Kathi Lipp's Blog, page 108
May 26, 2014
I Need Some Help Here! Launch Party Giveaways
Welcome to the I Need Some Help Here! Launch Party
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be giving away one AMAZING giveaway every single week.
I’m so excited to be able to share our stories of struggles and successes in this book. It’s been a long time coming for me and the rest of the “Bad Moms Club” but after a lot of laughter prayers, tears and love it is finally ready to launch and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share it with you!
I just spoke for a group of moms where one of the mentor moms asked me where I got the ideas for my books. My response, “I usually write out of my own weakness. My next book is all about how we as moms can feel that we are not good enough as parents and how to rely on God in those weak times.”
The mentor mom replied, “Oh, I never felt inadequate as a mom.”
This book? It’s not for her.
My hope with I Need Some Help Here! Hope for When Your Kids Don’t Go According to Plan is that every mom who thought that her parenting journey would be different, who thought that if she just tried her hardest, her kids would fall into place.
This book is for all of us who have done our best, but our kids — whom we love and adore — are not necessarily on the path we would have chosen for them.
This book is for all of us who have done our best but our kids aren’t on the path we would have...
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If you have doubts as a mom, join me. We want you to assure the moms that you influence, that you speak to through your blog and via social media, that they are normal. They are OK. They are cherished. And while we try with all our might to do the best we can with our kids, ultimately, they belong to God. And that is the best place for them to be.
As a thank you for all of your love and support with this launch we will be giving away one super fun mom approved prize each week!!
Things We Need Some Help With (if you are willing! We would be so grateful if you can share some hope with a friend!):
1. Order a copy of I Need Some Help Here!
When you order, be sure to download your FREE Surviving Summer eBook . This eBook that will save you in the summer is only available for a limited time so download and share with your friends while there is still time.
2. Share it with family, friends, coworkers and followers on social media. Choose the platform of your choice:
Option #1: Post on Facebook:
Post about I Need Some Help Here! on Facebook. Click here to share this post on Facebook.
Option #2: Post on Pinterest.
Post about I Need Some Help Here! on Pinterest. Click here to repin this pin on Pinterest.
Option #3: Post on Twitter.
Post about I Need Some Help Here! on Twitter. Click here to retweet this tweet on Twitter.
Option #4: Post About the Book on Your Blog
When you post about I Need Some Help Here! just send us an email at bronwyn@kathilipp.com with the link to your blog. You’ll then be entered to win one of the weekly prizes!
3. THEN JUST FILL IN THE FORM BELOW TO BE ENTERED FOR THIS WEEK’S PRIZE! You don’t need to do any of the above but we know you’re kind of amazing and will want to give another mom some hope!)
If the form doesn’t show up, you can use the online version.
Thanks for your willingness to bring hope to a world of women who desperately need it. Check back for a new AMAZING mom-approved give away each week!
May 25, 2014
Bad Mom Mondays: When You Reap What You Didn’t Sow
When the snow drifts finally melted, and the threat of a hard frost was almost gone, I made the announcement to my boys: “We’re planting a garden!”
As we gathered supplies, I congratulated myself for such a fun, educational, outdoorsy idea for my 5, 4, and 3 year-old sons. Long garden tools, tiny colorful seeds and loads of dirt! What’s not to love? Add to that the promise of fresh sweet corn in 90 days, and I skipped out to the garden with a hoe over my shoulder and my three helpers trailing with plastic shovel, pail and watering can in hand.
Unfortunately, planting didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped. My rows were crooked, and every time I drove the stakes to string a line and straighten them, a chubby little hand would pluck it out and carry it away. The bag of seed corn was accidentally dumped in a heap on the freshly tilled dirt, and the watering can spilled on my seed packages.
I eventually scared my three helpers away by barking “Stop!” “Don’t!” “Go!” So when they abandoned the garden for the swing set, I had no remorse.
Finally! I can do this right!
The summer sun baked the dirt, the seeds absorbed the scant moisture and little cornstalks eventually unfolded and poked through dirt clods.
In August my hearty rows of sweet corn stood proudly, and I was anxious to harvest.
The boys ran down the rows and tripped over weeds and ruts as I checked for readiness, but the silk was still white and moist near the ear, and the kernels were still small.
Maybe next week.
Disappointed, I returned to the house to adapt the dinner menu and fix something else. As I began, I looked out my kitchen window toward the garden just in time to see my five-year-old with both arms stretched around more than a dozen ears of freshly picked corn.
