Category: Kids

Finding Joy in Parenting: Overcoming Common Struggles

by starkeycoaching, posted in christian, Encouragement for Mom, Kids

Can we do both? Is it possible to actually enjoy parenting?

Parenting is tough. If we all agree on that, I challenge you to answer some of these questions:
1. Do you find yourself yelling at your spouse and kids?
2. Do you worry about traumatizing your kids?
3. Do you want to stop the generational trauma you were raised in from continually being passed on?
4. Do you constantly second (and third) guess yourself when making parenting/disciplining decisions?

If you answered “yes” to any of those, then you are in the right place! Nobody with a decent heart wants to cause harm to their kids. The truth is, nobody is perfect (thank you Lord for Your mercy and grace!) despite how much we try.
When we mess up, we fess up. Apologies go a long, long ways. Admitting you’ve done wrong and showing your kids you are truly sorry and asking them for forgiveness not only makes YOU feel better, it teaches your kids a valuable lesson or two. None of us are perfect, it’s okay to mess up, and it is freeing to ask for forgiveness.

If you are really wrestling with any and/or all of the questions mentioned above, I would LOVE to have a complimentary 60 minute session with you. Why? Because you CAN find joy in parenting those kiddos of yours. The generational junk stops with you, friend.

Ready to get started on your new, fun, enjoyable parenting future? Email me at starkeycoaching@gmail.com and we will get you on my calendar!

Being Present with the Kids

by starkeycoaching, posted in Kids

I despised it. There are so many things to do and soooo little time. I work for someone else part-time. I own my own business. I volunteer. I also have a home to run. My plate is FULL.

The LAST thing I wanted to do was sit in the floor and play with dolls. First of all, I don’t wanna crawl in the floor just to play a game I’m not interested in playing. Secondly, I need to be writing this blog post or cooking dinner, or doing laundry, or the never-ending dishes. Thirdly, every time I play with them, they don’t like how I am using MY imagination and then I get bossed around. BLEGH.

Then one day it hit me in my feels. They’re only little for a few more “minutes”. One day they’re going to storm past me and slam bedroom doors as moody teenagers, refusing to talk to me about anything going on in their lives. As I contemplated these things, I realized: it doesn’t have to be that way. I see my children ALL the time. We are WITH each other, as a homeschool family, all the time, but I was not being present. I would go to my room to work on my computer/my own business. I was the moody teenager! “I need to be left alone so I can work!” “No, Mommy can’t play because she has to work.” “No, Mommy doesn’t want to play.” When I wasn’t yelling at them, I was shutting THEM out. I felt so convicted, shameful and downright awful. I decided right then and there I was going to do things differently from here on out.

I started being super silly and fun again. I do sometimes play dolls with my daughter, but generally she’s pretty agreeable to ANYthing she gets to do with mom. I’m yelling less. The kids are fighting less. We all conversate better. It’s almost like, we are a peaceful, “normal” family now. Say what!?

Putting in a little bit of specific, 1:1 time with them NOW, just puts an awesome foundation in place for your relationship with your children for the rest of your life. You are making them feel as special as they are. They are feeling your love and your CHOICE to lovingly CHOOSE your child. That’s so awesome, Mama!

If you related to any of this at all, and know it’s being put on your heart to be more present with your kids but you don’t know where to start, grab my free 5 Ways to be Present with your Kids guide right here!.