by Shannon Popkin | Nov 8, 2012 | Dignity, Humility, Parenting, Problems, Wisdom
a retelling from October, 2010As I walked downstairs one Saturday morning, I saw Cade sitting at the breakfast bar. I told him that before he got busy playing, he needed to take a bath. As always, he tried to beg his way out of it, but I shook my head. “You stink,...
by Shannon Popkin | Mar 20, 2012 | Beauty, Dignity, Exercise, Housekeeping
Yesterday, after I spoke to a ladies’ group about true beauty, someone brought up the time and money we spend on improving our appearance. How much is too much? Should we worry about it at all?I remember saying that there’s nothing wrong with wearing...
by Shannon Popkin | Mar 13, 2012 | Beauty, Dignity, Fear, Goals, Teens
Last night, at a coffee shop, five moms and their middle school daughters discussed the crazy lengths girls go to for beauty. It’s ludicrous, when you consider how few of us ever achieve (and much less maintain) today’s stick figure standards. (We’re...
by Shannon Popkin | Feb 18, 2012 | Communication, Compassion, Dignity, Mistakes, Parenting, School, Sin, Speaking, Wisdom
When I was in high school, I loved piano. My choir director asked me to accompany the choir on a a couple of our songs. I said sure, I’d be happy to, though I had never accompanied before.I practiced the songs, which were easy enough, at home, but I guess I...
by Shannon Popkin | Jan 24, 2012 | Beliefs, Dignity, Faith, Family, Goals, Housekeeping, Parenting, Roles
I’m stooped over, washing green marker off the wall. I have a bucket of water at my side and the phone up to my ear. I’m discussing carpool arrangements, but I have to keep excusing myself so I can tell my kindergartner to stop tormenting the girls...
by Shannon Popkin | Jul 28, 2011 | Beauty, Dignity
Yesterday at Costco, my friend Holly called down the snack aisle, “Hey, Shannon!” I had secretly slid around two corners without her noticing, back when I spotted her in produce. But now, turning toward her sheepishly, I told her, “I said goodbye to all my pride when...