Category: Family
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Gender identity
My 11 year old daughter asked two girls she didn’t know, who were waiting in front of the bathroom at the conference, if the bathrooms were all occupied. They answered with “this is the girls bathroom”. My daughter only responded with “I know”. She wanted to cut her hair short to be cool, different, and…
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Urgent matters & saying no to friends
Two decades ago my brother was telling me about the quadrants of busyness, formed on the axes of important and urgent. Where do you think we spend most time in? And where should we actually focus on? Important and not urgent. That should fill most of our time. Instead we get so wrapped up in…
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Responding wisely
We can’t control what people do. We can only control how we respond. It’s not what you think. In my quest to cut things off my endless list, my projects list, my to list, as I succeed pulling away from some things, many flood to take their place. Monday was busy. Busy at the pool.…
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Kid tiredness
Jackie coordinated a sleepover with 5 girls in her class. They got to the age where they make plans and have a mind of their own. I love this stage. As they talked among themselves they reached the conclusion that Jackie would have most space. She brought it up with me and I said I’ll…
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Our evening talks
“Mom, when I get in bed, my mind starts to worry about all kinds of things. And I can’t stop my mind. I fear you will die. Who will take care of me? I worry I won’t be able to read. I can’t get away from these thoughts. Can you teach me how to pray?” In the…
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Ai noștri pentru o vreme
Trăiesc cu gândul că la un moment dat îmi voi lua rămas bun de la copiii mei. Îmi pregătesc inima să îi văd luându-ți zborul din cuib, cu emoții de bucurie și dor. Eu însămi am plecat devreme de acasă. Când am semnat actele finale de adopție, mi-a trecut prin minte faptul ca în sfârșit…
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Etnia
La început de Martie, la ora de educație civică, Doamna Învățătoare a invitat-o pe fiica mea mai mare să își spună povestea. Doar dacă vrea. Adopția nu e un secret acasă, în cartier, în biserică sau la școală. Modul natural în care tratam această parte din povestea noastră a fost transmis ca atare mai departe.…
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Daddy’s role
Lest we forget Godin the season of abundance. David praised Godwhen things were going great.I find ourselves in a season of laughter.I choose to not be afraidthat this too shall pass.I trust that God is with us nowand through whatever comes,whenever it comes. This middle childhood daysFinding our footingWhile kids find their rhythmAgain and again…
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Self-confidence built by necessity
When we do for our kids things that they can do for themselves we steal their sense of self esteem and self confidence. Insecure parents do things for their kids to feed off of that satisfaction of accomplishment. As a second / youngest kid, I always wondered when is it my turn to be the…
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A new chapter of connection
I was organizing the information for an event on Saturday, while preparing some communication material and listening to Monday night study at Iris led by Beni. Jackie was next to me on the couch, chatting with her friend on whatsapp and researching some info about the Aurora. We sat like that for nearly an hour.…
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Believe!
In my youth I was underestimated. It was so freeing! I was underestimated by people whose approval I didn’t absolutely need. That created some space between my heart and the hurt of distrust. My parents saw me and liked me and believed in me. Most other adults I suspected they didn’t have eyes for my…
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The youngest as the only child
My brother left for college when I was 14. It changed my life. I was the quiet kid, self aware, peacemaker, never getting into trouble, walking lightly through the house. The four years I spent in the home of my parents without a sibling were transformative. I am very grateful for them. This week Ivy…