Rewilding Motherhood {Review}

In Rewilding Motherhood, Shannon K. Evans takes the concept of rewilding and attempts to apply it to feminine spirituality.  For years, women have been told that motherhood will complete them.  But many women still long for a deeper spiritual connection with God.  Evans encourages women to use motherhood as an opportunity to connect with a deeper knowledge of God and self.  Topics include: identity, work-life balance, and solitude.

I was really excited about the premise of this book.  I think there's a lot here to explore.  However, the first chapter was so full of red flags.  From the first page, the author asserts that society has told women that they'll be fulfilled from being mothers.  This statement alone is completely contrary to today's view of motherhood which has been greatly devalued.  Evan goes on to talk about how women have sacrificed themselves on the alters of their husbands and children.  Not only did I find this statement offensive, but also untrue.  There's was so many condescending statements just within the first few chapters of this book; I became so frustrated with the author that I just couldn't go any further.  All in all, Rewilding Motherhood felt very poorly researched, very self-helpish, and incredibly judgmental.  I just can't recommend this book for anyone.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

 

Weekend Links ll Aug 27, 2021

Baked Penne Pasta Casserole

Fish Notebooking and Research Pages

Bible Verse Copywork--Psalms

Sheet Pan Gnocchi

10 Ways to Make Your Tiny Bathroom Seem Bigger

What are you up to?

 

My 52 Lists Project: Journaling Inspiration for Kids! {Review}

 

I'm always on the lookout for ideas that help my kids develop their writing.  So when I got the chance to review this book, I jumped at it.  My 52 Lists Project is filled with writing prompts from the everyday (list the things you want to do this year) to the thought provoking (list the things you want to be known for).  Some prompts are serious, some are silly, and some make for quicker list making.  This guide would be ideal for a homeschool setting or a later elementary teacher looking for a way to mix up writing projects.  And starting with a list allows those young writers to relax and release their thoughts without the pressure of producing a paragraph right away.  My only word of caution is that the digital copy is really lacking.  I would prefer to have a hard copy of this book with colorful photos and illustrations. If you're looking at the purchasing the digital, I would skip My 52 Lists Project and look up prompts online.

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.

Back to School ll First Day of Homeschool Traditions

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The new homeschool year is coming up fast! What are some of your favorite back to homeschool traditions?

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑20yrs led to 👱15 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 9 yrs. Meet the Teacher ll Collab: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB-sNyRhsJI&t=5s What We Read ll July 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InPx4RJrSw4&t=16s Tips for a More Affordable Homeschool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_3sTqtakac Continuing Education for Homeschool Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AJW9sy6Wd8 Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Board Games Our Family Loves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzzPR2lCgpc&t=1s Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored.

Weekend Links ll Aug 13, 2021

August Teen Writing Prompts

Free Shakespeare Literature Unit

Free Homeschool Planning Boot Camp

Sweet Smokey Zucchini Salsa

Easy Ways to Transition Your Home from Summer to Early Fall

This Week:

What I'm Cooking:

This week our big anniversary (20 years) feel in the middle of the week.  And being parents of 3 kids and an anniversary in the middle of the week, well, it just wasn't conducive to going out.

So instead, we had on our family's favorite meals: Lettuce Wraps.

These are so incredibly delicious; they feel like a luxury.

Just don't forget to double to sauce.

What I'm Reading:

I just finished Awaking Wonder by Sally Clarkson.  I think this is the third time I've read through it.  It's so good and gets me focused and re-energized for a new homeschool year. 

What I'm Doing:

We've been caught between the world of savoring the end of summer and yet getting ready for a new homeschool year.  So our days are divided between visits to the lake, hiking, and me staying up to get things going for next week.  It's a weird gray area to be in.

What I'm Enjoying:

Lettuce Wraps...

Floating on the lake...

Finding good deals at the bread store...

Reading biographies...

Savoring summer!

What are you up to?

 

Meet the Teacher -- Show and Tell Collab

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 Today I'm joining in on the Show and Tell Meet the Teacher Collab hosted by Rooted in Rest and The Waldock Way... Get to know our family and our homeschool!

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑20yrs led to 👱15 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 9 yrs. This Months' Show & Tell Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXmpf7hvahhCXthwrTFn6ZNrBEnjYkXRa What We Read ll July 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InPx4RJrSw4&t=16s Tips for a More Affordable Homeschool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_3sTqtakac Continuing Education for Homeschool Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AJW9sy6Wd8 Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Board Games Our Family Loves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzzPR2lCgpc&t=1s Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored.

