February 2006
February 28, 2006
Talking to Teens
Teenagers love to talk. But it’s not enough to ask, "How was your day?" When psychologist Torey Hayden asked several hundred teens what they wished they could talk with their parents about, they named: • Family matters - Vacations, decisions, rules, curfews, serious illness, money problems. • Controversial issues -...8:01 AM in Mothering, Teens and Tweens | Permalink | Comments (2)
American Idol P.S.
Remember I said there is a preponderance of Christians in the finalists? Here's something that happened a couple weeks ago which may surprise Christians who've judged American Idol out of hand. When an exceptionally large black woman named Mandisa gave a powerful audition and was invited to go to Hollywood,...7:40 AM in Culture, Music | Permalink | Comments (3)
February 27, 2006
Why I love American Idol
Here’s my “Close to Home†column for the 3/1 Loudoun Times Mirror – running it early here in case some readers want to check out a show our family has really enjoyed (of course, we love singing) and which has sparked many lively discussions: American Idol – Great Family TV...7:09 PM in Current Affairs, Music, Teens and Tweens | Permalink | Comments (8)
Parenting Q&A
A reader writes: R. will be 3 in a few weeks. We had a friend of his (not one we see alot and he is 1 1/2 yrs. older ) over for a playdate. He was excited for his friend to come but when he got here his behavior was...11:16 AM in Mothering, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (1)
Five free Mommy Manuals - follow-up
I am so sorry! I just realized that I never awarded the five free Mommy Manuals I promised earlier this month Now what in the world was going on that allowed that to slip my mind? I wonder . . . . . Anyway, without further ado, here are the...11:01 AM in Books | Permalink | Comments (1)
The dumbing down of public education
I don't know. This just seems too silly, too trivializing of two men who were great heroes of our nation. It's this kind of subtle weirdness that really reveals the agenda and bias of today's public educators. I mean, I have to wonder if they would do the same...10:40 AM in Current Affairs, Public schools | Permalink | Comments (3)
I'm back - where I've been and where I'm going
I'm back! Here's what's been going on: Maddy had her surgery Friday and is on crutches - can't remove the wrapping until the doctor sees it tomorrow morning. The chunk they removed from her foot is off to the lab for analysis. Did I say the lab sent the first...9:41 AM in Family, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (8)
February 22, 2006
Hangin' in there!
Busy week. Let me catch up: Sophia has sinusitis and the doctor thinks her adenoids may be a problem. She asked, "Is this how she always sounds?" because Sophia has a voice kinda like Marilyn Monroe. Because of adenoids? Who knew? Also she is complaining of headaches in the back...9:57 PM in Family | Permalink | Comments (8)
February 21, 2006
Picture Book Preschool
Well, I learned something new today. One of my cyber-friends, Sherry Early - in addition to her blog Semicolon - has a preschool curriculum built on 52 children's books, one for each day of the year. It's amazing how many of the same books we've picked to read to...7:59 AM in Big families, Books, Family, Mothering, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (7)
February 20, 2006
A Hindu convert to Christianity
I've been corresponding lately with a young woman who is curious about Christianity but not ready to commit her life to Christ. Something I was writing to her the other day reminded me of this story I have on file and I thought you might enjoy it. The following parable...5:24 PM in Inspiration, Religion | Permalink | Comments (3)
Parenting Q & A - Screaming behavior
A reader writes: My little 14mo old son has taken up screaming. He screams to get my attention. He screams when he's mad. He screams when he wants something. Sometimes he screams just to hear himself (I'd say that accounts for the majority of his screams.) I'm not even talking...8:10 AM in Mothering, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (7)
February 19, 2006
Sunday Update - 2 new sites
Relentlessly working on cleaning out my Inbox of email. for those of you who haven't heard back from me, thanks for your patience. A publisher has contacted me about my re-writing and expanding Small Beginnings and Ready, Set, Read as the basis for a preschool curriculum which would answer the...8:17 AM in Big families, Disabilities, Down syndrome, Family, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (4)
