I'm sorry I haven't added a post in a long time. Life was happening! Now, I'm soon sending my second son off to college! Wow. How time flies and life rolls along. This time it's different. I don't know how I will be when the time actually comes in a couple months. But right now, I'm feeling content about it. It will be a good learning and maturing time for my younger son. It will also be a good time for my husband and I to find our new "empty nest" type of feeling. I hope we are ready for this. I want this to be a great time in our lives. We have nurtured our marriage a bit more lately, by going to some Christian counseling to beef up our marriage. We don't want to look at one another when both boys are in college, and say "who are you?" or "I'm not sure I like who I'm looking at"! So, we're kind of looking forward to this new chapter in our lives. Hope some of you can relate and get some kind of consolation out of this. We are in this together moms. Share if you would like to. Blessings!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Dealing with sending them off to college!
We wake up one day and our young children have turned into teenagers! What a shock! It's hard to go through the days of them talking back and laying on the floor and crying. Now I am starting to see that teenagers can be difficult too. I have one boy who is 16, and one who is 19 now. Wow! Time flies so fast. The Lord helps us through each stage of our lives. Every stage of my journey with my boys has been wonderful though now that I look back. Never fear, young moms! You WILL get through the sleepless nights of the crying because they're sick, or need feedings. When they get to be teenagers, you sometimes have sleepness nights because they're out late on a date, gone to a prom, or coming home late at night from college.
In the fall, when my first son left for college, I thought I would never make it. I had a very difficult time thinking "how did the time go so fast??", and he was far away. Ten hours away at college. How did this happen so quickly? There's still so much I want to teach him. Did I teach well enough, to keep his Christian values at college where there is so much pressure and world views? I was very down and didn't know if I could handle the change in our family structure. He would never be in our home in quite the same way. Our major influence in his life was done. Our role with him would always be different now. We had to learn how to parent him in a whole new way. Now the school year is almost done for him, and I think the year went very fast.
Enjoy every moment with your young children. It is not the end of the world when they grow up. We just have to be able to adjust to a different stage of parenting. You wouldn't want them NOT to grow up! With God's help we can make it.
Just part of one mom's journey through the first year of college...
Till next time.
In the fall, when my first son left for college, I thought I would never make it. I had a very difficult time thinking "how did the time go so fast??", and he was far away. Ten hours away at college. How did this happen so quickly? There's still so much I want to teach him. Did I teach well enough, to keep his Christian values at college where there is so much pressure and world views? I was very down and didn't know if I could handle the change in our family structure. He would never be in our home in quite the same way. Our major influence in his life was done. Our role with him would always be different now. We had to learn how to parent him in a whole new way. Now the school year is almost done for him, and I think the year went very fast.
Enjoy every moment with your young children. It is not the end of the world when they grow up. We just have to be able to adjust to a different stage of parenting. You wouldn't want them NOT to grow up! With God's help we can make it.
Just part of one mom's journey through the first year of college...
Till next time.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
New Year's fun
Do you already feel like you are breaking some of your New Year's resolutions, and feeling the "blah"? Set up a calendar for the new year with your children that has a memory verse on each day of the month. Memorize the verse each day with your child. It will be more fun for your children if you recite it to them also. You will be blessed by memorizing the word of God, and those verses will stick with you and your children.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Celebrate the holidays with your children!
You can celebrate the Christmas season every day this month! Try these verses and it will resemble an advent type of countdown to the beautiful day which we call Christmas! Have a calendar or poster of some type up in your kitchen area, or in your child's bedroom. Put it somewhere which will remind all of you to look at it every day.
You could make a picture for each of the days, and have your children color it. It could be a great activity to do as your devotions after your evening meal. It will be lots of fun, and also teach your child or children some biblical truths. Celebrate Christ and all His beautiful names.
