Glen and I are thrilled to say that we’re going to be adopting a wee brother for Ruby! He’ll be coming home to us in the next few weeks and we would just LOVE your prayers for him and for us as we start a new chapter of family life; especially in the coming months. As you’ll understand, we can’t share any more information about him (at least for now). Sorry! But this is a kind of birth announcement. We …Read More
After a whole twenty months of being a parent, I’m the very opposite of an expert. But here are some of the things I’m learning, (many from other, wiser teachers)… 1 Parenthood does not complete you. It is a precious, precious gift; but it doesn’t make you less or more of a woman or man, or more or less valuable. This is easy to say when you’ve got a child, (just like it’s easy to say that “singleness is good” from the …Read More
We were speaking in Birmingham over the weekend. During the q and as, one question kept coming up. How do we protect our children from depression, self-hatred and anxiety? How can we raise them to be strong, but weak in all the right ways? I wish I knew the answer. So I asked some friends. Here’s some of their wisdom – and please share yours. don’t try and be perfect. Kids don’t need perfect parents (and trying will kill us), but they …Read More
Today’s guest post is from Jane, who is married with three children. Hannah (7) and Ben (5) are her birth children and she has recently adopted Star (4) who has Down’s Syndrome. Here’s her advice on helping birth siblings welcome a new arrival… 1. Involve birth children in the adoption conversation early We first discussed adoption with our birth children approximately two years before Star arrived. In fact we talked to them before we spoke to anyone else. At that …Read More
I’m afraid my daughter takes after me. Tell her she can’t have something and straight away, she wants it. The jagged rock. The rusty tin-opener. The kitchen cleaner. Today we’ve lurched from one potential disaster to another. DON’T PUT YOUR FINGERS IN THE PLUG NO, THAT’S THE CAT’S ANGRY FACE GIVE THE KNIFE TO MUMMY WHAT’S THAT IN YOUR MOUTH? SPIT IT OUT RUBY, SPIT IT OUT Surrounded by stacking rings, spoons, story books, shape sorters, bubbles, blocks and balls, she wants …Read More
We’re not the sort of family that does sentiment. Love – yes, in spades – but sentiment: soft toys, Hallmark cards and swirly pink lettering – no. Definitely not. Half-hugs and easy laughter, ping-pong banter and shared stories. That’s our language: “You’re not so bad.” (“I love you. I’m proud of you.”) You’re not so bad yourself.” (“I love you too.”) Sometimes though, it’s good to say more. To put words to the layers, or at least, to try. Mum. You brought me, …Read More
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind, a learning curve, a journey and a million other cliches that try – and fail to capture the reality. Nappies, stitches and sleepless nights, I was prepared for. What I hadn’t anticipated was the heart surgery. The fierce and painful emotion that courses, hot, through every vein. Love, I suppose. But not like I love my cats or I love books or I love mashed potatoes. Something else – primitive and frightening. I’d die …Read More
There are lots of challenges facing young people who make a commitment to Jesus. Camps are no exception – especially for those who go home to unbelieving (and sometimes hostile) families and friends, or churches where they’re the only young people and don’t have much support. I became a Christian at a youth camp. On my return, I burst into the house saying: ‘I’m saved! And you need to be too’. Then I embarked on a hoovering and preaching campaign …Read More
I love my family. They are brilliant. But like everyone else, we have our little quirks. For one thing; no one actually talks to each other. Well, that’s not quite true. We do talk – a lot – but (and this is crucial), not directly. Instead we’ve evolved a brilliant system where news is transmitted at the speed of light, to make sure everyone knows what’s going on, but in reverse order. So, let’s say person A has something to …Read More
Whatever your experience with your earthly father, as a Christian, this is your heavenly Father: He loves us: I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them. Hosea 11:4 He knew us even in our mother’s womb: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully …Read More
