A four-year-old boy sits down to dinner with his parents and a visitor. During the meal, the child interrupts conversations numerous times, talks with his mouth full, and refuses to eat his vegetables. The visitor knows the parents are training their boy in the art of being gracious, but mostly what she notices are his flaws. If that's what adulthood is all about, she concludes, I don't want any part of it. Sounds silly, doesn't it? We know that a child is in process. He's not a finished product. He's growing toward adulthood, but he's not there yet. We don't expect a child to Continue Reading
Why You Don’t Have to “Get it Right” as a Christian Parent
My friend was super excited for me when I told her I was pregnant. (This was twenty-five years ago -- I don't mean to shock you, since I'm a Nana now!) "Alicia," I'll call her, had just become familiar with some popular teaching on Christian parenting. She knew I already had three children, but she figured this surefire system would be my shot at really nailing this parenting thing. (Hmm... Clearly, my parenting wasn't perfect. Otherwise, why would Alicia be so excited for me to take a fresh run at it?) It's true that there are principles and promises in God's word which give us Continue Reading
Helping Women Embrace Motherhood Requires and Grows Love, Joy, Hope, Peace
My two youngest grandchildren, Lainey and Cai, are wearing the perfect expression for this article. No matter how difficult it gets, doing pro-life work results in my personal growth and joy. Photo credit: Daniel Maynes Read about the benefits of this kingdom-building ministry here: pregnancyhelpnews.com. Continue Reading
The New Christian Parenting Podcast You’ve Been Waiting For
Drum roll, please ... after encountering and conquering many a technical difficulty, the Passionate Parenting: How to Raise Wholehearted Followers of Jesus debut podcast is now available for your listening pleasure! Click here: susannemaynes.com/parenting-podcast and give a listen! Or, click here: TuneIn. We should also be live on Stitcher and iTunes by next week. I'd love a comment from you! Meanwhile, allow me to bless you: May you be filled with all the wisdom, courage and love you need to raise wholehearted Jesus followers right now in this season of your life. Continue Reading