A Salute to 21st Century Fathers

I love how each generation of fathers are becoming more involved with childcare. My husband was much more involved with our children than his father ever was and my sons are even more comfortable changing diapers and bathing infants. all paintings found at Dad and daughter relationships, as explained by 10 paintings. One of my……

THE EVERYDAY ENVIRONMENTALIST

I could have written this article myself if I was more on the ball. After all, this subject is especially close to my heart. I am mum of nine, adult children who raised her kids with her husband on a small hobby farm.  We raised our own beef, chicken, pork and eggs year-round and vegetables……

Reclaiming Motherhood

Society’s Reaction To Large Families A few years ago, when a journalist interviewed me for an article on Mother’s Day, she asked me if I ever regretted not using my degree to pursue a career. I simply stared at her in shock for a few moments, my mind blank. “No”, I finally stuttered, “the thought……

Elizabeth and Allison Both Interviewed Melanie on BreadBox Media

Last year in 2015, I recorded two interviews for Catholic radio shows. Now you can actually hear my voice and learn more about my faith and life as a convert. Here is a radio interview I did with Elizabeth Reardon, last year on her show on Breadbox Media: An Engaging Faith Featuring Melanie Jean Juneau……

Presenting The REAL Seven Wonders

Celebrating the simple wonder of being alive in images

Mental Illness: A Faith Perspective

Although most respectable members of society try to look healthy and content in public, mental illness is as common and invisible among the faithful as it is in secular circles. I would wager that mental health issues are especially prevalent among the devout who are serious about their inner life; when people tackle deep inner issues which prevent……

Mental Health: Coming Out Of The Shadows

 Just like a person with poor eyesight needs glasses and a diabetic needs insulin, some very ordinary people have a chemical imbalance and need medication. Mental health. We make an appointment every year with their G.P. to check out their physical health and reluctantly arrange for a dental check up but why don’t we also……

Revisiting: All I Ever Needed to Know …

All I ever needed to know, I learned in Kindergarten, from my mum, from God…and from Dr. Seuss.(Dr. Seuss quotes are in blue) If  leaders of countries  and the  heads of corporations practiced what they learned as small children, the world would be happier, healthier and more peaceful. Perhaps people in power should listen as Dr.……

King or Queen of the Universe? Quit.

Exhausted? Feeling stretched, even overwhelmed? Does it seem that everyone looks to you to get things done? When we refuse to let go of control, we are like a queen at the centre of our universe where everything depends on us. Trust me, it is more about our attitude than the real activities we perform.……

Might As Well Laugh

Really, when life is this ridiculous, all you can do is laugh.

New Anthology Encourages Mums

5 Catholic mum bloggers challenge today’s culture on the value of motherhood Ontario, Canadian mum Melanie Jean Juneau is a love rebel— one of 5 moms who have chosen to pursue the vocation of motherhood over their careers or personal goals. Along with four other Catholic moms, she shares her stories of mothering despite living……

If…

If only adults could apply lessons learned when they were still preschoolers, our world would be a better place. Think about the basic lessons we teach our little ones so  the family runs smoothly. share listen to others respectfully pick up after yourself wait for your turn you can’t always get your own way sometimes……

Mothering

 Raising children is definitely not a default chore for women who were not successful in the world of business, power and wealth. . . Exactly how society forms the next generation will directly influence the kind of society they turn create. . Do we want a world focused only on the accumulation of wealth? Are……

Words of Wisdom From J.R. Tolkien

J.R. Tolkien was a respected scholar, professor, devout Catholic, and author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. This genius created a complex world with a history, geography and many realistic languages. Yes, Tolkien’s Middle Earth is a fantasy world but not an insipid, fluffy world for little girls. No, he wrote profound……

Worry,Anxiety and Laughter

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength- carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” ― Corrie ten Boom Anxiety  makes us ill in body, mind, and spirit. Yet worry is ingrained in our nature from the……

Celebrating Canada Day , July 1st

We Canadians love to make fun of ourselves but even more, we
love to make fun of people who don’t know anything about us, especially Americans

When Marriage Feels Like a Meat Grinder

Why is there conflict with our partner?  Coming out of the closet. The funny thing is, it is only when you face a crisis in your marriage and seek counselling, that anyone mentions  all marriages go through the meat grinder stage. In fact, marriage is the perfect set-up for conflict. Put two flawed people together……

The Power of Words to Diffuse Evil and Derail Violence.

I have surprised people since I was barely two years old with my mastery of language. Probably because I am tiny, words are my defense against anyone who threatens me. According to friends, my words do disarm antagonists. An attempted rape serves as a dramatic illustration of the power of words to protect in a……

Gardening with Kids

The garden was my children’s domain as well as mine because I wanted them in the garden, connecting with the earth. As they planted seeds, watered growing plants and picked fruit and vegetables, they became attuned to the rhythms of nature.  My kids marvelled at the power packed in a tiny seed because after planting one bean seed, they soon ate handfuls of green beans……

The Person Behind My Blog

 I think writers should enlighten their readers by revealing odd facts about themselves. Well, here is my list of humourous, and/or thoughtful insights about the person behind my blog.In addtion, I just recorded an interview yesterday for a Catholic radio show, so that readers could hear my voice and learn more about me http://realjoy.podbean.com/e/a-seeking-heart-w-allison-gingras-feat-melanie-juneau-joyofnine9/ A Seeking…