[Photo: climbing in the Alps sometimes seems easier than mom-ing]

Your life will be easier, I promise. But first, you must choose how to spend your time.

If you do not prioritize and put the most important things first, you will not be living. You will find yourself filled with regrets.

You’re a victim of whatever impulsive demand awaits you at every moment.

You need to stop trying to do it all, all the time.

You aren’t drowning, but you can only tread water for so long before you begin to lose yourself.

Those have each been thoughts in my head. I didn’t like admitting to myself that I may have had the answers but also didn’t know how to get out of the chaos to make a change. That’s what parenting felt like for many years to me.
We have six children, ranging in age from 18-years-old down to a 6-month-old. If you’re thinking, “Wow! That’s a lot of kids!” I would tend to agree with you.
When we had only one child, it wasn’t easier. “How on earth can I get this kid to listen to me?” I found myself defaulting to the one tactic that seemed to work, most of the time, yelling. I also recall holding a door closed to try to teach our oldest, a 3-year-old, at the time, a lesson. It was a “Go to your room!” sort of moment.

It didn’t feel good to me. I didn’t necessarily think anything was wrong with yelling, but I didn’t like how I felt afterwards. It took an emotional toll on me. That’s when I stumbled upon “Super Nanny”! I became glued to the tv in awe of how a British (I think) nanny could come into a home with rowdy children (of course, those kids were much wilder than my own) and leave after a few weeks with such positive results.

I WANTED TO BE SUPER NANNY!

I learned that time-out wasn’t a bad idea after all. It worked just as she said it would! Her strategies even taught me to remove my emotions from discipline (mostly). She demonstrated how to be firm yet loving. My days of being a mom who yells were behind me (mostly).

That was my first step to becoming a better mom and I became a self-proclaimed Super Nanny, over 14 years ago.

After just one child, we decided the tantrums of our toddler would be the end of us. There was no way we were going to have another child! However, our first-born had so many cute moments that we thought having another would be great!
It was either that or amnesia. Somehow, we forgot that each child becomes a toddler. And, the diapers! The crying. The messy house. Then, the doubling of toys and so much more to do… and that was with just two!

Not long after our second son was born, we began the Celebrate Marriage Ministry. Without going into detail, that is why we have four more children.
I consider myself a parenting expert at this point. What other career would you spend over eighteen years of time and not be a pro? I’ll take the title, although, there is always more to know and room to grow.

Whether you are a mom, dad, or caregiver, you are put in a role designed especially for you, for your purpose. That is why I created Mom with Purpose.
Moms today have more opportunities than ever before. They are also expected to do more. Whether you are struggling to do it all or are ready to take on bigger goals, being a Mom with Purpose will give you the inspiration and tools you need to create the life you desire.

Stay tuned for my first customizable template!