Motherhood

Mother’s Day Contest Winner #5May 10 2013 4:13 pm
Rebekah sent us this beautiful tribute to her mother:Dear Girltalk, I saw your contest for mothers day and instantly thought of my mother. I didn’t think of her because
Mother’s Day Contest Winner #4May 9 2013 9:57 am
Kristie Braaksma received some very helpful counsel from her mom: There was one piece of advice my mom gave me in my teenage years that I have remembered ever since
Mother’s Day Contest Winner #3May 8 2013 8:12 am
Bonni Hendley shares about her mom’s wonderful example: My mom is an evangelist. No, not a famous one but a faithful one. She talks to everyone, everywhere. As a child,
Mother’s Day Contest Winner #2May 7 2013 10:27 am
Rachel shares her favorite advice from her mom: First off - my mom is amazing. I have so many special memories with her that it would be impossible to
Mother’s Day Contest Winner #1May 6 2013 7:11 pm
In anticipation of Mother’s Day we have a week’s worth of your favorite advice and memories of your mom. Our first is from Karen Ingram:I’m sure this isn’t a
Mother’s Day Contest and SaleApr 11 2013 5:35 am
With Mother’s Day fast approaching we want to run a little contest. We want to learn from your mother’s creativity and wisdom, and honor her in the process. So
Grave Responsibility, Greater GraceMar 14 2013 2:39 pm
No one needs to remind us that it is an enormous responsibility to be a mother. How well we know it! One woman expresses it this way: I seldom
Today and Every Day AfterFeb 28 2013 7:05 am
One year ago today we brought Jude and Sophie out of the orphanage. We took them to lunch. We went to the Embassy to submit our final batch of
Adoption AnniversaryFeb 27 2013 9:15 am
This is a big week in the Whitacre home. One year ago today Steve and I landed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Tomorrow, February 28, we will celebrate “Gotcha Day”—the
To Sum Up: Gospel-Centered MotheringFeb 21 2013 12:29 pm
The girls asked me to close out our little series on gospel-centered mothering. I thought it might be helpful to share three areas my mom has encouraged us to
Q&A: How to Be Patient with Your KidsFeb 19 2013 8:52 am
Stephanie’s has a two-year-old whom she loves to pieces, but who whines a lot. Ashley has five children at home under the age of nine. Both wrote to ask
Gospel-Centered Counsel for MomsFeb 13 2013 10:30 am
“I feel like such a failure. I’m a horrible mom and a terrible wife. I’m exhausted, depressed, and overwhelmed.” Sound like a mom you know? How would you counsel
Motherhood, Ministry, and HumanityFeb 12 2013 9:40 am
If you are a mom at home with small children, or a woman doing an obscure and seemingly small work for Christ, then I have a book recommendation for
A Gospel-Centered Mom Looks Both WaysFeb 11 2013 9:37 am
A few months ago, when the weather was mild and our kids were playing together at a park, Janelle and I chatted about writing a few mothering posts for
Baby Bradshaw UpdateJan 31 2013 5:53 am
Emily sent us an e-mail the other day asking if I was holding my sweet baby in my arms yet. The answer to that question, Emily, is “no.” Baby
Most Embarrassing Mom MomentJan 30 2013 11:29 am
My most embarrassing moment as “mom” took place before I had children of my own. I was babysitting my toddler nephew Andrew and I took him to the grocery
Moms, Hold Out Until You Can Say…Jan 29 2013 9:15 am
“Why do you tell your child a thing twenty times?” asked some one of a mother. “Because,” said she, “I find nineteen times is not enough.” Now, when a
Q&A: How Do You Focus on One Thing?Jan 28 2013 9:23 am
Karissa wrote in with a great question:In a recent post you talked about “picking one thing” and being consistent about it in the discipline of a toddler. I guess
Just Choose OneJan 24 2013 9:37 am
Over the last few months Hudson has crossed that threshold from baby to toddler. His speech has taken off, his comprehension level is higher. He’s not my baby anymore. But
Why My Grandma Was GreatJan 23 2013 8:21 am
I was twenty-one years old and still living at home when my mom had hip surgery. Grandma came to stay and help out for a week or so. Of
Remembering My MomJan 22 2013 8:34 am
This past Thursday marked one year since my mom went home to her Savior. On the morning of the day she slipped earth’s bonds, my cell phone rang: “She’s
Mothers, Servants, and God’s Saving PowerJan 17 2013 8:05 am
We cannot save our children. Which is why, when I see a rebellious teenager of Christian parents, my first thought is not, “Wow, those parents did a really bad
Go Forward in Gospel-Centered MotheringJan 16 2013 8:31 am
