For me, middle school was the most challenging season of parenting, hands down. It wasn’t all bad, but it was tricky and confusing. If you have a middle school student, this essay alone is worth the price of admission. Today, I offer you literally everything I know about parenting through this short season. 

I’m launching The Abide Sessions—a weekly, premium spiritual formation membership for women craving depth, clarity, and a steady rhythm with Christ. Weekly Zoom. A full Bible study. Community. Peace. Want to abide more deeply this year? Learn More Here. We'd love to have you. 

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Substack Newsletter: Behind the Balance

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If you know me at all, you're already aware that I have a complicated relationship with social media. What you may NOT know is that this complication began almost immediately after I joined back in 2008. And I’ve been writing about social media and its effect on me since that time. This is an essay I wrote 11 years ago after a 20-day Facebook break. 

Is it time for YOU to break up with social media? Take the quiz and find out. 

I’m launching The Abide Sessions—a weekly, premium spiritual formation membership for women craving depth, clarity, and a steady rhythm with Christ. Weekly Zoom. A full Bible study. Community. Peace. Want to abide more deeply this year? Learn More Here. We'd love to have you. 

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For many of you, parenting through the middle school and teenage years is the most challenging season of all. If you were sitting across the table from me in the midst of an exhausting season with your teen, this is what I’d say to you.  This is Chapter 35: A Parenting Pep Talk. To Me, From Me. But Also, To You. Listen in.

I’m launching The Abide Sessions—a weekly, premium spiritual formation membership for women craving depth, clarity, and a steady rhythm with Christ. Weekly Zoom. A full Bible study. Community. Peace. Want to abide more deeply this year? Learn More Here. We'd love to have you. 

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Each year in January, I compile a list called “What I Learned Last Year.” I include several of these lists in this book because they mark changes I made in my parenting, my marriage, and my health. This was written at the end of 2013--a doozy of a year (yes, I just used the word "doozy"), when I learned so much about everything. This is Chapter 34: What I Learned Last Year, Vol 1.  Listen in.

I’m launching The Abide Sessions—a weekly, premium spiritual formation membership for women craving depth, clarity, and a steady rhythm with Christ. Weekly Zoom. A full Bible study. Community. Peace. Want to abide more deeply this year? Learn More Here. We'd love to have you. 

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If you’re listening in real time, it’s the end of September. But the essay I’m reading today is all about the craziness that is May. No matter what time of year, if you’re finding yourself overwhelmed and double booked this is for you.  Today, we begin Part Three: The Middle School and Teen Years. This is Chapter 33: I Had a Dream. Listen in.

I’m launching The Abide Sessions—a weekly, premium spiritual formation membership for women craving depth, clarity, and a steady rhythm with Christ. Weekly Zoom. A full Bible study. Community. Peace. Want to abide more deeply this year? Learn More Here. We'd love to have you. 

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I wrote this chapter when my kids were 10 and under. Today, that 10-year-old is now married, and the youngest child who was in my bed that morning is now in college. Let this serve as a brief reminder to dress for the season you’re in, because the seasons will change. This is Chapter 32: Flip Flops in the Snow. Listen in.

This concludes Part Two: The Elementary School Years. Tune in next week as we begin Part Three: The Middle School and Teen Years. 

I’m launching The Abide Sessions—a weekly, premium spiritual formation membership for women craving depth, clarity, and a steady rhythm with Christ. Weekly Zoom. A full Bible study. Community. Peace. Want to abide more deeply this year? Learn More Here. We'd love to have you. 

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This is a short and sweet note of thanks to every mom out there who has already had a full day, and it’s only 7:30 am. This is Chapter 31: Dear Mom, Thank You. Listen in.

I’m launching The Abide Sessions—a weekly, premium spiritual formation membership for women craving depth, clarity, and a steady rhythm with Christ. Weekly Zoom. A full Bible study. Community. Peace. Want to abide more deeply this year? Learn More Here. We'd love to have you. 

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This is for all you creative mamas out there. If you’ve ever faced disapproval, indifference, or outright rejection when sharing your art, I’ve got some encouragement for you. This is Chapter 30: Why You Must Not Obey the Rules. Listen in.

I’m launching The Abide Sessions—a weekly, premium spiritual formation membership for women craving depth, clarity, and a steady rhythm with Christ. Weekly Zoom. A full Bible study. Community. Peace. Want to abide more deeply this year? Learn More Here. We'd love to have you. 

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If you’ve ever had a really bad day, lost your cool, or wished you could rewind and start over, this chapter is for you. Not only do I offer a way to recover, but I also offer hope that your bad day (if handled well) will lead your kids to the feet of Jesus. This is Chapter 29: What to Do When You Wish You Would Have Handled Things Differently.  Listen in.

I’m launching The Abide Sessions—a weekly, premium spiritual formation membership for women craving depth, clarity, and a steady rhythm with Christ. Weekly Zoom. A full Bible study. Community. Peace. Want to abide more deeply this year? Learn More Here. We'd love to have you. 

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The chapter I’m reading today begins with a quote I had come across accidentally from John Ortberg and his conversation with Dallas Willard. This quote has since become a mantra for overly busy people everywhere. But for me, it helped me navigate the real-time tension I was feeling between pursuing a writing and speaking ministry while trying to take care of the three small children in our home. This is Chapter 28: Bringing Serenity Back.  Listen in.

I’m launching The Abide Sessions—a weekly, premium spiritual formation membership for women craving depth, clarity, and a steady rhythm with Christ. Weekly Zoom. A full Bible study. Community. Peace. Want to abide more deeply this year? Learn More Here. We'd love to have you. 

Purchase Mom, You’re Amazing! And Other Things I Want to Tell You

Substack Newsletter: Behind the Balance

Website: The Scoop on Balance