This is the story of my chipped and broken childhood which would lay the foundation for the woman I would one day become. Thirty-five years have passed since my earliest memories, some distorted by fear others engraved in stark relief with no sense of distance between now and then, but all buried somewhere in memory that even now, as an adult, I cannot escape from. This is my beginning, but it was not my end.

Mothering is messy. Our joy and hope in raising children doesn’t change the reality that being a mom can be frustrating, stressful, and tiring. But just as God is using us to shape our children, God is using our children and motherhood to shape us. In The Better Mom, author Ruth Schwenk, herself a mother of four children, encourages us with the good news that there is more to being a mom than the extremes of striving for perfection or simply embracing the mess. We don’t need to settle for surviving our kids’ childhood. We can grow through it. With refreshing and heartfelt honesty Ruth emboldens moms to: Find freedom and walk confidently in purpose Create a God-honoring home environment Overcome unhealthy and destructive emotions such as anger, anxiety, and more Avoid glorifying the mess of mom-ing or idolizing perfection Cultivate life-giving friendships At the heart of The Better Mom is the message that Jesus calls us to live not a weary life, but a worthy life. We don’t have to settle for either being apathetic or struggling to be perfect. Both visions of motherhood go too far. Ruth offers a better option. She says, “It’s okay to come as we are, but what we’re called to do and be is far too important to stay there! The way to becoming a better mom starts not with what we are doing, but with who God is inviting us to become."

"I yelled at the kids again--and feel so ashamed." "I barely have time to shower, let alone exercise; no wonder I’m so out of shape." "I'm just not the dad I hoped I would be." Parenting is hard. That's why self-compassion is so important. In this empathic resource, mindfulness expert and psychologist Susan M. Pollak helps you let go of constant self-judgment and treat yourself with the same kindness and caring you strive to offer your kids. Simple yet powerful guided meditation techniques (most under three minutes long) are easy to practice while doing the dishes, driving to work, or soothing a fussy baby. Learn to respond to your own imperfections like a supportive friend, not a harsh critic. You will find yourself happier and more energized--and will discover new reserves of patience and appreciation for your kids.

The fading lights of the departing train force Josephine Trent out of the shadows… She could barely stifle the scream that rose to her throat as waves of self-loathing, relief and pain threatened to smother her. Her actions leave her in a state of shock and disbelief, as the image of her baby being snatched out of her hands manifested itself before her eyes. This desperate step sets off a chain of events that would plunge their lives into an abyss so dark that the annihilation of two beautiful souls was inevitable.

Includes music (mostly songs with piano accompaniment).

Are you raising entrepreneurial kids? Every parent wants their kid to have a happy and successful future. The problem is they aren't sure how to prepare them for this rapidly evolving world. Now more than ever, entrepreneurial skills are fundamental to their prosperity and wellbeing. Schools don't teach these skills; will you?