Practical Preparation for Motherhood: 5 Things Magazines Won't Tell You

January 14, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Reflections on Parenting

Having a baby is a bit like wedding planning: a lot of thought goes into the details of the big event, but hardly any effort goes towards making sure the "ever after" part goes as smoothly as possible. As a pregnant woman, I spent a lot of time flipping through Pottery Barn Kids' nursery catalogs and arranging tiny layette items, but I wasn't exactly sure how to prepare for the transition to motherhood. Based on what I've learned from other mamas and from my two births, here are five actions to help prepare you for life after baby's arrival:

Womanhood: Reflecting on our Source of Fulfillment

January 10, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Contentment

Yesterday I was able to hear Joy Forney speak to mamas at Good Shepherd Church here in Oregon. (Joy is a well-known Christian blogger, wife of a missionary pilot, and mama of five). She talked about the way in which we mamas tend to dwell on our failures or, alternatively, rest in the pride of in our choices (breastfeeding, homeschooling, etc.). Yet regardless of our choices, the state of our household, or the appearance of our family, we are loved by God.

Our Bilingual Journey: An Update

January 08, 2014 by Michele Cherie in French Language Learning

My daughter was listening to a French music CD she got in her Christmas stocking when she suddenly asked me, "Why can I understand French?" It was a good question, coming from an American five-year-old who doesn't know many other people who understand it. "Because I've been speaking it with you since you were born," I reminded her in French.

Today is Epiphany: Three Kings Day in France

January 06, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Cultural Reflections

At this point in January, most Americans consider the holidays to be over, but in many countries, the final holiday of the season occurs this month: Epiphany. In France, January 6th marks l'Epiphanie--also known as Three Kings' Day. Why January 6th? It's the twelfth day after Christmas, and historically Christians celebrated the Christmas season for twelve days. Historic Tidbits: Shakespeare's Twelfth Night refers to the festival tied to Epiphany. And the three kings is a reference to the magi or wise men who followed the star to find baby Jesus.

Worthy Goals for the New Year

January 03, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Contentment

Equilibrium: We long for it. We crave it. We know we need it in our lives. But New Year's resolutions make us nervous. We question if it's worth the effort to attempt changes that we've failed at in the past.

In the past, our resolutions have focused on areas of neglect or low self-control. We frequently target our health. We will exercise more, eat better, have a more balanced life. We will also go to bed earlier, waste less time, and save more money.

Why haven't we already attained our goals? Primarily, we are flawed people living in a world that's not under our control. We also have multiple roles that challenge our focus and fill our schedules: we are spouses, employees, parents, home managers, and self-caretakers. As we target areas for improvement, the others suffer.

5 Most Read Posts of 2013

January 01, 2014 by Michele Cherie in Learning Resources

Bonne année 2014! Happy New Year!

Quelle joie--Don't we all love to start afresh? But 2013 was a fulfilling and joyful year for me as I launched this blog. As 2014 unfolds, I look forward to making Intentional Mama a blog that is easier for you to search and comment. I also plan a series of posts on French parenting books and more topics relevant to mamas (like marriage, self-maintenance and mojo). (Don't you want to find your groove this year? I definitely do!) I'll also add more about my children's bilingual journey as it continues to unfold.

in the meantime, here are the top 5 most read posts at Intentional Mama since September 2013, when I launched this blog (excluding holiday-related content, which is less relevant right now):

1. How to Make Brown Sugar (1 minute video featuring my four-year-old)

2. DIY Dry Erase Family Calendar (for home or classroom use)

3. My Language Love Story: From France with Amour

4. International Lullabies: French, English, and Spanish Bedtime Songs for Children

5. Motherhood: The Beauty of Becoming

If another post stands out in your memory, let me know! (You can comment at the end of this post or on the Intentional Mama Facebook page, or email me at michele@intentionalmama.com.) It's a delight to know what topics are inspiring, memorable, or encouraging for you. Merci for joining me here in 2014!

A bientôt,

Michele Cherie

At a Signpost: The Place Between 2013 and 2014

December 30, 2013 by Michele Cherie in Learning Resources, Cultural Reflections, Contentment

We're given just a few of these days--days when we corral the Christmas decor back into boxes and try to designate a place for the new clothing and toys. It's the holiday break, and routines are relaxing into leisure while the clutter brings with it a rising sense of chaos. If you're feeling a growing need to straighten everything out, I'm right there with you! But hold off a day or two before you take on your ambitions, because the new year is around the corner, and this is the best time to learn.

Post-Christmas Reflections: Joys and Unmet Expectations

December 27, 2013 by Michele Cherie in Weekend Links, Cultural Reflections

Bonjour, mes amis! I hope your hearts are full and your Christmas was memorable. I didn't plan to take a break from writing this past week, but ultimately it seemed best to focus on the significance of Christmas, family time, and sleep!

My family celebrates Christmas somewhat atypically: my parents and siblings haven't exchanged gifts for years; instead, we focus on quality time together over slow meals and a neighborhood walk. Yet in my husband's family, everyone buys gifts for every child, and all gifts are opened at once in a flurry of noisy excitement. The difference in family celebrations is amusing, but I enjoy the contrast!