Tag Archives: stay at home mom

The Most Common Question

Beauty, Confidence, , , , , , ,

The Covid-19 stay-at-home-order has put us all in casual dress mode.

I can’t remember the last time I dressed up–even our Easter photo opt. proved to be casual (at least from the waist down!).  My daughter didn’t even have dress shoes since she left college during her spring break, unprepared to come home for the year.

Even though I’m a Dramatic who loves fashion and makeup, my Natural side loves being stuck at home.  I don’t miss my heels at all!

How about you?

I’ve been rather amazed, however, at how much traffic one particular blog is still getting. Since I wrote it in 2012, it has always been my most popular post, but I am surprised that it is even more popular right now during a time when we are all so socially inactive.

Apparently, social distancing does not stop the Beauty Battle within.

Continue reading The Most Common Question →

3 Tips for Handling Stay at Home Stress

Confidence, Kids, Life, Personal Style, , , , , ,

When I’m stressed,  I shut down and shut up.

The term tongue-tied may mean one thing to you, but to me, it is a perfect metaphor for how I feel when I am hurting. Even when I want to talk, the words are held captive. It doesn’t matter how quiet I am, however, my body language still  speaks loudly. Usually what it’s saying is,

“Leave me alone!”

And then I feel hurt when people avoid me–especially my husband, of course. I want others to read my mind not my face. I want them to ask and then wait (a really long time if necessary). Then I want them to judge my heart and not my confusing words. And I want them to be on my side, even if they have a completely opposing opinion.

I want, I want, I want.

When we are stressed, we are selfish.

Continue reading 3 Tips for Handling Stay at Home Stress →

3 Tips for Doing Hair at Home (or Not)

Beauty, Personal Style, , , ,

Just before the Covid19 social distancing order, I had gone on a self-care kick. It seemed that the stressful situations my family was facing were over and a spa day would help relieve the tension I was still carrying. Who would have thought that this stay at home order would last more than two weeks? I am so glad now that I took that time to do my hair and “fill my cup” before this forever-quarantine. 

When I feel ugly, I struggle with depression. I know I’m not the only one.

Casual clothing isn’t a problem for most of us; we like staying at home in our sweats. A bad-hair day, on the other hand, can make many women struggle with confidence and cheerfulness.  Continue reading 3 Tips for Doing Hair at Home (or Not) →

Is it Better to Be a Good Mother or a Grand Mother?

Confidence, Kids, Life, ,

With my last child leaving the nest  and a granddaughter on the way, I am often told that it is more fun to be a grandmother than a mom. 

Mothers typically find their identity in their relationships–especially with their children.

I’ve gained three important insights on motherhood:

  1. Moms have tremendous influence on the life of a child. Our kids lives are swayed by our faith, opinions, perspectives and words.  A child whose mom believes in her is more than a conqueror. A child whose mom condemns her will struggle with self-esteem.
  2. Moms have little power over the way they interpret that influence. Children will interpret your heart according to theirs. We say, “Clean your room, honey.” They may hear, “You’re such a slob!”  or “I need to do better to be loved.” It is vital that we understand our strengths and weaknesses and study them as individuals so that we can train them in the way they should go.
  3. It is very important that we know who we are and take our role seriously. There will be times when parenting is the hardest “career” on earth, changing jobs is not an option. No matter how difficult the relationship may get, we must continue to be the best mom we can be. As they grow up, we are no longer responsible for their choices, but we will always be responsible for how we treat them.

Our challenges with motherhood Continue reading Is it Better to Be a Good Mother or a Grand Mother? →

Let Him In Your Boat

Life, , , , ,

Christ_in_Storm_on_Sea_of_Galilee_Ludolf_Backhuysen2There are three accounts in the Gospels that tell the story of Jesus walking on water. Matthew (in chapter 14), Mark (in chapter 6) and John (in chapter 6) each give their viewpoint of what happened that amazing day.

