"If our gardens need cultivating to grow well, our children need that attention much more. Seeds of excellence and grace must be planted and tended. The weeds of selfishness and bad attitudes must be plucked. The plot must be protected so that the wild storms and prevailing winds of culture will not damage the fruit."
The Mission of Motherhood
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parenting. Show all posts
Quote
Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children. ~Charles R. Swindoll, The Strong Family
THE WEB OF A MINGLED YARN
THE WEB OF A MINGLED YARN
Grit & Grace by Janet Chester Bly
Copyright©2000,2008
My husband and I had just left for a trip to the National Finals Rodeo when I bit into an apple. One crunch and a piece of tooth broke. At first I laughed and teased about tucking the particle under my pillow for the tooth fairy. But as the hours wore on, I was in torment.
Out in the boonies of Nevada, far from a dentist, the sharp edge got sharper as it scraped against my tongue. I could barely talk or eat. I tried everything I could think of, such as dental glue and wads of bubble gum. These brought temporary relief. I suffered through until we returned home—six days later! How grateful I was to have that tooth smoothed by a pro.
You have heard the lament, “It’s only a band-aid solution.” Yet you know how wonderful a bandage protects a sore place, a wound, a cut that keeps getting bumped. You can keep going with a measure of comfort while your body heals itself.
What if you lived in a world with constant irritations but not a single resource for help. What if mishaps happened and no creative solvents, no cures to be had? But you’re not stuck. There’s multitudes of aids for your masses of misfortunes.
William Shakespeare wrote, “The web of our life is of a mingled yarn, good and ill together.”
Alice, a young mother, struggled to manage a home and two preschool children. Overwhelmed, she felt defeated by the never-ending responsibility and fatigue. “One night I fell exhausted into bed and began to pour out my frustrations to God,” she recalls. “The kids didn’t listen. The house was a mess. My husband didn’t seem to care. On and on went the list. Then suddenly, as clear as a spoken word, I heard a distinct voice: ‘Which one do you want Me to take away?’”
In that instant Alice realized her complaints centered on precious gifts. She thanked and praised God for each member of her family. She expressed gratitude for the work their existence required. Then she prayed for a good night’s sleep.
adapted from Hope Lives Here
by Janet Chester Bly
Copyright©2000,2008
Check out the many downloads available at www.BlyBooks.com
Just awhile longer....
I love the time of day when the mountains to the west have claimed the setting sun and yet the light lingers. The day is over — but not quite. The night has come — but not quite. The world is bathed in the soft-gray smudges of twilight. It’s dusk. Or to use an old word, it’s the gloaming.
We don’t use the word gloaming much anymore, but when I lift it from the pages of old books and dust it off, I find it is an inviting word — one that lingers on the porch and stretches the day just a bit longer. It’s a word that describes exactly what takes place in my home nearly every night.
In the gloaming
I have always been strict about bedtimes. I’m a firm believer in children needing their sleep and moms needing a little margin at the end of the day. The ritual in our house is straightforward: We read a couple of children’s books, read from the Bible, pray. Then I tuck three little bodies into bed, kiss them and turn out the light.
But something has happened as the years have gone by and the kids have grown older. There is no longer simply the day and the night, playtime and sleep time. There is now the gloaming, a period when they are in bed yet not ready to sleep. They are tired but don’t want the day to end. Not quite yet. They long to linger in the gloaming. And what they want as they linger is me.
Sometimes they need to snuggle, and they squeeze to the opposite edge of the bed to give me room to lie down. Occasionally they want to giggle about something funny that happened. Sometimes they want me to ask them questions — what was their favorite part of the day, or their least favorite part, or what made them laugh. And every so often, they need to vent. They want me to know that a friend yelled at them or they were called a name or they couldn’t figure out their math problems.
Sometimes we cover the same ground night after night; other times we’re a thousand places at once. Often, what is on their minds is simply too big a burden for them to carry themselves. As night closes in, things often look worse than they really are, and they need someone to share their concerns.
A window of time
There is a great deal of honor in being someone a child can confide in — someone they want to talk to. The day may come, sooner than I realize, when I’ll long to know what is going on inside their hearts, but they will close the door and seek other listening ears. By lingering with them in the gloaming now, I think two things are happening. One, we’re dealing in real time with current events, and they’re learning how to express themselves, seek advice and problem solve. All that is important.
