March 2006
March 31, 2006
For mothers with medically fragile children
Received this email last week (I've been behind, which you can tell from this wild bunch of posts tonight :) Barbara, When I came apon your website I couldn't help but notice that we have many things in common. Northern Virginia. George Mason University. Loudon County school districts. And having...8:23 PM in Disabilities, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (2)
Parenting Q & A - Gift Ideas for One-Year-Old
A reader writes: My son is about to turn one, and his grandparents have big plans for presents. This is good in one way and bad in another! My own mother has requested suggestions for gifts, which is nice. My mother-in-law has a tendency to just buy-buy-buy, and often buys...8:04 PM in Mothering, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (6)
Parenting Q & A - Age gap in siblings
Sharron wrote: I was wondering what advice or wisdom you may have concerning siblings with a wide gap of years between them. Our daughter(biological) Callie was 6 in October and we are waiting for a little girl from China. We should be traveling some time this summer, but we are...7:57 PM in Adoption, Family, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (2)
Parenting Q & A: Reluctant Readers
A reader writes: I have seen so many articles on encouraging boys to read, as if boys are the only "reluctant readers" out there. In my family, it's my daughter, age 10, who needs the encouragement. Her big brother will read anything he can get his hands on. We've always...7:13 PM in Books, Homeschooling, Mothering, Teens and Tweens | Permalink | Comments (1)
American Idol - Stylists Run Amok
Is it just me or has anyone else noticed the stylists who work with the contestants on American Idol have gotten just a little too heavy-handed? I can't remember a season where the contestants seemed so obviously dressed by someone else. And how about the week when Bucky's stringy...2:12 PM in Culture, Current Affairs | Permalink | Comments (5)
March 30, 2006
Kids, Culture, and Self-Control
For two and a half years, I've had a biweekly column in the Loudoun Times-Mirror called Close to Home. The following column appeared yesterday: Kids and Culture - Mix with Care I remember attending the symphony with my kids on a field trip day. From the balcony as we...8:10 AM in Culture, Down syndrome, Family, Loudoun County, Montessori, Mothering, Preschoolers, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (7)
March 29, 2006
Sunday Dinner
Here's a rite of passage I love: Sunday dinner at our house is open for all the family. While it's been a while since Nathan and Jasmine have brought their own family over, Samantha and Kip and their five - plus Josh, Ben or Zach if any of them are...10:53 AM in Family, Teens and Tweens | Permalink | Comments (3)
My books are on the loose!
I know because Laura has one Spotted in the Wild. Thanks, Laura! Sorry for the slim posting lately. I've been working on the Final Diet book proposal to take to Mount Hermon next week. Plus getting ready for the classes I teach there. I should be able to blog from...4:28 AM in Books | Permalink | Comments (4)
March 27, 2006
Welcome Family Life Listeners!
If you're here because of the broadcast of my interview with Dennis Rainey, Thanks for stopping by! And don't forget to listen Tuesday and Wednesday for more on helping your kids navigate the teen years safely. If you are new to the world of blogs, they are like a dynamic...9:28 AM in Blogging | Permalink | Comments (4)
March 24, 2006
Family Life interview next week
It's been almost a year since I went to Little Rock to tape an interview with Dennis Rainey on Dirty Dancing at the Prom and Other Challenges Your Christian Teens Face. Since it was May, I think they decided to hold it until right before the next prom season. But...10:10 AM in Books, Marriage | Permalink | Comments (4)
Parenting Q&A - Trashing rooms at naptime
A reader writes: I am here asking you yet another mommy question, lol! My boys (ages 2 & 3), have begun literally trashing their room at nap time. Nap time has always been a point of contention with my older son and I suspect he is the instigator here, but...8:09 AM in Mothering, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (11)
The Beatitudes for Friends of Exceptional Children
Blessed are you who take time to listen to difficult speech: For you help us to know that if we persevere, We can be understood. Blessed are you who walk with us in public places, And ignore the stares of strangers, For in your companionship, We find havens of peace....6:14 AM in Disabilities, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (6)
March 22, 2006
Welcome, Harvest Show viewers!
Thanks for stopping by! If you are new to the world of blogs, they are like a dynamic version of a website. That is, there is new material posted often - at MommyLife, every day. You can find a tremendous amount of information and encouragement here - 663 of...11:04 PM in Blogging | Permalink | Comments (0)
March 21, 2006
Where you can see/hear me
On Thursday, March 23, I will be a guest on The Harvest Show live at 9AM. the show will repeat at 9PM and 2AM. If you have DirectTV, it is channel 321. I am posting this very humbly because I do not like to be on TV. It spoils my...3:11 PM in Books | Permalink | Comments (7)
To Moms who need a fresh start
I receive a lot of mail from mommies who need to make a fresh start - like this one this morning: But I am SOOO excited to get this book now, even though I didn't make the top ten!! (I was planning on buying it anyway if I didn't make...9:14 AM in Family, Inspiration, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Contest Winners!