The disciples were in a boat in the middle of the sea during a raging storm attempting to row to shore. They were struggling against the wind when they saw the shadow of Jesus coming toward them. Assuming He was a ghost His followers were frightened, but once they knew it was their Rabi, they gladly took Him into the boat with them and the storm calmed down. Immediately they arrived to where they were going.

Here’s the thing: Before Jesus got in the boat with them, when He told them not to worry, Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, if that is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Talk about faith being inspired! Wow. I love to see people do amazing things; it encourages me that I can, too. But I’m not sure I would have even thought of trying that one. I mean really, there are times when other people’s great accomplishments are not an inspiration to me. I may be impressed but if its over the top or out of my giftings I simply applaud and let them enjoy the fame.

Finding the faith to act out of our comfort zones can be too much work.

Honestly, I think sometimes we choose too much work trying to prove ourselves, don’t you? I mean, if Peter’s attempt at walking on water was so amazing, why is it that only Matthew mentions it? If this part of the story was so important, wouldn’t all the gospels mention it? Don’t get me wrong, I am not ditching Peter; I applaud him.

Jesus did invite Peter to “come” but remember Peter had asked Him to tell him to come out of the boat. Jesus didn’t ask anyone else to attempt what was unnatural to man. It’s normal to want to have super abilities, and I do believe our Lord is please with our attempts when our heart is to please Him, but I also believe that we sometimes put more on ourselves than He expects us to.

Maybe it’s time we stop trying to be amazing and just invite Jesus into our boat so we can be amazed at Him. Perhaps the storms in our lives will cease and we will swiftly and safely get to shore. Who knows? We, too, could end up where we have been struggling to get to immediately. I get the impression that Jesus was more pleased to be asked to get in the boat than He was to ask Peter to get out of it.

*****

Catrina Welch is an image- and life-coach whose message is not as much “what not to wear” as it is, “Know Who You Are,” which is the title of her book of guidelines for your personal image identity. Catrina has also written a Bible study to help women overcome their confidence conflicts; it is titled Supreme MakeOver: a Rich and Refreshing Devotional Experience. Her other books include Footprints Through the Sand: a Consolidation of Life-altering stories about Loving and Losing a Trisomy-18 Baby and Confident Beauty: Reflecting the One Who Made You with the Images in Your Mirror and Your Soul, which will be available in book stores this spring. All of these books are available now at www.CatrinaWelch.com

If you are interested in having Catrina come speak to your friends, colleagues or ministry you can contact her on facebook or by email at catrina@catrinawelch.com.

To Stay or Not to Stay at Home

Faith, Life,

 

There is a familiar debate rising in our society after Hilary Rosen’s comments last week about Ann Romney saying, she “has actually never worked a day in her life.” Many stay at home moms are insulted. Once again our nation is fighting out the question: does a stay-at-home-mom work? Is she less of a woman if she doesn’t have a job/career/business as well? Are working moms wrong to leave their children in someone else’s care?

I’ve had seasons of being a stay-at-home-mom and of being a career-mom, I’ve also been blessed to run a business from home with children under feet and I can tell you that they each option has its pros and cons. Personally, I believe we are accountable for our own lives and the choices we make should not be judged by each other. It’s hard enough to juggle our responsibilities as women, why do we torment ourselves with each other’s judgment?

The root of all unhappiness is comparison.

I think it’s time we rise up as Christian women and follow the advice in Titus 2. Instead of spending our energy debating who has a better life, let us join efforts to encourage and advise each other so that we can each do a good job at raising the next generation; whether we need a second income or not. We need each other. Let’s not let pride segregate us. We need to reach out to other moms who are also feeling alone in their efforts to do the right thing. It takes a village to raise a child.

If you are feeling the pressures of the debate today, I encourage you to live your life according to your convictions and do not let the pressures of this world deter you from what you need to do for your family. God is your judge, not them!

Proverbs 16:2  “All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”