Staying Anchored in Prayer: A 30-Day Journal for Moms Who Need More Than Just Survival.
Let’s be honest, Mama, life can feel like a whirlwind. Between the laundry piles, never-ending appointments, and trying to keep up with everyone’s emotional needs (including yours), it’s too easy to let prayer slip to the bottom of your to-do list. But what if staying rooted in God didn’t require hours of quiet solitude or a perfectly tidy house? What if all you needed was a few intentional minutes and a tool to help you show up—even when you’re running on fumes?
That’s exactly why My Prayer Journal was created. It is not for the mom with all the time in the world, nor for the one who always has a quiet corner and fresh coffee. This is for you, the woman juggling so much and still longing to stay connected to God.
Why This Journal Works (Even When Life Doesn’t Feel Peaceful)
This 30-day journal is your gentle invitation to slow down and center your heart each day, even if it’s just for five minutes between chaos and carpool. It’s more than blank pages. Its structure is without pressure. Purpose without perfection.
Here’s what makes it work for busy moms:
🕊️ Simple Daily Format – Every day includes space to:
Read a thoughtfully selected scripture.
Praise God, thank Him, and believe Him for something specific.
Reflect on your thoughts and write down your prayers.
Guided Prompts – You’re not left staring at a blank page. The journal gently walks you through what to pray for your husband, children, family, friends, community, country, and yourself. Each focus area is broken down with beautifully written prayers and meaningful prompts.
Weekly Focus – The journal includes a prayer schedule to guide your intercession throughout the week, so you never feel overwhelmed or directionless. You’ll cover the people and issues that matter most, without trying to remember them all at once.
Scripture-Based Inspiration – Each page includes a powerful Bible verse to anchor your time with God in truth. Whether it’s a word of encouragement from Psalms or a charge to be faithful from James, you’ll be reminded that God meets you right where you are.
This Isn’t About Doing More. It’s About Being Still.
I know how easy it is to feel like you’re never doing enough, especially when it comes to your faith. But this journal isn’t about striving. It’s not another thing to check off. It’s about showing up in your messy, beautiful, ordinary life and inviting God into it.
Even if you miss a day, come back. Even if your prayers feel short or scattered, write them anyway. He hears them all.
From My Heart to Yours
My Prayer Journal was designed with you in mind. Not the woman you think you should be, but the one you are today. The one who’s doing her best. The one who feels weary but wants to stay close to Jesus. The one who prays while folding socks and whispers “help me” more than she recites fancy devotionals.
You don’t have to wait for life to slow down before prioritizing your prayer life. This journal makes it possible right now.
So light a candle, or don’t. Sit in silence, or journal with cartoons blaring in the background. Just open the pages, and let God meet you in the middle of your real life.
You are seen. You are loved. And your prayers—no matter how brief—are powerful.
Staying Anchored in Prayer: In My Prayer Journal for Moms Who Need More Than Just Survival
Let’s be honest, Mama, life can feel like a whirlwind. Between the laundry piles, never-ending appointments, and trying to keep up with everyone’s emotional needs (including yours), it’s too easy to let prayer slip to the bottom of your to-do list. But what if staying rooted in God didn’t require hours of quiet solitude or a perfectly tidy house? What if all you needed was a few intentional minutes and a tool to help you show up even when you’re running on fumes?
That’s exactly why My Prayer Journal was created. It is not for the mom with all the time in the world, nor for the one who always has a quiet corner and fresh coffee. This is for you, the woman juggling so much and still longing to stay connected to God.
Giving your child privacy and space as children grow is a natural part of their development. It helps them build self-confidence, responsibility, and decision-making skills. While it is a normal part of growing up, most parents get uncomfortable and aren’t sure how to provide safety while staying connected. That’s what we will look at in this blog.
Finding the right balance between hovering and honoring their privacy needs can be tricky. If we give them too much freedom, our precious kids can be put at risk, while hovering can lead to rebellion, secrecy, and strained relationships.
Balancing privacy with safety is about trust, not control. When teens feel respected and heard, they are more likely to share their lives with their parents willingly.
Parents can build a relationship where teens feel safe seeking guidance without fear of invasion by fostering a mutual understanding of privacy. So, how do we walk this season of parenting well?
Privacy isn’t just about personal space or privacy—it’s much more than that. Our children learn valuable skills like time management, problem-solving, and accountability.