First Place: Carrie (#11) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Second Place: Kelsey (#19) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Third Place: Shalee (#14) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fourth Place: Annie (#16) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fifth Place: Sarah (#31) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sixth Place (tie): Laura (#13) and Meggan (#22) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Seventh Place: Becky (#25) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Eighth Place (tie): Susanne (#6) and Heather (#17) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ninth Place:...5:57 AM in Contest | Permalink | Comments (13)
Adoption - participating in a miracle
Just got an email from a writer friend of mine that her family is on their way to adopting a baby girl from China. The process will take over a year and cost over $20,000. They are working with an agency in Denver called chinese Children Adoption International. Tricia...5:21 AM in Adoption, Family, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (7)
March 20, 2006
Parenting Q&A - grocery cart support
I thought someone out there might have some suggestions for this reader: Dear Barbara, My husband and I will soon be adopting a 15 month old boy who we have fostered since he was 6 weeks old. He has a visual impairment, possible mental retardation and probable cerebral palsy. I...6:51 PM in Disabilities | Permalink | Comments (10)
Family Devotions / Teaching Children about Jesus
A few readers have asked me about good Bible books and devotion time for little children. I'm gathering my thoughts on this as I write, reflecting on what we have done and are doing in our family now. I really have to give a plug here for family devotions...8:38 AM in Big families, Family, Mothering, Religion | Permalink | Comments (6)
March 19, 2006
Don't forget to vote!
In the Meet Me in the Laundry Room Contest! 32 brave mothers have sent in their pictures for this and the top ten - as determined by your votes - win free autographed copies of Lord, Please Meet Me in the Laundry Room. Voting ends at 11:59 pm Monday night....12:48 PM in Contest | Permalink | Comments (0)
My favorite doctor!
I think I've mentioned here that we have the most wonderful pediatrician in the world! Her name is Doctor Sandra Groeber and she's been taking care of our kids since we moved to Virginia 3 1/2 years ago. I was really happy to find the little doctor figurine for...11:39 AM in Family, Loudoun County, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (1)
Diet Update
Have lost 34 pounds since February 2 (using the Fat Flush Diet) - a little over six weeks. Using my son's wedding May 20 as a goal, I plan to lose at least 26 (maybe 36!) in the next nine weeks for a total of 60 (maybe 70). Then...9:09 AM in Diet | Permalink | Comments (10)
March 18, 2006
Parenting Q&A Should I homeschool?
A reader wrote: Dear Barbara: I just picked up your book, "The Mommy Manual" the other day at my library. I can't tell you how much I am loving it and I'm only to chapter one. There were so many things you touched on that are things I am going...8:43 PM in Homeschooling, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Can a guy vote?
Yes a guy can vote in the Meet Me in the Laundry Room Contest! But to the guy who asked, I accidentally lost your comment with your votes. Sorry. Will you email to me? And don't forget, voting ends Monday at 11:59 pm. Winners announced Tuesday morning....4:52 PM in Contest | Permalink | Comments (0)
March 17, 2006
Is college for everyone?
