The Great Christmas Tree Debate

Anyone else notice the Christmas decorations seem to be coming out sooner this year than during previous years?? A week ago we went to pick out our Christmas Tree. That’s right – – almost 2 full weeks BEFORE Thanksgiving! *gasp* I have NEVER been one to freak out about the timing of when to put…

Seeing Beyond the Mess

At first glance, this looks like nothing but a huge mess. And – I’m not going to lie – it did make my heart beat a little faster and my eye twitch a bit. At first.But once I exhaled, what caught my eye as I paused from bustling around the house this morning were these…

When Life Sends Rain…

When life sends rain… splash in the puddles! 💦 Yesterday was an extremely hard day. So many sad and difficult things kept piling up on my heart and then eventually pushed me over the edge. I felt like I could hardly get out of bed. Zero energy. Zero drive. Zero happiness. …and that’s saying a…

We Got Rid of Our TV: Day 3&4

If you haven’t heard, we ditched our TV. Crazy? Maybe. But we’ll all find out together. We have a 2 and a 3-year-old that I noticed were relying too heavily on the TV to get through the day.  We also have tired mid-thirties parents who were relying too heavily on the TV to get through…

We Got Rid of Our TV: A Battle Against the Habit of Screens

When Charley was born, I fiercely protected her. I don’t think I’m different from any other mother in this… it’s simply a mother’s instinct to give your child the best chance at life. My drive to protect her included her health, her mind, and her development. I was so convicted that I didn’t want my…

Raising World-Changers: An Interview With Tracy

Do you ever wish you could sit down with a parent who is more experienced than you… and ask the hard questions? Take in their wisdom? Learn from their mistakes? Soak up their encouragement? Charley’s Circus was born alongside the beginning of our family as we set out to document our journey of intentional parenthood….

Prettier Than the Other Girls

Please stop telling my daughter she’s prettier than other girls. When you do this, you’re teaching her that beauty is on some sort of competitive scale… a concept that doesn’t even exist in her mind right now – –  – – unless you teach her. Isn’t there enough jealousy, bitterness, and envy in the world…

Raising World Changers: An Interview with Nichole

Do you ever wish you could sit down with a parent who is more experienced than you… and ask the hard questions? Take in their wisdom? Learn from their mistakes? Soak up their encouragement? Charley’s Circus was born alongside the beginning of our family as we set out to document our journey of intentional parenthood….

Raising World-Changers: An Interview with Dorie

Do you ever wish you could sit down with a parent who is more experienced than you… and ask the hard questions? Take in their wisdom? Learn from their mistakes? Soak up their encouragement? Charley’s Circus was born alongside the beginning of our family as we set out to document our journey of intentional parenthood….

Intentional Parenting – Dinner Conversations

Sometimes being an intentional parent means asking questions that spark conversations while you’re sitting around the dinner table. Yes, our littles are currently both two and under, but even if they don’t fully understand, they are listening. Furthermore, we are setting healthy habits that we can continue for years to come. Afterall, when is the…