Editor’s note: Normally we place the writer’s bio at the end, but for this piece you need to know up front who you are reading and why it matters. Ann Bell Worley is a Houston-based writer and editor and a mother of…
Why I don’t invite would-be friends to church
Walking along a well-beaten path, my daughter and I make our way through the canopy of trees toward the small lake’s shoreline. Already, I can see the congregating group of other parents with their children, staking claims with chairs and…
Let’s talk about those clergy resume ‘gaps’ for mothers
There are a lot of ways to approach the delights and demands of ministry and motherhood. Some clergy take a break from paid work when their children are young. Some accept part-time roles, whether because their households need the income,…
Sensationalized child abuse: Ruby Franke’s arrest, the LDS church and social media
Last Wednesday, social media influencers Ruby Franke and Jodi Hildebrandt were arrested after two children were found suffering from malnutrition and evidence of restraint lacerations on their bodies. Authorities were called after Franke’s 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrant’s home, fleeing…
Similarities in parent-child religious and political adherence remain strong
While most American parents say it’s more important to share faith than political orientation with their children, research shows they are doing a pretty good job of doing both, Pew Research Center reports. “This may be surprising, considering that parents…
As summer approaches, how can parents help their children be safe at summer camp?
When parents search the internet for “how to make sure your child is safe at summer camp,” about 84,900,000 Google results appear. Most of the links are lists of tips parents can keep in mind when sending children away for…
How we make a difference: Bit by bit, day by day
Not to name names, but someone with my same initials who lives at my house decided having three yards of compost delivered yesterday was a good idea. Undoubtedly, my veggies, herbs and flowers will appreciate this black gold. Unfortunately, it…
School shootings: How can we respond to children, parents, teachers and others affected?
With the recent incidents of school shootings around the country, we may be asking how we can respond. These breaks in our sense of security bring up many feelings, questions and worries. They can make us feel sick as we think…
‘Grandmas make the best banana bread’
With the morning sun wrapping rays around the two windows in the bedroom, causing a pale light to creep steadily in from their edges, my oldest child rustles the bedsheets. It’s like she can feel the idea of warmth, the…