Screen Shot 2023-06-02 at 2.27.28 PM.png

Lisa Valentine Clark

Lisa VAlentine Clark graduated with a B.S. in English from Brigham Young University. She was part of the sketch/comedy troupe the Garrens in Provo from 1995 to 2000, and co-founded the theater-as-improv troupe the Thrillionaires. She has done a variety of voiceover and acting work in independent features, including Gracie in the award-winning webseries “Pretty Darn Funny,” which she also writes and produces. Lisa spends most of her time in Provo with her husband, Christopher Clark. They are the parents of five children who seem to make up a unique comedy troupe all their own.

Latter-day Saint Life

What I Wish I'd Known Three Kids Ago

By Lisa Valentine Clark

May 04, 2018 09:20 AM MDT

In my book, Real Moms: Making It Up As We Go, I’m really insistent about NOT giving advice. I think social media has overcorrected modern mothering in this area. The last thing we, as an American parenting society, need is one more article telling us what to do or not do. But I do believe in being reflective and honest when talking about our parenting experience with other mothers. (Clearly by using the term “parenting experience,” I’ve been influenced by this saturated parenting market. Blegh. I’m disgusted with myself.) So, in my quest to be honest, I will reveal a few items (I won’t number them because that would make it seem more like advice, which I’m not suggesting it is) that I wish I myself had known three kids ago (or five) as I raise my pack today.

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

The Mothering Advice I Always Hated but That Turned Out to Be True

By Lisa Valentine Clark

February 26, 2016 10:13 PM MST

I have gone on the website to order my son’s high school graduation gown about 20 times now, and I just can’t click on the link. Okay, I clicked on the link once, but I couldn’t enter in his height (6 feet?!) and pay. It was too much. My mind soothes me by reassuring me that his graduation is far, far away in the future, but it’s not. Time and I are not speaking right now.

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Time to Reevaluate Those New Year's Resolutions!

By Lisa Valentine Clark

January 29, 2016 10:13 PM MST

It's the end of January, and my son is furiously trying to finish his science fair project at the last minute despite my warnings (pleadings!) weeks early to finish it early “or you’ll be sorry.” The end of term occurred just days before and I had the pleasure of listening to not one, but two teenagers give me passionate speeches ranging from “The teacher must not have entered the grade in right,” to “Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered, and I won’t really learn unless I handle this on my own,” and my personal favorite speech: “Grades don’t really matter because it’s really about the learning process.” (I keep telling my kids that I WAS a jr. high and sr. high teacher. I know their tricks and I know students, and 9 out of 10 times, I’m going to be on the teacher’s side. Sorry.)

2 Min Read

How to Keep Christmas Magical for Older Kids

By Lisa Valentine Clark

December 22, 2015 10:00 PM MST

If your teen's Christmas list consists of nothing but gift cards, don't despair. You can still help them share in the magic of Christmas as they transition to becoming gift-givers, and not just receivers.

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Talking to Our Kids About Paris

By Lisa Valentine Clark

November 20, 2015 12:46 PM MST

Three of my children are in a French-Immersion program at their elementary and middle schools. This past weekend, my 12-year-old texted me: “Did you hear about Paris?” As we texted, I could sense her confusion and sadness for a place she feels a personal connection to. One of her friends texted her to “wear black tomorrow—For Paris” at school the next day, and they all did. But when I asked her what they talked about in school, she told me her teacher said, “We’re not going to talk about Paris today.”

3 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Why I Love the Young Women Program

By Lisa Valentine Clark

October 28, 2015 09:01 AM MDT

When I was in Young Women, I felt constantly out of place. On Sunday, I was taught I had immeasurable power and divinity inside of me, but then I would go to school during the week and feel small and awkward; I thought it was laughable to think I had any power at all.

4 Min Read

A Back-to-School Pep Talk For Moms

By Lisa Valentine Clark

September 26, 2015 09:00 AM MDT

It’s that time of year: the leaves are changing, there’s a slight chill in the air, you haven’t put away the shorts just yet but you mean to and you’ll probably get to it soon. The phrase “chunky sweaters” is returning to your vocabulary, you are starting to stomach conversations about Halloween costumes with your eager children, and you notice “pumpkin spice” featured in every drink or dessert at every eatery. It’s happening. You can’t deny that school is just barely beginning and you’ve got time to adjust. It’s already here. IT’S HAPPENING.

2 Min Read

Fun

The Unexpected Lesson I Learned from Filming 'Once I Was a Beehive'

By Lisa Valentine Clark

August 18, 2015 08:58 AM MDT

Once I Was a Beehive opened this past weekend, and I am obsessed with it. It has taken over my life, in a good way, and as audiences go to see it, I am excited for them to see it in a Christmas Eve excitement way. Every time I talk or text about the movie, I want to add a million exclamation points (which makes the former English teacher in me cringe)! I can’t help it. I’m excited!

2 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

Nonmember Teens Share Experience Starring in Mormon Movie

By Lisa Valentine Clark

August 04, 2015 09:11 AM MDT

Paris is not a Mormon and plays a non-Mormon teenager while Kaley is not a Mormon and plays a Mormon teenager in the upcoming film, Once I Was a Beehive (in theaters August 14th). On the other hand, I’m a self-described “super Mormon-y Mom” who plays a super Mormon-y woman in the film. But even though we come from different backgrounds, we all learned something from coming together to make a movie. And we’re all excited about sharing it with the world.

8 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

How Making a Movie Is Like Motherhood

By Lisa Valentine Clark

July 28, 2015 08:52 AM MDT

See what producer, actor, and author Lisa Valentine Clark has to say about the similar difficulties--and rewards--between raising children and producing the new, heartwarming movie Once I Was a Beehive.

5 Min Read

Latter-day Saint Life

5 ways to help your kids bond this summer

By Lisa Valentine Clark

June 27, 2015 08:57 AM MDT

If you have kids of different ages, here are some tips on how to help them have fun and bond this summer.

3 Min Read

Why It's Okay for Moms to Go Back in Time

Latter-day Saint Life

Why the Best Moms Never Grow Up Too Much

By Lisa Valentine Clark

May 27, 2015 09:17 AM MDT

Earlier this month, I drove with my brother, Chris, my sister, Gina, and her husband, Jonathan, to Lincoln, Nebraska, where we all grew up. We went with the middle-aged dream of running the Lincoln Half Marathon to somehow prove to ourselves that we are in the best shape of our lives, literally outrunning age. Well, I’m sure subconsciously that’s what we thought. In reality, we were painfully reminded of our age or, as my sister Gina stated when she stumbled across the finish line at Husker stadium drenched in sweat, “I didn’t respect the miles.” (Also, we forgot about the humidity. Thanks for the reminder, Nebraska.) Middle-aged delusions aside, we just wanted an excuse to “go home.”

4 Min Read

When it comes to Easter, I want our family traditions to have more than fun, sugar, and baby animal-themed memories attached to them. Here are a few simple tips on how you can make your Easter focused on while keeping it fun for all ages.

Fun

How to Have a Christ-Centered Easter (Without Skipping the Bunny)

By Lisa Valentine Clark

March 20, 2015 09:22 AM MDT

Easter traditions are part of the religious heritage I want my children to identify with, so I want them to matter. I love the Easter bunny, hiding baskets, dying eggs, and buying color-coordinated ties for my boys (they won't agree to matching anymore) and frilly dresses for the girls. Reese’s peanut butter eggs and Cadbury Mini Eggs are very important to me as well. Very important. But, like Christmas pastimes, I want these traditions to enhance—not detract—from the “reason for the season.”

6 Min Read