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Susan Alexander Yates

Susan Alexander Yates

Wisdom for Every Season

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You are the Parent, Not Your Child: How to Discipline

You are the Parent, Not Your Child: How to Discipline

by Susan Alexander Yates

One of the most common questions I get is about how to discipline. We live in a child-centered culture. A…
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My Biggest Frustration as a Mom (and What I Did About It)

My Biggest Frustration as a Mom (and What I Did About It)

by Susan Alexander Yates

You’ve heard of the joys of motherhood?  Today we’re talking about motherhood frustration. Motherhood is one of my great joys,…
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Sibling Rivalry

Sibling Rivalry

by Susan Alexander Yates

One of the biggest challenges in every home with multiple children is that of sibling rivalry. Today begins a 2-part…
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Is a Whiny Child Driving You Crazy?

Is a Whiny Child Driving You Crazy?

by Susan Alexander Yates

“It’s not fair.” “Everyone else gets to…” “There’s nothing to do.” “Why can’t I?” Please me. Cater to me. Make…
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Raising Good Conversationalists

Raising Good Conversationalists

by Susan Alexander Yates

Do you sometimes feel embarrassed in front of your friends because your child won’t talk and simply grumbles a “yes” or…
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When we worry about our kids: 4 things that help

When we worry about our kids: 4 things that help

by Susan Alexander Yates

  I’ve never heard of a mother who doesn’t worry about her children. Some of us are obsessive worriers, others…
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Stop the Sass

Stop the Sass

by Susan Alexander Yates

“You stupid, big fat ugly Mommy.” “You are so mean. I wish you weren’t my Mom.” “You are the worst…
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Is it really a vacation with toddlers?

Is it really a vacation with toddlers?

by Susan Alexander Yates

I used to think vacations equaled rest. Sleeping in, curling up with a book, long walks, and romantic dinners with…
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10 Hot Tips for Disciplining Toddlers

10 Hot Tips for Disciplining Toddlers

by Susan Alexander Yates

“My kids are driving me crazy,” a young mother with toddlers said to me. “My discipline methods don’t seem to…
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Raising “Other-Centered” Kids in a “Self-Centered” World

Raising “Other-Centered” Kids in a “Self-Centered” World

by Susan Alexander Yates

“It’s my ball. I want it now.” “I want that blouse; you never let me get anything new.” “The coach…
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Hello, I’m Susan.

Susan Alexander Yates

I’m a wife (of more than 50 years), mom to five children (including a set of twins), and grandmother to 21 (including a set of quadruplets!). My favorite time of the year is when all my kids and grandkids are together for a week of “cousins and family camp” in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains of Virginia.

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Recent Posts

  • How God’s Creation Comforts and Restores Me
  • Help for Parents of Middle School Kids: Insights From My 8th Grade Diary
  • Family Can Be Hard: How to Handle Painful Family Relationships
  • Our Best Advice for Your Marriage: What We’ve Learned in 53+ Years
  • Good News: Growing as a Christian is Not About Trying Harder

One Word

One Word: Sufficient

Featured Books

And Then I Had Kids: Encouragement for Mothers of Young Children

And Then I Had Kids: Encouragement for Mothers of Young Children
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Character Matters: Raising Kids With Values That Last

Character Matters: Raising Kids With Values That Last
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Character Matters: Raising Kids With Values That Last
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Character Matters: Raising Kids With Values That Last

Character Matters: Raising Kids With Values That Last
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Character Matters: Raising Kids With Values That Last
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One Word: Warrior One Verse: “The Lord is a One Word:  Warrior 
 
One Verse:

“The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is His name." Exodus 15:3
 
One Thought:

Lord, it is good for me to be reminded that you are a warrior. You are not a pushover, or weak. You are mighty. You fight for me. You defend me. You have my back. You are for me.
One morning recently I watched my dog, Charley, wa One morning recently I watched my dog, Charley, watch me. He noticed my every move. If I looked him in the eye he would hop up and come to me. If I moved he would follow me. He listens for my voice. His greatest joy is for me to communicate with him, to pay attention to him. He loves me unconditionally, even if I’m having a bad day, blown it with a family member or friend, or still have on my smelly sweats! Watching him watch me I think about how he reflects God. Our heavenly Father watches over me. He waits for me to notice Him. He takes great joy when I call out to Him. He loves me no matter what.

