Navigating Conflict and Fostering Forgiveness Parenting a household of boys provided me unique challenges. Every family is different and the way parents instill values and expectations in our children varies. My husband and I had two primary expectations from our sons: obedience and respect. Generally speaking, we operated that way. We usually allowed the boys
Author: Careen Strange
Holiday Family Fun
Just a few years ago I was a young mom with five little boys under 10. They were lively, loud, competitive, loving, and fun. My life was a mixture of noise and laughter and conflict and exhaustion. The holiday season became a time of emotional overload that was stressful, tiring, sad, and wonderful all at the
Finding a Mentoring Mom
When I was a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) with five little boys, I yearned for an older woman to talk to—someone who had walked the path ahead of me. I had a close relationship with both my mother and mother-in-law, but sometimes I needed a neutral voice to speak to my concerns. My husband and I
9 Tips for Raising Boys
Being the only female in a family consisting of a husband and five sons taught me a little about males and rearing boys. What I’ve learned over the years can be summarized into one sentence: Boys want to act like grown men, and grown men sometimes want to act like boys. So what’s a mom
Healthy Kids: It Starts with Mom
As a new mom, we learn to scrutinize every nuance of our baby to understand what the little person is trying to tell us. Before long we know the difference in the cry for food and the cry from pain. We continuously monitor the signals our infant gives and we’re experts in non-verbal communication. Why?
Setting Up Your Sitter for Success
When I was the mother of five little boys under age 10, babysitters were of utmost importance—along with food, water, and fresh air. Yet, in the anticipation of time away from daily demands, I never gave much thought to ways I could make the babysitting experience more enjoyable for my substitutes. Of course, there were