Dec.1 Bright and morning star. Numbers 24:17
Dec. 2 The Way to God. John 14:5-7
Dec. 3 God's Messenger. John 8:42
Dec. 4 Bread of Life. John 6:32-58
Dec. 5 Friend of Sinners. Luke 5:27-32
Dec. 6 Great Doctor. John 5:1-9; Matthew 15:30
Dec. 7 Son of Man. Luke 22: 69-70
Dec. 8 Living Water. John 7:37
Dec. 9 Friend of Children. Mark 10:13-16
Dec. 10 The Door. John 10:9-11
Dec. 11 The Truth. John 14:5-15
Dec. 12 True Vine. John 15:1-9
Dec. 13 Son of David. Matthew 20:29-34
Dec. 14 The Redeemer. Titus 2:11-14
Dec. 15 Teacher. John 3:1-11
Dec. 16 Stone. Luke 20:17; l Corinthians 10:4
Dec. 17 The Lamb of God. John 1:29
Dec. 18 The Resurrection and the Life. John 11:21-27
Dec. 19 Anointed One. Luke 16:22
Dec. 20 The Light. John 8:12-18
Dec. 21 The Good Shepherd. John 10:1-16
Dec. 22 Prophet. John 6:4; Deuteronomy 18:15
Dec. 23 The King. John 7:12-15; Matthew 2:2
Dec. 24 Son of God. Luke 3:21-22
Dec. 25---Celebrate Christ Jesus' Birthday! Christ the Lord is Born!
You could make a picture for each of the days, and have your children color it. It could be a great activity to do as your devotions after your evening meal. It will be lots of fun, and also teach your child or children some biblical truths. Celebrate Christ and all His beautiful names.
Dec.1 Bright and morning star. Numbers 24:17
Dec. 2 The Way to God. John 14:5-7
Dec. 3 God's Messenger. John 8:42
Dec. 4 Bread of Life. John 6:32-58
Dec. 5 Friend of Sinners. Luke 5:27-32
Dec. 6 Great Doctor. John 5:1-9; Matthew 15:30
Dec. 7 Son of Man. Luke 22: 69-70
Dec. 8 Living Water. John 7:37
Dec. 9 Friend of Children. Mark 10:13-16
Dec. 10 The Door. John 10:9-11
Dec. 11 The Truth. John 14:5-15
Dec. 12 True Vine. John 15:1-9
Dec. 13 Son of David. Matthew 20:29-34
Dec. 14 The Redeemer. Titus 2:11-14
Dec. 15 Teacher. John 3:1-11
Dec. 16 Stone. Luke 20:17; l Corinthians 10:4
Dec. 17 The Lamb of God. John 1:29
Dec. 18 The Resurrection and the Life. John 11:21-27
Dec. 19 Anointed One. Luke 16:22
Dec. 20 The Light. John 8:12-18
Dec. 21 The Good Shepherd. John 10:1-16
Dec. 22 Prophet. John 6:4; Deuteronomy 18:15
Dec. 23 The King. John 7:12-15; Matthew 2:2
Dec. 24 Son of God. Luke 3:21-22
Dec. 25---Celebrate Christ Jesus' Birthday! Christ the Lord is Born!
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Character traits you want to instill in your children
There are probably many parents who would like to instill wonderful character traits into their children which will last a lifetime.
On my job chart I would list a character trait of the week which we would concentrate on for that week. I would discuss with my kids which one we were going to do, make sure they understood it completely, and write it on the chart.
These are just some of the ones we used.
Generosity
Sharing
Kindness
Gentleness
Faithfulness
Love
Obedience
Humility
Respect
Responsibility
Cheerfulness
Peacefulness
Obedience to teachers
These are traits we would all love to see in our children. Each night, discuss it with your child, and have them tell you whether they think they followed that trait and give you an example. If you disagree, gently tell them that today they will not be earning the sticker for that trait, but tomorrow you're sure they will.
When you practice these traits often when they're young, most of them will stick. Remember the best way your children will learn is by your good example! If you fail, apologize to your child and admit that you're not perfect and have a short prayer together.
Even if you feel like you're failing miserably, keep at it mom! You will see maturity bloom in your children with time and prayer. Until next time.
On my job chart I would list a character trait of the week which we would concentrate on for that week. I would discuss with my kids which one we were going to do, make sure they understood it completely, and write it on the chart.
These are just some of the ones we used.
Generosity
Sharing
Kindness
Gentleness
Faithfulness
Love
Obedience
Humility
Respect
Responsibility
Cheerfulness
Peacefulness
Obedience to teachers
These are traits we would all love to see in our children. Each night, discuss it with your child, and have them tell you whether they think they followed that trait and give you an example. If you disagree, gently tell them that today they will not be earning the sticker for that trait, but tomorrow you're sure they will.
