Martha, Martha

what now?

you guessed it...practice

what do we want

naturally compliant and naturally non-compliant children, it's a thing

news

one more reason why rewards and consequences make your life harder

1. you have to be pretty creative, and you're probably already tired2. it requires a lot of energy to determine what rewards/consequences work with whom, and you're probably already tired

let's talk this week about why attachment/gentle parenting is easier and how that plays out in large families

we are missionaries

chaos undermines kindness

you can do it

so many things

all the adjectives 

the greatest of these

you have one, use it

pivotal moment: my life is not my own

a shift in thought

it's getting juicy now

I can't even.  So good.  I wish we could all get together and watch it.  And talk about it.  

building your village 

As the first in a series of attachment at different ages and stages, I've sought out the reflection of Catholic mothers about their journey.  In the context of seeking relationship with our children, we discuss the awakening of developing secure relationships  for both mother and child.  Covering the desire for connection, the challenges in pursuing it and the benefits, these moms share their stories, resources, concerns and blessings.  We begin by defining attachment:“Attachment” refers to a relationship that we seek as parents.  On our end, attachment requires us to be attuned to our children through physical and emotional closeness.  We seek to provide an environment where they feel safe and cared for, heard and seen.  The hunger for connection its the most fundamental need for a human being.  Our awareness and understanding of that need are the foundation for a securely attached child.  A securely attached child rests in the knowledge that her emotional and physical needs will be acknowledged and met; that love and respect are inherent and these things do not need to be earned.  A child will be comfortable expressing their needs and emotions. This ability to rest in our love creates an environment that allows their natural maturity to flourish.  https://www.spinningbabies.comhttps://www.mamanatural.com/pregnancy-week-by-week/https://us.hypnobirthing.com/about/marie-mongan-method/Made for Thishttps://www.amazon.com/Made-This-Catholic-Guide-Birth/dp/1681921715The Birth PartnerThe Womanly ArtIna May's Guide to ChildbirthApps: Gentle BirthChristian HypnobirthingChristina's novena for labour and birth: https://www.theevangelista.com/newlywed-life/2017/10/21/a-novena-for-labor-and-birth?rq=novena

some thoughts on largeness of heart and a teaser about an upcoming interview

https://www.bonnielandry.ca/blog-1/6pvsopx1ju9ux0owh2au5gdm7d15na

excerpt from Familiaris Consortio on love and learning

with Father Mike Schmitz - have a listen to his Divine Mercy homilyAs we accept God's mercy, we become more mercifulhttps://soundcloud.com/bulldogcatholic/041121-scar-stories

a moment in time when I felt heard and honoured

letting my guard down after Lent

Pope John Paul II pondering our modern society and openness to life

thoughts on decorating eggs with small children (and big ones too)

what can we do at the point in Lent?

what is our mission as family?

when our Lenten resolve starts to wane, we can walk together

and what is that, exactly?

thoughts on family life and getting better at it

A fabulous interview with my dear friend Father Harrison, who podcasts over at https://www.clericallyspeaking.com/!  We delve into the Catechism of the Catholic Church...what is it, where did it come from and how it can teach us to be better parents...what is our role as Christians parents in educating our children.  Father brings so much depth into the words of the Catechism, I'm so grateful for him helping me to unpack and understand my role better. Familiaris Consortiohttp://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio.htmlGravissium Educationishttp://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_gravissimum-educationis_en.htmlIgnatius on indifference:https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/ignatian-indifference/Find Fr. Harrison here on twitterhttps://twitter.com/FrHarrison?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

thoughts on how the heck we can pray always

https://www.bonnielandry.ca/blog-1/talking-to-young-kids-about-sexualityplease share this episode if you think other parents will benefit...

protecting the building block of society, the family

an intro to Familiaris Consortio

and what does this have to do with justice?

where earthquakes and emotions collidea couple of blips at the end of the recording....

"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent." - St. John of the Crosshttps://www.clericallyspeaking.com

what worked for us, spoiler: inexpensive, easy and yummy

managing hunger and food prep

it was such a steep learning curve for me

Meal making for those short on time (that would be all of us...) and for those who don't find cooking a creative outlet.  

Says St. Thomas Aquinashttps://www.amazon.ca/One-Minute-Aquinas-Doctors-Fundamental-Questions-ebook/dp/B00I655UJM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+one+minute+aquinas&qid=1613570967&sr=8-1