Shaping Little Souls

Valentine Lesson

2012-02-09T09:24:00.000-05:00

With Valentine's Day coming up, we have been working on lots of heart projects.

This one is very special because of the application (that I stole from a dear friend).

I cut out a heart as large as I could from construction paper (we used red, purple and pink).

Then inside that heart I cut out another heart. That left me with a frame of a heart.

We set the heart frame inside a laminating sheet and carefully placed tissue paper squares in the open

space. Then we laminated it to make a beautiful sun catcher.

NOTE: You could make any kind of heart and laminate it or put it in a sheet protector for the same devotional lesson.

Then we ooooed and awed at how beautiful it was when we held it up to the window. The "Son" shines through and makes it more beautiful! Then I asked, "Who loves us MOST of all?" I got a resounding, "God and Jesus!"

Then I took a black dry erase marker and told the kids, "This is what dark, dirty, sin looks like." And I scribbled all over the pretty heart. The kids we upset that I ruined the heart. I then explained that sin does that to our heart. It makes is ugly and dirty. But if we ask God to forgive us he will. Then I took a white Kleenex (Puffs Ultra to be exact) and said, "This is what Jesus does when we ask for forgiveness, He washes us clean and we look beautiful again. We are most beautiful when we seen the 'Son' shining through us."

The kids then spent time scribbling all over their hearts and teaching that same lesson to each other. We washed them clean and taped them in the window. Now we can be reminded throughout the day of how God has washed us clean!

Peace Enters the Home When a Child Submits Willfully

2011-12-27T05:34:00.000-05:00

So, how do you get a defiant child to willfully submit to her parents authority?
Let me tell you what has worked wonders recently for us.
My 4 year old (middle child) daughter has been defiant and difficult since she was two. We were hoping that it was just that 'two's phase' and that it would pass. But now she is four and we see more anger, rebellion and aggression. Let me tell you it breaks my heart to see it. We did not raise her this way. Her brothers aren't like this. Why? Why all the fighting, strife and negativity at such a young age?
We used time outs, spankings, isolation in her bedroom (her rebellion would not keep her there), we we even tried time out in a car seat (that worked for a while). But as she grew she could McGyver her way out of the car seat too. We were prime candidates for Nanny 911.

So, at a point of heart break of tears on my end, once again, I sought council from a friend who teaches Growing Kids God's Way classes. I had heard what she told me before but I needed my memory refreshed cause my daughter was at an age where she could understand enough to be accountable.
Here is what we did and still do that seems to be working! I think it is loaded with wisdom!
When there is disobedience, I tell her she needs to go to her room until she can calm down and be a part of the family again. That usually goes over like a lead balloon. So I take her there (kicking, screaming and sometimes dragging). I tell her that she needs to sit on her bed until she has self control and to call me and I will come get her. I also tell her that if she disobeys and comes out before she is ready that she will be chastised. I close the door and leave the room. (Another Lead balloon). She comes out 2 seconds later crying, angry and fighting. So I tell her that because she disobeyed she will need to get a spank. HERE IS THE KEY: "When you are ready for your spanking, you can come out of your room." Then, I buckle my lip and take her back to her bed, close the door. We do this how ever many times it takes (usually about 1/2 hour to 45 mins).
I was shocked the first time she said she was ready for a spanking. I thought it would never happen. Simply because I know how stubborn she can be. So I did spank her and then we hugged and talked. I told her I love her. We did this two times back to back the first day.
The second day she was and ANGEL! There were NO incidences that needed to be dealt with AT ALL! It was the most peaceful day I had had yet! She did express multiple times that she loved me and that she wanted me to cuddle with her or play with her. So I filled her little love tank and did some heart mending.
Since that first day we have only had to do that a handful of times and it has been about a month now!
Big difference. She seems much happier and cries lots less too.

Here is what happened. I was forcing her to be under my authority by just spanking her (causing both of us to be angry). This way, I give her time to come to her own agreement that mom is in authority. When I tell her to come to me when she is ready for the spanking, I am allowing her the freedom to submit when SHE is ready.
We have all heard that submission is not forced but willfully bending the heart to another's authority. The heart has to be right. Only she can do that. I can't ever MAKE her do that.
This is huge! And I see a difference in her heart! We love on each other much more than we used to. Our relationship is being built up instead of being torn down. Yes, at times we still have tears, anger and impatience but it is 99% better than it was. It is now manageable.

