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The Modern Mom Redefined?
This month’s theme at Rhubarb & Rubbish was moms. What an amazing month it has been reflecting on important things for moms to do regularly to keep their sanity, recognizing and supporting the tired mom, and finding simple ways to celebrate moms. In the last couple of weeks, I have been thinking through what does the modern mom look like? We discussed the problems we have and ways to correct them. However, my real thought is why does this really need to be discussed or answered? I believe it stems from what our society paints the image of a mom to be in our current times. Society wants moms to…
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Will I Leave an Undistracted Legacy?
Throughout most of my life, I have felt like I am living it to the fullest within my time and budget. However, the past couple of years have left me to reevaluate. There’s no other way to say it….WE LIVE CRAZY, COMPLICATED LIVES…and some days I wonder if I am doing any of it right. My journey to the question at hand started a couple of years ago when my parents, siblings, and our children started an annual family camp. It was geared to get together, hang out to catch up, and enjoy the nature around us…but most importantly to let our kids just be kids. Dorm-style cabins, lodge eating,…
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Setting Boundaries
Setting boundaries as a mom is important. It helps to establish good, healthy relationships. It also relieves a little stress. Examples of setting boundaries would be: For kids, it could be that I’m not going to pack their backpacks for school every day, I will remind them to do it but it is part of their job, but allow them to learn the responsibility. Another one for kids is to have them pick up their toys and put them where they belong so the next time they can easily find them to play with (teaching them both responsibility and respect). When it comes to your spouse having clear communication is…
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Knowing When a Fellow Mom Needs You
Being a mom is probably the biggest blessing a woman can have in her life. We play with babies growing up and plan for all the fun that comes with feeding, bathing, and changing clothes. As we get older, we begin to start dreaming of the man that will be our other half to have these amazing children with. And then it happens…we have one or several bouncing, energetic children consuming most of our time and we are all of a sudden exhausted, and the picture we had painted as a child isn’t quite the same masterpiece. The exhaustion slowly sets in but soon our body aches to get out…
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The Lost Art of Hobbies: From a Busy, Overbooked Mom
I recently took a moment to write out all the commitments that I currently have on my plate. It was daunting, overwhelming and a realization I once again have overbooked myself and probably should be using a platter and not a plate. It happens too easily. By nature, I am a “yes” kind of person instead of a “no” kind of person when I am asked to do something. A work in progress, indeed, and why we are on this journey at Rhubarb & Rubbish. As we devote this month to moms, we wanted to take a look at the importance of a mom finding time to do the things…
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Exhausted Mom Syndrome
I’m writing this as a mom and step-mom of three adult children ranging in age from 20-23. Some of you with young children may be saying, “Lucky girl, she gets a full night of sleep!” You are right, I do, 98% of the time. Unfortunately, I still suffer from being an exhausted mom quite often. The issues that exhaust me as a mother aren’t related to sleeping all night, eating green beans and broccoli, or getting homework done, all while trying to grow in faith, support my husband, work, keep friendships, and all the other demands of life. Now I’m exhausted by helping my kids navigate possible forever relationships, new…
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Celebrating Moms
Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful moms out there!! You are very much appreciated for all the things you do from day to day. When thinking about mothers there are many ways to celebrate them. You can go all out and take them out for dinner or give them a spa day or massage or send flowers. Those options are very thoughtful and nice, but we can always just keep it simple. I have two girls and the oldest is a wonderful cook, who cooks totally from scratch and doesn’t always need a recipe. As simple as it sounds, for me, having my oldest cook the meal is a…
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Book Review: The One Year Pray for America Bible & The History of the National Day of Prayer
I’ve always said that parenting is about 99% prayer. Mothers pray. A lot. In honor of that, this month’s book review focuses on supporting a mother’s prayer life through daily Bible reading. But, I have to admit, I have not completed the book for this month’s book review. However, since tomorrow, Thursday, May 6 is the 2021 National Day of Prayer in the US, it seemed a good time to review this month’s book, The One Year Pray for America Bible (Tyndale). First, a little bit of history on the National Day of Prayer. Prayer has a long and valued heritage in American history. Even before we became the nation…
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A Devotion for Mothers
Scripture: “Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of the household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:25-30 (ESV) Devotional Thought: As mothers, we are revered as the caretakers, the one who has it all together. When…