Why I Created the Mom Gratitude Journal (and Why You Might Need It Too)
Let’s be real, some days it feels like the only thing we’re grateful for is bedtime.
Between juggling work, laundry piles that could qualify as mountain ranges, endless snack requests, and trying to remember who needed to be where and when… gratitude can easily fall to the bottom of the list. I get it. I’ve been there.
That’s exactly why I created the Mom Gratitude Journal, not because I’ve got it all together, but because I know what it’s like to feel like everything is falling apart.
What Is the Mom Gratitude Journal?
This isn’t some fluffy, fill-it-in-once-and-forget-it kind of journal. This is a simple, doable, 30-day invitation to shift your focus just a little, each day. It includes space to write down:
What made me grateful
What made me smile
My favorite thing that happened
That’s it. No long essays. No pressure. Just a few moments to slow your thoughts and remind your heart of what’s good, even in the middle of the messy.
It also includes:
A 30-day Gratitude Challenge Tracker because there’s something about checking a box that feels satisfying.
A beautiful Gratitude Tree, fill each leaf with something you’re thankful for.
A space called “My Joyful Place”—where you can describe where you feel most like yourself.
Reflective prompts like: “What is God teaching you as you wait for answers?” “What verses are you meditating on this summer?” “What are you specifically praying for this season?”
This journal was made for busy moms who barely have time to drink their coffee while it’s still hot. (Yes, I see you reheating it again.)
Why Gratitude Changes Everything
Here’s the truth I had to learn the hard way: Gratitude doesn’t depend on perfect circumstances. Gratitude is a choice we make every day, sometimes minute by minute.
And it doesn’t mean ignoring the hard stuff. It just means saying, “Even in this, I will give thanks.”
I included this verse in the journal because it’s the anchor for the whole thing:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
That doesn’t mean you’ll always feel thankful, but choosing to look for God’s goodness in the midst of the crazy? That’s where the shift happens.
This Is for You If…
You feel like your days are running you instead of the other way around.
You want to build a habit of gratitude without adding another overwhelming “thing” to your list.
You need help remembering that even small, quiet moments matter.
This journal is more than just a collection of prompts—it’s a lifeline for weary moms who want to live with intention, faith, and a full heart.
And mama, if that’s you, I want you to know—you’re not alone. God is working, even when you can’t see it. Even in the wait. Even in the noise.
Let this journal be your gentle reminder to slow down, look up, and give thanks—right here in the beautiful mess of it all.
You can grab your copy on my website and join me on the journey toward a more grateful heart, one small step at a time.
Motherhood is beautiful but can also lead to burnout, leaving us exhausted. You can Avoid Mom Burnout and Stay Refreshed by taking time to rest, connecting with other moms, prioritizing your time with the Lord, setting realistic goals, and pursuing activities that bring you joy.
But what happens to most moms is we feel discouraged and guilty. We tend to believe the lie that we have to do it all. But when you don’t take a break, you will experience burnout. And burnout doesn’t just impact you —it affects your entire family. When you are refreshed, you are more patient, happier to be around, and willing to extend grace to yourself and others.
Burnout isn’t always about how much we do—it’s about whether our efforts feel valued, effective, and sustainable. If we pour out without taking time to refuel, our bodies and mothering will suffer.
Mom Burnout is Real
You love your children, and you love being their mom. But sometimes, your love for them isn’t enough to erase exhaustion. That exhaustion can quickly lead to burnout.
What can exhaustion look like:
Snapping at your kids over little things.
Feeling emotionally detached, like you’re just going through the motions.
Waking up tired, even after a full night’s sleep.Losing joy in things that once made you happy.
Or even resenting the responsibilities that used to feel like a privilege.
Do any of these resonate with you? Take heart; you are not alone! If you are feeling drained or overwhelmed, it is a warning. God does not call us to do motherhood on empty. You have to rest.
Finding Renewal
When you carry too much —stress, constant decision-making, and caring for children without breaks depletes us.