But something else happens that is even more important. By choosing to linger now, we extend the gloaming to the years to come. If they know now that Mom cares about what they say, that she listens and makes it a priority to find out what is happening in their lives, they will know whom they can turn to when the perplexing problems of adolescence arrive.
In all honesty, when bedtime rolls around, I am usually more than eager to turn out the light and be done with the day. I’m ready to hang up the mom hat and have a little time to myself. But this season in my children’s lives will not last long. We are in the gloaming for only a brief moment, and I can linger there in the last rays of sun, or I can pull the shades and hasten the night.
I prefer to linger just awhile longer.
by Sarah Overturf
Focus on the Family magazine
Family fun ideas
Arts & Crafts
Finger-paint.
Draw pictures on the driveway with sidewalk chalk.
Get out the coloring books and crayons, and color.
Build a model car or airplane.
Design a family calendar; record birthdays, anniversaries, and family events.
Make Christmas cards or ornaments.
Family Growth
Have family devotions.
Plan a guy/girl night. Dad: Teach your son how to change the oil. Mom: Teach your daughter how to sew.
Decorate a can and fill it with ideas of fun things to do. Take turns pulling out something new each day.
Food & Meals
Have an ice cream sundae night with special toppings, whipped cream, and candy.
Bake cookies together and take some to your neighbors.
Plan a potluck dinner with friends.
Have a barbeque.
Pack a picnic.
Go to an ice cream shop.
Build a bonfire, roast marshmallows, and make S’mores.
Getting Out of the House
Visit the zoo or a local museum.
Pick fruit at a U-Pick.
Take a road trip down a road you’ve never explored.
Plan and go on a scavenger hunt with your kids.
Attend a free community concert.
Hospitality
Adopt a “grandpa” or “grandma” from your church and do something special with that person.
Host a “Cousins Camp” if cousins live nearby.
If It’s Raining
Build a fort with blankets, tables, and chairs.
Make a “home movie.” Let the kids use the camcorder, dress up, and use whatever resources you have on hand to set the scene.
Design a personal collage of “Things I Love” or “The Story of My Life.” Give everyone a large poster board and a stack of magazines. When finished, take turns talking about what the pictures mean.
Give your girls a “makeover.”
Play dress-up or “Cowboys and Indians.”
Play musical chairs.
Sing around the piano.
Write a “progressive story”—each family member adds one sentence—and then illustrate it.
Write encouraging notes to relatives, people in the military, friends, and pastors.
Play board games.
Put together a jigsaw puzzle.
Neighborhood Fun
Host a bike-decorating contest, and let the kids have a parade to show off their bikes.
Plan an art show. Display the neighborhood children’s artwork, and invite their families to attend. Serve refreshments, and elect a judge to award ribbons.
Organize a community cleanup day.
Make sock puppets, write a script, and invite the neighborhood kids to the puppet show.
Sports & Exercise
Play soccer or kickball.
Go on a bike ride.
Play Putt-Putt Golf or visit to the driving range.
Go roller skating or ice skating.
Visit the playground.
Shoot hoops or play H-O-R-S-E with a basketball.
Take a hike and collect rocks and leaves.
Jump rope.
Play “Kick the Can” or “Capture the Flag.”
Have a water fight with the hose, buckets, balloons, or squirt guns.
Fly a kite.
Teach the kids how to play hopscotch or croquet.
23 great questions to ask your kids
By Sharon Jaynes
1. What do you think heaven looks like?
2. What does Dad do at work?
3. Who is a person you know that seems the most Christ-like?
4. What do you think your wife (husband) will be like?
5. If you were going to spend one year on a desert island and could only take three things with you, what would they be?
6. Who is your favorite aunt or uncle and why do you like him or her so much?
7. What sounds and smells do you think Joseph and Mary experienced in the stable on Christmas night?
8. What is the nicest thing I ever did for you?
9. When is a time that I hurt your feelings?
10. When is a time that you were really mad at me?
11. If people followed the Golden Rule, think of all the things we wouldn’t need. Can you make a list?
12. If you could be in a movie that you’ve already seen, which one would it be? Would you be a character that is already in the movie, or would you be one that you would add?