Fighting for Our Daughters

2011-06-29T07:33:00.000-04:00

I subscribe to a blog called 'Unplug Your Family."
I am really enjoying it and as a result our family has chosen to be 'Unpluged' from T.V., video games, movies, and even the computer (mom too) every Tuesday. It has been going great. But I realize how hooked we are on that day. When we are unplugged the kids (ages 5, 3 and 1) actually do better with attitudes, imaginary play and I get more accomplished too! Don't get me wrong, it is hard! Like fasting. There have been times when a kid is throwing a fit or is just grumpy and I want to pop in a video to just not deal with it. But I am teaching them some great skills in self control and using their minds to keep them busy and helping them develop better relationships with each other.

Good stuff but the real reason for this post is this article I just read on her blog.
Fighting for our Daughters is a fantastic read with a wealth of wisdom. If you have a daughter you will want to read this. If you know of someone with a daughter pass it along.

Click here to read it. You will need a few undistracted moments to fully absorb its wisdom.
Check it out.

Memorial Day 2011

2011-05-30T11:51:00.002-04:00

You can't go through a Memorial Day without a hot dog, watermelon and listening to this.

Just listen to her! She is 7 years old! She gave me chills!

Sunglasses Solution

2011-05-28T21:29:00.005-04:00

Okay. I have had this dilemma for 6 years now (that is how long I have been married). There are sun glasses and car keys sitting on top of our microwave... along with lots of other junk. See?

Enough of that!

Here was my solution.

Perdy, aint it?

How I did it.
Purchased this rectangular frame at Michael's on clearance for $9.99!
Removed the class and matte.
Cut fabric (that matches my drapery) to size.
Cut a tube and threaded elastic inside to hold the glasses snug.
Stitched the elastic tube every 2 inches across.
I Sprayed Elmer's craft bond spray adhesive to the frame's inside board and fixed the fabric to it.
Once it was dry I put it inside the frame.
Applied Command Valcro Strips to the back side of the frame - for secure removal of glasses and keys.

Voila!

Initially it was for sun glasses but I decided that by tucking the key fab in the elastic it works well for them too!

I am tickled about it!
What do you think. Would these sell or what?

I am linking up with

and

and

Rage Agaist the Mini Van

2011-05-14T21:00:00.000-04:00

I hope you take time to read this post that was written by a sweet young woman. Her words are well placed and need to be heard. YOU can make a difference in the life of one like her.

The topic of single adults who's desire it is to be married yet for some reason God has not opened that door is one that is not acknowledged much at all in life and in 'church.'
I was single for 10 years longer than I would have planned and I can tell you that depression, anger and loneliness were a dark cloud over me constantly. Always wondering 'Why?'

I am married now and have the family I cried out for all of those years and I rejoice, thank and praise God for where He has allowed me to walk!

My twin sister is 37 and still longs for companionship. My heart aches for her. Truly.
The blog post link below sheds a clearer light into this life of adult singleness and it's pain. I share it with you hoping you can and will be more sensitive to those in this situation in your life and can minister to them more effectively.
Read the post here: http://www.rageagainsttheminivan.com/2011/04/what-i-want-you-to-know-being-33-and.html

Resurrection Sunday!

2011-04-20T00:39:00.000-04:00

We all have our little quirks. I will flat out tell you that I believe Easter is not real (nor is the Easter Bunny nor is Santa). But, the resurrection of Jesus is REAL! I prefer to say "Happy Resurrection Day!" It really helps ME to remember the most important things that Jesus asks us to remember ~ his Death ~ his Burial ~ his Resurrection!

I am sure most of you have heard of the cute little resurrection eggs that most christian bookstores sell. They really are a neat idea. We have a set and my kids love to play with the little pieces. But I tell you, I have the darnedest time trying to keep the right trinket with the right number on the egg and that is if we can find all the eggs! So, this year I started something new.

THE TREASURE BOX

This has been gleaned from the children's book
Benjamin's Box: The Story of the Resurrection Eggs

This great little book is about Benjamin who lives in Jesus time and he has an empty treasure box. One by one he follows Jesus just before he is crucified and collects items that he will treasure as he remembers.

I read the book to my kids and with each page we added the same item that Benjamin adds to our own treasure box.

One by one they added these pieces (from the resurrection eggs) into the box.

What a fun time they had with it. What a wonderful keepsake to keep our treasure box on display on our bookshelf to interact with and to remember Him.

Heaven on My Mind

2011-04-18T07:23:00.000-04:00

Heaven is for Real

A little boy's astounding story of his trip to heaven and back.