If you only ever buy, read, and re-read one book on parenting, let it be J.C. Ryle’s Duties of Parents. It is short and sweet—just the right length for
Target the Heart In TimeJan 15 2013 8:17 am
Targeting our children’s hearts is a very important goal in gospel-centered parenting. Ultimately, I want my children to understand that their hearts are sinful and that they need a
How Is Obedience a Gateway to Understanding the Gospel?Jan 10 2013 8:20 am
One of the most powerful illustrations is from the relationship of Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller. You may know the story. Helen was a young girl who, at the
“Real Simple” MotheringJan 8 2013 7:21 am
Whenever I get overwhelmed and mothering seems as complex as a calculus problem, my mom always helps me put things in perspective. “Gospel-centered mothering at this stage is simple,”
Teaching My Boys: Be Like TebowDec 27 2012 3:41 pm
As a mom with two boys I’m always eager to point them to godly men, starting with their dad, who make the lessons we teach them “come to life.”
From One Mom to Another: Don’t Grow WearyDec 18 2012 1:38 pm
Our Aunt Betsy (Ricucci) is our dad’s sister and one of the most encouraging people you will ever meet. On Sunday at church she passed on some very encouraging
Adoption Day in KentuckyDec 13 2012 4:28 pm
Jude and Sophie have been legally our children since that happy day in Addis over a year ago now, when the Ethiopian judge declared “They are yours.” Today we
Teaching Our Children the Gospel Started With ObedienceDec 12 2012 11:25 am
When we brought Jude and Sophie home—before we could even speak the same language—we had two simple priorities: show them we loved them, and teach them to obey. The
Merry Christmas, Because He CameDec 11 2012 10:10 am
“Joy to the Word, the Lord is…LEFT?!” Mike, our children’s ministry director, made a discordant sound with his guitar to emphasize to our church’s four and five year olds
Obedience and Gospel-Centered MotheringDec 10 2012 12:50 pm
As moms, we may be so afraid of raising little heathens of the self-righteous, legalistic, variety that we neglect to teach our children how to obey. Perhaps we grew
Gospel-Centered Child TrainingDec 4 2012 10:53 am
“No scream.”“You may not hit.” “No throw.” “Come to mommy.” I spend all day saying stuff like this to my two-year-old son Hudson—simple sentences that rarely get above three
“Pain that Can’t Be Prayed Away”Nov 27 2012 8:07 am
Have you ever sensed that God has said “no” to your prayers? Nancy Guthrie asked the pastors’ wives gathered at the recent Sovereign Grace Pastors Conference:“I wonder if anyone
A Mother’s Large CareerNov 15 2012 6:09 pm
A couple more brilliant quotes from G.K. Chesterton on motherhood. We’ve posted them before but they are worth a reread: “[Woman is surrounded] with very young children, who require
Not Her BestNov 14 2012 4:20 pm
As mothers we can sometimes feel overwhelmed because we think that, in addition to being an amazing mom, we should also be exceptional at something else, distinguishable from all
Momentary MotherhoodNov 13 2012 2:02 pm
It is easy to become distracted by the constant demands of motherhood, but we must not lose sight of this fact: Our children are only young for a very
How To Be a Happy MomNov 12 2012 3:55 pm
I once talked to a woman who told me how she used to always be overwhelmed and unhappy as a mother. She was so burdened by the constant demands
When We Sin Against Our KidsNov 8 2012 12:51 pm
If you’re like me, you’re painfully aware of the imperfect example you are to your children. But this is good, for it brings us back to the cross. We
When You Feel Like A FailureNov 5 2012 7:23 pm
I once saw a Family Circus cartoon that showed three children leaning on the edge of their parents’ bed, watching them while they slept. The caption underneath was one
The Online MomOct 25 2012 7:06 pm
Before we get to some more specific thoughts on gospel-centered parenting, we want to talk about a few sources of discouragement for moms. Unruly children aren’t the only cause
After Awful ErrandsOct 23 2012 4:00 pm
“Just wanted to say thanks for Janelle’s post yesterday,” wrote one mom:“I just got home from an outrageously awful trip to run errands with my 5 and 3 year
Gospel-Centered Parenting For Real LifeOct 17 2012 2:08 pm
My son, Hudson, will be two in November, and while he brings his family tons of joy, his sinful nature is on full display. He has mastered the art
The Answer to End All QuestionsOct 9 2012 10:17 am
My son Jude asks lots of questions. As I understand it, this is common for children who have been adopted when they are older, and I totally get it.