You may find that not all of your children desire privacy. They want to be with people all the time. That’s okay. It really comes down to their temperament, personality, and learning style.
Giving teens space allows them to:
Make independent decisions
Develop self-confidence
Think through cause-and-effect situations
Build emotional resilience
Instead of treating privacy as an “all-or-nothing” issue, parents should adjust boundaries based on maturity, behavior, and trust levels.
How to Balance Privacy and Space
On the other hand, not every struggle means your parenting style is fundamentally flawed. Sometimes, it’s about adjusting things to fit your child’s unique needs or the changing dynamics of your family.
Three ways to practice this:
Knock on the door before entering. It shows respect.
Encourage journaling, prayer, or meditation – (Don’t read it) 🙂
Give them enough time to dream, think about their thoughts, and solve their problems.
You can add to these simple steps to make it work for your family.
Practical Steps to Giving Privacy and Space
Remembering your goal is to help your child grow and mature. These practical steps will act as a springboard to help you navigate this season of honoring your child’s needs.
Mutual Aggrement
Getting your child to agree with the terms you set up is critical to their following your instructions.
Ask yourself:
Is this a need or a want? Both are okay, but knowing the difference is worth knowing.
Does it bring peace and trust to our home or create unnecessary tension?
Sometimes, the hardest part is admitting that something isn’t working and being willing to change.
Sometimes, the hardest part is acknowledging something isn’t working and being willing to change.
Teaching Responsiblity
Talk to your child (in an age-appropriate way) about what is expected. Their perspective can reveal blind spots you hadn’t considered.
Also, seek counsel from trusted mentors, friends, or parenting resources to gain fresh ideas.
Explain how everything posted online lives online forever and can impact future opportunities.
Help them learn to adjust privacy settings to keep personal information safe.
Talk about bullying- online or in-person, and peer pressure.
As your child branches out, there will be times when you have to limit your child’s privacy and freedom.
When Privacy Should Be Limited
While we want to give our child freedom and honor their need for space and privacy, there might come a time when you need to step in to keep them safe.
Extreme mood changes or withdrawal (possible depression, anxiety, or self-harm)
Drastic drop in grades or loss of motivation
Signs of online bullying, inappropriate relationships, or dangerous online behavior
Secretiveness around substances or risky activities
If you see any changes in your child’s behavior, don’t ignore it. Pray, talk to your spouse or someone you trust, and then approach your child with concern, not accusation.
Be slow to react and quick to listen. Let them know you are there to help, not control.
Final Takeaway
Privacy should be earned through trust and given in appropriate stages based on the teen’s responsibility and maturity level.
Whether you’re parenting a tween needing some space or a teen asking for more privacy, you can use practical, grace-filled tips to guide your child while keeping your relationship strong.
Raising Grateful Kids in a Me-First World: Why the 30-Day Kids Gratitude Challenge Might Be Exactly What We Need
Let’s be real, mama, we’re in the trenches.
Between making meals, managing meltdowns, folding that never-ending laundry pile (seriously, how do they go through six outfits a day?!), and trying to hold our own sanity together with coffee and Jesus, we’re also trying to raise good humans.
Not just polite kids — grateful ones.
Kids who notice the small stuff, who don’t crumble when life isn’t fair, who can say “thank you” without being prompted, and who mean it.
But in today’s world, that’s not easy. Entitlement is everywhere. Gratitude? It’s quieter. But here’s the good news — it’s not gone. And with a little intention, we can bring it back into our homes.
Why Gratitude Matters (More Than Ever)
Gratitude isn’t just a feel-good attitude. It’s a life-changer. Research shows it boosts emotional resilience, improves relationships, and even helps kids cope better with stress and anxiety. And let’s be honest — we all want our children to be more content, more thoughtful, and more grounded.
But the real kicker? Gratitude is taught.
It’s shaped in the everyday. In dinner table conversations. In thank-you notes scribbled in crayon. In bedtime prayers whispered over tangled blankets and tired hearts.
Enter: The 30-Day Kids Gratitude Challenge
That’s why I created the Kids Gratitude Challenge — not as another item to pile on your to-do list, but as a gentle, fun rhythm to weave into your child’s day. It’s practical, simple, and just the right amount of structure to make gratitude stick.