God never intended for us to carry our burdens alone. 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” If you’re feeling weary, discouraged, or wondering how to get your peace and joy back. Remember what God’s instructions.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Exodus 33:14 (NIV) “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’”
Psalm 46:10 (NIV) “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
God sees the weight you’re carrying and invites you to release it to Him. He doesn’t expect you to figure it all out, push through exhaustion, or bear it on your own. Sometimes, we have to choose to let go of unrealistic expectations, people-pleasing, pushing too hard, and simply rest.
Let Go of Mom Guilt
Living with mom guilt doesn’t just drain your energy—it erodes your self-worth. The belief that “I’m working so hard, but it doesn’t matter” is a dangerous place to be.
Here are some tiny ways to move beyond mom guilt:
Press Pause to Gain Perspective – Sometimes progress is happening, but we’re too close to see it.
Find an Encouraging Community – One friend who sees your value can make a difference.
Adjust Expectations – Recognize that some seasons are about planting, not harvesting.
Examine Your Expectations—If you are setting unrealistic expectations for yourself, ask the Lord to help you identify them so you can change them.
Burnout recovery isn’t about pushing through—it’s about restoring what has been depleted and restructuring life to prevent future burnout. Recovery involves physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing.
Pracitcal Ways to Avoid Burnout and Stay Refreshed
Burnout isn’t just being tired. It’s that deep, soul-weary exhaustion that makes even the things you once loved feel heavy. It sneaks in when you’ve been running on empty for too long, when the demands keep piling up, when your efforts go unseen, or when you wonder if what you’re doing even matters.
Here are some tiny ways you can move away from burnout and toward refreshment:
Spend time reading the Bible or a devotional
Write down why you put so much pressure on yourself to do it all.
Engage in life-giving conversations with other like-minded moms.
Burnout isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a warning sign that something needs to change. The best way forward isn’t to push harder and restore balance, boundaries, and perspective.
Final Takeaway
To avoid mom burnout and stay refreshed, you must:
Identify the root cause.
Protect your energy
Let go of perfectionism
Intentionally spend time in God’s Word.
You don’t have to figure it all out at once. Just start with a tiny step toward renewal. And if no one has told you this lately—you are doing better than you think.
Remember: You can’t pour from an empty pitcher. You must take time to rest and refuel so you can be the mother God created you to be.
Do you ever feel frustrated when your teen makes a choice you know they know better than to make, and you find yourself reacting out of that frustration? Disciplining Teens Without Damaging the Relationship between you and your teen starts with
Parenting can be teens is tough sometimes. One moment they’re your sweet, talkative child, and the next, they roll their eyes and shut their bedroom door. How do you discipline them without creating resentment or damaging your bond when they break the rules or push boundaries?
Many parents worry that setting consequences will make their teen pull away even more. But here’s the truth: discipline, when done right, strengthens your relationship rather than weakens it. The goal isn’t punishment—it’s guidance.
When disciplining a teenager, parents must consider the overall health of their relationship with their child. Effective discipline is built on a foundation of open communication, trust, and unconditional love. To guide teens toward responsible behavior, discipline should be a collaborative process—one that includes clear communication and thoughtful negotiation. When teens feel heard and respected, they are more likely to respond positively to guidance and accountability.
Disciplining teens without damaging the relationship is possible when we are intentional in our parenting approach.
You Aren’t Alone in thie Challenge
I don’t know about you, but it comforted me knowing I wasn’t the only mom struggling. As caring parents, we want relationships with our kids when they are adults. We have to remember.
Many parents worry that setting consequences will make their teen pull away even more. But here’s the truth: when done right, discipline strengthens your relationship rather than weakens it. The goal isn’t punishment—it’s guidance.
Will we get it right every time? NO. Will we learn and try a different approach? That’s the goal.
Why Harsh Punishment Backfires
It’s tempting to react with frustration: “That’s it! No phone for a week!” However, research from the Child Mind Institute suggests that harsh or unrelated punishments can increase resentment, secrecy, and defiance. That is the opposite of what we want to happen.
Three ways to practice this:
Teens crave independence. Overly strict consequences can make them feel controlled rather than understood.
It leads to power struggles. If your teen feels the punishment is unfair, they’re more likely to argue than to reflect.
