From Author Rebecca Grabill
This Joyful Mess
2025 Update to “Saying Goodbye: Why I Broke Up With Instagram” Plus: What Social Media Can(not) do for Authors
I felt betrayed … and foolish. I was ready to be done with social media once and for all. And yet I still faced an expectation that I would be engaging, posting, sharing my life with the hope that all this cyber-standing-in-the-road-waving-myself would sell more books. If I just engaged more, posted more, changed my strategy and platforms and spent more time …
How do I get out of Reaction Mode?
I had dreams for my family life, for the kids education, for my own recreation time (which currently clocked in at daily total of zero minutes, zero seconds). I longed to do things like knit, read books with real pages, write for the joy of it. Instead, I was living life of reacting—not to God’s direction—but to people’s momentary expectations, urgent tasks all shoving and bickering to be FIRST on my list. I was desperate to get back to the most important focus of every day...
It's Almost Back to School! Printable Planning Pages for Home or Classroom
I created these school planning pages out of desperation. I SO needed to get back on track! Did they help? Some more than others. But I can say for certain that they are 100% cute. In this download you’ll find a weekly lesson plan, semester schedule, grade report sheets, and book/media record sheets. All can be sized for any planner, including the Happy Planner.
My Secret to a Joyful Home? I Quit Making My Kids Happy
If you’re like I was, your kids use more digital media than you’d like. Maybe they’re into video games, binging episodes of Bluey, mindless scrolling through YouTube. If you’ve ever had the thought, “I sure wish he’d do something that doesn’t involve a screen,” then you a. Have a problem b. Are in the perfect position to solve it!
A Family Christmas Resource You Won't Want to Miss!
Joy of Advent is a virtual daily devotional reading for children and adults. Each email also has curated music videos and classical (usually) works of art that are truly breathtaking. The Joy of Advent daily readings are structured around the Jesse Tree, in part because the Jesse Tree is a beautiful, ancient tradition, and because it gives us the opportunity to pull a scarlet thread from the tapestry of Scripture.
The Most Insane Parenting Decision I Never Thought I’d Actually Make
I couldn’t pay my kids to go outside. They’d drag out of bed, take bowls of cereal to the family room where they’d watch TV followed by hours of begging for “screen time” while I battled our way through the morning’s schoolwork. Months of this, years of it. We fought this battle day after day until we made a dramatic decision and drastic change.
The Pandemic Nearly Destroyed My Kids Part 2... One Mother's Horror Story
If you think your kids are safe online, think again. Read one mother’s horror story about online dangers and learn the number one best way to protect your kids short of setting back the clock twenty years. Learn about Gryphon and digital safety.
The Pandemic Nearly Destroyed My Kids. This Is How I’m Getting Them Back
I thought my 5 year old was watching a harmless YouTube video for kids. What he was really watching absolutely horrified me. The internet is fast becoming one of the scariest places on earth, especially for kids and their parents. Here is the first in a series on protecting children from online dangers.
This One Hack Made My Mom-Life Better and My Kids Happier
It’s any random evening and I’m doling out the usual pre-bedtime chores. Pick up, put away, no, really put it away properly, not under the chair, all the pieces, oh whatever, just go brush your teeth. So. Many. Toys. Find the Ultimate Guide to creating your own Toy Rotation System. Reclaim your house and make all those old toys seem new again!
What I Almost Stole From My Kids, and What They Gave Me Instead
How do children learn creativity? Creativity requires courage, and courage requires risk. This lesson is especially vital for children of Apraxia of Speech and their families. Plus discover the inspiration behind the hit retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, Violet and the Woof!
Hi, I’m Rebecca. I write books and I write here at This Joyful Mess to inspire everyone to find JOY in the everyday messes of life. Here you’ll find inspiration, educational resources, and so much more. Please explore and connect. I’d love to hear from you!