I had mentioned on the Q&A about grandparents that my oldest daughters chose not to pursue college - the first after a year of it and the second in her senior year of high school. In her comment, Jill said: Also, I don't know how to ask this without...3:34 PM in Mothering, Teens and Tweens | Permalink | Comments (22)
Northern Virginia news
For readers fortunate to live in northern Virginia, where it can be 80 degrees one day - thus prompting your heart to beat for spring - and then dash your hopes the next with 50 degree chill and bitter wind: Shop to Support Local Pregnancy Centers Residents of Northern Virginia,...5:44 AM in Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (2)
March 16, 2006
Parenting Q&A Grandparents
A reader wrote: We are a first generation Christian family. My husband and I have loving parents, but they definitely have different values on different topics regarding the children and how they should be raised. There are times when we have to choose between doing what we feel is right...5:57 PM in Big families, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (4)
Meet Me in the Laundry Room Contest
Voting begins NOW! Please email me your top 10. I will not count votes for one picture because this is not a popularity contest so you need to look at all the pictures (can you tell I'm the boss at my house? Well, except for the Big Man :) I...8:02 AM in Contest | Permalink | Comments (1)
Laundry Room Mom #32
Well, my worst fear was that I would somehow leave someone out or mix up pictures or something. Sure enough, I did leave out one I'd received Sunday night and somehow forgot to enter. Then I was out running around for 6 hours after posting the contest, so am...7:52 AM in Contest | Permalink | Comments (1)
Laundry Room Mom #31
The last entry came in last night at 11:44 after I'd gone to bed. Here is Sarah. Talk about muti-tasking! Barbara, I really appreciate all you do to invest in my life. You have been a great inspiration to me. I recently passed your website on to a small...7:37 AM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
March 15, 2006
Laundry Room Mom #30
Heather writes: Barbara, I've been reading your blog for 4-5 months now and have found a lot of good ideas to use with my 2-year-old daughter. Unlike many of your readers, I work outside the home (full-time, but with 28 hours at the office and 12 from home), although...8:38 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Laundry Room Mom #29
Gwen at Gwibbles (btw, does anyone know what gwibbles means? Gwen?) writes: Dear Barbara, Attached is my entry for your contest. That's me, in "my" laundry room. My husband very happily gave the baby a bath so that I could trudge through the foot of snow we got earlier...8:32 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (3)
Laundry Room Mom #28
This is one of my first blogging buddies, Lexie, who began blogging at Lexical Light soon after I started MommyLife. She writes: Hi Barbara, Because your contest seemed so aptly timed in my life, I just had to send in a shot of me in a room that’s part...8:14 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Laundry Room Mom #27
Jen, who also comments here frequently, writes: My 10 month old and I are loading the last load into the dryer that was washed by our old washer. Only hours after this picture was taken our new Front Loader was installed by my dear husband. Too bad we didn't...6:14 AM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Laundry Room Mom #26
Newt, who comments here frequently and blogs at Zathrus' Journal writes: Here's a picture of me with my 19-month-old son, "helping" me move laundry. My husband managed to catch one of the few moments he truly spent helping me -- the rest of the time was spent playing peek-a-boo...6:06 AM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Parenting Q&A Unreasonable Feelings revisited
The other day I posted this question from a reader: My 4 year old daughter gets very upset over small things and won't let it go. For example, today at lunch, my 2 year old opened the straw for my 4 yr old. My 4 yr old cried and carried...5:34 AM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (9)
March 14, 2006
Parenting Q&A In the Kitchen
A reader wrote: I have a question about having young children help in the kitchen. I have two children, a 3.5-year-old girl and a 1.5-year-old boy. My little girl has been helping me in the kitchen for over 2 years now, and is great. My little boy really wants to...4:27 PM in Mothering, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (2)
Parenting Q&A Unreasonable feelings
A reader wrote: My 4 year old daughter gets very upset over small things and won't let it go. For example, today at lunch, my 2 year old opened the straw for my 4 yr old. My 4 yr old cried and carried on for at least 30 minutes about...3:04 PM in Mothering, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (5)
March 13, 2006
Laundry Room Mom #25
Becky at SgF writes: Hi! My laundry room is in my kitchen of all places and so it makes things pretty cramped at times! You should see it when there are baskets of unfolded laundry all over the room! In this picture here, I am cooking and doing laundry,...4:35 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (1)
Laundry Room Contest Deadline
I never expected to get so many entries for the Love That Laundry Room contest. For a while I thought I could just give every mom who sent a picture a book, but as the entries poured in, I realized I couldn't do that. Authors have to buy their...3:15 PM in | Permalink | Comments (1)
March 12, 2006
A Diet Devotional?
