by Shannon Popkin | Mar 12, 2015 | Love, Parenting
Her new boss is pretty demanding. And he gives zero affirmation. Even on days she knocks it out of the park, he shows no appreciation. He just starts whining about the next thing he needs from her. She never imagined having a boss who is bald, who drools, and who...
by Shannon Popkin | Dec 19, 2014 | Compassion, Family, Gifts, Holidays, Hospitality, Kids' Perspective
Each year, our friends, the Gebhards, put up a ‘Jesus Stocking’ at their house in December. All month, they collect money, and then use the funds to buy a gift for someone in need. All month, they thumb through the Samaritan’s purse catalog, hoping to be able purchase...
by Shannon Popkin | Nov 24, 2014 | Communication, Family, Holidays, Kids' Perspective, Parenting
During one particular sports season, my son Cole complained that his coach screamed more at him than anyone else on the team. And from what I was hearing on the sidelines, I decided he might be right! I constantly heard my son’s name being screamed across the...
by Shannon Popkin | Oct 3, 2014 | Compassion, Humility, Jesus, Parenting, Roles, Serving
Dedicated to my friends at Thornapple MOPS. :)I’ll never forget the Hazens. We knew their family when we had preschoolers and babies. They had big, burly boys, who absolutely loved my kids–especially our new baby, Cade. They would ask to hold him, and...
by Shannon Popkin | Sep 19, 2014 | Kids' Perspective
repost from 2012 “Do you want to go to the football game on Friday?” I asked my third-grade son. “It’s the Homecoming game.” “Homecoming? Oh, yeah… Is that when they announce the football players’ girlfriends?”...
by Shannon Popkin | Sep 3, 2014 | Gifts, God, Kids' Perspective, Parenting, Serving
Many years ago, we tried an experiment with our older two kids. Our poor kids have endured a lot of experiments, but this was one we thought they would enjoy: We gave them their own spending money for the month.Twenty dollars each! For two elementary school kids who...