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Hopes and Prayers for Our Children

Posted by dataperk on July 27, 2020

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    In 2016, I was a stay-at-home mom who wrote as a s In 2016, I was a stay-at-home mom who wrote as a side hustle. I was preparing to release my second book for teen girls, a book that’s getting a glow-up this year ⭐️ Life was getting super-busy as we entered the thick of parenting. My girls were in 8th grade, 6th grade, 4th grade and 1st grade. Ella was a cheerleader, Sophie was an aspiring cheerleader who tumbled all the time (even in front of George Washington’s house), Marie Claire was loving dance, and Camille was my sidekick, always with me as I drove sisters around. Harry and I celebrated 18 years of marriage and mourned the loss of his dad on NYE. I grew very aware of the gift it was to have both my parents with us. We took fun trips to Washington DC (as a family), NYC (to celebrate Marie Claire’s 10th birthday) and Asheville (just me and the girls) after Christmas. We stayed at the Grove Park Inn and loved it. All my girls were still Bama fans like their mom and dad. We hadn’t lost 3 to Auburn yet ❤️🧡 The new iPhone introduced protrait mode. Dabbing was all the rage. We had a lot of wheels in motion, and it’s all kind of a blur, but looking back I feel so grateful for this time with my children in these formative years of their childhood. I’m thankful for the slow growth of my career that let me prioritize them. I love where my family is now, and the deeper connections we have, but I’d still go back to this time and do it all over again! #2026isthenew2016 #flashbacks #kampakisfamily
    My friend used to tell her daughter, when she got My friend used to tell her daughter, when she got left out, “For every invitation you don’t receive, there’s another invitation around the corner.” She coached her daughter well through social disappointments, and it grew her daughter’s resilience. A missed invitation could roll off her shoulders much better than the average middle school girl. As moms, we give our kids a framework. How well they respond to not being invited is largely shaped by how well we respond…and the framework we give. There is a healthy way, and on my Substack, for paid subscribers, are specific ways to help your child. Comment ❤️ and I’ll DM you the link. Also, to receive new articles, subscribe to my Substack. There’s a free option and a paid one, whichever you prefer❤️
    Shopping for Valentine’s gifts for your teen/colle Shopping for Valentine’s gifts for your teen/college daughter? 💕 Want to help your son get his girlfriend a gift she’ll love? My daughter Sophie, a junior at Alabama, set up my ShopMy page. She’s curated a fantastic Valentine’s Gift Guide that would be a hit for any age, especially the LAKE pajamas🥰 Comment ❤️ and I’ll message you the Valentine’s Gift Guide link. Or find it in my bio. For more help shopping for a teenage girl, follow me on ShopMy. I get DMs all the time asking for suggestions, and we’ve finally got links for evening gowns, cocktail dresses, and more. Let me know what you’d like to see!
    Harry is home, and we are so happy. The girls an Harry is home, and we are so happy. The girls and I missed him like crazy during his 10-day pilgrimage to Greece with his priest and several men from @holytrinityholycrossbham church, yet the experiences they shared and friendships they made will benefit them for a lifetime. Of that I’m certain 🕊️ Their peak experience was living with the monks for 4 days at Mount Athos - an epicenter of Eastern Orthodox Christianity and one of the most sacred spaces on earth. They engaged in 5-hour liturgies, woke up 2 a.m. for one liturgy, prayed a lot, and - most importantly - learned from these monks whose lives are defined by humility, gratitude, wisdom, piety, and death to self. In an age of celebrity Christian culture, where so much emphasis is placed on entertainment, charisma, and going viral online, it’s refreshing to hear stories of these holy men practicing ancient faith traditions that have been passed down for 1000 years. Many saints have come from Mount Athos, and my hope is that maybe this group met a future saint along the way. During their trip they also visited Athens, Meteora, and Thessaloniki - where they went to the church of Saint Demetrios, who was so filled with the Holy Spirit that his relics stream a sweet-smelling myrrh. They were gifted swabs of cotton with this myrrh that’s been associated with healing and divine grace for centuries. There were many other stories from this trip (my favorite are the mishaps that happened while riding mules up the mountain🏔️), but what I love most is seeing the brotherly love among men whose common ground is seeking the Lord. As James 4:8 says, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.” Wherever we are, God is always present, and spending time with godly people helps us see that more clearly and desire a deeper, richer faith. If you love church history and want to know more, Bob Simon of @60minutes did a fantastic feature on Mount Athos in 2011. It took them years to get access, and the result was worth the wait. Leave a ❤️ and I’ll message you the link. I’ve watched it three times already, and it just doesn’t get old. #pilgrimages #mountathos #greece #greekmonasteries #birmingham
