Q: What about your children makes you laugh?
A: Their honest perspectives on life, their carefree joy, their quick wits, and their great senses of humor.
Q: What is your favorite family ritual?
A: Bedtime. It is a rather lengthy process, and I enjoy every minute. It begins with helping our youngest with her bath and then making sure everybody gets their teeth brushed and their evening chores completed. I love telling stories to our kids. My children's books all came from family bedtime stories. I read three books to Chloe, followed by a made-up story, a prayer, and a song. Then I read with Lily, our 10-year old. This year we are reading the Bible in sequence together. Each night we begin with a prayer, then read a couple of chapters and talk about them. Then Lily plays guitar and sings some songs. Our oldest son, Erik, is 14. I spend some time with him, talking about our days and learning what is on his mind and in his heart.
Q: What was your most frazzled mom moment?
A: One time we were driving on the freeway and the children began loudly quarreling, fussing, and fighting. It was very distracting. My ugly mad-mom voice came out! I had to get off the freeway, find a safe place to pull over, and make everybody get out of the car and sit on the curb. I stood in front of them to block the traffic, while I let them work it out. They stayed there until there were sincere apologies and forgiveness all around. We were late for school that day.
Q: What parenting issue do you and your partner disagree most about?
A: The amount of time it takes me to put the kids to bed.
Q: What is your parenting role: good cop or bad cop?
A: I don't see my parenting role as a cop at all. As their mother, it's my responsibility to love them, protect them, teach them, and discipline them.
Q: What do you wake up in the middle of the night thinking about?
A: Psalm 63:6-8.
Q: What do you wish you had done before you had children?
A: I wish I had learned more.
Q: What is a typical Saturday morning in your house like?
A: Our children are usually up by 6:30 or 7. They typically find me in bed reading. They climb in bed with me and snuggle. It is a wonderful thing to enjoy our time together without the morning rush.
Q: What was your mom most right about?
A: The power of prayer and the power of love.
WHAT'S YOUR...
...guiltiest pleasure?
A hot-fudge sundae for breakfast.
...ideal getaway?
A family camping trip away from civilization.
...favorite clothing item?
Jeans.
...current reading material?
My Bible.
What's your preference:
chocolate or cheese?
Chocolate.
cook at home or eat takeout?
Takeout.
coddle your tot or let him cry it out?
Coddle.
