Coaching with Mary Clare

During the Christmas season, the language of peace is everywhere. We hear it in carols, read it on cards, and see it woven throughout the Advent story. And what always stands out to me is that even two thousand years ago, people were longing for the same things we still ache for today—relief from striving, rest from the noise, and steadiness when life feels uncertain.

One night, my daughter told me she wished she could be a grown-up. She imagined all the freedom adults get—staying up late, eating candy, no homework. I told her that yes, being a grown-up is wonderful in many ways, but one of the best parts of being a kid is all the time you get to spend ***playing***. The truth is, many of us grown-ups forgot how to play.

Motherhood asks us to be brave in ways we never expect—sometimes in the big, dramatic moments, but often in the small, everyday ones. From roller coasters to horseback riding to the quiet moments of fear and love, I’ve learned that bravery in motherhood isn’t about being fearless. It’s about choosing courage—again and again—for the sake of our children and for the growth it brings to us, too.

Taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s essential. For me there are four key areas of my health I have to prioritize in order to feel...

December with small children is full of joyful chaos, which made finding stillness feel almost impossible. Many days, I questioned my...

When I was younger, I couldn’t picture what life would look like at this age. I think teenage me would be thrilled to know I’m married to...

While I’ve always known the value of stillness, these past 10 days have given me deeper insight into how it affects my mood and...

Some days call for slowing down, being still, and reconnecting—with nature, loved ones, God, and ourselves. Recently, I had one of those...

Last night was a test of my nervous system. After school, we headed to get the kids’ flu shots, and it turned into one of those dreaded...

What a year it has been…Looking back on what I thought I would do this year and what I have actually done are so drastically different. I...

I am having a hard time setting goals this year or even thinking too far into next year. I think it may be because last year did not end...