Kristen Welch

We are THAT Family

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Resources for Raising Girls in Our World Today

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Well. That was something else.

Clearly, we need to talk more about how to raise our daughters in this world. I’m not an authority or expert (which is why I usually just tell my story and point to good resources), but I am a conservative Christian and I am not ashamed of how we choose to raise our girls in a world that often devalues them. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me (the road is narrow, after all).

I know when it comes to modesty, there are extremes: I won’t be sewing clothes for my daughters or making them wear a swimsuit that looks like a full body unitard. There also won’t be thongs or string bikinis in their drawers. But this isn’t just about modesty or what stores sell, it’s not about sex or singleness or feminism, it’s about choices we make and boundaries we lay as parents as we raise them in a world filled with degradation and objectification.  It’s about loving our little girls and leading them by example.  It’s about going against what our culture says is okay and trying to live more like Jesus.

And I’m the first to admit, I mess this up and I get lost in knowing how to navigate this journey, but I will not give up on my daughters or myself. And I remind all of us that, regularly.

I’ve compiled some great resources (mostly, Tween to Teen, some resources for under age 8) we’ve used and some that have been recommended. This is not a comprehensive list and I’m not getting anything in exchange for listing these items, books are Amazon affiliate links. (I am listing resources I would personally use) And it goes without saying (although I’m saying it since there are a lot of new readers here), the Bible is our ultimate resource. It is my daily go-to guide):

resources

Books for Mom and Dad (Body image, modesty, sex, purity, boys):

Books/Magazines for Daughters:

Devotions to have with your Girls (Tween to Teen):

Stylish Clothing Sites with Modest Choices for teens/girls:

Events:

Positive Girl Clubs/Groups:

Music:

        • Britt Nicole
        • Francesca Battistelli
        • Jamie Grace
        • BarlowGirl
        • Mandisa

Websites for our Girls:

Other:

      • A Mighty Girl: collection of books, toys and movies for smart, confident, and courageous girls

Raising Daughters in a World That Devalues Them: 7 Things We Must Tell Them

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I took my daughter shopping one night over Spring Break. It's flip flop and shorts weather down here in Texas about 10 months out of the year, not to mention my girl gets taller every minute. She passed me up months ago. Shopping with my teenager should be fun. And mostly it is, except for the actual clothes-shopping-part. It's so hard to find modest clothes. My teen doesn't even ask for the shorty shorts any more, even though it's challenging to find anything but in the stores. "Why do ... Read More

DIY Easter {String Art} Cross

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During (our long and sickly) Spring Break, we perked up to do a special (and easy) DIY project that we will stay out long after our Easter baskets are put away. Easter {String Art} Cross Plaque Supplies: Piece of unfinished wood (Hobby Lobby $2.50) Paint Embroidery string Small panel nails Hammer We painted our wood first: After the paint dried, we tapped 12 nails in the shape of a cross into the wood. We did two at the top, four in the middle, two on either sides ... Read More

Remember: As Far as Everyone Else Knows, We are A Nice Normal Family

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I got pulled over for speeding in a school zone the other day. It was the first time in a long time and my heart beat wildly. I frantically searched for my license and I handed it over and I said, "Throw the book at me," only not really. He walked to the back of car and I snapped a shot of his lights in my rear view mirror. Risky, even for a blogger. He walked back to the window and said "I'm going to give you a verbal warning." Then I got the lump in my throat and I may have told him I loved ... Read More

Why Finishing Is More Important Than Winning

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She walked toward the car and I could tell by the wide grin on her face, she made the cut for the first Junior High track meet. Every week, the coaches plugged in the best times for each event, but with bad weather, the kids didn't have much time to practice for their first meet. "What event?" I asked, smiling at the way my daughter lives fearlessly. "100 Meter Hurdles and the 300 Meter ones," she said confidently. I leave the pasted smile up a moment longer than I planned. Hurdles? My ... Read More

Raising a Pure Son In a Sex-Crazed World

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I knock on his door and find him at his desk folding paper. He's an origami master, turning a square piece of yellow paper into a swan who dips her neck at his will. His desk resembles a paper zoo. I crawl up on his platform bed and get comfortable. "Mom, you're not going to try and get me to talk about my feelings are you?" He knows me well. I swallow a smile and a bit of mom guilt and I tell him I worry. He gives me a sheepish grin because he is his mother's son. "I know," he ... Read More