• “There’s Fleas in Me!” (And Other Times I Panicked Over Nothing)

    By Lizzie @ What Makes My Kid Cry Today

    Real Life. Real Laughs. Real Jesus.

    What made my kid cry today?

    My 6year old came to me in full distress:

    “Mom, my back itches. There’s fleas in me!”

    Not on me.

    In me.

    Full panic. Full-body squirming.

    We’re talking emotional DEFCON 1.

    Naturally, I checked his back.

    No fleas. No rash. Not even a bump.

    Just one slightly itchy spot that probably came from sitting shirtless on the porch steps for 2.3 seconds.

    But try explaining that to a panicked 5-year-old who’s convinced he has internal parasites now.

    Tears. Wailing. Flailing.

    “There’s fleas in me!”

    😂 Real Mom Thoughts:

    Part of me wanted to laugh.

    Another part wanted to Google, “Can kids actually get fleas in their spine?” just in case.

    But mostly, I just hugged him.

    I scratched his back.

    I told him he was okay.

    And I thought: Wow, I do this too.

    💛 Faith Tie-In:

    How many times have I felt something itchy—something uncomfortable, off, wrong—and immediately spiraled into worst-case-scenario thinking?

    — A hard conversation = everyone hates me

    — A delay in plans = God’s forgotten me

    — An unexpected challenge = this will ruin everything

    I panic.

    I assume the worst.

    I cry, “God, there’s something wrong in me!”

    And what does God do?

    He doesn’t mock me.

    He doesn’t scold me.

    He leans in with love and says,

    “You’re okay. I’m here. Let’s calm down and check it out together.”

    ✨ Devotional Reflection:

    “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

    — 1 Peter 5:7

    👩‍👦‍👦 Motherhood + Discipleship Moment:

    Sometimes the “fleas” aren’t real.

    Sometimes they are.

    But either way, my job as a mom isn’t to lecture—it’s to lead with love.

    To teach my kids that it’s okay to be anxious, but they’re not alone.

    That they can come to me—and to God—with all their worries.

    Even the ones that make no sense.

    Especially those.

    🙃 Closing Encouragement:

    We’re not here to fix every itch before it starts.

    We’re here to be a safe place when the panic hits.

    Just like God is for us.

    So today, when your kid cries over something imaginary, ridiculous, or overblown?

    Scratch their back.

    Hug them tight.

    And remind yourself:

    There’s grace for imaginary fleas.

    What’s the wildest thing your kid has panicked over lately?

    Or what’s your grown-up version of a “there’s fleas in me” moment?

    I’d love to laugh—and pray—alongside you 💛

  • 💛 A Blessing in the Middle of the Chaos

    By Lizzie @ What Makes My Kid Cry Today

    Real Life. Real Laughs. Real Jesus.

    — Psalm 127:3 Devotional

    📖 “Children are a heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.” — Psalm 127:3 (KJV)

    📝 Reflection

    They screamed over who got the “blue bowl.”

    They spilled their juice (twice).

    They turned clean laundry into a trampoline.

    And somewhere between “Can I have a snack?” and “He looked at me funny!”—I forgot.

    I forgot they were blessings.

    But Psalm 127:3 pulls me back:

    “Children are a heritage of the Lord.”

    Not a burden. Not a checklist. Not a never-ending noise machine.

    A heritage. A reward.

    God didn’t give me my children by accident. He entrusted me with His handiwork—even when it’s sticky and loud and full of Lego landmines.

    The chaos doesn’t cancel the blessing.

    It often is the blessing—just in a messy, growing, loud-laughing, love-testing disguise.

    🙏 Prayer

    Lord,

    In the middle of the mess and the noise, help me see my children with Your eyes.

    Not as interruptions, but as Your rewards.

    Help me honor this gift, even when I’m tired.

    Even when I feel like I’m failing.

    Today, remind me: this chaos is sacred.

    And this home is holy ground.

    Amen.

    💬 Your Turn

    What has reminded you lately that your kids are a blessing—even on the hard days?

    Drop a comment or tag me on IG @whatmakesmykidcrytoday—let’s remind each other what really matters.

  • 🍽️ Feeding the Flock: A Faith-Filled Family Meal Plan (July 7 – August 3)

    By Lizzie @ What Makes My Kid Cry Today

    Real Life. Real Laughs. Real Jesus.

    “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” — Acts 2:46

    It’s not always Pinterest-worthy. It’s often loud. Someone is usually complaining about a vegetable. But in our house, feeding seven people on a budget has become an act of worship — a daily rhythm of service, stewardship, and gratitude.

    This month, I created a faith-filled meal plan to help stretch our dollars, fill our bellies, and recenter our hearts on what really matters: that every bite, even reheated coffee and freezer-night nachos, can be for His glory.

