Courtney Elmer Category

The Secret to Disciplining Your Kids Without a Meltdown

By Courtney Elmer I often wonder how St. Catherine of Siena’s mother did it. And, by “it” I mean raising 25 children. I’m over here pulling my hair out with one sometimes! (St. Catherine and your mom, please pray for me.)

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A Simple Way to Help Your Children Cultivate Thoughtfulness & Compassion

By Courtney Elmer “Hurry Hurry Drive the Firetruck” is one of my son’s favorite songs, and when one flies past us down the highway with sirens blaring, you better believe you’ll see a huge smile come across his face.

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Are You Giving Your Kids the Right Kind of Praise?

By Courtney Elmer As parents, we want to make sure we’re supporting, encouraging and loving our children through our affirming words and offering gentle guidance whenever necessary. And, as Catholic parents, raising virtuous children is an even higher priority.

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The Silent Power That’s Always Available to You

By Courtney Elmer One of my favorite parts of my day is my early morning walk (or bike ride) with my son AJ. But lately, I’ve been opting to leave my earbuds at home and challenge myself to a solid hour of silence with nothing but my thoughts (and an intermittent giggle from AJ) to […]

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4 Easy Steps to Get Your Priorities Straight

By Courtney Elmer You’ve heard it a million times: “Make sure you’ve got your priorities straight!” But, how do you actually do this with constant demands on your time and attention?

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If You Struggle with Perfection, This is for You

By Courtney Elmer “80% perfect is perfect Courtney.”⠀⠀⠀⠀ This is what my dad would tell me when I was a girl. He saw my inner perfectionist and knew that in my quest for doing things 100% right all the time,

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The Truth That’s Worth It: One I Wish I’d Known Sooner

By Courtney Elmer Have you looked in the mirror today? I’m sure you have at least once … what did you tell yourself? Was it something positive? Or were you silently kicking yourself for something you did or didn’t do? Something you have or don’t have?

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Searching for Balance? Do This Instead

By Courtney Elmer You might’ve heard the rumor about this thing called balance. In case you haven’t, it’s nothing more than an idea, really. Something that sounds really nice and that everyone wants, but that no one has ever defined.

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How to Stay More Present in This Busy, Crazy World

By Courtney Elmer “I just want to live in the moment.” Ever said this to yourself? I definitely have. For years I felt like there was never enough time to get it all done. Whenever I sat there trying to embody whatever it meant to actually be “present,” I failed miserably. But one day things […]

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A Lenten Reflection: On Motherhood, Surrender and the Grace We Need For Both

By Courtney Elmer I can still hear the sirens blaring outside my hospital window. It was Mardi Gras day 2018. The Rex parade was rolling below, and I was almost 22 hours into labor with my son.

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Want to Feel Less Busy and More Present? Do This.

By Courtney Elmer Recently, someone asked me how I have so much energy with a baby boy as busy as my son AJ. She said my positive energy was rubbing off on her, and how much lighter she felt just talking to me. 

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