It shifts focus away from the lesson. Instead of thinking about their actions, they think about how “mean” you are.
Harsh punishments may seem like a quick fix, but they often do more harm than good, creating barriers instead of building trust. Rather than focusing on control, the goal should be to guide your teen toward responsible decision-making in a way that fosters respect and understanding.
So, what’s a better approach? Let’s explore discipline strategies that actually work—ones that encourage accountability while strengthening your relationship.
What Works Instead
Discipline should be about teaching, not punishing. Instead of reacting in frustration, parents can use effective strategies that help teens learn from their mistakes while preserving trust and connection. Here’s how to implement discipline that actually works.
Here are some effective strategies.
Use Natural and Logical Consequences
Discipline is most effective when consequences are directly related to the misbehavior. Teens need to see the connection between their choices and the outcomes, just like in the real world. Instead of doling out random punishments, help them understand the cause-and-effect relationship.
Ask yourself:
Missed curfew? The next curfew is earlier.
Didn’t do homework? No social outings until it’s completed.
Misused technology? Short-term limits with a conversation about responsibility.
This approach shifts discipline from punishment to learning, teaching accountability rather than simply imposing control.
Logical consequences feel fair and instructive rather than controlling, encouraging teens to make better choices in the future.
Set Clear Expectations Before Problems Arise
Many conflicts between parents and teens stem from unspoken or unclear expectations. If your teen doesn’t know the rules—or only hears about them when they’re broken—it’s easy for them to feel blindsided and frustrated.
Instead of making up punishments now, establish house rules in advance. Sit down as a family to discuss expectations around curfews, screen time, schoolwork, and respect. When teens feel like they have a voice in the rules, they are more likely to follow them.
Clear expectations set the foundation for a healthy parent-teen dynamic, but communication plays an even bigger role when issues arise.
But what happens when rules are broken? That’s where communication, not just punishment, plays a key role.
Prioritize Open Communication Over Control in Disciplining Teens
Discipline should be a two-way conversation, not just a top-down decision. If teens don’t understand why a rule exists, they’re less likely to respect it. Instead of focusing solely on punishment, use discipline as an opportunity to connect and teach.
Ask: “Why do you think this happened?”
Explain: “I set this rule because…”
Listen: Even if you disagree, hearing their side builds trust.
When teens feel heard and understood, they are far more open to correction and change.
But discipline isn’t just about correcting misbehavior—it’s also about recognizing when they’re doing well. Let’s explore why reinforcing good behavior is just as important.
Reinforce the Good, Not Just the Bad
Too often, discipline focuses on what teens do wrong rather than what they do right. While consequences are important, positive reinforcement is just as powerful. When teens are recognized for their good choices, they are more likely to repeat them.
Instead of only reacting to rule-breaking, try rewarding responsibility:
If they follow curfew all week, let them negotiate a later time for the weekend.
If they’re respectful, acknowledge it: “I noticed how you handled that—thank you.”
When teens feel appreciated and valued, they become more motivated to behave responsibly—without needing constant discipline.
Finally, the most powerful way to guide your disciplining teens is by setting an example yourself. Let’s explore how modeling behavior plays a crucial role in discipline.
Model the Behavior You Want to See
Teens learn more from what we do than from what we say. If we want them to handle frustration calmly, we need to demonstrate self-control. If we want them to be respectful, we must show them respect—even when correcting their behavior.
Before reacting, ask yourself: “Am I modeling the behavior I want my teen to develop?”
When teens see patience, accountability, and respect in action, they are much more likely to adopt those qualities themselves.
Fianl Takeaway in Disciplining Teens
Discipline isn’t about punishment—it’s about teaching life skills. When consequences are fair, relevant, and focused on growth, teens learn responsibility while keeping a strong, trusting relationship with their parents.
Remember: You’re not raising a child. You’re raising an adult. Every challenge is an opportunity to teach, guide, and connect. Our goal is to discipline teens without damaging the relationship. Give yourself grace when you mess up. Ask your teen for forgiveness and commit to parent differently next time. Raising teens happens takes years. You’ve got this!
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 them 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 actuation.
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.
