An Encouragement Roundup: Writing, Reality, and Wartime Heroes

June 2, 2016.Reading time 4 minutes.

By Amanda Cleary Eastep I read. A lot. About writing, art, marketing, business, religion, and homesteading. That’s in between the novels. I do this primarily to learn. But I also do it to encourage myself, which is something I’ve needed more lately. Writing as an intentional practice has been arduous. As an emotional and spiritual […]

What He’ll Be When He Grows Up

August 26, 2015.Reading time 6 minutes.

[AUGUST 26, 2015: I’m updating this post from 2011 for this week’s #wholemama link up, which has moved over to Erika Shirk’s blog, Overflow. I love this post and feel it fits so well with this week’s theme, BE.] By Amanda Cleary Eastep At 7, my son is in earnest. Gripping the back of the seat as we drive […]

Half of a #WholeMama? The weird transition from Mommy to Mother

June 16, 2015.Reading time 4 minutes.

By Amanda Cleary Eastep My 18-year-old and I lay in the grass taking Instagram selfies (which I liken to showing vacation “slides” to the entire world). This youngest daughter returned to my arms recently after five months away, two of those in N. Africa. She wanted to show off her armpit hair, which is not nearly […]

Tribal Parenting

August 13, 2010.Reading time 3 minutes.

A moment of leading the tribe instead of managing the children