May 11
May 11 Three Phrases We Outlaw in Conversation

I don’t know if you’ve had to make the weighty decision about your children’s schooling yet, but we prayed and talked about it for a long time, finally deciding public school was a good decision for our family. For the most part, I've rarely second-guessed our decision, except when I think about the cussing they have endured. Sometimes I wonder if we should have chosen a different schooling option, just to protect their ears.

May 9
May 9 Bi-Weekly Whole Food Meal Plan May 10–23

Kelly Smith

Meal Planning, Recipes

Welcome to The Better Mom Whole Food Meal Plan.

May 8

May 8 Laying a Foundation for Your Preschooler

Christin

Something I am learning about having preschoolers in the house is this: I am laying the foundation for them now. This is a season of habit training, not just academics and fun creativity {although that is important as well}.

Laying the foundations of habit training now will save much time and energy later.

May 7
May 7 Better Life Bags {a review}

Ruth Schwenk

I love a cute bag. But there are some bags that are way more than just cute. Not only have I found a stellar bag (thanks to my friend Erin), I also have found an incredible company.

May 6
May 6 Why I Take the Trouble to Teach Our Children Good Manners

Lisa Jacobson

You're wondering why I even bother?

Sometimes I wonder myself. It takes so much time, effort, and endless repeating.

Frustration.

So I was talking with our oldest son not too long ago. He's grown-up, gone, and away at college.

And here's what he told me over the phone . . .

May 5

May 5 The Fantasy of Rest

Sara Hagerty

Parenting, Homemaking, Prayer

It's a radiant four pm. The counters are wiped, slick. The sink is empty and dinner is simmering next to my teapot, also humming. The children are willingly lost in the woods out back and the babe still asleep. I can't smell anyone's afternoon sweat and there's not a disparate sock in sight. The only smell in my house, aside from dinner, is the new candle I lit to memorialize afternoons like this one.

I sink into my chair, alone, with a book and my Bible and I'm ready to receive all that the next full hour of rest has for me.

This is you, too, right? "Once every three and a half months," you answer, if you're like me.

Except in my mind's eye.

If there is room for fantasy for a mother of five who moonlights as a writer, this would be my daily fantasy. Life ordered and quiet -- so that I can actually rest.