Susan Merrill's Blog, page 39

Be Thankful You Have A Partner In Parenting

There are times when we would all like to throw our spouse overboard. But no matter how imperfect your spouse is as a parent, most single moms (and dads) would tell you to appreciate the fact that you have help and support in the parenting game. After listening to lots of single parents and the challenges they face, I realize it’s a great privilege to have someone to tag-team with when parenting is overwhelming!

So here are some things you might have overlooked in your co-parent that you can b...

GiveAway #4: iPad Mini and Target

Today’s give away is a boost to every mom who fights to stay ahead of their child in technology! I am hoping this iPad Mini conveniently housed in your purse will give you easy access to a plethora of information as you patiently sit in the car pool line, at a dance lesson, in the dentist office or anywhere else you happen to have to go on your mission of motherhood! The inspiration for this giveaway comes from an excerpt about guarding the gate to electronics in The Passionate Mom. To guard...

Creative Correction

See that little guy. I took this picture one year after we adopted him from Russia. He still looks so small for 11 years old.

But don’t be mislead this child was anything but frail. In fact, in this picture he had just won the Gasparilla 15k for his age group. It was an amazing moment in his little life. And the result of a creative consequence.

The problem: Grant had too much energy.

The solution: My friend Dave trained him to run–every day for five miles and on Saturdays sometimes ten or fifte...

MomLife Bootcamp BOGO Giveaway

I just got back last week from a visit with my friend Tracey Eyster. She is the Founder and Executive Director of MomLife Today. She is a soul mate of mine. Do you have friends like that? This is from an interview we did last week. So, we look a little stiff but that is because we are professionals at mom not video!

Tracey’s MomLife Bootcamp is coming up and as much as I would like to go–I can’t. The Passionate Mom book launch on April 16th is tying me up. So she is offering 4 bogos to Bootcam...

Confession: I Struggle With Patience

THE PROBLEM...

is me. I have hadinnumerableopportunities to learn to be patient. The reality is conflicting, sometimes I am patient and other times I am not.

Patience is an entire chapter in The Passionate Mom because it is in my top three things I fail at consistently.A #PassionateMom has the ability to suppress annoyance when confronted with delay. Tweet Buffertweetable text (click to tweet)Sadly, I don't. Patience is a virtue that I have chosen not to value enough to make a habit. And my family kno...

Yikes! Book Launch Approaching in…

It is finally time--yippee and yikes! I confess I am more than nervous. You see, I am not a writer and this book took me way out of my comfort zone. In fact,I cried my way through the whole process. It was really hard to reflect deeply on my parenting--I made a lot of mistakes. It was difficult to face those mistakes, grieve about my shortcomings as a mother and then share them in the book. It is my hope that you will learn from them and from the story of the unique individual who inspired my...

Happy Easter!

When Your Child Needs A Hug Not A Lecture

As a mom I can be a little too passionate about instructing my children on how to be the best they can be. As a result I often forget that sometimes my kids just need a hug, not a lecture. This is an excerpt fromThe Passionate Momon my failure to listen and respond in a way that is comforting and encouraging to my children:

It really helps to remember that you are listening with thepurpose of trying to understand your child. Your listeningshould be processing but not necessarily forming a resp...

Easter Eats

This week is super busy. I am traveling to Family Life in Little Rock, Arkansas for a Passionate Mominterview that will air sometime before Mother’s Day. In preparation I am keeping Easter entertaining simple because I had to do my shopping today!

The Food

Honey Baked Ham
Sister Schuberts Rolls
eMeals Broccoli Cheddar Casserole
eMeals Mixed Green Salad with Apples, Dried Cranberries and Pecans
2 surprise sides from the in-laws and my parents
Sponge Cake with Summer Berries and Cream

Here are the two...

When Your Child Is Outside The Box

One of my children definitely lives and dreams outside the box. Her individuality became obvious to me her first week of pre-K. She was sent to the wall twice before the end of the first week. My other children had never been sent to the wall, ever, so I was…panicked!

“Honey,” I said, “Merrills don’t get sent to the wall. What did you do?”

Her response the first time was, “Mommy, Arial Mermaid was playing in my head, and I just had to sing it out.”

Her response the second time was, “Mrs. S. pass...