When you practice these traits often when they're young, most of them will stick. Remember the best way your children will learn is by your good example! If you fail, apologize to your child and admit that you're not perfect and have a short prayer together.
Even if you feel like you're failing miserably, keep at it mom! You will see maturity bloom in your children with time and prayer. Until next time.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Make a job chart for your child
Hello there busy young moms! Are you looking for a great way to get your children to behave, get more organized and keep your sanity too? Here's a quick idea. Get a chart which you can buy at the dollar stores, or teacher stores, or just jot up your own on a piece of paper.
Think of five easy jobs which you want your child to accomplish. These will depend greatly upon the ages of your children, their temperaments, and your expectations. For instance, on the left side of the chart, you could list
Make your bed
Bring down your dirty clothes
Fold towels
Dry the dishes
Say your bible memory verses to mom or dad
Make a chart of five boxes going across. You could add one which says something about a character trait of the week you want them to portray, such as "shows generosity". Make it with 5-7 boxes going down, for 5-7 days of the week, and you're ready to go!
Each day that my child would do those jobs we would put a small sticker on the chart behind the job. Teach them to do this with supervision at first, and guide them into doing this alone as their age allows. Pick a memory verse you want them to learn, use the memory verse they bring home on their Sunday school paper, or get some verse "flashcards" which you can buy at your local Christian book store.
Sit down and brainstorm a bunch of character traits your want to instill in your children, such as generosity, compassion, being kind to your brother that day, listening the FIRST time to mom, etc.
At the end of each day, or at a convenient time of the day, talk with your child about the sticker chart, and fill in the boxes with checkmarks or stickers. At the end of the week, go over the chart together. Count the stickers or checked boxes. My children got a nickel when they were very young, for each one. This also teaches them math skills at the same time! Give them the money right then and there, so they can get a real sense of accomplishment. Then make sure you use the opportunity and teach your child about tithing. Teach them how to figure out what 10% of the money they earned is, or at least tell them. This will depend on their age.
Now have your child have one envelope in the cupboard in your kitchen for the money which is theirs which they have earned. This one should have their name on it. Then they should have another envelope which has their name, and also "Tithe", or "God's money", or whatever you choose to have them call that one.
When it's time to go to church, or there is a special charity fundraiser going on, your child should take some of the money out of the "Tithe" envelope and use that. Make sure they do it regularly and use up that money on a timely basis, so that they can see it doing something constructive.
Have fun with your young ones! That's all for now!
Think of five easy jobs which you want your child to accomplish. These will depend greatly upon the ages of your children, their temperaments, and your expectations. For instance, on the left side of the chart, you could list
Make your bed
Bring down your dirty clothes
Fold towels
Dry the dishes
Say your bible memory verses to mom or dad
Make a chart of five boxes going across. You could add one which says something about a character trait of the week you want them to portray, such as "shows generosity". Make it with 5-7 boxes going down, for 5-7 days of the week, and you're ready to go!
Each day that my child would do those jobs we would put a small sticker on the chart behind the job. Teach them to do this with supervision at first, and guide them into doing this alone as their age allows. Pick a memory verse you want them to learn, use the memory verse they bring home on their Sunday school paper, or get some verse "flashcards" which you can buy at your local Christian book store.
Sit down and brainstorm a bunch of character traits your want to instill in your children, such as generosity, compassion, being kind to your brother that day, listening the FIRST time to mom, etc.
At the end of each day, or at a convenient time of the day, talk with your child about the sticker chart, and fill in the boxes with checkmarks or stickers. At the end of the week, go over the chart together. Count the stickers or checked boxes. My children got a nickel when they were very young, for each one. This also teaches them math skills at the same time! Give them the money right then and there, so they can get a real sense of accomplishment. Then make sure you use the opportunity and teach your child about tithing. Teach them how to figure out what 10% of the money they earned is, or at least tell them. This will depend on their age.
Now have your child have one envelope in the cupboard in your kitchen for the money which is theirs which they have earned. This one should have their name on it. Then they should have another envelope which has their name, and also "Tithe", or "God's money", or whatever you choose to have them call that one.
When it's time to go to church, or there is a special charity fundraiser going on, your child should take some of the money out of the "Tithe" envelope and use that. Make sure they do it regularly and use up that money on a timely basis, so that they can see it doing something constructive.
Have fun with your young ones! That's all for now!
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