And I flew into a rage!
I shot through the kitchen, flung open the screen door just as his overloaded frame reached the top step of the deck.
I noticed a neighbor’s truck disappearing around the corner, and I waited until he was out of sight before I screamed my son’s full name. He looked up at me from behind the pile of corn and started to speak, but I cut him off.
All my hard work! Ninety days of gestation! A premature harvest! Ruined!
I yammered on. “You’ve ruined the corn.” “It will taste yucky!” “Ask before you pick something from the garden!” “In fact, stay out of the garden!”
He struggled under the weight of 16 ears—which looked quite large—and tried to speak again.
I stopped him. There is no excuse!
“Drop them on the deck!” I barked.
He did.
As they tumbled and rolled I noticed the silk on each ear was crunchy and dry, and each ripe cob filled out the husk.
“I didn’t pick them,” he said.
Yeah right! And now you add lying to your offenses!
I grabbed his ear and demanded, “Then where did you get them!?”
His voice quivered, “Somebody in a pickup truck gave them to me and told me to bring them to you.”
A cold, breathless feeling halted me, and it all came clear.
Our neighbor. A generous farmer. Sharing the first of his harvest. He’d just turned the corner to the next house.
Generosity and innocence doused my rage and brought me to my knees.
Embarrassed, I asked my son for his forgiveness which he was all too happy to grant now that he was clear of my emotional tornado.
And there on the top step of the deck, my son stood as a little reminder of the exchange God has offered me in Christ.
The innocent one endured my anger. And what do I earn for unleashing an undeserved reprimand? A ripe harvest of sweet corn. Better than I’d hoped. Earlier than I’d planned, and free to me if I would just stop screaming and pick it up.
In the same way, Jesus endured God’s wrath reserved for us. Then in spite of all our flawed striving, God offered his righteousness. Better than I could ever do. Earlier than eternity, and free to me if I will just stop trying to earn and receive it.
Today’s Challenge: Accepting Forgiveness…again.
Do you wonder if you’ll ever stop “blowing it?” Remember, God’s mercies are new every morning. His forgiveness never runs out. Our “Bad Mom Moments” provide an opportunity to demonstrate humility, turn in repentance, give an apology, and accept forgiveness. And someday, by God’s grace, our kids will be able to do the same.
Lord, give us grace to turn toward You even in our red-faced embarrassment. Help us gratefully accept your forgiveness so we can extend it to others.
“When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.”
~Romans 4:4 (NLT)
Today’s Bad Mom Monday Author: Shauna has the wild and hilarious privilege of raising three boys along the breaks of the Missouri River. She blogs about lessons learned in the “School of Motherhood” at permissiontobereal.blogspot.com.
Do you sometimes feel like a bad mom?
Check out my new book, I Need Some Help Here! Hope for When Your Kids Don’t Go According to Plan.
Trust me sister, you aren’t alone.
Join the Bad Mom Moment Monday Link-Up!
If you’re a blogger and have written about one (or more) of your own “Bad Mom Moments” — or any post(s) that offer authentic encouragement to moms — we’d love to have you link on up! It’s as easy as 1-2-3:
grab the button above
include it in your post, hyperlinked back here: http://wp.me/p4zUEg-1LP
click on “ Click here to enter ” below and follow the instructions!
(And if you can spare one more minute, stop by and say “Hi!” to the blogger who linked up just before you.)
May 21, 2014
50 Days of Hope Verse Flipper
For those of you that have ordered my new book I Need Some Help Here! Hope for When Your Kids Don’t Go According to Plan, I want to say a BIG THANK YOU!
For you, I have this exclusive, limited time gift – 50 Days of Hope Through God’s Word verse flipper. It is super adorable and more than that, it is the perfect companion for I Need Some Help Here! Whether you have toddlers or your kids are grown, being a mom means constantly wanting the best for our babies. It can be so difficult when our kids are making bad decisions, acting out or just plain disrespect us, to not feel the twinge of guilt. Through prayer, experience and God’s word, this book, along with the verse flipper can offer hope for every parent.
To get your fabulous verse flipper, filled with 50 days of verses that will give you hope no matter what you are going through with you kids, s
imply click on this link and fill out the form. You’ll be given the download link right away which includes instructions to build you own (and inexpensive) holder.
