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

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

Ever observe Those Parents at the grocery store? You know, the ones yelling threats at their kids and calling them names, as if this proves they're on top of the whole child-rearing thing? I feel angry and sad when I see this behavior. Sometimes I actually pray for those parents. I pray they would learn what respect is -- and what it isn't. What comes to mind when you hear the word "respect?" A harsh father with a belt in his hand, demanding compliance? A drill sergeant barking orders? Meriam-Websters dictionary defines respect this way: "High or special regard; esteem." The Continue Reading

My eighteen-year-old son and I sat at a window table of the roadside cafe, enjoying two juicy burgers. The room was filled with Danny's fellow workers from the nearby truss-building company. This wasn't just any mother/son outing. I had taken Danny out to lunch to tell him something important. I needed to apologize to my son, and I wanted him to know I meant it. I'd home schooled Danny since his third grade year.  During his high school years, I'd lost my temper with him  on a regular basis, scolding him to the point where his face would grow pink with frustration. I knew this was Continue Reading