The healing journey of a widowed, unschooling badass in Delaware.
The Zerbeys are having a stripped-down, analog week.
Today we visited the Little Libraries in our neighborhood and topped them off with books from our collection. We were successful in unloading an entire crate and only came home with two new finds.
Four (or more) witnesses, all aged 13 or under, from three (or more) families were enjoying their free-range privileges far from parental eyes when things got out of hand.
My elder son and his rowdy buddy found a frog. It was alive and then it was dead. That’s where agreement seemed to end as I texted with the other parents hours later.
My patience is most pressed when I am lied to. My son was not forthcoming with the truth and I could only walk away from him to check back with the other parents for more pieces of the story.
A short lecture on respecting all life and the danger and hurtfulness of deceit was the consequence.
I can’t know what happened in the woods. Those who made bad decisions will be judged by their peers and God, I don’t see much of a role for myself. It’s the kind of uncomfortable relinquishing of control that defines free range parenting. As Bridget Phetasy says in her interview with Lenore Skenazy, “That’s kid stuff, don’t bother the adults with it.”
I yelled at my sons after a long day of getting a hard time from them. I feel like I ruined a happy day of celebrating the Resurrection.
I feel unworthy of all my blessings. I have to stop these outbursts. I have to do better.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
-Colossians 3:15
There was a lot of chaos in my house today. I wasn’t nearly Christ-like.
Sometimes my peaceful parenting journey feels like it’s in reverse. Even so, I apologized and promised my sons that my temper is my responsibility and not theirs.
Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
In a world packed with stimuli, it can be hard to listen to God. Today, He didn’t give me a chance to miss the message.
I got into the car frustrated as my sons had dragged their feet and only half-heartedly helped on the tasks I needed complete for our adventures.
Westen asked to listen to something rogether and I stopped him, “No. You two aren’t listening to me and I don’t want to engage with you right now.” I put my earbuds in and rejoined the same podcast I posted about a couple days ago.
Per usual, it wasn’t five minutes before Westen was talking to me. I attempted patience and waited for my chance to say that I didn’t want to talk. He went on to talk about racism as discussed in the Bible.
The conversation in my ear had turned to tribalism in the Torah and today.
Okay God, I get it, thanks.
I pulled the earbuds out and heard the rest of Westen’s ideas. I added a couple examples of stories from the New Testament and Isaac gladly joined the conversation.
I am consistently impressed by my son’s minds. They listen keenly and question right down to the principles. I don’t take much credit for this, God sent me these free thinkers to challenge and embolded my faith.
I thank God for knowing that sometimes I need to be knocked back into loving engagement with those around me.
We’re starting to get back into our rhythm with some fun building.
Thanks to Jessica at The Connected Life for these pictures.
He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
-2 Corinthians 12:9
“Lord, what am I doing wrong?” Is a difficult question to ask honestly. So often we ask it because of undesired results, not because we genuinely want our weaknesses revealed.
When I start my day with prayer, I try hard to include a request for knowledge of the weaknesses I do not see. There is no bottom to the well of weakness. As I descend, I become stronger in Christ’s love.
Ask about your weaknesses in prayer. Be not afraid to receive the truth. Delve into your weakness and you will be stronger.
Disclosure: The links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
This unpredictable child wanted to dress up for church this morning. As I’m regularly dragging him there in pajamas, I was excited to help him get ready.
Trying to write on this subject tonight as I try to get my boys to sleep so we can have an amazing adventure tomorrow.
Failing at all the things.
They’re awake and talking. I have lost my temper to yelling and threatening. I want to throw away all the planning and money and skip the adventure.
My mind is split and I can’t finish the post I wanted to write.
I don’t know what to do.
This is a conversation with a CPS whistleblower.
Disclosures:
1. The Tom Woods Show is a libertarian podcast with many non-political episodes. This is one that all parents should be aware of.
2. Tom Woods is a Catholic, homeschool dad of five girls.
3. Woods has personally reached out to me when I was in a bad place. This guy cares about people.
4. I’m a subscriber and patron of his, I get nothing in return for sharing this episode: Child Protective Services: A Whistleblower Speaks Out.