Mormon Bloggers

In less than six minutes, Philip Zimbardo makes one of the most compelling arguments for the trend of deterioration of our boys’ characters and achievements. He documents the trend and why. This is a MUST SEE (in my humble opinion) for any parent with boys. Click the link below. Philip Zimbardo: The demise of guys? | Video on TED.com  Read More →

The Eagle project looms over a boy scout as one of those walls to be climbed before he reaches his goal to become an Eagle Scout. Sometimes just finding the right project is a barrier to even beginning. But then a project comes. It’s approved and the planning begins—planning which cannot possibly identify all the [...] All Content Copyright (C) 2007-2009 TJ Hirst. No content may be reproduced without the copyright owner’s express written consent.How A Boy Becomes A Man  Read More →

Look at this face: So innocent… NOT! This little man has developed a case of the potty mouth. Contracted from one Mr. Daddy’o who caught it from spending too much time in Army training. Apparently it is really contagious! And to be fair, I have to admit that I am known to let them slip now and again… not the big ones, mind you… but some of the smaller crude ones.  I just try to do it when the kids aren’t around — but Sam seems to hear everything these days, so who knows. What I do know is that things need to change around the Nutshell. Yesterday, I heard Sam playing by himself in his room.  He gets dialogues going with his toys that never fail to make me smile or laugh.  This particular play was taking place on his Fisher Price pirate ship between Dora the Explorer and Swiper. Background as I understand it:  Dora was on the pirate ship and got the treasure.  BUT Swiper had a spaceship and was trying to steal the... Read the rest of this entry »

A rose for you Do you ever see someone else with their perfect home; cute, well-put together wardrobe (with no food spots!); done-up hair; and well-mannered, obedient children and wonder “What am I doing wrong?” No? Well…huh. Anyways. Lately I’ve realized just how blessed I am. A couple of events have happened around me that have made me realize the great blessings I have in my life. I know sometimes I get frustrated because one of the girls won’t sleep (even though she’s exhausted and super grumpy), and I look around the house and see the messes cluttering the place up. And the weeds in the yard. Yikes. Let’s just say, I’m not a gardener, but I should take up the hobby for the sake of my neighbors. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. But at the end of the day, I realize that having a grumpy child is a blessing. It means she’s still here with me. Having a messy house is ok. It only takes a few minutes to clean, and it... Read the rest of this entry »

Recently, some articles were published at the two columns I write for at Examiner.com. The first is the Seattle Multi-Faith Examiner and the second is the Marysville Parenting Examiner. Both columns focus on distinct parts of the local communities of the Greater Seattle Area and the Marysville Area. The former being a focus on what [...]  Read More →

These are my guys. They’re trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. I knew they were great, but I had to go 1000 miles to be reminded of how great they—and my girls—really are. Paul attended LDS leadership training at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, and he [...] All Content Copyright (C) 2007-2009 TJ Hirst. No content may be reproduced without the copyright owner’s express written consent.Lessons From Philmont  Read More →

Yesterday I had the great privilege to teach a lesson at church on family responsibility (basically, parenting).  A week ago I was irrevocably convinced I was the last person on earth qualified to teach that particular lesson and almost called to back out.  As the week progressed I thought to myself, “If any of my neighbors are in class on Sunday, I’ll have to feign immediate illness.”  They would surely call me out as a completely unqualified hypocrite.  But the Holy Ghost does wonderful things when you turn over your life in humility.  When it was all said and done, the 35 minutes I spent in front of the class was the most spiritual time I’ve ever felt while teaching. Here are some of the things the spirit taught to me:  My kids are children of our Heavenly Father.  They have His spirit, and their spirits studied with Him, learned from Him, and grew to maturity before they were given the opportunity to come to me. When... Read the rest of this entry »