Our Morning “Briefing”Oct 3 2012 3:20 pm
One of my favorite parts of our morning routine is when CJ and I grab our coffee and sit for ten minutes on our tiny enclosed patio, listening to
Adoption MilestoneAug 27 2012 7:10 pm
One year ago Saturday, on August 25, 2011, we saw these two little faces for the very first time. Today we can’t imagine not seeing their sweet faces every
Q&A Pt. 2: “I want to be a godly mother”Aug 8 2012 6:51 pm
Yesterday I sought to answer one humble mom’s request for advice. Here is the second half of her question: I want to be a godly mother who sits on
Q&A: “Is it wrong to look forward to my son’s naptime?”Aug 7 2012 5:36 pm
Our current series on the Internet sparked a related question from one mom: I am a full time stay at home mom to my one year old son. Over
The Joy RoadAug 1 2012 9:30 pm
To paraphrase the first magnificent answer of the Shorter Catechism: A mother’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. And it is interesting to note, as
A Mother as ArtistJul 30 2012 11:47 am
“Just as an artist who paints pictures and portraits exercises great care in his work, so each of you, mothers and fathers, must be attentive to these wonderful images
A Biblical Theology of MotherhoodJul 19 2012 8:39 pm
A recent article on “A Biblical Theology of Motherhood” by Dr. James Hamilton at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary here in Louisville should be mandatory reading for every
Calculations of GraceJul 9 2012 9:59 am
Speaking of math—which is not something I speak of much, if I can help it—it came up in conversation one night on vacation with my husband’s family. And I
Summertime SoundtracksJun 13 2012 3:22 pm
Summer is an ideal time for kids to listen. Road Trips, long hours of play, even short drives to the pool can all be times to make memories and
Adoption is WonderfulMay 16 2012 3:05 pm
Yesterday at lunch, while eating leftovers from my first attempt at Ethiopian cooking, my son Jude told us stories of orphanage life. How the nannies washed all their clothes
A Mother’s AimMay 11 2012 1:30 pm
“You fulfill yourself by denying yourself, preparing the people you can’t live without to live without you” ~Andrew Ferguson HT: Kevin DeYoung
Constantly Before Their EyesMay 10 2012 3:44 pm
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:28“The virtuous woman is obviously subserving her own interest. For what greater earthly
Always On CallMay 9 2012 2:56 pm
“Mothers are always on call, expected to have all the answers and limitless energies. They’re supposed to do everything; it’s taken for granted. How can you be and do
Who Can Measure Motherhood?May 8 2012 4:09 pm
“Who can measure the long-term effects of nurturing helpless infants, supervising wandering toddlers, discipling self-willed children, and counseling self-absorbed adolescents? Of family outings planned, traditions built, memories made, books
“What He Owes to a Godly Mother”May 7 2012 10:58 am
“I am sure that, in my early youth, no teaching ever made such an impression upon my mind as the instruction of my mother; neither can I conceive that,
In the Middle of MotherhoodMay 3 2012 12:51 pm
~from the archives, one of Kristin’s first posts Where am I? I’m in our bedroom, trying to stay awake during morning devotions.I’m in the kitchen, pouring bowls of Rice
Mustard for ColorApr 10 2012 2:46 pm
I too have been thinking a lot about Grandma lately, whenever I make egg salad sandwiches. They are Jude’s favorite. He asks me every day around 11:35 a.m.—“Egg, Mom?”