February 16, 2006
Sons and roses
Since I was still in the throes of writing on Valentines Day, I forgot to tell you that I was surprised when my oldest son Josh (22) who moved out 6 weeks ago to live in and work on a fixer-upper in Berryville (30 minutes away) showed up at noon...1:04 PM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (6)
Beyond pegboards - the last frontier :)
Deb's question about whether a pegboard would be too babyish for a four-year-old plus Daniel's latest all-consuming interest in his own favorite reminded me to tell you about Lite Brite. Remember it from when you were a kid? Now it's new and improved (I guess): You can see how it...10:25 AM in Homeschooling, Montessori, Mothering, Preschoolers | Permalink | Comments (3)
Extreme Mom Makeover
From my Inbox: Hi Barbara, I heard you a couple weeks ago on Midday connection on Moody radio. . . . I am writing to you because I am feeling like such a failure as a mom. I have 2 little boys, 5 years and 18 months. My first son...10:18 AM in Family, Mothering, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (17)
February 15, 2006
Inspiring words on motherhood
"To be a mother is a woman's greatest vocation in life. She is a partner with God. No being has a position of such power and influence. She holds in her hands the destiny of nations, for to her comes the responsibility and opportunity of molding the nation's citizens." -...1:16 PM in Inspiration, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (3)
Guest Blogger: Maddy herself
This is Maddy guest blogger for today; I wanted to thank you all for your wonderful prayers and thoughts. (Even though my mom shouldn’t have blogged that, you know my mom “I got to blog that†:) I was very scared and I thank God for putting it in my...8:49 AM in Family | Permalink | Comments (5)
Maddy's biopsy - update
Sorry, no time for blogging yesterday, except that funny Cheney thing. I finished the book - hooray! Thanks you for all the wonderful encouragement for Maddy. She was embarassed, of course: "You blogged that!" but when she saw how it worked to have people praying for her and sending their...7:24 AM in Family | Permalink | Comments (17)
February 14, 2006
Ten Ways Dick Cheney Can Kill You
Man, the world is falling apart with Muslims rioting everywhere and edging toward a showdown with Iran. But the biggest thing on the Washington Press Corp's mind is that "Cheney shot a man" - their preferred wording. Perhaps you all in other parts of the country are being spared the...10:22 PM in Fun Stuff | Permalink | Comments (2)
Small Beginnings
This book was published 10 years ago and when Broadman&Holman discontinued it, I bought the remaining copies, which I have been selling since. Just want to let you know that I'm just sending my last copy to Amazon (except for a few I'm keeping for publishers). Amazon still has a...8:20 AM in | Permalink | Comments (9)
Abstinence T shirts
Happy Valentine's Day! Liberty University - (that's Zach with their victorious Quiz Bowl team on the homepage) where Ben and Zach are enrolled - is having some kind of purity rally today. I love knowing that my guys are very unlikely to be involved in stuff they might grow up...7:39 AM in Family | Permalink | Comments (1)
February 13, 2006
Maddy's biopsy results- still waiting
The dermatologist left a message for me Friday on my cell phone that Maddy's biopsy results were back and we needed to talk. I didn't hear it 'til Saturday. Great. Wait all weekend, call first thing this morning. She doesn't come in on Monday. The receptionist can't interpret the results,...8:31 AM in Family | Permalink | Comments (11)
February 12, 2006
Gandhi's Seven Blunders of the World
The Christian Science Monitor carried this list by Mahatma Gandhi on February 1, 1995. Blunders of the World Wealth without work Pleasure without conscience Knowledge without character Commerce without morality Science without humanity Worship without sacrifice Politics without principle Shortly before his assassination, Gandhi gave this list to his grandson...4:18 PM in Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (1)
Funny Stuff
I'm writing away, closing in on the end of The Mommy Survival Guide - thanks for all your prayers! Have to surface now and then for a gulp of fresh air. Found this funny segment from Jay Leno. I must warn those with higher standards than mine that there is...11:25 AM in Fun Stuff | Permalink | Comments (4)
Snowed in!
