling act, you’ve got to keep things up and running on the homefront and not lose your mind in the process. With my three kids ages seven and under, a full-time job, and a husband’s schedule that allows him to be home most evenings, we have found

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5 Free (or Cheap) Ways to Entertain Your Kids

By Loren Brock / Motherhood

Ever find yourself on a budget with kids to entertain, especially in the summer months? Seeing that “free kids activities near me” seems to be my number one Google search lately, I’d like to think I’ve picked up a thing or two. So, here are a few ideas that will keep your kids on an adventure while you protect your pocketbook. 5 Free or Cheap Ways to Entertain Your Kids: 1. The Library My personal favorite go-to is the library. They consistently offer storytelling and art projects, and we’ve even gone to Lego building, an animal show, and family board game night at the library—all for FREE. There are usually multiple libraries within driving distance, so I’d recommend trying various libraries to

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How to Be a Praying Parent Throughout Your Child’s Life

By Marlys Johnson Lawry / Motherhood

Our daughter, Summer, brought him home from college one weekend. They watched March Madness basketball, played video games (in a competitive manner, because that’s my girl), and laughed a good deal. Later that week, we received a thank you note from this young man. And everyone knows that a thoughtfully written thank you note earns huge points with a future mom-in-law. Every. Time. I had been praying for the potential spouses of my son and daughter. That weekend, I was pretty sure I’d met my son-in-law-to-be, Joshua. How fun to bump into an answer to your prayers—in person. Making intercessory prayers for our children is a privilege. It’s a tool from God to assist us in the high calling of rearing our

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