This book has gripped me from page one. Thanks to a long wait at a doctors office, I read it in two days. This book is definitely worth the read. My eyes have been opened to a more real place called Heaven. I was raised in the church and in fact my own dad was a minister/pastor but heaven seems so.... far off... so... vague.

The interesting thing about this book is that these things come from the mouth of a child. He says things no 4/5 year old would know. I am convinced this really did happen to him. I love that the things he passionately talks about that he saw in heaven dealt mostly with relationships! Not golden streets or gorgeous waterfalls but relationships!

I pray people across the nation will read this book and I pray it will trigger a revival!
If you do buy it, read it, and DON'T put it back on your shelf. Lend it out or pass it on. Share it with others! In fact, I plan to share bits and pieces with my 5 year old.

Let's keep heaven on our minds!

I would love to hear your comments about this book once you have read it.

"The Gift of an Ordinary Day" by Katrina Kenison

2011-04-04T21:39:00.000-04:00

April brings beauty!

2011-04-03T22:16:00.000-04:00

I am thrilled that April has arrived! Although it is still gray and damp where I live, I see evidence of the beauty to come! There are little green shoots popping up in our front yard!

I am also thrilled to share with you something else that I think shows it beauty.
During the month of April, Lilla Rose has a special one time offer of this flexi clip.

It is called "1 MAJESTIC CROSS"
They come in six sizes to suit various hair types. Click here to see more.

Another reason this hair clip is so beautiful is because of what it represents.

The MAJESTIC CROSS.

My heart pounds a little harder in April because of Easter. I daily think of the sacrifice Jesus made for our sin, His POWER over death, and the eternal life He has offered us. But in the month of April, we see more people and more things that continually remind us of these truths.
I want to shout it from the roof tops.
HE HAS TAKEN YOUR PUNISHMENT.
HE HAS OVERCOME DEATH!
HE IS ALIVE!
HE IS COMING BACK AGAIN.
HOW CAN YOU IGNORE THESE FACTS?
PLEASE LISTEN AND RESPOND TO HIM WHO IS CALLING YOU
TO HIMSELF!

I pray for a deeper love for HIM and HIS word.
And for a love for people.

I think He wants to answer a prayer like that.
To God be the Glory!

Easiest Peanut Butter Cookies Ever! Tasty too!

2011-01-12T13:18:00.001-05:00

Christian Kids Radio Online

2011-01-02T08:51:00.000-05:00

I know it has been a long time since I posted anything ~ no excuses here.
But I did want to say Happy 2011 to you all and I also wanted to share a great FREE resource for you and your children.

While my kids are at the table for eating or playing playdoh I play Karen & Kids radio online. Check it out I think you may be pleased. I am all for filling my children's heart and mind with godly things. Let no time be idol.

Hair Jewlery

2010-11-18T23:21:00.001-05:00

As a SAHM I often feel less than professional in my daily attire. I wear a ponytail everyday. For me it is a MUST. This is just that season of life when I can't wear my hair down.
I was so tired of using a black hair band to fashion my "just got back from a jog" look. If it wasn't holding up my skinny ponytail it was around my wrist ready to be pulled out and put to use. I have risen above that old rubber band and plastic hair claw. I now have a 'Flexiclip.'

Isn't it pretty?
I love it!
The Flexi clip is a completely unique, flexible barrette that holds thick, thin, curly, straight, fine and coarse hair. The Flexi comes in 6 sizes and hundreds of ever changing styles. Flexi uses an ingenious patented locking mechanism to secure it in your hair.

Don't you want one? If 'yes,' go here to get one!

I have been looking for a LONG time for a pretty barrette for my hair but nothing stays in. My hair is straight, slippery and very fine. All of the pretty ones were just too heavy.
This, my friends in the solution! It is the solution if you have super thick hair or super fine hair. Go to the website and have a look at all of the beautiful choices! I fell in love and had a hard time deciding on the perfect one. So I guess I will just have to get a few more to add to my wardrobe!

I started out with an extra small one to hold my regular ponytail. Now that I have it, I have learned that I need a small to twist up all of my hair.
The most common size is small. One size does not fit all. You will need different sizes depending on the hairstyle you want to achieve. Anyway, there is a video on this website that will help you decide which size is best for you.

This little wire contraption has done great things for me. My whole attitude is better because I feel better. I feel prettier. Sounds cheesy but it is true.
Just wanted to share it with you too!