Free Children's Audiobook Resource ll The Good and The Beautiful

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Today I'm sharing a free children's audiobook resource to bless your family and your homeschool. And who doesn't love free???

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑19yrs led to 👱15 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 9 yrs. The Good and the Beautiful StoryTime: https://goodandbeautifulstorytime.com What We Read ll July 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InPx4RJrSw4&t=16s Tips for a More Affordable Homeschool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_3sTqtakac Continuing Education for Homeschool Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AJW9sy6Wd8 Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Board Games Our Family Loves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzzPR2lCgpc&t=1s Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored.

#Short Homeschool Library Haul -- 8/5/21

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Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑19yrs led to 👱15 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 9 yrs.

What We Read ll July 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InPx4RJrSw4&t=16s Tips for a More Affordable Homeschool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_3sTqtakac Continuing Education for Homeschool Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AJW9sy6Wd8 Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Board Games Our Family Loves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzzPR2lCgpc&t=1s Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored.

Setting August Goals ll Homeschool Mom of Three

 

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Today I'm setting goals for the month of August: parenting, homemaking, marriage, and personal!

Join The Creative2xmom Family on their journey of being a family of 5! 💑19yrs led to 👱15 yrs, 👧13 yrs, and 👱 9 yrs. What We Read ll July 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InPx4RJrSw4&t=16s Tips for a More Affordable Homeschool: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_3sTqtakac Continuing Education for Homeschool Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AJW9sy6Wd8 Best of the Homeschool Year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VoTH3hjZYQ&t=1s Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhhBtibAvNo&t=2s Board Games Our Family Loves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzzPR2lCgpc&t=1s Contact us for business inquiries, reviews and collaborations: BethAnn_97@hotmail.com C O N N E C T subscribe at http://www.youtube.com/creative2xmom read at http://www.creative2xmom.blogspot.com like me on http://www.facebook.com/creative2xmom follow me on https://www.instagram.com/creative2xmom/ https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/52903?ref=nav_mybooks Music Attribution: Life of Riley by Kevin MacLeod FTC Disclosure: This video is not sponsored.

5 Ways to Start Your Day Right

*This post was originally published on 2/15/16.  Enjoy!

                                         

Mornings can be hectic.  Kids to drive to school, appointments to keep, and jobs to be done.  Getting the morning started right, getting out the door on time, and still maintaining some sanity is quite a feat.  And that's just the start of your day. 

So even if you're not an early bird, these are 5 Ways to Start Your Day Right and help you conquer your morning.

1.Drink A Warm Glass of Lemon Water--

     Whether you're a coffee drinker, a tea drinker, or just want a glass of water, start your morning with a warm glass of lemon water to detox your body and get yourself going.  Heat up some water while your morning coffee is brewing and sip while you get ready.  It's a healthy way to wake up in the morning.

2. Pray and Ponder--

     While you're sipping your lemon water, take a few minutes to pray over your day.  What challenges do your day hold that you need to pray over?  How can you be praying for your children and your spouse before their day begins?  And whether you have 5 minutes or 30 minutes, find a way to get in the Scriptures.  One of my favorite ways to read Scripture on a busy morning is on index cards.  Write down some Scriptures when you have time and then read through your index cards on the mornings when time is tight.

3. Scan Your Planner--

     You've started your morning.  Now get prepared for your day.  Give yourself a heads up about what's on the agenda for the day.  Make sure you haven't forgotten an appointment.  Do you have a presentation at work?  Is there a parent teacher conference?  Anything out of the ordinary can easily fall through the cracks.  So give yourself a head start by scanning your day ahead.

4. Check Your Menu Plan--

     This is an easy 5 minute task, but can save you from a load of heartache at the end of the day.  Take a moment to scan your menu plan and adjust as needed.  Maybe you need to rearrange your meal plan based on your day.  Or maybe you just need to defrost some chicken.  Either way, a simple 5 minutes now could save you 30 min or more at the end of the day.

5. Hug a Loved One--

     No matter what, make a point to hug a loved one before you head out for your day.  Snuggle your kids close for a moment.  Savor the feeling of holding your spouse's hand a little longer.  Even if it's your pet, take a minute to connect, to love and be loved.  Remind yourself why you get up and do this.  Then go out there and conquer your day.

So what are your tips for starting your day right?

Share in the comments below.