This 30-day printable challenge includes:
A daily gratitude journal with prompts like “What was your favorite thing you did today?” and “What are you thankful for?”
Gratitude BINGO — a fun, interactive way for your kids to practice kindness and thankfulness in real life.
Creative prompts like the Gratitude Alphabet, Gratitude Tree, and My Gratitude Chain that get kids thinking (and moving).
Bonus activities like writing wishes for others on clouds, drawing their happy place, and mapping out where they’ve traveled.
It’s colorful, creative, and best of all — kid-approved.
How to Use It Without Overwhelm
No pressure to complete it perfectly. No gold stars required.
You can print the pages, stick them on the fridge, tuck the journal sheets in their lunchbox, or make it a cozy end-of-the-day routine. Some moms turn it into a family challenge, filling out the gratitude leaves together or seeing who gets “Gratitude BINGO” first.
The goal isn’t perfection. Its presence.
Presence in helping your child notice what they already have. Presence in teaching them that joy often grows in the soil of appreciation. Presence in showing them that thankfulness isn’t just for November — it’s a lifestyle.
A Few Gratitude-Inspired Ideas to Try This Week:
Ask your child at bedtime: “What was the best part of your day?”
Do one Gratitude Bingo square together — like leaving a thank-you note for the mail carrier.
Write or draw one thing they’re thankful for and hang it up where everyone can see.
It’s in these little moments that big character is built.
Mama, You’re Planting Seeds
I know it feels like you’re repeating yourself, and I know some days it seems like your kids don’t get it. But don’t underestimate the seeds you’re sowing. Gratitude may not bloom overnight, but it grows slowly, deeply, and beautifully.
You are doing holy, heart-shaping work. Keep going.
And if you need a hand (or a printable), the 30-Day Kids Gratitude Challenge is here to help you raise kids who see the good and express gratitude.
Because thankful hearts grow in homes just like yours. ~connie
You can grab your copy of the challenge at HERE — and don’t forget to share your family’s gratitude moments with us on Instagram @conniealbers. Let’s raise a generation that chooses gratitude on purpose.
Are you ready to let go of guilt and embrace what really works in parenting? Or at least for this year! As we settle into 2025, it’s time to leave behind the trends that made us question our sanity and welcome ones that actually make life easier. Today, I want to focus on 5 Parenting Trends to Embrace to help you simplify your routines, connect with your children, and watch as your family flourishes.
Parenting trends evolve with the times, but not all of them are worth carrying into the future. Some modern parenting practices are creating unnecessary stress for parents and children alike.
Before jumping into these parenting trends, let’s start with one that will instantly lighten your mental load and bring more peace to your daily routine. Ready? Let’s begin with simplifying your schedule—because less really is more. For instance:
Over-the-Top Celebrations: Are They Really Worth It?
Let’s be honest—who hasn’t felt the pressure to throw an Instagram-worthy birthday party or go all out for the holidays? It’s easy to get swept up in the idea that bigger is better, especially when social media is filled with picture-perfect celebrations. But here’s the thing: those elaborate parties and inch-stone celebrations (yes, even for trying new food) often come with more stress than joy. Between the cost, the planning, and the pressure to impress, it can leave you feeling drained rather than fulfilled.
Here’s the good news: your kids don’t need a Pinterest-perfect party to feel loved. What they’ll remember most is the way you made them feel—special, cherished, and celebrated in a way that’s true to your family. A simple gathering with their favorite cake and a game of tag in the backyard? That’s the stuff memories are made of. Let’s take the pressure off and focus on celebrating in ways that bring joy, not stress.
Parenting Trend: Overscheduling Kids
Does it ever feel like your life is one big carpool, from soccer practice to music lessons to tutoring, with barely a moment to breathe? You’re not alone—so many parents find themselves in this nonstop cycle, believing it’s the best way to help their kids thrive. But here’s the truth: overscheduling can leave both you and your kids feeling burned out. Children need downtime—those unstructured moments to play, daydream, and let their creativity shine. Without it, they miss out on opportunities to recharge, and so do you.
Remember, packed schedules can cause family connections to take a backseat. Dinner conversations, game nights, or just relaxing together on the couch become rare luxuries. So here’s a thought: Try focusing on one or two activities your child truly loves, and reclaim your evenings with family nights that are all about laughter and connection. Because in the end, those simple, shared moments are what your kids will treasure most.