Is Transracial Adoption Wise?Apr 3 2012 4:19 pm
I resonate with Justin Taylor’s post from last week where he explains that: We don’t regard our transracial adoption as something especially noble or sacrificial, or anything like a
Friday FunniesMar 23 2012 9:11 pm
This week’s Friday Funny comes courtesy of my wonderful husband: So every night for the last three weeks, from the very first night we got Jude and Sophie from
Whitacre Family UpdateMar 19 2012 2:29 pm
So I’ve been trying to write this little update for over a week, but I am very much in a “new mother fog” right now. Exhausted. Can’t remember what
Thank YouMar 5 2012 9:03 pm
Steve and Nicole reached home in Louisville, KY late Saturday night. They had left Louisville one week earlier with two children and returned to Louisville with four! The last
Day 2Feb 29 2012 5:20 pm
[from our adoption blog] Day 2 was great. This morning we had the great privilege of meeting our kids’ grandfather. We spent the afternoon shopping and playing soccer with
We visited America today…. Sort ofFeb 28 2012 9:39 pm
[from our adoption blog] Technically, we did visit America today. By stepping inside a far-flung US Embassy, we found ourselves standing on a little patch of American soil. Our
Safe in AddisFeb 27 2012 5:40 pm
[from our adoption blog] After 30+ hours of travel, we have arrived safely in Ethiopia. It is so good to be back! We have an exciting couple days lined
Time to TravelFeb 17 2012 8:32 pm
Yesterday we heard from the US Embassy that we are officially cleared to travel. We snatched up the first available appointment and will be leaving next Sunday to go
Adoption Update—Almost ThereFeb 7 2012 4:39 pm
We are counting down in days now, instead of months and weeks. Eight days until the US Embassy in Ethiopia has completed their paperwork and interviews and God-willing, gives
“But the pace!” CS Lewis on Young ParentsJan 31 2012 5:28 pm
Every mom of young, active, children (especially boys!) needs to take a minute to read these excerpts of letters from CS Lewis. The way he describes the whirlwind of
(Another) Whitacre Adoption UpdateJan 12 2012 1:21 pm
Things have been quiet here on the adoption front because we’ve been in waiting mode. But I’m excited to announce that yesterday we were finally submitted to the US
kidtalk ChristmasDec 9 2011 6:25 am
To all the kids around here, Janelle and her husband Mike are affectionately known as Mr. and
It is (Almost) CompleteDec 7 2011 6:07 am
We are home from Ethiopia now, but a big part of us is still ten thousand miles away with our two new children who are still there. The adoption
“They Are Yours”Nov 30 2011 12:30 pm
With those sweet words from the Ethiopian judge, we are now legally the proud and joyful parents of Kassa Jude Whitacre and Mulunesh Sophia Whitacre. Thank you for all
Court Tomorrow!Nov 29 2011 3:48 pm
These past few days with our two new children have been simply delightful. We have been well-served by wonderful staff from our adoption agency here in Ethiopia and we
An Amazing DayNov 27 2011 7:15 pm
Well, it’s 2am in Addis and I can’t sleep. Jet lag plus excitement is a powerful combination. Today was indescribable, meeting these two little ones for the first time,
Thankful…that I am going to Ethiopia!Nov 22 2011 3:20 pm
It’s Thanksgiving and my heart is full of gratitude. On Friday we leave for Ethiopia to meet two little people that I hope will be forever after ours. What
Encouraging our Children’s FaithNov 10 2011 8:56 pm
A wonderful article from Ed Welch to consider and apply as we pray and trust God for our children: The Apostle Paul wrote, “Continue in what you have learned
Prayer and PromisesNov 8 2011 2:43 pm
When fear for our children grips us, we often look for something “new” to help us deal with it. But instead, we must rely on the true and the
The Best EvangelistNov 4 2011 2:45 pm
If you have a wayward child you are worried about, who won’t even listen to the gospel from church or from you, remember this truth: There is no better
Our Children’s Salvation: Only by GraceNov 3 2011 1:26 pm
Nancy Wilson is right: mothers are tempted to be worriers. And maybe our greatest worry is about our children’s salvation. We know that nothing is so important as the
We’re Going to Meet Our Children!Oct 13 2011 4:58 pm
Our adoption agency called on Friday with the exciting news that we have received a court date! We are scheduled to appear in court in Addis Ababa on November
When School StartsSep 6 2011 2:15 pm
“The mother is the hub of the home, holding all the spokes in place. Without her being at her post, the family spins out of control and falls apart.”
