THE AWKWARD MOM

because uncomfortable conversations are the ones worth having

Category: faith (page 1 of 19)

Preparing Your Kids For the Day You Can’t See Coming

Reading Time: 4 minutes

preparing your kids

One (just one) of the problems with writing a parenting book is the whisper spitting in my ear sometimes as I parent my oh-so-real-life teens. Like the one who yelled at me across the lawn this morning. (See? I’m wondering if I should have let you know that.)

Enter the Whisper: And you wrote a parenting book? read more

Daily Prayers for Holy Week and Easter for Your Family

Reading Time: < 1 minute

prayers for holy week and easter for families

This morning my teenagers are peeling themselves out of bed for that oh-so-exciting first school day after Spring Break.  And for all us types with less liturgy in our lives,  it might actually be easy to let Holy Week slide into that sludgy pile of Great Things I Really Meant to Focus On.

So I’m tossing both of us a low ball here. read more

“I Don’t Feel Close to God” (with PRINTABLE VERSES)

Reading Time: 4 minutes

I don't feel close to God

My friend’s alienation crackled through the phone line. “I don’t know. I keep doing all the right things. But a lot of times I don’t feel close to God, you know?”

My friend described time in Scripture and prayer, their attempts to live in ways that pleased God. Yeah, I definitely believe there are things we can do to move closer to God. I also know what it’s like to feel like God is endlessly, silently away from you. read more

Best Posts of 2022!

Reading Time: 5 minutes

best posts of 2022

Today, my oldest is headed for continued training with the Marines; the 1987 Nissan Z he’s been flipping–the one the still needs the muffler?–sits resignedly outside. My youngest, a delight and a straight-up handful, is with extended family.  And thanks to this past year’s new puppy, I’m up early.

(This morning’s tea choice: Stash’s Licorice Spice. But since we’re talking New Year’s, my favorite of 2022 has definitely been Tazo’s Glazed Lemon Loaf.) read more

Code Adam: When you’re waiting for someone to come back to Jesus

Reading Time: 4 minutes

He must have been two when it happened: back when his cheeks still looked like he was storing up nuts for winter. (Now, at 16, he just eats like he’s storing up for winter.)

The store’s fluorescent lights buzzed above, and the air conditioning was running full-blast there in the South. read more

“Is This Really Where I’m Supposed to Be?”

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Something beautiful happened in my family last weekend.

This is me, in San Diego, with my husband–and my oldest son, who has your back. He is one of the United States’ newest marines. read more

Fences, Sex, & Not-so-bad Boundaries

Reading Time: 3 minutes

invisible fences good boundaries

One of my favorite recent additions to our house: An invisible fence to keep our adorable, occasionally obnoxious puppy from

  • running after our local deer infestation.
  • pursuing other dogs and unsuspecting passersby.
  • getting another person’s dog knocked up in the future.
  • being flattened by a vehicle.
  • annoying or alarming the new guests at the VRBO next door. To be clear, he’s ten pounds, so not a huge threat, literally or metaphorically.
  • indulging his insatiable curiosity and appetite for exploration to the point he can’t find his way back.

In short, our fence protects charming, tuna-and-gym-socks-loving little Charlie from himself. read more

When God Says “No” (for now): FREE printable

Reading Time: 2 minutes

when god says no

Dear readers–I’m pulling this one from the archives today for you…mostly because it was what I needed. -J.

Do you remember the first time you wondered if God really was good? read more

What You Absolutely Cannot Do as a Parent

Reading Time: 4 minutes

growth

When my kids were younger, I tried my hand at writing a children’s book.

It was the story of a boy in a small town whose grandpa had a magical house: The House of Broken and Beautiful. His grandpa was beloved, though some who didn’t know him suspected him of evil. read more

Not Enough: When Self-Doubt is Real

Reading Time: 4 minutes

not enough

It’s become legend in my family–the night I went to see Hedda Gabler at my university as a freshman.

Somewhere in Act II, I think, my friend Paul came on stage wearing a painted-on black eye.  And that’s when I promptly began to feel lightheaded. I was thinking, Janel. It’s makeup read more

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