How Good and Pleasant it is when God’s People Live Together in Unity. Our four year old daughter stormed through the front door, flung herself on the sofa and with a Scarlet Ohara flair declared, “I just don’t understand why […]
MOM JOY! I haven’t laughed this much in a LONG TIME!!
Jul13
A few months ago, the crazy fashion world dipped their toe into social media land to see if viewers would name the male romper friend or foe. A few entrepreneurial guys wanted to start a fashion revolution through their new brand “ROMPHIM.” They […]
Lessons Learned From My Daughter: Teens & Social Media
Mar17
I’ve been so quiet over here, but not on Instagram (jenschmidt_beautyandbedlam) where I post almost daily (including video stories). Over the next few months, I’ll get back to my Mentor Mom series , but my book manuscript is due soon and then I hope to […]
One Little Perspective Change Altered How I Mother
Feb17
With a song in her heart, my mom’s sweet little voice sang out. Relishing in the joy that music brings to the soul of a young child, her heart filled and was satisfied. Then the words came. Words that changed […]
Raising a Band of Brothers – Part 1
Apr15
Last week, our family was all together again. It was divine. For this mother’s heart, I never realized just how much I would miss my big boys when they were gone and now the moments we have together are priceless. It’s just […]
Shy, Tired or Rude? How do we encourage that child?
Apr9
Grasping my skirt like a lifeline, our young daughter refused to let go. “Say ‘hi’ to Mr. Smith, honey. He’s been daddy’s friend since he was a little boy. Just give a quick hello.” I could feel her fingers clench […]
Dear Mom of Teens: it’s time we start talking about this
Nov11
Dear Mom of Teens: I am so glad you’re here. I invite you to scoot up close and take a deep breath. We are in this together. You know that right? You know that there are millions of moms around […]
I Just Want to Come Home, Mom!
Jul7
(This guy? It’s so good to have him home. Posted from 31 Days of a Mentor Mom series.) Barely keeping my eyes open, I’m juggling between the sofa and my laptop right now. I’m trying to stay awake long enough […]
7 Highly Effective Ways to Raise Lazy and Entitled Children
May13
Thanks for following along with during my 31 Days with a Mentor Mom Series. As I think back over our two decades of raising children (yes, we just hit that mile marker), I’ve often shared here on the blog how the […]
My Mommy Mess-Up Moment
Feb22
It’s been one of those weeks. I’ve been overwhelmed, struggling with discouragement and down right exhausted in my mothering, so I revisted a post that I wrote earlier and claiming this truth. It’s been awhile since I’ve messed up as […]
To Every Mom Who Makes a School Lunch
Nov5
Every morning, I drag myself down the stairs, grind the coffee beans and wait for that first drip to percolate. Early morning hours and I aren’t always on the best of terms, so there’s something about making that school lunch […]
To Share or Not to Share a Bedroom? (Lessons from 18 years + Decor ideas)
Oct28
Traditional Home I sat across from my dear friend as she worried, “We must get a new house before the baby comes. They each need their own room.” Speaking candidly, as only good friends can do, I reminded her, “You […]
The Party That Will Never Be Pinned
Oct26
The time had come when I was finally going to do it up right. A party deemed worthy of scrapbook status or, might I dare, Pinterest? No more last-minute decorations. No more Krispy Kreme Donut cakes. No more email only […]
Care to…
Oct25
My daughter and I pulled up to the stop sign in our little country town. In front of our very eyes, a man (I can no longer call him a gentleman), pulled a yard sale sign out of his yard, […]
Generational Mothering
Oct23
Looking around the table, I study the three generations represented. Amidst the chuckles, private jokes and deeper conversations, the profound generational legacy permeates not just the shared memories, but life choices, marriages, and even character development. Mothering with a kingdom […]