I have so appreciated everyone's comments about my diet (and please don't worry that I'm going to get obsessive/judgmental/pushy/overzealous about this. It's just one thing going on in my life. Next week I'll still be on my diet, but I will be talking about something else :) But the...7:48 AM in Diet, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (18)
March 11, 2006
Laundry in perspective
Dear Barbara, Since your theme lately has been laundry, I thought you might enjoy this "receet" for washing clothes given years ago to a new bride in Kentucky. I don't know where this came from, and I will use the original spelling on the receet. I now count my...2:24 PM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (4)
Laundry Room Mom #24
This is Christy at Motherhood Unscripted, who writes: Since I couldn't get anybody to take my picture, I hauled out the tripod & got me & my Henry (2) playing piggies on the washer. My 4 year old didn't want any part of it & my 8 year old...12:36 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (2)
Laundry Room Mom # 23
This is Mary, from Owlhaven, whose eight children include two from Ethiopia and two from Korea. Anyone curious?...12:28 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (1)
Laundry Room Mom #22
Meggan, at nutmeggmama calls this "If Kenmore Could Speak" I never realized washers had a point of view!...12:21 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (5)
Laundry Room Mom #21
This is Marie who writes one of my favorite blogs, Things We Said Today: I have found the elusive missing sock!...12:06 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (3)
Laundry Room Mom #20
This is the Smock Lady, who writes: I stopped by to 'discover' the laundry room pics and as much as I don't usually do these things if it's not too late to join I loved the idea - it's real, very real. I call laundry 'the cancer of my...11:55 AM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (2)
March 10, 2006
Diet Report and Contest Update
Okay, it's been 5 weeks on my diet. I have only cheated twice - once to have a half a coke (sugar and all) at the opera intermission because I wanted to stay awake and once when the kids got Taco Bell and I had some kind of burrito...10:10 AM in Contest, Diet, Family, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (16)
Free concert tonight
For any readers who are also my neighbors in Loudoun County, Virginia: The Liberty Chamber Singers - of which my son Ben is a member - are rolling into town tonight in their tourbus. Their first stop is a concert tonight at Blue Ridge Bible Church in Purcellville at...8:24 AM in Family, Loudoun County, Music | Permalink | Comments (1)
Laundry Room Mom #19
Kelsey at Holy Mama already has the laundry room book, but she sent this picture anyway. I'm gald because it is one-of-a-kind! And because I like the byline of her blog: "True confessions from the everyday life of a sorta shallow Christian mom." Pretty brave - but then what...7:28 AM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (5)
My history as told through laundry rooms
I love the laundry room pictures! I think of them while I do my own laundry these days - now down to only 6 kids, although Ben and Zach will be coming home tonight for Spring break and bringing home a few big bags of dirty clothes. Some moms...6:05 AM in Inspiration, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (1)
March 9, 2006
Laundry Room Mom #18
Kristina's blog is New Mommy - and I love the picture of the denim with Mommy and Baby Feet! Kristina writes: Here is my laundry room picture, actually my laundry closet. I have no room for dirty laundry but as you can see it gets piled up anyway. My...9:56 AM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (1)
Boys' haircuts - and thinking outside the box
Some of you may remember that I once posted on the best investment I ever made as a mom - learning to cut my boys' hair - which I reckon has saved our family $9-18,000 over the years. For the full skinny, see For Mothers of Boys, which shows you...9:11 AM in Big families, Down syndrome, Family, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (13)
Which Bible do you use?
I want to say thank you to those of you who write me and then have to wait so long - perhaps thinking your question drifted into a black hole somewhere - until I get around to posting and answering. Like all of you, my days are often spent...5:51 AM in Books, Family, Religion, Resources | Permalink | Comments (13)
March 8, 2006
Laundry Room Mom #17
Heather from the aptly-named From Under the Laundry Pile writes: The Laundry Room. The perfect place to hide. That's so true! and why my laundry room could easily become my sanctuary. No one wanted to join me there :)...3:02 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (2)
Boys in the kitchen
Shelly writes: My nearly 2 year old son is very interested in helping out in the kitchen. I wanted to get him a kitchen play set so he could play along, but my husband is adamantly against it because it's too girly. Do you think that a play kitchen is...1:45 PM in Mothering, Toddlers | Permalink | Comments (9)
Laundry Room Mom #16
Here's Annie! You can see why she's Chief Executive Mom. Dear Barbra - what a fun contest! I actually don't spend alot of time IN my laundry room, but lots of time going in and out. We tried to use the laundry room as a symbol for the main...1:37 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Laundry Room Mom #15
This is Cheri, who does her laundry in Heidelberg, Germany, and who's been commenting at MommyLife as long as I can remember. You can visit her at The Fields Family. Cheri writes: This is how I do laundry. My (front loading) washer is tucked into our impossibly small bathroom....1:28 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Laundry Room Mom #14
Here's Shalee from Shalee's Thoughts: As you can see, I don't have a laundry room. I've a laundry closet which is right in the hallway between the dining room and the kitchen. What that really means is that I can't forget about the wash for too long or else...1:22 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (2)
March 7, 2006
If you're new here . . .
