Tag: parenting

Finding Earnest Connection in Motherhood

Finding Earnest Connection in Motherhood

by earnestmomblog ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Motherhood is earnestly beautiful – but it can also be lonely.

We spend our days pouring out – packing lunches, reading stories, wiping tears (and bottoms). And while our hearts are full of love for our family, many of us have the quiet worry… Who is pouring into me??

God never meant for us to be alone, not in life and especially not in motherhood.

We are created for connection, for laughter across the kitchen table. For prayers whispered over coffee. For a knowing glance or silent hand squeeze in the toughest of times. Moments that say, we are in this together.

The thing about motherhood, with all its moving pieces, we find that friendships take a back seat and then it is hard to make new ones or even pick up old ones. Friendship in motherhood takes intention, and often takes courage. In a recent Ohio State University survey, 71% of moms said that the demands of parenthood made them feel lonely sometimes or a lot of the time. That is every 2 out of 3 moms you know or meet. The facts are staggering, and what’s more once we get into the that lonely place, it is so tough to get out.

Do not lose hope mama, it may take a little work, being a bit awkward but the truth is – we are all awkward and nervous. Here are some gentle steps you can take if you are craving deeper friendships this season.

  1. Be Brave enough to go first. Sometimes friendship starts with a simple smile or a brave “Hi!” at the park or in the church nursery room. It’s ok to feel nervous – you are not alone in that.
  2. Extend small invitations. You do not need to plan a big event or playdate – send a quick test saying “want to grab coffee?” or “want to join me for a stroller walk today?” These are great places to start mama, one small step at a time.
  3. Embrace imperfect connections. Friendships do not require dust free baseboards or a five course meal. Invite someone over, even if the laundry is out. Real connections grow in real life situations.
  4. Look for the mom standing alone. Maybe at church, the park or your local homeschool co-op, the library or even waiting outside the pick line at school. She is probably just a nervous as you but longing for a friend too!
  5. Ask God for friendship. Do not forget to pray! Ask the Lord to bring the right women into your life – someone who will see you, support you and will help you grow with him.

Mama, we were made for community. We were made for connection.

Be bold. Be kind. Be willing to go first. Be awkward. Be real. And walk in truth – it is hard to step out and make new friends, but it is harder to be in this alone. So, choose your hard mama. Sometimes the best of friendships began with a shared smile or a spare diaper, because you have run out of diapers while in the bathroom at a department store too.

I have included some sweet and simple ways to connect – Mom Connection Cards! Print the cards out, fill in your name and number and keep them in the diaper bag, purse or glove box. Hand them to another mom when the moment feels right – it is the first step that can lead to some beautiful rewards.

Remember, in motherhood we are in this together, one earnest MOMent at a time.

Love, Earnest Mom.

Earnest Echoes: How We Plan Our Summer as a Homeschool Family

Earnest Echoes: How We Plan Our Summer as a Homeschool Family

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Originally posted 07/02/2022

Anyone else hit summer and look for ways to have some structure but not over-structure? Me. I am anyone else. Homeschool ends, and then I feel overwhelmed – “What do I do for summer?!” I want my children to feel like they are more relaxed, and to be able to differentiate from homeschool. We will not do any formal full lessons and I will give them time to be bored because boredom is not a bad thing. I do not want the summer to pass and also feel like we have done nothing.

I have three children, 12, 7 and 4. I included them in the planning and set specific goals for each day. Now these goals will not rule our whole schedule as vacations, summer camps and other events will definitely happen but we will have a loose plan for each day. I am not sure about you but by breakfast each day my kids are asking “what are we doing today?” and they are typically not satisfied with “nothing.”

Here is what our summer schedule looks like for the months of July and August. Mondays are zoo mornings (we get a membership to the local one each year), Tuesdays are pool afternoons (we have a small pop up one otherwise it would be dedicated water play outside). Wednesdays are mornings the the museum (again we have a membership to the local children’s museum but we will also explore our other museums as well). Thursdays we will visit the library and a park nearby hosts picnics in the park with family entertainment for free. Fridays are our adventure day, we will be checking a new local park or two (we will also blog and rate our experience for those local to Erie County Pennsylvania).

Using the Notability app on my iPhone I created these fun color coded calendars (I also use similar ones for our homeschool year), I then took advantage of the $0.99 magnet deal on the Shutterfly app to create magnets as a reminder for the fridge.

This helps us have an intentional and focused summer not being limited by what we plan, but if we feel like we have nothing to do it helps to have a plan already! Let me know your tricks to keep summer fun and easy for your kiddos.

x. earnest mom

Family Meetings: Creating Safe & Earnest Spaces in Your Home

Family Meetings: Creating Safe & Earnest Spaces in Your Home

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Free Family Meeting Plan Below.

Family meetings have earnestly changed us – for the better. Over a year ago we began a practice of ‘Family Meeting’ in our home. The first Friday evening of every month is reserved for this special time together. They have become one of the most cherished and sacred rhythms of our family life.

Why family meetings matter? Children crave connection with their parents and siblings. Family meetings allow every child to have a voice. They foster unity, trust and mutual respect. Creating a safe space where your child can share their heart with you is priceless.

We have three simple goals we aim for at each family meeting. These are informal. I have not told the kids this is the goal. However, they are the main reasons why we started in the first place. First, we need to hear one another – no interrupting and each voice matters. Next, we help one another – we problem solve and support each other. Lastly, we hold safe space – use I statements (no blame), and share your heart. Tears and laughter are welcome. What we make sure we agree is that respect and kindness have to be maintained by everyone. There is nothing that we cannot get through together.

We always end the meeting with something fun. We have surprised the kids with a marshmallow shooter, sour straw roulette, and freeze dried candies. Currently, we have been trying snacks from around the world from Universal Yums – so FUN!! You get a different country every month. It comes with history, trivia, and snacks from that country. We learn and have a blast. Want to try Universal Yum? Get $5 off your first box here – not sponsored. Keeping joy and playfulness helps us grow closer, it is light and enjoyable. We find this helpful, especially if we have had a particularly heavier meeting that day. Here are some pictures of our last box, Greece.

Looking to start family meetings in your home – wonderful! Talk with your husband and children, share your heart on why family meetings are important and set the date. For your first family meeting, I highly recommend setting “ground rules” for your meetings. What is allowed, what is not and what the goal is for meeting together. Be sure to establish that it is a safe space for all, arguing and fighting not welcome. Stay honest, respectful and supportive of what each other are feeling. I like to have a notebook and take notes. At the start of the next meeting, we review the notes and make sure we are all still working together to help one another. The first few meeting may be a bit messy, and that is okay! Maybe kids are a bit resistant, that is okay too. Staying positive and consistent, keep it light and inviting. Do not hit all the heavy things in one go. We try to limit to a positive and a negative that each of us are dealing with, feeling or experiencing. That helps us stay within an hour of meeting time.

Need help getting started? Try this FREE Family Meeting Guide!

Family meetings can be more than a tool mama – they are a space for love, learning and growing bonds that will reach beyond your living room into the future relationships within your family. Try it out, use the free guide above and feel free to share what works for you guys! Already on the family meeting train? Help us with your tips and tricks in the comment below.

Remember mama, we are all in this together, one Earnest MOMent at a time.

Love, Earnest Mom.