Look what else you can do with it! Isn't it elegant? But yet useful for everyday use too!

International House of Prayer (IHOP)

2010-10-31T19:57:00.000-04:00

Have you ever heard of IHOP? No, not International House of Pancakes. It is the International House of Prayer.

In Kansas City, there is a group of believers who have gathered from across the globe to be a part if 24 hour a day prayer and worship. There is always someone there to pray or sing at all times. The leads take two hour shifts and they sing all kinds of songs and often sing as the Spirit leads. It is amazing to hear what comes out when you devote this kind of time to the Lord. It has been going non stop for about 10 years now. I had the privilege of going for 6 days a few years ago and boy did it do big things for my spiritual life.

When you spend that much time uninterrupted and focused on God, and calling out to him, it is life changing. Recently, they have made it viewable via Internet! At no cost!

So go to www.ihop.org and you can read about it or go directly here to get to the Prayer Room live webstream.

My personal favorite singer is Misty Edwards. Talk about anointed! I have seen her sing the book of Song of Solomon and have heard she also sings other stories in the bible. She is on Saturdays at 2 til 4 pm. You can go to their archives to find her.

Tonight I had the house to myself and I turned on IHOP - Misty Edwards. I was blessed.

I hope you are too.

Ads on my Blog

2010-10-31T18:31:00.000-04:00

I noticed that there is a YouTube video ad on my blog that says "I am a Mormon."
I wanted to make it crystal clear that this is an ad that google has put on my blog with my permission.

I also want to make it clear that I (the writer and founder of Shaping Little Souls) am NOT a Mormon. I am a Christian that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Not just a mear man but that he was perfect and sinless in every way. I believe that he was crucified, was buried and rose from death to life on the third day. Because he has the power to over come death he also had the power to raise us into life from sin and death.
And that he will return to take those who believe into eternal life in heaven with Him.

If you have any questions about this or about me leave a comment. I will respond.

Too Good Not to Share~Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bake

2010-10-28T09:15:00.000-04:00

Oh my, I just whipped up a batch of the yummiest breakfast!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bake!

3 cups quick cooking oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup milk
2 tbsp butter, melted
2 eggs
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter

Mix all ingredients together. Spread into 9x13 greased pan.
Bake 350 for 20-25 mins. If you like a little crunchy top cook for a few minutes longer.
Serve warm with milk poured over top or dry like a breakfast bar.

When I first saw this recipe I had to try it right away but I didn't quite have 3 cups of Oatmeal. So I did a half batch! It was perfect!

Even my 2 'non-breakfast eaters' ate it!

Enjoy!

A Short Story that Assulted My Heart

2010-10-10T15:17:00.000-04:00

I am reading Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel. It is excellent and I recommend all Christian Partents read it.

There is a reason I am reading this book. I need to show much more grace to my children. I am a hard liner and have high expectations of my children. High expectations can be good but when joy is gone and relationships are being torn down in the process it is not healthy. Constant assessment is necessary. How quickly we forget. I know I need constant reminder. To be gracious and to remember what Christ has done for me ~ a sinner.

I am going to directly quote Dr. Kimmel as to not mess up the story. My question to you is... Are you this kind of parent? or wife for that matter? I am. I need a softer heart. My prayer is Lord, change me. Let me love them. Soften my heart and let me see as you see.

Kimmel writes, "I was sitting in a hotel resturant in Portland, Oregon. It was a Sunday Morning. I was catching a plane around noon, which afforded me the luxury of enjoying a leisurely breakfast. This restaurant offered an all-inclusive breakfast buffet, with a lower price for kids.

A mom arrived with her two children: an infant and a boy approximately four years old. I noticed the boy right away. His face was filled with excitement, and his mouth was running a mile a minute as they circled the buffet line so that Mom could see the options. His mother held the infant while the boy followed along. He could barely contain his excitement. He saw fruit, the varieties of cereal, the pancakes and waffles, and the station where the chef made omelets to your specifications. Then I watched his eyes pop out his head as he studied the trays full o f breakfast "desserts" - blueberry muffins, bear claws, and assorted Danish. This brief chance to watch this enthusiastic boy check out the breakfast buffet quickly became the highlight of my morning. I was watching a boy designed by God take a big breath out of every moment. He was absolutely in love with his surroundings. He looked like a boy who had gone to food heaven.

The hostess seated Mom and her two kids at the table directly across from me. The waitress filled thier water glasses adn asked if she could bring any coffee for the mother or juice for the kids. She asked if they were going to have the breakfast buffet.

