The journal
Explore Lydia Rim's latest writing on motherhood, education, faith, and everyday family life.
education
What can parents learn from 3,525 college admissions decisions? A closer look at grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and the limitations of self-reported admissions data.
mental wellness
A gentle reminder to check in with your emotions, recognize what you need, and make room for your own well-being during everyday life.
maryland homes
U.S. home sales increased 1.5% in September 2026, but higher mortgage rates threaten the housing market. Discover what this means for buyers and sellers.
maryland homes
Explore Maryland's September 2026 housing market. Discover home prices, sales trends, rising inventory, and what buyers and sellers should know.
korean culture
Two of Lydia's favorite BTS songs: Butterfly from Young Forever and Dimple from Love Yourself: Her, with album details and listening links.
mental wellness
A gentle reflection on taking time before saying yes, considering what you can manage, and giving an honest answer with kindness.
mental wellness
A gentle reflection on unfinished to-do lists, making room for rest, and choosing what is enough for today.
faith and life
Prayer doesn't require perfect words. A gentle reflection on finding comfort in faith, speaking honestly to God, and remembering that even a quiet prayer matters.
motherhood
Raising independent children means knowing when to help and when to step back. A gentle reflection on patience, responsibility, and growing together.
mental wellness
A reflection on everyday kindness, listening with care, and offering small reminders of goodness while honoring our own limits.
faith and life
A reflection on unexpected turns, changing relationships, and trusting God one step at a time when life looks different from what we planned.
motherhood
A reflection on losing patience, making room for repair, and hoping our children remember that they never had to struggle alone.
education
A parent-friendly guide to Early Decision II deadlines for fall 2027 admission, the binding commitment, and planning ahead as a family.
education
Understand National Merit cutoffs for the Class of 2027, Maryland's reported score, the PSAT Selection Index, and next steps for families.
education
Can students keep leftover scholarship money? A parent's guide to award rules, college refunds, taxes, and FAFSA reporting before spending.
faith and life
A reflection on gratitude, faith, and noticing the goodness already present in an unfinished, ordinary life.
education
A parent-friendly look at CLEP exams, college credit, and the questions to ask before adding another test to your child's calendar.
motherhood
Yesterday, bananas were everyone's favorite. Today, offering a banana is apparently deeply disrespectful.
motherhood
Before becoming a mom, I thought I was a patient person. Turns out, I was just a person who could finish a sentence.
education
A parent-friendly guide to AAU universities, what research membership means, and questions to ask when choosing a college.
education
A family-focused look at Brown University's Open Curriculum, the responsibilities behind its flexibility, and questions to ask about college fit.
motherhood
An introduction to Mind of Lydia and the stories we will share here.
the lydia rating
What goes into a Mind of Lydia food or product review.