If you haven’t gotten your copy of the the book, I Need Some Help Here! yet, get it today and come back and fill out the form for your very own verse flipper.
Already reading the book? Share your thoughts on my Facebook page.
Thank you friends!
May 19, 2014
Summer Sanity: A Mom’s Guide to a Great Summer
Summer is almost here and I know that you want to avoid “couch zombie” syndrome! Sure it’s quiet when your kid’s face is in a screen, but I’m pretty sure that the glazed look in his eyes is not a good sign.
Why not have an unplugged, memory-making kind of summer?
I have just the thing to help you have fun with your kids without pulling out your hair. My friend Kimberlee at ThePeacefulMom.com is offering her e-book Summer Sanity: A Mom’s Guide to a Great Summer FREE when you subscribe to her free weekly eNotes filled with ideas to help you save money, get organized and love your life.
Click here to get your FREE copy!
Please Note: If you would rather not subscribe, you can get the book for just $3.50 (40% off) with code SUMMERFUN – that’s hours of summer fun for about the cost of a box of frozen fruit pops!
Click here to purchase.
For more summer sanity, check out the Summer Survival Kit!
Make this your best summer yet!
photocredit: Ambro; FreeDigitalPhotos.net
May 18, 2014
Mama Bear vs The Mean Girl
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Philippians 2:3-4
When Annemarie was laid in my arms as a newborn, I felt the fierce “Mama Bear” instinct rise up in me for the very first time.
I was certain that I would defend this precious child against anyone who tried to attack her.
I’d forgotten what sixth grade can do to a girl.
And I had no clue what sixth grade can do to a mom.
*****
Eleven years later, I rip into Annemarie the moment she shuts the car door behind her.
“Mrs. Smith told me how you’ve been manipulating the other girls on the playground.”
My daughter’s eyes widen and brim with tears. But I am a mom on a mission, unmoved by her emotions.
“She’s seen you interrupt two girls playing together, convince one to come with you, and leave the other all alone,” I continue, my voice trembling with shame.
Annemarie’s shoulders slump, and she looks down.
“Mrs. Smith has watched you steal her daughter’s friends over and over, leaving her nobody to play with.”
Hot tears spill down my cheeks as I shout, “I can’t believe that my own daughter is the ‘Mean Girl’ of sixth grade!”
Annemarie turns away from me.
I stew in silence. She’d better be planning how she’s going to apologize to Mrs. Smith’s daughter. We were just starting to get to know each other, and I know we’d be great friends. She’d better not blow my chance to finally develop a new BFF friendship of my own.
At bedtime, I’m still so upset that I refuse to hug and kiss Annemarie goodnight. I spend a sleepless night wondering Where did I go wrong as a mother?
The next day, I head to school to gather data for spin control with Mrs. Smith. If I act fast enough, perhaps this will be just a blip on the radar and our friendship will keep growing.
But as I talk with Annemarie’s teacher, the principal, and other staff members, I discover that I’ve sided far too quickly with my BFF-to-be.
Turns out, she’s practically been stalking my daughter for weeks, spending her volunteer hours watching Annemarie like a hawk. And she’s been pulling my daughter aside for long lectures without talking to the teacher or me.
My Mama Bear instinct finally kicks in, and I tell Mrs. Smith to leave my daughter alone, to bring her concerns directly to me. Her disdainful response makes it clear that all my hopes for friendship have been nothing but wishful fantasies.
Now guilt-ridden, I apologize to Annemarie for siding against her before even hearing her side of the story. We begin the journey of re-building the trust I’ve broken.
The answer to my late-night question – Where did I go wrong as a mother? – is obvious now.
I went wrong at the point where “looking to my own interests” became a higher priority than mothering my daughter.
I’d been so confident in my Mama Bear instincts that I was blind-sided by my own “selfish ambition.”
With humility newly born from failure, I discover an unexpected parenting truth: the Mean Girl my child most needs a Mama Bear’s protection from is me.
And from this Bad Mom Moment I learn the importance of investigating carefully–rather than blindly believing–another parent’s perspective.
Prayer: Lord, open the eyes of my heart when I am blind to the pain my selfishness is causing my child. Help me follow your leadership as I learn and grow as a parent.
Today’s Challenge: My Interests over Mothering
Has there ever been a time in your mothering journey that you chose your interest over your child’s? Is there a situation right now that you need to apologize to your child for mishandling in order to rebuild the relationship? If so, make that positive step with your child today. Admitting we are wrong will go a long way in building trust with our kids. Sometimes it’s not appropriate to apologize to your child but taking it to your Heavenly Father is always appropriate.