    🙌 What This Meal Plan Offers:

    Budget-friendly meals for a family of 7 Aldi-friendly pricing (Walmart works too!) Breakfast, lunch, and dinner covered Weekly grocery lists Recipes that honor what we already have Grace for the messes and microwave nights

    💡 Why It’s Faith-Based

    Because every dinner around our table is more than just food — it’s a ministry. It’s where we check in, say grace, and sometimes confess that we yelled too much or ate the last cookie. It’s where God meets us with His daily bread, even if that bread is French and topped with cheese and pepperoni.

    📅 Full Weekly Meal Plan: July 7 – August 3

    Week 1: July 7–13 — Grateful for the Gathering

    Breakfasts: Oatmeal & Fruit, Eggs & Toast, Yogurt & Granola, Pancakes, Cereal & Milk

    Lunches: Tuna Salad Sandwiches, PB&J & Carrots, Quesadillas, DIY Lunchables, Grilled Cheese, Mac & Cheese

    Dinners:

    Italian Chicken with Green Beans & Potatoes Tacos with Beans, Rice, Lettuce & Tomato Spaghetti with Sauce & Garlic Bread BBQ Chicken Sandwiches with Baked Beans Pizza Night (Homemade/French Bread) Cheesy Quesadilla Nachos Chili Mac with Cornbread

    Week 2: July 14–20 — Breaking Bread with Joy

    Breakfasts: Pancakes, Eggs & Toast, Oatmeal & Fruit, Cereal & Milk, Biscuits & Jelly

    Lunches: Tuna Salad Sandwiches, PB&J & Apples, Grilled Cheese, Mac & Cheese, Sliders

    Dinners:

    Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli Ziti Bake with Salad Chicken Quesadillas & Corn Chili Mac Pizza Night (French Bread) Breakfast for Dinner (Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon) BBQ Beef Sandwiches with Green Beans

    Week 3: July 21–27 — He Provides in the Chaos

    Breakfasts: Oatmeal & Fruit, Eggs & Toast, Pancakes, Cereal & Milk, Biscuits & Honey

    Lunches: Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Quesadillas, DIY Lunchables, PB&J & Fruit, Leftovers

    Dinners:

    Creamy Ranch Chicken Bake with Mixed Veggies Spaghetti with Garlic Bread Cheesy Beef & Rice Skillet Tacos with Beans & Rice Homemade Pizza Night Italian Chicken with Roasted Veggies Meatball Subs with Green Beans

    Week 4: July 28–August 3 — Glad and Sincere Hearts

    Breakfasts: Biscuits & Gravy, Eggs & Toast, Oatmeal & Fruit, Pancakes, Yogurt & Granola

    Lunches: Tuna Salad Sandwiches, PB&J & Carrots, Mac & Cheese, DIY Lunchables, Grilled Cheese, Hot Dogs

    Dinners:

    Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Sweet Potatoes & Broccoli Butter Noodles with Peas Pizza Night (French Bread) Chili Mac Quesadillas with Rice & Beans Breakfast for Dinner (Eggs, Pancakes, Bacon) Cheesy Beef & Rice Skillet

    🍲 Sample Recipes

    Italian Chicken Bake

    2 lbs chicken breast, 1/2 cup Italian dressing, frozen green beans, chopped potatoes

    Mix and bake at 375°F for 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked.

    Garlic Parmesan Chicken

    2 lbs chicken tenderloins, 1/2 cup grated parmesan, garlic powder, Italian seasoning

    Coat chicken, bake at 400°F for 25 minutes.

    Chili Mac

    1 lb ground beef, 1 can tomato sauce, 1 can kidney beans, 2 cups elbow pasta

    Brown beef, stir in sauce and beans, cook pasta separately, mix together.

    Creamy Ranch Chicken Bake

    2 lbs chicken breast, 1 pack ranch seasoning, 1/2 block cream cheese, 1 cup milk, mixed vegetables

    Layer in dish, bake at 375°F for 35 minutes. Stir before serving.

    French Bread Pizza

    1 loaf French bread, pizza sauce, mozzarella, toppings

    Slice bread, top, bake at 375°F for 15 minutes.

    🙏 Mealtime Prayer to Start the Month

    “Lord, thank You for Your provision. For full bellies and loud kitchens. For peanut butter sandwiches and garlic parmesan chicken. Help us to see Your goodness in every bite and to feed others with the same grace You feed us. Amen.”

    🛒 Total Grocery Cost: $218.35 (thanks to shopping our pantry!)

    🛍️ Store Friendly: Aldi or Walmart

    From my family to yours, may your kitchen be filled with laughter, your fridge be full enough, and your hearts stay hungry for Him.

    Lizzie

    What Makes My Kid Cry Today