My husband flippantly mentioned something about us being “middle aged.”

I gasped, “What are you talking about? I am not middle aged! I feel so young.”

His eyebrows raised and while attempting to avoid a mind field reaction, he kindly replied, “Ah, hon, what do you think you are? You have a son who’s almost twenty.”

I chuckled with the startling realization, but warn you all, it’s just not worth having a child when you’re ten. 😉

The idea of pushing the “publish” button on a series which names me as a Mentor Mom terrifies me. There’s a reason I haven’t gotten into the nitty gritty of mothering here on the blog over the last few years.

I am in process, making mistakes, and learning more and more each day. Our children are in process, making mistakes, and learning more and more each day. 

I need my own mentor mom (and have one – a rare gift that it’s my own mother), so how can I possibly be one to others? The Lord convicted me of that mentality and urged me to just open up.

I do not have all the answers and if anyone tells you that they do, don’t listen to them, but I am here, in the throws of it with five children (19, 18, 16, 14 and 10.)  I’ve learned some hard life lessons along the way, but I am also reaping the blessed joy of older children making wise choices. (Well today anyhow, tomorrow may be a different story. :))

I’m here with children making a mark on the world, and women asking me to walk alongside them.

There’s no formula for that and I continually feel inadequate, but I know that I show up, day in and day out, doing the really hard stuff, whether those blessings of mine want me to or not, and it’s paying off.

So sweet friends, I am your open book to ask anything you ever wanted to know about mothering over the next 31 days  because I’m kicking off 31 Days with a Mentor Mom.

I know there are so many options out there, but I want this to be a time that feeds your soul, encourages you, and possibly opens up your mothering to varying ideas.

I want us to dialogue because there’s no “one” way to mother, and it’s ok to disagree with me. I love when iron sharpens iron.

My role is to cheer you on because this is so worth it and we are on this journey together. I want us to remember that amidst every diaper changed, every tantrum soothed, every cookie baked, every tear cried, every curfew broken,  it’s worth it!

For the most parts, my posts will be more light hearted and short. I know time is precious, but here are just a few of the topics I am debating because one thing this mentor mom does not do well is planning really far in advance. 🙂

Our biggest parenting struggle, What I did (and do) for our whiny children, dealing with picky eaters, you say he’s shy, I say he’s rude, polishing the pearls amongst the pandemonium of entitlement, Christmas shopping, should my boys play football, talking to kids about sex, my views on postponing “dating,” our 17 year old son’s transition from home school life to public school, kingdom purpose mothering, family traditions, and… I am open to more ideas.

I am thrilled you are here and can’t wait to journey alongside you.

P.S. This is the 4th year I am joining the Nester in our 31 Days series. Time has flown!

I am also tackling 31 Days of C.O.S.T. Cooking meals (cook once, serve twice or three times) over at 10 Minute Dinners. Join me over there for some easy dinners solutions.