by Cornelia Becker Seigneur | Mar 19, 2018 | Being present, Family Life, Parenting Philosophy
As I was leaving my parents house yesterday, I hugged my dad and said to him, “Love you, Daddy.” I have called him “Daddy” all of my life. It never became just “dad,” but was always “Daddy” which seemed to be the German way. Then my dad says to...
by Cornelia Becker Seigneur | Mar 1, 2018 | Adventure, Parenting, Parenting Philosophy
When I was growing up and would complain about having to do a chore or if I had a negative attitude about a school assignment, my mom used to say to me, “Kopf hoch,” which is German for “hold your head up high.” Basically the subtle message that I gleaned from my...
by Cornelia Becker Seigneur | Jan 4, 2016 | Being present, Christianity, Faith and Culture, Integrity, Life, Motherhood, Parenting Philosophy, Writing
Last year, I attended the memorial service of Gene Jackson today. He was 84. Gene was the father of my friends Allyn and Bethany Jackson. I had never met Gene and wanted to go to support my friends. Bethany and Allyn had spoken of Gene’s faith in the Lord, his...
by Cornelia Becker Seigneur | Mar 27, 2015 | Family Life, Motherhood, Navigating Motherhood, Parenting Philosophy, Raising Tweens, Real-Life Mom column, Tradition, Transitions, Tweens
My youngest son Augustin Heinz Martin turned 12 a couple of days ago. Can we just slow life down for a while. It’s moving too fast. But, Gus was ready. His birthdays are a big deal for him and they are a big deal to me as well. It’s his last year as a “tween.” Sixth...
by Cornelia Becker Seigneur | Mar 11, 2015 | Being present, Moms, Navigating Motherhood, Parenting, Parenting Philosophy, Raising Teens, Raising Tweens, The Extraordinary Ordinary, work, working moms, Writing
I grew up in a household where it was a joke to say that you were worth what you worked. Our family friend Brent used to say this about us, and it became something that we laughed about and responded with a “ha ha ha” and acted like we were just kidding...
by Cornelia Becker Seigneur | Dec 19, 2014 | Family Life, Kids, Moms, Motherhood, Navigating Motherhood, Parenting, Parenting Philosophy, Raising Teens, Raising Tweens, Real LIfe, Real-Life Mom column, Real-Life Mom column - The Oregonian, Teaching Moments, Teens, Transitions, Tweens, Twins, West Linn, Writing
After the recent winter concert of my sixth grade son at his middle school, we went out for ice cream at the local Baskin-Robbins with about a dozen other families from the community who, like us, were celebrating the wonderful holiday musical event. It was my...