“Father thank you for Charley and for using him to remind me how much You rejoice when I pay attention to You. At this moment, You are waiting patiently for me.”
These are my two 8th grade granddaughters (cousins These are my two 8th grade granddaughters (cousins). Last time they were in town we went thrift shopping, and they found a single pair of pajamas that they could both fit into at one time, lol!⁣
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I've been thinking about them a lot lately as I just discovered my old 8th grade diary, which is hysterical. One of the main things I discovered is that even though so much has changed in the many years since I was in 8th grade, there are still lots of things that are the same.⁣
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Read some excerpts and get insights for parenting middle school kids in my blog, "Help for Parents of Middle School Kids: Insights From My 8th Grade Diary."⁣
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Link in bio or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog
One Word: Sustains One Verse: “Surely God is One Word: Sustains 
 
One Verse:

“Surely God is my help. The Lord is the one who sustains me." Psalm 54:4
 
One Thought:

Father, you sustain me in the tediousness of drudgery or the extreme challenges of life. Whatever I fear - you are sustaining me, my friend, my child. It is your joy to do so!
Getting ready for Holy Week: One of my favorite re Getting ready for Holy Week: One of my favorite reads! I read this every couple of years to prepare for Easter.
Recently I found the most hilarious thing — a di Recently I found the most hilarious thing — a diary I kept when I was in 8th grade! (Swipe right to see a photo of me with my siblings from around that time.)⁣
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Here are a couple excerpts:⁣
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“I’m afraid I’m beginning to like Jimmy but I don’t want to because I really hate him.”⁣
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"Nothing much happened today. Linda and I are real pals now and don’t like Becky. She’s bossy and conceited.”⁣
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"I am a complete failure. I must remember that popularity isn’t everything.”⁣
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I'm still laughing as I read it. But it actually gave me some insights that are helpful with my two 8th grade granddaughters -- and insights you may appreciate if you're the parent of a middle schooler. ⁣
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Get the full scoop on my blog -- link in profile or go to susanalexanderyates.com/blog
One Word: Understands One Verse: “Great is o One Word:  Understands
 
One Verse:

“Great is our Lord and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure." Psalm 147:5
 
One Thought:

When no one else can understand me or my situation, you do completely, O Lord.
I had the best time recently with the Women from A I had the best time recently with the Women from Apostles Anglican Church in Houston! Our retreat was held at the lovely Hill House in the countryside. We were spoiled by incredible food, restored by the bucolic scenery, and spiritually fed by rich fellowship. Thank you Langley and these wonderful women!

 @apostleshouston  @historichillhouse
This is so important to remember when we're strugg This is so important to remember when we're struggling with our family relationships: God created family.⁣
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It was His idea. In the beginning He was part of a family -- Father God, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. But that wasn’t enough, so they created man, Adam. Then God said it was not good for man to be alone, so He created Eve as a wife for Adam.⁣
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Through their disobedience sin entered family units. Even so God did not give up on family. Family has continued ever since.⁣
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Family has a broad meaning. We usually think of family as a dad, mom, and kids. But throughout both the Old and New Testaments we see family described as large tribes, small units, particularly the family of the church. A family might include singles as well as married people, young people, and old people.⁣
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God knows that we are not meant to be alone. We need one another. The big concept here can be summarized in a single word: together.⁣
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But that doesn't mean family is easy! It can be incredibly difficult at times. If you're looking for hope or help with your family relationships, check out my blog this week: "Family Can Be Hard: How to Handle Painful Family Relationships."⁣
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Link in bio or go to  susanalexanderyates.com/blog

Copyright © 2023 · Susan Alexander Yates · All Rights Reserved
Calligraphy by Jessica Blanchard · Paintings by Christen Yates
Blog and Ask Susan Photo by Natalie Puls Photography · Books Photo by Cambria Elizabeth