As you may have noticed, I haven’t posted in a few days. The weather has been fantastic and I have been super busy with the kids outside, designing my husband’s new website, or supervising Ben with his new grill (last time he had one, he almost burned down our trailer). But just because I’m not here, doesn’t mean stuff isn’t happening, because it is! We have had an eventful weekend. We are an apartment full of strong willed spirits after all! Ben and the boys have been busy going on bike rides. He has been teaching them how to use their brakes safely and proper bike etiquette. So naturally, they come home covered in new bumps and bruises — Ben says they seem to be fearless and keep trying scary tricks landing them face first on the pavement (Nephi) or into a fountain (Sam). The fun just doesn’t end! Now on Sundays, we have this rule that we don’t go out side in the back and play. We go to church then want to come home and have a “Day... Read the rest of this entry »

The youngest FOMLs is one of the sweetest kids you’ll ever see. He has a great temperament, and his toothy smile is contagious. Some couples I know decided to have that “one last kid” and got stuck with a monster. Our final course we refer to as “dessert”. He does present a small challenge.  Almost every night, after we send him off to get ready for bed, he comes back with his jammies on to fetch one of us to tuck him in. The following dialogue ensues: “I’m ready for bed.”“Good. Did you brush your teeth?”“Yes”“Go brush your teeth.”“I did!” (spoken with great indignation)“Son, I know you didn’t brush your teeth. Go do it.”“I did! I promise! Do you want to smell my breath?”“No thanks. Just go brush your teeth and I will come tell you a story.”“Why don’t you believe me?”“Son, just go brush your teeth.”“Ooooh Kay.”... Read the rest of this entry »

I have never really understood the methods of “Male Bonding.”  As a woman, it takes time to bond with another woman.  We have to develop a certain level of trust, share a secret or two to seal the friendship.  Men are a totally different species when it comes to bonding with each other.  Sometimes they don’t even have to say a word!  They can bond over a sports event or a common hobby or interest like golfing or video games.  It’s easy to “get in” for men (this does not include teenagers… they are a different story all together).  Ben and I have conversation like this almost weekly: Me: “So did you meet our new neighbors?” Ben: “Yeah, they’re okay.” Me: “I thought So-n-so seemed like a pretty cool guy.” Ben grunts: “He’s okay…” Me (giving Ben the raised eyebrow): “What does that mean?  Was he rude to you?” Ben: “No,... Read the rest of this entry »

One thing most parents learn pretty fast about kids, is that even though they have budding imaginations, they can be pretty strict about words and names.  For example:  A dog is a dog, if you know what I mean. Not one day goes by where I am not corrected by one of my kids.  Sometimes, they just suck the fun out of using lame puns or singing silly rhymes. Me: “Hey, Sam the Man!” Sam:  ”I am NOT Sam the Man!  Just Sam!” **** Me: “Hey, Sam-I-Am, want some green eggs and ham?” Sam: “No. And I am just SAM!” **** Me:  ”Nephi look!  It’s a fire truck!!” Nephi: “No mom, that’s the paramedics.” **** Me:  ”Why don’t we take the bus today?” Nephi:  ”It’s called a shuttle, Mom.” **** Nephi: “Thomas is NOT a train!  He is a tank engine!” **** Me: “Sammy, you are such a good boy!” Sam: “No, Mom.  I’m... Read the rest of this entry »

My husband is in California today.  He had to get up at 4AM, wait at work for his unreliable boss to show up and take him to the airport, and get on a plane to fly to Sacramento.  He’s doing 2 hours worth of work there and then driving a box truck (think Uhaul) across Nevada and arriving back home sometime tomorrow.  Oh, and did I mention that he just sent me photos of himself sitting in the co-pilot’s chair in the cockpit of the jet he flew on?  I have no idea what that was all about but the grin on his face tells me that something extraordinary happened to him this morning. What was I doing when the photo arrived?  Reprimanding my toddler for wiping his bum without toilet paper.  Losing the argument that he needed to use HOT water to wash his hands.  Insisting that he go get clean underwear instead of running around the house naked.  And hearing him tell me after he’s run on the carpet that he’s found poo on his feet,... Read the rest of this entry »