Real examples from Real Families, but the Names have been Changed.
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Hi! I’m Marlene! I share ideas that have helped families
in hopes that one or two might help yours!
More about me
I am Marlene, but I also answer to “Mom”! I am Mother of 13, and Grandmother of 21. “Did you really did give birth to 13 children?” is what I always get asked. Yes, I answer, 9 boys and 4 girls, with one set of twins. From all these years of raising kids, I’ve learned a lot through trial and error! Teaching neighborhood co-op preschools, elementary art & music appreciation classes, and youth church classes, coupled with my BA, summa cum laude, in Family Living,have given me more insights. In addition, I have talked to many, many and have gathered ideas about different ways to solve the parenting dilemmas that happen every day, in hopes of helping families!
I love sewing, reading, playing the piano, biking and swimming. I love turning on upbeat music and dancing around the family room—that’s my favorite way to pick up the house! I realize that I must seem crazy to have had so many kids, but I was raised 2nd of 11 children, and I loved it! There was always a baby to pick up and coax me out of a bad mood! There were always wonderful talks around the kitchen table, and plenty to share the chores or to share clothes. I knew from really young that I wanted a large family of my own. My husband Mark did too! We even talked about it on our 2nd date! But when it came down to it, when we wanted another child, he’d insist that I check with the doctor to make sure I was healthy enough to begin another pregnancy. We were so blessed with easy pregnancies and deliveries and great kids! Now, we have a desire to help families!
The greatest principle we have learned is that truly “the Answer is More Love.” Thanks for reading and for sharing!
The Mom Training Podcast
Where we discuss the skills and strategies to create possibilities in
#23 Angels Bending Near the Earth
Earline desperately wanted to be an Angel in the pageant, but it would take a miracle!
#22 A Different Kind of Christmas
Jed and Martha learn to love a new little boy who loves Christmas.
#21 A Gift from the Heart
In the huge city, Ursula must find a poor family to do a kindness for Christmas.
#20 A String of Blue Beads
Kindness at a Curio Shop counter can change lives.
#19 The Gift of Love
A bare apartment filled with love for the new immigrants.
#18 The Greatest Gift
Two boxes of jello were all they had, but their gift reminded the Elders of the greatest gift of all.
#17 A Widow’s Mite
She offered us all she had. Would we accept it?
#16 Trouble at the Inn
Young Wally forgets his part and thus, makes the entire Pageant.
#15 The Red Christmas Dress
God cares about the details in our lives. He helped two little girls feel pretty in a magical red dress.
#14 Christmas Miracle
Santa at the Mall brings hope to a very sick little girl.
#13 Christmas is for Sharing
A young boy hits the nail on the head! ‘At a boy, Homer!
#12 The Miraculous Staircase
Their beautiful cathedral had an amazing choir loft, but no way to climb up to it! How could they celebrate Christmas without the music?
#11 The Christmas Letter
Luke, a nosy old Postmaster, has a big Christmas decision to make.
#10 The Old Fisherman
An especially beautiful soul, even if found in an old dented, rusty bucket!
#9 A Brother Like That
“If only my brother could see the lights of Christmas” laments a young boy with a heart of gold.
#8 Pattern of Love
Two little boys know the perfect present for their Dad and are determined to find it. A kind store clerk makes it happen.
#7 Papa’s Christmas Coat
Parents sacrifice for their children at Christmas. Here is a beautiful story of a poignant sacrifice, told by one of the kids.
#6 Christmas at the Gas Station
Ol’ George can’t find a reason to set up a tree, but he can find lots of ways to help out folks at Christmas!
#5 The Carol That Stopped a War
Here’s a poignant example of the power of Christmas music to unite mankind, even enemies in a War.
#4 Christmas Chimes
What I wouldn’t give to once again receive the quaint homemade presents children make and enthusiastically give with their whole hearts!
#3 In One Blinding Moment
Clarity comes to a troubled father at Christmastime. Bitterness is swallowed up in the Savior.
#2 My Christmas Miracle
My friend Faith maintains that “What Goes Out, Comes Back Twice Over, Good or Bad.” This concept is beautifully illustrated in “My Christmas Miracle.”
Christmas Story #1
A sweet young boy wants to give a gift to his friend, with mysterious results!
