Isn’t that what we all want? A parenting formula?

I just wanted a parenting formula…

As in: I want to have all of my little ducks in a row so Please tell me exactly what to do so that I can raise good kids. Give me an “If I do THIS, then the end result will be THAT.” This is what I want. Specifics. Complete guidance. Exact instructions that will give me the direct results I’m looking for, which is, of course: Perfectly Wonderful Children.

Many years ago when I was a young mom with my very first two-year-old, I realized that there was no such formula. I WAS SO MAD ABOUT THIS. You’re telling me that there’s no one-size-fits-all plan for raising good kids? No exact way to go about this parenting gig that will guarantee that my kids will obey, be kind, share, and ultimately grow up to become incredible and most importantly – godly people??

As the years went on and one son turned into four – all with very different dispositions, personalities, and needs – I realized that not only is there no formula for doing this all correctly, there’s not even one right way to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Wow.

While raising our older boys, we learned so much about what works, what doesn’t, and how mostly our job is to rely on God to be at work through us. We failed, we won, we fought, we prayed, we cried, we praised, and we delighted. They aren’t perfect. But these four astound us by who they’ve become in spite of our shortcomings and woeful lack of having a “perfect parenting formula.”

Twenty-Six Years and Eleven Kids Later

Well, then. Here we are. The oldest four are raised and we’ve moved on to raising “round two.” We’ve started all over again and this time, we recognize our need to utilize all the help and resources we can.

It’s both easier (because we’ve learned a lot through the years) and harder (because this set of kids all have extra needs) this time. There are some things we want to do differently and better because of what we learned during our first go ’round. We pray we can take what we learned from “Round One” and all that we’re learning in “Round Two” and show these kids all the love and care that God can show through our humbled efforts.

Mostly we still know that the only way to raise kids well is by letting God be fully at work through us. That’s it. That’s the formula. Take a knee. Take two knees. Lie completely prostrate in humility. Stand firm in the power and strength of Jesus. Do both at the same time.

Learn and grow

Matt and I are reading books and seeking resources to help us – because we so much appreciate learning from what others have experienced and studied. I was invited to be a part of this Confident Mom Bundle, and I want to share that with you now. While there is no Perfect Parenting Formula – there are resources available to help us as we seek to learn and grow and do better.

Focus on your kids

If you are in the season of life in which you are raising children – let all of your energy go into this. Yes, take care of yourself and first and foremost nurture your relationship with God and your spouse. Of course. But what I mean is – during these parenting years, let go of everything that can be let go of and put your time and energy into letting God help you fully love your family during these years of growing them up into adulthood.

You will not regret this.

So go all in. Seek God’s parenting wisdom. Take advantage of every resource you get your hands on. Love, love, love your kids.

Stop doing what doesn’t work

To parent well, I’ve found that I’ve needed to pare down and cut out anything that is no longer working well for a well-balanced life. I don’t make complicated meals. I don’t have many outside commitments. I don’t even fold my laundry. I let my energy go where it has to go – to my kids’ needs.

To give you a bit of a break so that you can also focus more on your family’s needs:

We want to give you a free one-year subscription to Simple Meals

This is one way we feel we can help people prioritize their families. If you decide to take advantage of this opportunity to buy the Confident Mom Bundle full of helpful parenting resources, we will give you a big bonus as a thank you and as an encouragement to let some things go. —>

One Full Year of Simple Meals Planning Packets

For an entire year, we’ll send you our weekly Simple Meals packets. They offer amazing and very easy meals plans that you can adapt for your family’s needs, plus a grocery list so you can easily get what you need to make these meals happen. The work is done for you – SO THAT YOU CAN FOCUS ON YOUR FAMILY INSTEAD.

This will be free to you with your Confident Mom Bundle purchase – a $52 value, because we want you to be a confident parent who has many resources available to bless your family life. Just email me after you’ve purchased and we’ll get your year subscription set up right away!

Parenting can be a joy!

While it’s such hard work to care for, train, discipline, clean up after, and meet all the needs of our kids, the joy they bring is beyond amazing.

May God bless us all as we confidently trust His work through us and His provision for our children.