I was reading recently a definition of the word "kindness." The primary attribute of kindness, according to the Catholic understanding of kindness as one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is understanding sympathy and concern for those in trouble or need. Presumably in need, … [Read more...]
summer motivators – your personal check list
Let's start here. It is natural as mothers to feel responsible for everything. Including, but not limited to, the emotions, the laundry, the mouse in the basement, the kid who needs a shower, time with our spouse, eating too much, eating too little, the laundry, worrying about … [Read more...]
if not carrot and stick, then WHAT
How do we make kids do what we want them today without baiting? Without carrots or rewards? Without sticks or consequences? It's a great question and one that can leave us baffled, particularly when we are formed in a culture that relies so heavily on the reward and … [Read more...]
Mammal grows up
I have a flashy new blog. I've been blogging here at Practicing Mammal for six years. And I never really imagined that anyone else was going to read it. But they do. A couple of years ago, I thought maybe I needed a blog just for homeschool moms to get resources, and … [Read more...]
What We Do All Day Part Two
I try to throw in a load of laundry before I start my day. And give the upstairs a quick tidy on my way down (our bedrooms are upstairs). I'm talking really quick. Five minutes quick. After we read and tidy up, the kids start whatever is on their list … [Read more...]
Thursday Thingy: Feeding Boys
Boys are fun. One would assume that our grocery bill is getting lower, considering the people leaving home and all. But they are all girls. But we now have three boys at home between the ages of nine and almost fifteen who feel the need to consume their body weight in … [Read more...]
Attachment Parenting and the Sermon on the Mount
We have been reading the Gospel of Matthew, and our last couple of days reading have been Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Here we see the laws of God, the Holy Scriptures, the tenets of the Christian life highlighted, underlined, bold and italicized, bulleted and … [Read more...]
Catholic Mamas
A year or two ago, friend of mine asked if I would start a group for Catholic attachment mother's group. I said NO. I thought it was a great idea, but what with one thing and another, I'm finding myself pretty busy and it seemed unlikely that any mothers of small … [Read more...]
Three Boys
...each one with an Eragon book in his hand. One on the couch, one at the kitchen table, one in his bedroom. Three boys, all absorbed in thick novels. The silence is almost like no one is home. It is a very cool thing when children learn to read. … [Read more...]
Praying Without Ceasing? Seriously.
Okay. I'm back here again as I've had a little time to reflect on more of what Paul has to say. Rebuke the unquiet. Comfort the feeble minded. Support the weak. Be patient to all men. Make sure people are not nasty to each other. Always do what is … [Read more...]