June Digest

Making the most of childhood, vacations, summer walks and summer jackets

Not gonna lie. We have not started the summer as well as I had hoped. We're battling tween attitudes, a weary momma trying to balance discipline, fitting work in the cracks, while also showing actual love and patience. It's already been fast-paced so I'm about to slow things down a bit and save this summer from the pits of busyness and "entertain me" mindsets.

In case you’re new here 🙌, each month I send out a digest of curated things I’m loving. You’ll see a mix of products, content and tips.

BEFORE YOUR NEXT FAMILY VACATION

I loved this episode about maximizing your family vacation for connection and memory-making. It covered some things I hadn't considered, and it's worth considering before planning our next trip!

IF YOU TRUST GOD WITH FINANCES BUT NOT YOUR TIME

I'm still thinking about this email from Phylicia Masonheimer! Do you feel anxious about never having enough time? This will encourage you.

MY NEW SUMMER "JACKET"

Not to sound all "I love sweater weather/Christmas," but I love it when I buy a piece of clothing and know I'm getting my money's worth by wearing the heck out of it. I have gotten so much use from this denim shirt that's really more like a jacket. I throw it on over a T-shirt and yoga pants or a tank and black jeans. It's so easy, matches everything, and keeps getting compliments. And it's Target. Find it here.

I CALL THIS THE TWO BIRDS/ONE STONE

I shared this reel the other day. If you want to go for a prayer walk, offer to take a baby or toddler off a busy mom's hands for 30 minutes. You can use the stroller to carry your prayer journal and beverage, and the momma gets a little break.

CLOUD LIBRARY

I guess I live under a rock! I've been paying for Audible like a chump while my friends have been renting audiobooks from our library app. If your library uses Cloud Library, Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday is on there!! But also, before you pay for an audio book, check to see if your library has a way to "check it out".

I GOT A COMPLIMENT ON MY MAKEUP, AND I'M AS SHOCKED AS YOU ARE

With BeautyCounter put on pause, I've been exploring other non-toxic brands. I'm currently trying out Dime. Have you tried it? If so, do you like it? I've been using their tinted moisturizer for a few months, and someone complimented my makeup. Guys! My 8-year-old puts on lipstick better than me. I literally don't know how to apply eye shadow, but this was the only difference!

THE VACANT CHAIR PRINCIPLE

In Meik Wiking's book My Hygge Home,I read about an idea to help foster connection in groups. It's pretty simple but one I think could change our luncheons, retreats, gatherings, or even small groups: leave an extra chair open. If a group of five all sits down together, add another chair to the table so someone who may not know anyone feels welcome to sit down.

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

I feel like a broken record talking about phones, but we're in the thick of this conversation. I read this article about 75,000 moms committing to no phones till a certain age and, not gonna lie, kinda felt envious of the UK revolution happening. Can you relate to what she said? "It was an impossible choice: hand my daughter a portal in her pocket to the anxiety machine that is social media (in addition to porn, cyberbullying, and the host of other things kids can find and experience online) or to socially ostracise her from all of her peers who would gradually begin spending more and more of their time on their devices."

Would love to hear in the comments, what's your plan for smartphones and kids? Did you give your kids a phone and now regret it? Would bonding together as a school, friend group help reverse it?

A LIFE TRANSFORMED

“Trust me- I have tried a hundred times to "be more faithful in my quiet time" and fell short. If God can change my heart and grow my prayer life, he can do it for you, too! Give this journal a try!!" - Sarah

FROM THE BOOKSHELF

• Simplicity Parenting - Kim John Payne

• Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday - me ;)

• The Gap and the Gain - Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy

See a full list of my favorite books HERE! This email may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

ASKING QUESTIONS

Each week I ask a question and to wrap up each post, I share several questions to ask God in prayer. This has been such a sweet source of transformation and seeing fruit as I slow down to ponder these topics!

• How do we handle hypochondria as a Christian? - The first of a series! This was going to be a book so if you were waiting for it, sign up and subscribe here to read!

• What does our lateness say about us? - The answer may surprise you.

• Is our misery (and anxiety) of our own making? - The Diderot Effect, The Hedonic Treadmill and The Gap and The Gain. This content is radically changing my mindset!

• Is my life to full? - Opting out of “the inevitable”

• Are other moms the problem? - The underbelly of our exhaustion in motherhood

SHOP NEWS

Don't have a prayer journal yet? Grab our 6-month Signature Prayer journal for 20% off now through Friday with code FINISHSTRONG24.

Talk soon,

Val