The phone rang…Sep 2 2011 2:57 pm
...last Thursday at around four o’clock. I didn’t recognize the number, so I didn’t answer. The person hung up and called right back. I still didn’t answer, so she
“Motherhood is Application”Aug 25 2011 8:06 pm
You’ve gotta read this latest article by Rachel Jankovic on motherhood. Excellent! Mothering is a job that is full of difficult moments. Diapers blow out in stores when you
The Gospel for Busy MomsJul 21 2011 7:09 pm
How do busy moms preach the gospel to themselves with the constant demands of caring for young children? How do we find time to meditate on the gospel when
Motherhood is a CallingJul 14 2011 9:24 pm
A wonderful article for mothers today from Rachel Jankovic: Live the gospel in the things that no one sees. Sacrifice for your children in places that only they will
A Joy RoadJun 30 2011 10:42 pm
—from the archives To paraphrase the first magnificent answer of the Shorter Catechism: A mother’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever. And isn’t it interesting
Part of the PlanJun 29 2011 5:08 pm
“Waiting on God isn’t about the suspension of meaning and purpose. It’s part of the meaning and purpose that God has brought into my life. Waiting on God isn’t
Our Adoption Journey Pt. 2Jun 28 2011 9:52 pm
We’re still waiting for the phone call that we are going to be parents again. In the meantime, I’ll bring you up to the present in our adoption story.
Mission MotherhoodJun 16 2011 8:02 pm
Rachel Jankovic—a wife and mother of five little ones—has a must-read post for mothers at the Desiring God blog today: If you are a Christian woman who loves the
Bible Memory AidsJun 2 2011 2:41 pm
We wanted to pass on a few more of the resources for helping kids (and adults) memorize Scripture that were often mentioned in our contest entries this past week:
Seeds of Character WinnersJun 1 2011 3:35 pm
You all make these contests absolutely impossible—it is so difficult to choose from all the great ideas! I am so provoked and encouraged by the creative and intentional ways
Seeds of Character Blog Tour (and Giveaway!)May 31 2011 12:30 pm
So I’m starting to make summer plans for my boys—at least, as much as I can with six month old baby Claire—and one of my goals is to help
Lean Back and Be ContentMay 23 2011 1:40 pm
-from the archives by Janelle Recently, my sweet 2-year-old misplaced her desire to sleep through the night. Mommy has been hard at work helping her to find that desire
Celebrating MothersMay 9 2011 1:10 pm
I know, I know, we did that yesterday, right? But let me beg your indulgence one more day, because there was a post last week we didn’t want you
A Special Mother’s Day GiftMay 5 2011 1:15 pm
Erica Sunshine Owen wanted to give her mom, Jodie, a special gift for Mother’s Day. She wanted to give her “the gift of reminding her of the great grace
In Honor of Single MomsMay 4 2011 3:04 pm
The second group of women we want to honor this Mother’s Day week are the single moms. I’m so glad to have the chance to thank all of you,
Tale of Three Single WomenMay 3 2011 3:11 pm
My sisters and I want to echo Mom’s comments from yesterday. We are so grateful for the single women who babysat and made special memories with us when we