Yay - we just had the best snow we've had in three years! Jonny came running into our bedroom this morning, saying, "Thank you, Mommy! Thank you!" as though I were personally responsible. And then Tripp reminded me why (this is an excerpt from Lord, Please Meet Me in the...8:08 AM in Down syndrome, Family | Permalink | Comments (3)
February 11, 2006
Of snow and cardinals
Exciting weather here. After two months of no snow, we are finally getting a lovely big-flake snowfall with predictions of 6-12 inches! Hooray! We already have a few inches on the ground and the kids just came in from sledding. Most of the snow is coming tonight, so we will...6:44 PM in Family | Permalink | Comments (3)
Movies for Valentine's Day
Lexie asked me if I had any ideas for Valentine's Day movies. This is an article I wrote many years ago. Some of these movies are edgy or heavy. The lightest and brightest is the last - Corrina, Corrina - which I think we'll watch again here this year. Reel...7:53 AM in Movies | Permalink | Comments (2)
February 10, 2006
Premarital sex - follow up
I received this email from Beth today: I am TOTALLY unfamiliar with blogging. I would love to learn more about it though. I know you are a very busy woman and I am not sure how to respond to all the comments on my question about pre marital sex but...7:00 PM in Marriage | Permalink | Comments (2)
Pegboards - and a few thoughts on homeschooling
Recently one reader wrote to thank me for turning her on to pegboards and another asked how to find a good one. Okay, I know this doesn't sound like rocket science, but it is! At the same time, an older mother recently told me her two daughters-in-law, both college-educated SAHMs...9:17 AM in Homeschooling, Montessori, Mothering, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (7)
February 9, 2006
Parenting Q&A Birth control
I just want to thank the readers here who've helped me out with answering questions I received after yesterday's radio broadcast. I am so trying to finish this book - but also feel like I want to respond to women who've taken the time to write. Thanks for helping me...9:49 PM in Big families, Family, Mothering, Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (8)
Where is Barbara?
I will probably be very low profile for the next week as I put the finishing touches on my next book, The Mommy Survival Guide, which should be out for Mother's Day. I may publish a few questions I've received - because you all are doing such a good job...8:37 PM in Blogging | Permalink | Comments (1)
February 8, 2006
More reader advice please!
A Midday Connection listener wrote: I have a question about my 16 year old daughter. She tends to feel responsible for and about everything. She's always concerned about not being a good person. She is a Christian and we support her in everyway we can. She is just so sensitive....9:18 AM in Mothering, Teens and Tweens | Permalink | Comments (7)
Q& A on premarital sex
This was included in the comments yesterday and I thought it better to move it up here where it can get some more input from my readers. Hopefully someone has been in or seen a similar situation: My name is Beth. I heard Barbara on the radio talk about this...7:34 AM in Marriage | Permalink | Comments (11)
February 7, 2006
Welcome Midday Connection listeners!
Well, my goodness -- Anita Lustrea just called to say they were rerunning my interview on The Mommy Manual, so i know there will be a lot of new visitors here!! Thanks - and welcome - and I hope you find a lot of helpful information, encouragement and joy...12:10 PM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (4)
February 6, 2006
Valentine's Day contest
You all need to hurry over to Choosing Home to see the Valetine's Day "Come Away with Me" contest they've come up with: On February 14th, we will reward the gal who coordinates the best Valentine’s Day plans for her husband. You'll find everything you need to get started...7:27 PM in Marriage | Permalink | Comments (2)
. Radio alert: Midday Connection tomorrow
A rerun of my interview on The Mommy Manual will be on Moody Broadcasting tomorrow. An hour of Barbara Curtis for your listening pleasure :) Here's how they describe it at their site: Tuesday Your minivan is on empty and so are you. So now what do you do?...3:44 PM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Laura Ingraham broadcasting from Iraq
Okay, we all know that we're not getting the REAL news on what's going on in Iraq. The MSM (mainstream media) focuses only on whatever will make the US look bad and slants the news, calling terrorists "insurgents" rather than acknowledging how marginal they are. Laura Ingraham is a talk...9:44 AM in Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (5)
February 5, 2006
This will move you
Please go here to see a beautiful commercial about our troops. If I am ever in an airport when some return, I intend to do the same!...8:32 AM in Inspiration | Permalink | Comments (12)