My bad mom friend and author of today’s challenge is Cheri Gregory. Cheri has been married to her college sweetheart for over a quarter-of-a-century and has two college-aged kids; she blogs about expectations, “baditude,” and hope at www.CheriGregory.com.
Join the Bad Mom Moment Monday Link-Up!
If you’re a blogger and have written about one (or more) of your own “Bad Mom Moments” — or any post(s) that offer authentic encouragement to moms — we’d love to have you link on up! It’s as easy as 1-2-3:
grab the button above
include it in your post, hyperlinked back here (http://wp.me/p4zUEg-1KA)
click on “Click here to enter” below and follow the instructions!
(And if you can spare one more minute, stop by and say “Hi!” to the blogger who linked up just before you.)
May 8, 2014
Small, Medium, Large- 3 Ways to Connect One on One with Your Child
There are all sorts of ways to do it, but here are three ways you can connect with each of your kids.
GO Large
Take Your Child on a one-on-one vacation. My friend Kim and her husband had long promised their children that when each of them turned sixteen, he or she would go on an extended vacation. The only rule was that it had to be in the continental U.S. and the kids had to help plan the vacation. Kim found out the best part was learning about the unique personalities each child had.
If a whole vacation does not work, try a weekend or even a one night over night. The overnight part is what is fun and makes it special because it is extended time together.
GO MEDIUM
Take Your Child on a regular date night. Justen and I began this tradition when he was about seven years old, and we still do it now that he is out of high school. About once a month, we choose a night to go out on the town, just the two of us. It may be hamburgers at the local burger joint or it may be going to a museum. The point is to do something fun that you will both enjoy and can talk about in the years to come.
GO SMALL (but SIGNIFICANT)
Connect with your child over small but memorable activities. When Kimberly was eight years old, we started sharing a mother-daughter journal. One night I would tuck it under her pillow and the next night she would tuck it under mine. It was a wonderful way to connect and have a little insight into my daughter’s heart. A friend of mine, Angie, still brushes her daughter’s hair at the end of the day and will talk about their days. Her daughter is thirteen! It is a little thing that has become a special part of the day.
Planning this one on one time takes some time, but it will be worth it knowing that you are investing in a lifetime of memories and really connecting with your child. And to help you with more planning, if you comment on this post and let me know some ways you make your child feel special when you are one one one, you may will a copy of 21 Ways to Connect with Your Kids.
Small, Medium, Large- 3 Ways to Connect One on One with Your Child
May 2, 2014
2014 Things Challenge – Are you feeling behind? Don’t. You can do this.
After two book deadlines and a death in our family, I’ve gotten behind on the 2014 Things Challenge (haven’t we all!?!) Well if you need a little inspiration, check out this post from Kori over at see-the-sunrise.com
It’s never too late! You can do this. Even if you just got rid of 10 items a day, you could start today and not be behind.
If you’re feeling behind, here are a couple of places to get some numbers quickly:
Go through your magazine rack and pitch any issue that is over three months old
Go through your gadget drawer in your kitchen
Now that the weather is warm, (at least in most parts of the country. Sorry silly Colorado…) donate any clothes you didn’t wear all winter, as well as any summer clothes that you’re pulling out that just don’t work for you anymore.
Do the same with your kid’s clothes
Look at the paperwork on your desk. Every decision is a thing and it counts
You can do this friends. I promise.
2014 Things Challenge – Are you feeling behind? Don’t. You can do this.
April 30, 2014
Surviving Summer Vacation- Get it for FREE before it’s too late! (And would you share it so your friends can have the best summer ever?)
The release of my new book, I Need Some Help Here! Hope for When Your Kids Don’t Go According to Plan, is just a few weeks away! And to get ready, I have a few great FREE resources to get you ready for summer with your kids.
The first of these resources is my new eBook, Surviving Summer Vacation, Plans and Prayers for a Mom’s Sanity, and for a limited time it is available as a free PDF download. But you have to hurry to get it for free because once it is released on Amazon, I’m no longer in charge of the price!
And could I ask you a favor? Would you be willing to share it via Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or your blog?
To get the Free download follow the steps below:
Share it with family, friends, coworkers and followers on social media. Choose the platform of your choice:
Option #1: Post on Facebook:
Post about Surviving Summer Vacation on Facebook. Click here to share this post on Facebook.