Oh Baby! I Must Protect You!
Electronics and the Very Young My daughters are so good at keeping their babies away from the screen! They wait to put on a movie until the baby is napping or in the other room. That is difficult to stick to—so it really helps to know the why behind it. I recently...
Satan’s New Plan Exposed!
Screens: Manage or Be Managed Satan’s plan to destroy God’s Kingdom was at risk. The new spirits coming to earth were so sharp and so fearless, a huge threat to him. If only he could distract them with screens of their very own. Put violence in their daily...
More Aloha
A Culture of Love One of the first things we did when we came to Hawaii was to take the boys snorkeling. They had a blast seeing what was underwater: the schools of cool fish, the coral, even a hiding squid. But in the deeper waters, they discovered something...
What To Put Inside?
1. Of Cats and Cages My dad had just returned from a dental convention and he couldn’t wait to tell us about some fascinating research he learned about there. He told us about a group of scientists who set up cages in a row and put cats in each one. The first cage...
Without Certainty
He is a God of Love Didn’t We have a Deal? A young mom I read about, Kate Bowler can only live life two months at a time. She is a faithful Christian lady, with a good marriage, a baby son, and a career she has worked hard to achieve. But she has stage IV cancer,...
Music, a Magnificent Tool
In Salt Lake City, the shopping area downtown across the street from the temple was starting to get run-down. So, there was a brand-new beautiful mall built, right across from Temple Square. But a less than ideal element started to congregate there, including gang...
The Feeling Will Catch Up
Set the Pattern Have you noticed how some teens have a ready, “Thanks for the ride!” when you drop them off somewhere? For others, it doesn’t occur to them to say this. Perhaps these haven’t developed the maturity yet, to step outside themselves at this teenage...
Who Will Sit by Me at Lunch?
Helping Kids Do Hard Things My youngest son was worried about his new schoolyear at Kahuku Intermediate school. After our recent move, he had made some new friends at church, but they would all be going into 9th grade and he was starting 8th. He knew nobody in his...
A Magical, Safe Place
Mom and Dad's Bed I once heard the story of a family who took in a foster baby who had been badly abused. Stiff and totally unresponsive, this baby did not even move. But the wise mother and father placed her in the middle of their bed. They knew the magic of that...
My Mom, the Missionary
Lavona's Service Early years My mother went on a mission when she was 20 years old in 1955. She had enrolled at BYU that fall to begin another semester, until it was interrupted. That October, her parents came to Utah for General Conference. Her Dad visited with...
Give Kids a Challenge
It was summer, and not only did I need to keep my boys busy, but also to get them out of the house to use up energy. I also wanted them to develop some basketball skills. Basketball was a favorite for older boys in our area, and I wanted mine to be proficient. Should...
Raising Young Adults
My young adult son was driving home from college for a holiday family reunion, and he called ahead to ask me where he was assigned to sleep, whether at our home or at my daughters. I told him he was going to be staying with her and, concerned that it was getting late...
Just Save the Relationship
Just Save the Relationship A young mother, Kathleen Hinckley, brought her son to the public swimming pool for beginning swimming lessons one summer. She was anxious for him to learn to swim as soon as he could, to be safe that summer. As she watched, she noticed...
Grandparents, a Gift from God
God created Grandmothers: To be another source of hugs and kisses and love To be another ear to listen to ups and downs To be another connection to family To be another witness of truth and faith To be another reassurance that all will turn out well I’m so glad I knew...
A Cell Phone for Christmas?
A Cell Phone for Christmas? Last Christmas, my friend came over and told me what she was getting her 13-year oldest son a cell phone this year. “I wasn’t going to get him a cell phone yet,” she said, “But it’s all he wants!” She then asked me for ideas for keeping him...
The Questionnaire
An Amazing Family Reunion Tool! Thanksgiving season is upon us soon, and the chance to be with family! How we love to get together! But does your family experience what mine does, that the conversation remains superficial? No one goes very deep into what is really...
The Problem of Fatigue
Finding Rest When I was a new mom, I remember asking myself, “Why didn’t I appreciate my sleep when I used to get enough?” Babies sure are wonderful, but they sure get us up a lot! Which makes for lots of tiredness. Fatigue is tough, so tough that Christ even...
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