February 4, 2006
When Your Child Stutters
(My link in the post on Zachary's birthday about my plan for handling his stutter was wrong. I have corrected it, but since some of you might need this, I decided to post the whole article - it's one I wrote for Christian Parenting Today in 1999. A child who...6:30 PM in Mothering, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (1)
Delayed gratification
One of the best lessons your child can learn is delayed gratification. You can start very early and easily to teach this by simply setiing up things in a sequential fashion with work first and entertainment later. It sounds like this: “First we clean up the kitchen and fold the...12:48 PM in Family, Mothering, Teens and Tweens, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (1)
Happy Birthday Zach - and hope for every mommy
Today is Zach's 18th birthday! (Photo by little brother Jonny) And since on this day 18 years ago I labored to bring him into the world, I'm going to take the liberty of talking about him. I think knowing a little more about Zachary will give other mommies -...10:23 AM in Family, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (7)
A sign from God
A reader sent me this:...7:45 AM in Fun Stuff | Permalink | Comments (0)
February 3, 2006
Special Date
Tripp took Sophia out on a "date" tonight - dinner and a movie. He remembered he had taken Jasmine out on her first date when she was 13 and somehow let all this time go by before getting around to it with Sophia. He even came to the front...10:27 PM in Family, Teens and Tweens | Permalink | Comments (2)
Five free Mommy Manuals
Today I was really thrilled to find this new review of The Mommy Manual at Amazon: Helpful for non-Christians as well, February 1, 2006 Reviewer: gensparkie (California) I am a non-Christian, but picked up this book after reading Barbara's blog, Mommylife.net, because her writing style is so accessible and...7:49 PM in Books, Writing | Permalink | Comments (14)
Parenting Q & A -What About Lefties?
Donna wrote: I've asked everyone this question, then it dawned on me that you would know! My son is 3.4 years old and absolutely cannot decide if he wants to be left-handed or right-handed. It's so funny. Sometimes he will start off writing with his right hand, then switch to...6:43 PM in Homeschooling, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (4)
And now to return to our regular programming
Okay, I just want to clarify that the goal of this blog is to unburden, enlighten, and empower mothers. I think I've been a little heavy on the enlighten side lately. I also know that there are lots of moms (and even dads) who stop by here for the unburdening...11:26 AM in Family, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (3)
Planned Parenthood condones statutory rape
How would it make you feel to know that your 13/14 year old daughter could call Planned Parenthood to arrange for an abortion and find reassurance that her parents would never know - even though she told them the father of the baby was 22? I think we call that...10:05 AM in Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (3)
February 2, 2006
Planned Parenthood, propaganda and RU-486
Got this in the mail from Planned Parenthood yesterday. You may be wondering why I get mail from PPFA. I'm wondering too. I also get mail from the ACLU. I always read it to see what's going on with them, then write my answers to their points with a...8:50 AM in Current Affairs, Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (11)
NBC - National Blasphemy Company
Pam, at The Welcome Home is one of those wonderful cyberfriends I've made - actually I think even before I started blogging myself. She's a mother of 11 with some grown up and some still at home - and a great source for bringing the news you need to know...7:42 AM in Culture | Permalink | Comments (0)
February 1, 2006
Blogroll Links, Frappr, and Flickr
The way I do my blogroll is simply including anyone who links to me. So if you link to me, please check my blogroll and see if you're there. If not, please let me know and I will add you pronto. Also, if you are a regular here - even...9:05 PM in Blogging | Permalink | Comments (2)
Celebrate February with a visit to Semicolon
Check out Sherry's Homeschool Plans for February at Semicolon. In fact, you might want to bookmark Semicolon, because Sherry is consistently loaded with lots of great information and ideas - especially on books and authors. Knowing the amount of behind-the-scenes work it takes to produce a blog of this calibre,...11:51 AM in Books, Homeschooling, Mothering, Resources | Permalink | Comments (2)
Groundhog Day - Tomorrow!
How I wish I could go to Punxsutawney tomorrow for Groundhog Day! I even checked mapquest and it's only four hours away from me. Here is their official site. But, alas, I am in the midst of trying to finish my book which is due today - and thanks to...9:47 AM in Holidays, Movies | Permalink | Comments (3)
