Cloistered Away
is a lifestyle blog, focused on simple, purposeful family living, written by Bethany Douglass.
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A Small Encouragement for Motherhood
There were so many years where our home lives and learning looked more concrete—seeing, listening, doing. I worried: Am I doing enough, will they have enough? Have we made the right choices in their education? In
A Mother, A Visionary
We mothers wear a lot of hats, and it’s no wonder that we quickly lean into multi-tasking. Sweeping a floor while taking a business call or scheduling a play date. Wiping down the bathroom counter
Our Pantry | A Renovation + Organization Project
This post is sponsored by Bed Bath & Beyond. On the day we purchased this old house nearly four years ago, Mark fell through the pantry floor. Read: he landed in the crawl space
Why Date Nights Matter in Marriage + How To Prioritize Them
I will be the first to admit, I am not always very good at protecting or preparing for dates with Mark, often finding myself at loss for ideas or in a rut or too tired
Five Ideas to Simplify Traditional Family Meals with Toddlers + Preschoolers
Most Friday evenings, our family gathers around our large table to enjoy our borrowed tradition of Shabbat, the formal finish of a week of work and the beginning of a day of rest (Sabbath). We
Our Homeschool in Pictures | January
t’s a mighty act of human love to remind somebody that they can accomplish things by themselves, and that the world does not automatically owe them any reward, and that they are not as weak
Managing Technology in the Family Home
Liam turned 14 last fall, and he is currently the only one of his peers without a cell phone. This isn’t a statement for or against it, just the reality. With Burke turning 13 in
Seven Ways to Nurture the Creative Spirit in Your Home
I have been in a creative slump the last few months, which may not be a surprise considering the recent season of withering. Lack of vision, clarity, or inspiration in one area of life often
Hope for Withering Seasons
I read the book Humble Roots twice last year––once in its entirety; once in slower, more intentional meditations. What rang true again and again was the title of the first chapter, “Withering on the Vine.” I