    When it comes to dating, here are basics for girls When it comes to dating, here are basics for girls to keep in mind: •Men make terrible gods. Keep God #1 in your life, because no human is meant to be your savior. Boys will come and go, but God is forever. •Never date a guy who doesn’t have bright eyes. Eyes are the window to the soul. •A boy may be part of God’s plan for you, but he’ll never be The Plan. Putting a boy on a pedestal sets you up for disappointment and puts unfair pressure on him. •It’s better to be alone for the right reasons than with someone for the wrong ones. •Dating is about rejection, and the purpose of dating is to find the 1 person you’re meant to marry. This eases the sting rejection and reminds you to keep your relationships innocent because it’s 99.99% guaranteed that any boy you date won’t be your husband. •You date (and marry) to your level of health. Get yourself in a good place, and you’ll attract better guys. If you feel so lonely that you’ll settle, you’re not ready to date. •Regarding cheaters: If he’ll do it for you, he’ll do it to you. Don’t be surprised. •You were made to chase your dreams, not boys. If you’re living out your purpose, the right boy will show up at the right time if that’s God’s plan. •Boys can be predators or protectors. They often look similar, so trust your instincts and get out when a situation feels unsafe. Forget about being polite and protect yourself. •You need good friends before & after you date. Don’f neglect your friends. Many women who had serious boyfriends in high school regret overinvesting in those relationships that kept them from cultivating strong friendships and investing in themselves. Even if you find Mr. Right, you still need your peeps. • The best romances have a strong friendship. Chemistry without friendship will fizzle, and relationships centered around physical attraction will fail once the novelty of you wears off and someone prettier comes along. •God loves you even if the boy of your dreams doesn’t. •Approach boys as potential friends, not boyfriends. This frees you to be yourself, which the right guys will want🩷 For more messages like this, comment DEVO and I’ll DM you a link to my bestselling teen devotional.
    One mistake that’s easy make as parents is trying One mistake that’s easy make as parents is trying to “perfect” our children. When that’s our goal, we grow critical. We focus on what we need to “fix.” What this feels like to our child is that we’re never pleased. On Substack, for paid subscribers, are tips on seeing the best in your teen - and inspiring their best too. Comment TEEN and I’ll message you the link. This message comes from #loveherwellbook🤍
    Moms of teens, this is for you! Find joy beyond yo Moms of teens, this is for you! Find joy beyond your child so that you can love them well regardless of how they love you today. Keep the big picture in mind and remember that on a good day, your village is a bonus, and on a bad day, it’s a lifeline🤍 #loveherwellbook #morethanamombook
    I meet so many people who say the #1 faith influen I meet so many people who say the #1 faith influence in their life was a grandparent. Grandparents MATTER. And as parents get stretched thinner (and kids deal with bigger problems at younger ages) I see grandparents as the missing link in helping families thrive. I also foresee a future where “engaged grandparenting” takes off as my generation of engaged parents enters this season and wants to give back. New on the Girl Mom Podcast is encouragement for grandparents - and wisdom on how to engage well. Comment GRAND and I’ll send the link. My guest, Patti Remmert, is one of my favorites. She and her husband Bill have 5 children and 21 grandchildren, and if you know the Remmerts, then you know they are incredible. Already I’m taking notes from Patti, who lives such a full life that it took us months to find a time to record that worked with both our schedules. Every summer, Patti and Bill host Cousins Camp. Their latest theme was “Born to Be Saints,” and they took the oldest grandkids to New Orleans. She shared this on social media: “What greater goal can we have in life than to be a Saint with God in Heaven for all eternity? Jackson Square, Mardi Gras World, St Mary’s Church by the shrine for Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, beignets, resting after thousands of steps, World War II Museum, view of Loyola and final dinner @Katie’s - a favorite of the locals. We were really sad to miss Jude Remmert who suffered a serious knee injury playing lacrosse. Surgery and rehab are in his future. We pray for his complete healing🙏🏻 Everyday holds a possibility of a miracle.” Clearly, @pattiremmert is a special woman, and it was a blessing to have this conversation. Take time to listen as you’re folding laundry, running errands, or cooking dinner, as I promise that you will feel blessed too - whether you’re a grandmother already or a mom making mental notes like me🤍
    I often hear from moms whose daughters are struggl I often hear from moms whose daughters are struggling with middle school friendships. Have these conversations in advance to let your daughter know that if a heartache happens to her, it’s okay, it’s normal, and she’ll get through it. She’ll learn lessons that make her stronger and more certain of the kind of friend she plans to be🤍 *Comment DEVO and I’ll message you a link to my teen/college girl devotional #yoursnothersdevo. It makes a great Valentine’s gift!
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