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.