13. How is love different for a Christian couple than it is in the movies?
14. What is the difference between being smart and being wise?
15. What is your favorite outfit?
16. What is the hardest part about being (fill in your child’s age)?
17. What has been your favorite childhood memory?
18. When you pray, how do you picture God?
19. What is your favorite Bible verse? Why do you like it?
20. If you could be an animal for a day, which one would you be?
21. If you could go in a time machine, what era in history would you like to visit?
22. What person in history would you like to visit?
23. What is the most important decision you will ever make?
I love these too! I got from a friends site
Mothering
Thinking of the JOB that I do! A mother! Has to be one of , if not the most important job ever!
Hope and I were talking about serving God tonight and how not everyone is doing something like teaching Sunday school, leading in church etc... but that serving our children (even in changing diapers), is important and something that we are doing because we love them and showing love and caring for our children puts a smile on His face :) Its also important to evaluate how we are bringing them up in the Lord too.
How am I bringing my kids up in the Lord? At the end of the day, when all is said and done, the things that I did during the day, how did it affect them for HIM? I wrote and article a while back about Motherhood and thought I'd share it here:
My Mom recently spoke at our church you can read about her testimony here
Hope and I were talking about serving God tonight and how not everyone is doing something like teaching Sunday school, leading in church etc... but that serving our children (even in changing diapers), is important and something that we are doing because we love them and showing love and caring for our children puts a smile on His face :) Its also important to evaluate how we are bringing them up in the Lord too.How am I bringing my kids up in the Lord? At the end of the day, when all is said and done, the things that I did during the day, how did it affect them for HIM? I wrote and article a while back about Motherhood and thought I'd share it here:
Mother's Day is just around the corner. Makes me think of my Mom and what a true example she has always been to me. I have so many fun memories of time spent with my Mom growing up. As I think of her, I am so thankful that she stayed home to raise me and my 5 siblings. A choice she and my dad made before we were born. And now that I’m grown, I have to say “THANK YOU MOM!” Not only is my Mom a fun Mom to have. More importantly she is one who stands on God’s Word. She and my dad (Pop) trained us up in the way of the Lord. Still to this day she gets up very early in the morning to delve into a passionate time with God through His Word and prayer. So often, even today Pop and Mom will share with me or help me with a particular scripture. Both parents are always there for me to help give godly counsel, which is something I never want to take for granted! I’m so grateful to God and so blessed to have a Mother who loves God more than anything else in the world, and shows that by her actions and speech. She’s truly an example I want to follow in raising my own children.
Eskimo kisses
Thinking of Mother’s Day makes me look at my life and evaluate how I’m mothering my two boys. My actions speak louder than words, what are my actions showing them? Am I training them in the way of the Lord? Am I getting to KNOW God more and more on a daily basis? Do I show that to my kids? Do I share what God is doing? Do I teach them and show them how to love God everyday? Do I consider them a priority? Do I spend time with them? Am I selfish?
As this Mother’s Day comes, be mindful of your Mom, special memories and times shared and thank the Lord for those times. Take time to Honor your Mother this Mother’s Day! Also maybe take some time to look at your own life and see if God brings to mind some areas you should work on to become closer to Him so you can be a better Mom (or Dad).
My Mom recently spoke at our church you can read about her testimony here
Kids dilinquency
I read that in a recent report the main cause for kids in foster homes today, is because the parents didn't want them. Studies have been done (90%) accurate to see if 5-6 yr olds would become delinquent. They discovered that 4 factors were necessary to prevent delinquency: A fathers firm, fair, consistent discipline, the mothers supervision and companionship during the day, the parents demonstrated affection to each other and the kids, and the family spending time together in activities where all participated. Also they said the father as true head of the home.
Dinner Time
Sitting down for a family dinner tonight reminded me how "FAMILY DINNER TIME" is a lost "art" these days! People are just too busy to make time for a nice sit down meal together. A time to sit and relax. A time to talk and chit chat about our day with each other. A time for laughter & fun quality time. I remember growing up and always having a sit down dinner time. Rarely did we NOT have a dinner together as a family. Brian remembers when he was little always having a family dinner time too. It's a lost art these days! Kids are too busy with outside activities, and parents allow it. Or there is the TV that can often be a big distraction for some families. Brian and I strive for a nice family dinner to be a priority in our household. Sure it won't always be as easy as it is today (with our kids being 4 and 7) but its important!
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