Prison. Just this one word can create so much anxiety, controversy, and pain.
Visions of a violent and hostile environment often leap to life in people’s imaginations. Surely this is not a place to take children! Turn on the TV and you can find multiple shows depicting prison life. For many people,…
Family
We hear great advice all the time!
From the words of wisdom from our grandmothers, to the radio snippets, to the blogs we read—we are inundated with tips, tools, and secrets to making our relationships better. You consume as much content as you possibly can, and yet you are still struggling in your relationship. Why…
There is a lot that goes into preparing for a prison visit.
If you have never had a loved one in prison, you may think it is easy to stay in touch. From the outside, it seems like all you need to do is get in your car and go visit your loved one prison. …
It is so easy to over-commit your time and resources.
In your efforts to please others, you often forget that you have limits. Before you know it, you are stressed and overwhelmed by all that you need to get done. You are snapping at your kids, resenting all the cooking, you’ve overspent and…
Growing up in a large family, one of my favorite memories is of our Christmas traditions.
We made dozens of cut-out cookies, batches of sweet caramels, pounds of chocolatey fudge, and bags of party mix in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Then, every Christmas eve, we each opened one gift—new pajamas.
The next morning, the…
Your husband is in prison.
Suddenly, your primary way of communicating is no longer face to face, but over the phone. And not by text, snapchat, or Instagram messaging. Yikes! Talking on the phone together was probably not something you did often before he went to prison. Talking on the phone is now the most…
Christmas was the most difficult season for my family while Ron was in prison.
On the outside, we missed him every day—but during Christmas we missed him even more. For those on the inside, the days are longer and harder than any other time of the year. Spending time together during visits to…
Ever notice how hard it is to talk when you’re angry?
It is easy to shut down and say nothing—and it is easy to yell. But talking calmly is the furthest thing from your mind in that moment. Anger has a way of robbing us of our self-control, dignity, and character if we are not…
Christmas is not about presents, it is about people
When Ron went to prison, I realized that Christmas is not about presents, it is about people. My boys were grateful for the presents they received- but what they wanted most was to spend Christmas with their daddy. Some of the best gifts we have received…
Communication is King when your husband is in prison.
Without strong communication skills, you will struggle in every area of your marriage while he is away. Chances are, you will not make it out of prison together unless you learn to communicate better. Many couples struggle with understanding each other when they live together. It…