Parenting Trends: Goodbye Perfection, Hello Real Life
Let’s address the elephant in the room: perfectionism. Social media has made it easy to fall into the trap of curated parenting, where every post looks like a magazine spread. But in real life? It’s messy, chaotic, and beautiful.
A word of caution: If you have perfectionistic tendencies, you need to ask the Lord to help you change. But it’s worth noting to give yourself some grace while you change.
Parenting Trends: Simplify Holiday Madness
Remember when holidays were about simple joys—family traditions, laughter, and the excitement of the season—rather than stress and exhaustion? Lately, every holiday has turned into a full-blown production, with back-to-back school parties, neighborhood events, and costume changes rivaling a Broadway show. And while making memories is important, so is your sanity. It’s easy to get caught up in the pressure to do it all, but sometimes less really is more. Instead of stretching yourself thin, choose one or two meaningful activities that truly bring joy to your family. Reuse decorations, repurpose costumes, and permit yourself to slow down. Your kids don’t need a Pinterest-perfect holiday; they need a happy, present parent who actually gets to enjoy it with them.
Less is often more when it comes to celebrating. It can take a little practice, but you will enjoy making memorable moments when you do.
Parenting Trends: Focus on Simplicity and Connection
Today is your fresh start. Let’s make it the year we let go of trends that add stress and focus on what truly matters: building stronger connections with our kids and creating memories that last a lifetime. These five parenting trends can have a dramatic impact on your family.
Set Boundaries: Learn to say no to trends or commitments that don’t serve your family’s well-being.
Focus on What Matters: Ask yourself, “What will my child remember most about this moment?”
Embrace Authenticity: Celebrate the perfectly imperfect journey of parenting.
5 Parenting Trends to Embrace in 2025
These 5 Parenting Trends to Embrace offer simple, practical ways to reduce pressure, reconnect with your kids, and enjoy family life.
Thank you for joining me today on Equipped to Be. Remember, parenting isn’t about keeping up—it’s about showing up. Let’s commit to a year of simplicity, connection, and flourishing.
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who might need this reminder.
If you’re anything like me, your days are full before your feet hit the floor. Between caring for your family, managing work, keeping up with the home, and being the emotional glue that holds everything together, it’s easy to forget there’s a “you” in the middle of all this. A woman with dreams. With goals. With passions that still matter.
That’s exactly why I created the Reflecting on Your Goals and Passions Journal.
This isn’t your typical “write down five goals and go get ’em” kind of journal. It’s a gentle, faith-rooted space designed to help you—yes, even in the midst of dishes and laundry and soccer practice—pause long enough to ask:
What really lights me up?
What has God been nudging me toward that I’ve been too busy (or too tired) to notice?
How can I align my days with what matters most?
Because here’s the truth: You can live with intention, even in this season of chaos. You can find clarity about where God is leading you. You can remember what it feels like to dream again—and take real steps toward those dreams without feeling guilty or overwhelmed.
What’s Inside the Journal?
Guided prompts that help you reflect on your identity, passions, and calling in Christ
Scripture-based encouragement to remind you that you are never alone in your journey
Simple, intentional action steps to help you move forward in small, meaningful ways
Weekly reflection pages to pause, regroup, and refocus on what truly matters
I didn’t want to create a journal that added another “thing” to your to-do list. I wanted to make one that felt like a breath of fresh air in your week. A space to meet with the Lord, ask the deeper questions, and receive the wisdom He’s ready to give.
Why This Journal Matters for Moms of Faith
As moms, we are so used to showing up for everyone else. But what about showing up for the woman God created us to be?
When we take time to reflect on our own goals and passions, filtered through prayer and God’s Word, we’re not selfish. We’re obedient. We’re faithful. And we’re modeling for our kids what it looks like to live a life surrendered, purposeful, and deeply alive.
Whether you’re trying to rediscover who you are outside of motherhood, launch a creative project, grow spiritually, or stop feeling like you’re stuck on autopilot, this journal is for you.
Let This Be Your Starting Point
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t need a five-year plan or a color-coded spreadsheet. You need a quiet moment, an honest heart, and a willingness to let God speak.
Let this journal be your companion in that process.
He’s already planted the passions in your heart. Let’s water them together.