Option #2: Post on Pinterest.
Post about Surviving Summer Vacation on Pinterest. Click here to repin this pin on Pinterest.
Option #3: Post on Twitter.
Post about Surviving Summer Vacation on Twitter. Click here to retweet this tweet on Twitter.
Option #4: Post About the Book on Your Blog.
If you have a blog, you can write a post about Surviving Summer Vacation. The first 20 people to write about the eBook on their blog AND send us the link will receive a copy of my upcoming book, I Need Some Help Here! Hope for When Your Kids Don’t Go According to Plan being released on June 6. Just email the link to your blog post to bronwyn@kathilipp.com.
To Download your free book, Click here and fill out the form – it’s that easy!
April 20, 2014
Get a Preview Copy of My New E-book Surviving Summer Vacation Before it Releases!
Rarely does good trump business, but in this case, good kicked business in the behind.
When my publisher, Revell, told me the release date of my new e-book, Surviving Summer Vacation: Plans and Prayers for a Mom’s Sanity (May 6th) I may have had a slight panic attack.
As much as I would love to tell you that I was able to have those Lazy Hazy days of summer laid back and unplanned for my kids, that’s just not how we could roll. Unplanned is not a good look on my family. Sure, we could have reading time every day, but to have the rest of our time be unstructured? While other kids may spend a whole afternoon looking at a roly-poly in the back yard, my kids took a more destructive route to life – cutting up curtains with a forgotten pair of scissors, devising ways to torture their sister, and so on.
You see, I’ve had (and still have) kids at home. I get the stress of summer vacation, and well, by May 6th, you’ve got to have at least a basic plan in place.
So I begged, and pleaded, and maybe groveled a little and beseech-ed (because it sounds biblical) my publisher to release the book a little early so that a mom could have a little time to prepare!
But Revell (did I mention I LOVE Revell) did me one better. They are letting me GIVE AWAY advance PDF copies of the book FOR FREE. Did I mention that they are FOR FREE?
Let’s be clear: Publishers don’t do things like this.
Did I mention that I love them?
Now one caveat: Because it’s a preview copy, the links to all the free and wonderful downloads are not activated. But don’t fret. When you sign up to receive the free preview copy, I will follow up with an email on the eBook release date how to get your Kindle or Nook copy that includes all those downloads, again for FREE.
To get your copy, click on the button below, fill out the form (there are only two items of info we need) and you will get it in your email TODAY.
Happy Summer planning!
To get your advance copy of Surviving Summer, just fill in the information below and click “DOWNLOAD NOW!” (just remember the links in the download aren’t active but don’t worry! We will tell you how to get the final ebook and all the links for free on its release date May 6). If you would like to join Kathi for the 5 Days of Hope, be sure to check that box!First Name
Email *
Sign me up for Kathi’s 5 Days of Hope for those Bad Mom Moments and other fun stuff!
DOWNLOAD NOW!
Get a Preview Copy of My New E-book Surviving Summer Vacation Before it Releases!
April 8, 2014
Help an Imperfect Mom…
Do you have a blog? Just love Facebook or are a Twitter fiend? Would you like to be on our launch team for my latest book “I Need Some Help Here!” Hope for When Your Kids Don’t Go According to Plan.
All you need is at least one kid and a less than perfect parenting record. Qualify? Click on the link to apply!
I just spoke for a group of moms where one of the mentor moms asked me where I got the ideas for my books. My response, “I usually write 
out of my own weakness. My next book is all about how we as moms can feel that we are not good enough as parents and how to rely on God in those weak times.”
The mentor mom replied, “Oh, I never felt inadequate as a mom.”
This book? It’s not for her.
My hope with I Need Some Help Here – Hope for When Your Kids Don’t Go According to Plan is that every mom who thought that her parenting journey would be different. Who thought that if she just tried her hardest, her kids would fall into place.
This book is for all of us who have done our best, but our kids — whom we love and adore — are not necessarily on the path we would have chosen for them.
If you have doubts as a mom, join me. We want you to assure the moms that you influence, that you speak to through your blog and via social media, that they are normal. They are OK. They are cherished.
And while we try with all our might to do the best we can with our kids, ultimately, they belong to God. And that is the best place for them to be.
Thanks for your willingness to bring hope to a world of women who desperately need it.
Click below to find out more!