"My husband will be down in a few minutes," the mother replied. "He and I are going to have the buffet. You can bring a bowl of cornflakes and some milk for my boy."

"Mom, no! I want to have the buffet too!" the boy instantly responded. It was obvious that this boy had already mapped out his plan on how he was going to attack this buffet.

"You can't eat all that food. Most of it is just sugar. Forget it," the mom said curtly.

"But Mom, I like that kind of food, that's what I was hoping for. Please?" he pleaded.

"Forget it; you are not having the buffet, so hush up." She turned her back on the boy adn started to tend to her infant.

"Ma'am, for just a dollar and a half more than cornflakes, he could have the buffet," the waitress offered. She could see how anxious the boy was.

"No thanks. He doesn't need all of that food." The look on her face was a clear look of dismissal to the waitress.

As the mother preoccupied herself with her baby, I watched this young boy who had been so filled with excitement start to quietly turn into himself. And then the tears started. His anticipation and excitement had been stilted. I gave the boy credit. He didn't cry out loud. He didn't argue, fuss, or make a scene. He just sat there and quietly hurt.

Dad arrived with the newspaper under his arm, sized up the situation, sat down in his chair and asked the boy why he was crying.
"I wanted to have the buffet, but Mom doesn't want me to."
He turned to his wife. "What's up? Why can't he have the buffet?"
She gave him the same practical and nutritional arguments she'd given the boy a few minutes earlier.

"Look, we're on vacation," Dad said. "He's never had an opportunity to do this before. The difference in cost is chump change. We can easily afford it. And as far as waste goes, what we don't eat they are most likely going to throw away."

There was a brief back-and-forth discussion before the mother gave in and agreed to let the boy have the buffet. His countenance immediately reverted back to that excited little boy who made the inital review for food stations. Within a minute, son and father were off to attack the buffet.

I had so much fun watching this boy go from station to station to get a little bit of everything. He saw people toast their bagels, so he did it, too. He could barely reach the toaster, but an older lady took joy in helping him work it. He got pancakes and a waffle and piled syrup and whipped cream on them. I loved the way he got in the omelet line, waited his turn, and then told the chef what he wanted, which was a little bit of everything. His final trips out were to the dessert station. I say trips because he made two. Before he was done, he had a sampling of each of the little desserts that had been laid out.

Meanwhile, Mom was feeding the baby, and Dad had taken a position at the table where he could spread out his newspaper. When the boy got all that he had been looking forward to having, he commenced to work his way through the breakfast feast. I was completely enjoying watching this little boy getting to experience this rare treat.

That's when Mom finally finished all feeding responsibilities of her infant and turned to study the various plates of food in front of her son.
And she started.
"Why did you get both pancakes and waffles? And what's with all the whipped cream? You've never had that before. Did you have any idea of what you were putting on this thing?
She got her husband's attention. "Look at all of this. He even got an omelet."
She turned her attention back to the boy. "Why on earth did you order and omelet?" she demanded. "There is no way you can eat all of that." Pointing to the desserts, she said, "You get one, count'em, one of these desserts. Pick the one you want because I'm gonna bring the rest back. Why do you need dessert anyway? It's breakfast, for crying out loud."

As she went through her diatribe, I watched the boy's countenance fall. This time it looked like a combination of helplessness and hopelessness. He tried to eat everything on the assorted plates, but his mother reminded him several times how foolish he had been for getting so much stuff. As promised, she took all but one of the desserts away from him and then berated her husband for not listening to her. Once she ad adequately spoiled everyone's meal with guilt and condescension, she stood up and passed through the buffet line for herself. I just sat there and watched a little boy slowly eating his waffles, whipped cream coming out from the corners of his mouth, with tears streaming down he young face. By the time his mom got back, all the joy had drained from him.

My questions are these: Was it worth it? Is that how God treats us? Does God tease us with good things, insult us for being excited about them, and then scold us for enjoying them? He is a God of Grace......

Eventually this boy will grow up and become a young man heading out on his own. I don't doubt that he'll feel that his mother loved him, but unless she changes the way she's operating, he has little chance of leaving home with secure love - the kind of love that has registered on his heart that his parenets enjoy him just the way he is.

