Yes, I Read My Daughter’s Texts {and no, it isn’t because I don’t trust her}

Yes, I am that mom.  Every night, I read my daughter's texts and log into her social media accounts to look at the direct messages and friends lists. I am the one who "stalks" anyone on those lists I don't know.  I am the mom who knew about Yik Yak two days before a student used it to make a bomb threat at my daughter's school because I was checking texts. One of my girl's friends said to her mom, "Mrs. Teri Lynne knows everything. She might even know before it happens." As much as I'd ... [Read More]

Lesson Plans for Mom?

This month at Mothers of Daughters we're sharing about Lessons ... it's back to school season and Stacey thought we might have some ideas, encouragement, or insight to share as we head into the new school year. In case you haven't noticed, it's been a bit of a rough season of parenting for me lately.  I'm worn thin and worn out.  I couldn't think of a thing to share with other girl moms.  I'm hoping that somehow I'll look back on this summer and see something besides too much activity and not ... [Read More]

The One Thing I’d Say to You

I've been saying it a lot lately.  Three little words ... but words we so desperately need to grasp. You are enough. Lately it seems people, especially moms,  are describing themselves with words like weary tired exhausted inadequate uncertain And I get that!  I really do!  Motherhood is hard ... maybe the hardest, most gut-wrenching, heart-revealing job any of us will ever face.  It's hard to know sometimes how to fight the busy culture in which we live.  It's tough to figure out how to know ... [Read More]

Don’t Diminish Yourself!

Oh girl!  You are doing a great job!! Don't forget that ... don't stop believing that!  There is this terrible lie rolling around your head and your heart.  It repeats like a skipped record, "You are not enough."  Call it what it is—NOT TRUE! Your children did not end up with you by happenstance or chance—God chose YOU to be their mother!  That means, YOU are who they need. Sometimes you're going to fail.  It's okay, because more often then not you'll do it right (or at least good enough). ... [Read More]

Parenting from the OverflowAvailable Now!

I spent this weekend in Oklahoma.  My Pepa is 91 and is nearing the end of his days on earth.  It was a gift for me to be able to go and spend some time with him over the past few days.  Most of my favorite childhood memories involve time spent with Pepa.   We've always had a very special relationship and watching him now, frail and dealing with dementia, is difficult. I tell you that because I had all sorts of big plans for the release of Parenting from the Overflow today.  I wanted to do a ... [Read More]