I’ve felt it in my spirit for a while now—I’m too attached to social media.

Your true north is the set of guiding principles in parenting — the values that anchor your decisions so that no matter the external pressures, you always have a steady direction.

It’s the compass that helps you navigate the inevitable crossroads of parenthood with clarity and confidence.

Healthy and hearty one-pot meal, made in a rice cooker. That means no standing over the stove for 30 minutes to watch and stir the stew while the kids are clawing at your feet (or each other!). You can make this simple recipe with just 5 ingredients and the stew blocks. More details in the post.

I was working away in the dark beside my fidgeting toddler, when I slapped the laptop cover shut in frustration. Why won’t this kid go to sleep, ugh! I threatened to leave if he didn’t lie down. He quickly scrambled into position and stayed still. Eventually, he did fall asleep, though way past his bedtime. 

A wave of regret and guilt came over me. Shucks, this is how he remembers me just as he drifts to sleep.

There, in the dark, something was nagging in my gut. I recognize this feeling; this quiet tug. Here and now, as I’m forced to stop doing anything, God finally had my attention:

Hey, take care, you’re about to burn out. Your body and emotions are giving you signs.

DIY home haircuts are not for the faint-hearted. This is my experience using a "quiet electric hair clipper" that I bought online, and my first attempt cutting my own son's hair. Read my hilarious moments and heart lessons learned.

Though it looks different now as parents than it was when we were dating, our love has deepened and matured over the years.

A few years ago, The Hearthmakers didn’t exist. If you asked me then what I’d be doing now, I would have excitedly told you about Little Joys Studio, my small, home-based handmade embroidery business that I had dreams and plans for. And yet here I am today… pivoted. In a whole new direction. This post is my honest sharing on the two big reasons.

There’s no shortage of toddler activity ideas online, many promising to give moms a few minutes of peace. And I get it—I really do. But I’m learning that for me, parenting in these little years is about connecting, not disconnecting. Finding time for myself? That’s a challenge I’ll have to work on in other ways.

So if you’ve been feeling discouraged about setting up activities that don’t seem to work, here’s a gentle reminder…

There’s a temptation to lose sight of God’s goodness while in the desert season of waiting. If I don’t tether my heart to God’s promises, I might even lose sight of God altogether.

In chasing what I long for, I often forget that I’m living in the midst of what I once prayed for.

So I talk to my soul: Remember God. Remember His goodness. Trust His timing. Trust His hand.

Here are some verses in the Bible that are helping me anchor my heart…

Generally, for many Asian parents, "doing well" in school means our child is able to follow along academically, and perhaps even excel.

But did you know that the purpose of a Parent-Teacher Meeting from a holistic development perspective can encompass so much more?

Every month, I share a new desktop and phone wallpaper that’s completely free for your personal use. For December 2024’s wallpaper, the simple message is “Good enough is good enough.” As we come upon the close of the year, let’s surrender the undone and give ourselves permission to rest in knowing that we’ve tried our best - and that matters. Enjoy this month’s free wallpaper!

I never thought a c-section would be part of my birth story. Like many mothers-to-be, I had a vision of how it would go—and this wasn’t it. If you’ve ever felt less-than about how your baby came into the world, you’re not alone. Here’s my story and what helped me embrace my baby’s birth.

There are days when it feels like I've made no progress at all. I build routines, practice managing my emotions, and learn from past mistakes, only to face new challenges that leave me feeling like I'm back at square one.

But here's what I'm learning: the cycle isn't futile. It's actually an upward spiral. It's progress.

Each time we face a struggle, we're not starting over; we're building on what we've already learned. We're stronger than we were before, even if it doesn't feel that way in the moment.

Toddler clinginess and attention-neediness can be a real struggle (for both tot and mama!) But if we get a little creative, and with some intentionality, we can make the little pockets of time we already spend with our toddler go a long way. Here are a few ways I've learned to make routine moments, like mornings, bath and bedtimes, count.

Getting kids to say “sorry” is no easy feat—toddlers are proud and independent little beings, after all. But teaching them to apologize isn’t just about being polite; it’s about helping them take ownership of their actions and repair relationships. In this article, I’m sharing real-life stories, the struggles I’ve faced, and practical ways we can gently guide our kids toward meaningful apologies—without turning it into a battle of wills.