Just want to share with anyone new to this blog some of the extra features included to help you in your job as mommy. At the top of the left sidebar, you'll find Barbara's Picks. Click on any of the categories there for some terrific resources for you and your...9:03 PM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (1)
Laundry Room Mom #13
The funny confessional from our household is that I don't really do the laundry but I would like your book. As an average household of eleven, my husband and I have learned the survival technique of delegating. The children do most of the work. My involvement is mostly administrative...1:17 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Laundry Room Mom #12
Chickadee from Three in the Nest says "Laundry goes faster when you're chatting with friends!"...1:12 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
March 6, 2006
Laundry Room Mom #11
Ouch! Carrie at Jeremy and Carrie writes: Hey, Barbara - Love your blog! Here's my submission for the contest - don't ask how I got in the dryer!!! I'll just say that the chiropractic adjustment I had this morning was just about rendered useless. :) Thanks to my husband...7:19 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (4)
Laundry Room Mom #10
It's Amie at Ain't No Mountain - Surf's up!...7:15 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Laundry Room Mom #9
Barb at SFO Mom writes: This picture shows what I love about my laundry room. It's different every day! In the spring I get to do my laundry to the accompaniment of the local mockingbirds. In the summer I hear all the neighborhood children enjoying their time off from...4:57 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (2)
Laundry Room Mom #8
From Nikki: I do have a picture of myself in the laundry room, not quite by myself (does that disqualify me?) This was taken December of 2003, we have added our third son since then. But this how it goes when a mom seeks a quiet refuge with the...3:57 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Laundry Room Mom #7
From Mama B at Confessions of a Busy Mom: Hi Barbara, I want to enter in your contest. I saw all the pictures and thought hey, this will be fun and your book is on my "to read list" So I thought that I would take a shot a...3:50 PM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (3)
Laundry Room Mom #6
Here's Susanne - with Kierstan! Good work, Susanne - gotta get them started early!...3:41 PM in Contest | Permalink | Comments (1)
Laundry room review
I know we've been heavy into the laundry room theme around here, but coincidentally Heather at Mom 2 Mom Connection just posted a review of Lord, Please Meet Me in the you-know-where. thanks, Heather!...1:16 PM in Books, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (2)
Laundry Room Mom #5
This is Andrea in New York - who comments here as birchmama....9:19 AM in Contest, Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Laundry Room Mom #4
This is Faith, blogging away at Faithful Mommy!...9:13 AM in Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
March 5, 2006
The Chapel of the Wash and Dry
This is a piece I wrote ten years ago - my third published article. It really was the seed that grew into Lord, Please Meet Me in the Laundry Room. The Chapel of the Wash and Dry Yes, I see it, but I can't believe it's morning already. The alarm...7:37 PM in Mothering | Permalink | Comments (5)
Laundry Room Mom #3
Here's Sheri at Shades of Pink mulit-tasking. Is that The Five Love Languages of Children she's lost in? Maybe we should tell Gary Chapman about the sixth. Laundry. All you have to do is say a blessing over each child's clothes as you put them in the washer or...7:19 PM in Contest, Fun Stuff, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (1)
Laundry Room Mom #2
It's Sarah at chrafty kids! Send yours in for the Love That Laundry Room Contest....9:31 AM in Contest, Fun Stuff, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
March 4, 2006
Laundry Room Mom #1
Introducing Melanie - in her laundry room - from Don't Try This at Home. Way to go, Melanie! You don't have to have a blog to enter this contest. Just email me your picture and I'll publish it for all the world to see :) Maybe we can try...8:25 PM in Contest, Humor, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (0)
Baby Watch: Looks like Amy's not musing today
Great news - it looks like today's the big day for Amy Scott at Amy's Humble Musings! And be sure to read her last entry A Bath for Baby - a cheerfully honest look at the nitty-gritty of evolving motherhood. Another blog WELL worth reading - though I have...10:22 AM in Babies, Big families, Blogging, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (1)
Love that Laundry Room! contest
This is Shannon over at Rocks in My Dryer! I love her whimsy and sense of humor and you will too. Also LOVED this picture, which inspired me to go fishing for more mom-in-laundry-room pictures. That's mom-in-laundry-room because we all have pictures of our kids in the laundry room,...9:50 AM in Books, Contest, Mothering | Permalink | Comments (9)
March 2, 2006
Must every baby be wanted?
I was so happy to receive this email this morning: Dear Barbara, Thank you so much for your offer of a free Mommy Manual, but I think I'd rather buy a copy to support your writing than recieve a free copy. Since on your site you stated that you would...9:10 AM in Pro-Life Issues | Permalink | Comments (23)
Integrating the Sacred and the Secular
Actual Unretouched Photo was the second blog I ever read, and the first that touched my heart. Over the past 14 months I've gotten to know Mel a little bit and it is amazing how much we think alike, though our backgrounds are very different and we live on opposite...8:47 AM in Church Issues, Religion | Permalink | Comments (2)
March 1, 2006
Movies - It's all about choice
I love movies! When I lived in San Francisco in the 70's, I spent a lot of time at the repertoire theaters - the old funky movie houses that showed two classic or foreign films each day. Tripp loved movies too, and it always seemed we were on the...9:12 AM in Movies | Permalink | Comments (8)
