Hello Moms,

Welcome to Intentional Motherhood! My name is Catherine Hickem and I am the founder of this organization which is designed to help moms of all ages arrive at the end of their motherhood journey with no regrets.

Intentional Motherhood challenges you to think through your motherhood, appreciate how important you are, value the privilege you have, and know where you are headed in your mothering journey. Intentional means to have a laser focus on a goal and that is what we want to help you achieve n mothering your children, no matter how old they are.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I am mothered by a great lady who was intentional in how she parented me. An amazing woman on every level, I learned the definition of purposeful living and thinking from an early age. I am happy to say she is still my greatest role model.

I was infertile for many years and I wanted desperately to be a mom. My husband Neil and I decided that it was more important for us to be parents than to birth a child so we decided to adopt. The terrific, challenging, and humbling child God brought into our lives is named Taylor and he is 23 years old.

Five months after Taylor was born, I find myself pregnant. It was a difficult pregnancy but worth every challenge becasue God gave me this precious little girl whose name is TIffany and she is 22.

Needless to say, God planned for me to have a crash course in motherhood. I found myself rasing children who were very different, unique, and fascinating. I had questions no one could answer and problems no one could help me solve. Very simply, I found myself in over my head as a mother. ( By the way, I still do).

From the earliest days to the latest ones, I have discovered that God's plan along was for me to recognize that I couldn't do the job without His help. God wanted for me to know that I didn't have the answers so I would have to rely on Him for my wisdom and direction. That is a painful lesson for a woman who spent her first "thritysomething" years learning to be strong and independent. Maybe you can relate.

In the midst of all of this, I was a psychotherapist whose early practice was with children and families. In fact, I have had the privilege of listening to mothers of all ages for over 25 years and it has provided a huge opportunity to learn, grasp, and comprehend the issues that face mothers. It has also given me the opportunity to see the common denominators of those mothers who were the most peaceful, confident, and joyful in their mothering. Successful mothers have many things in common and this blog will discuss those insights.

I also learned many valuable insghts from the mistakes that were shared by broken-hearted mothers who wish they could do things different. I will share wisdom I learned from those women and how to prevent their problems.

The result of seeing and hearing mothers from all across the country would be the birth of Intentional Motherhood.. You can check out our website to see how we come along side moms of all ages, needs, and issues.

This blog will do several things. First of all, it will encourage you to know you are not alone in the challenges you face and the questions you have. Every mother has felt like she was hanging from the fan blade no matter how terrific she looks on the outside. If not, give her a few more months or years and she will be sharing the blade with you.

Secondly, it will always ask questions so that you will think about what you are doing so you are not simply "showing up". It will treat you intelligently and trust you want to grow and can handle the truth.

Another blessing this blog wants to provide you is hope. I truly believe it is never to late to change your present course. I believe God is big and He can redeem any mistake we have ever made. In fact, that was the whole purpose of God sending Jesus Christ.

Lastly, it will encourage you to have a vision for your children so you will never settle for less than God's best. Your voice and your blessing is the single most important one a child ever receives. As a culture, we have lost the ability to know how to love uncoditionally without blessig bad behavior. This blog will show you how to ue your power and influence in a manner that draws your children toward you (and God) even in the midst of life's most difficult times.

I look forward to walking the motherhood journey with you. Let me hear your thoughts and insights as we tackle both the realities and dreams of every mom.

Always,

Catherine Hickem
IntentionalMotherhood.com