This story struck a chord in my heart. I am very task oriented and thing much like this mom. I need to slow down and THINK about what I am saying, and how it affects others.
In fact, when I was reading this I was sitting in the opening of our mini van door because our youngest had fallen asleep on the way home from church. My husband went in the house with the other two children and he fed them some lunch. I was happy to get a quiet moment to read while the baby slept. After a few minutes of reading. My husband came outside and said, "Here you go!" and happily handed me a sandwich he had prepared for me! Would you believe what I did? I said, "You said that so loud! Now you woke up the baby!"

Oh, my sick and sinful heart. I could have said, "Thank you so much for makeing this for me!"
Instead, I overlooked the sweetness, the joy, the servant heart and pointed out the inconvience and annoyance that I felt.

I don't know about you. But I NEED to work on this. Being a mom can get you trapped in a one track thinking mode. I need to step back and peek inside at the tone I am setting for my family.

I WILL do better! Starting TODAY!

A Reminder for those Difficult Days.

2010-09-04T10:02:00.000-04:00

On a particularly tough day with little kids and house of chaos, I sought the support and encouragement from friends. This is one of the responses that touched my heart and brought things back into perspective. I hope it blesses you as it has blessed me.

One day my mother walked into the family room and found most of the Cheerios box dumped out all over the floor. My brother was messing around with something he shouldn't have been, and I was sitting in the middle of the floor with my hand in the Cheerios box. We were about 3 and 4 years old. As she told the story later, she asked herself, "Should I cry now? Should I scold? Or ... should I take a picture?" She took a picture. (This was unlike her. Usually she cried or yelled.) She sat and ate Cheerios with us. Eventually, I suppose she vacuumed them up.

I still have that picture she took of the chaos. I love that picture. That house is long gone. Cheerios are long since cleaned up. My awesome brother and his lovely wife live in a different state. My mother died when I was a teenager, long ago. She was not a perfect mother. Still, I miss her, and I wish she were here. Well, she's not, but I do still have that picture. I'm so glad she chose that option -- admit you don't know what to do, and instead of crying or yelling or scolding about it, take a picture and just sit for a minute. Have a handful of Cheerios.

On an Organizing Roll!

2010-09-03T11:45:00.001-04:00

Here are some other projects I have been at lately.
I am a huge fan of photos. I will go beyond saying I am a visual learner. I love to snoop into other peoples lives.....in order to glean all of the best and to implement those things in my own life.

So here are a couple more things:

The hanging files are not a real attractive color but it is what we had on hand.

Instead of paper collecting on our dining room table, I figured this would be a nice alternative.

My coupon holder! Inside is baseball card protector sheets.
Much better than wadded up in the bottom of me purse.

Ah. I can breathe a little easier already!

Cleaning System

2010-09-01T14:40:00.002-04:00

Really. I think this should be called: "Now I have three mobile children and I just can't wing it anymore. I need a system that thinks for me."
When this inspiration first hit me I was so excited. But then I reminded myself that I still had to be disciplined and do the work. This is just a system to help guide me better.

It is a variation taken from Sidetracked Home Executives. I have read blogs about others making up this 3 x 5 index card system and it just seemed to make sense to me.

So here is what I have put together. It is kinda a bit of a brain teaser but I know over time will be a smooth as any other habit.

I followed this set of directions to get it all in order.

This is the box that will make my house clean! With little help from me of course.
The cards have numbers 1-31 for each day of the month. You can assign monthly tasks to a certain day (number) for each month.

This set of yellow cards will be in each day. So when I complete the task I move it the
the next day.

The months of the year are for seasonal tasks like cleaning

out the garage, gardening, cleaning the gutters, etc. I haven't

touched this yet. I need to get the inside of the house in order
first.

Here are each of the categories I would see each day.

This is a shot of the actual tasks.

Ah. Thank you Lord for our homes. And thank you for
Sundays.

As each day passes I move the cards to the next appropriate line up. If it is a daily card, I move it to the next day (except for Sunday).
If it is a weekly card I move the card 7 days back.
If it is a bi-weekly card I move it 14 days back.
If it is monthly card I can leave it there cause monthly cards are assigned to a certain number of the month. Make sense? So washing the door mat will happen on the 15th of each month so it stays in the 15 slot.

As time goes on, I will work out the bugs and likely thing of more tasks to add to the box. As the kids get older I will also add the responsible person's name to the chore.
I even thought I could add a bible verse to read each day. Over time it will be memorized.

Okay. I just made a little change. I made duplicates of all the cards except for the daily ones. I wanted all the cards to stay where they are to make it easier. Now I only have to move the daily cards to tomorrows slot.

2010-08-25T16:19:00.000-04:00

During a time of challenge with my almost 3 year old I sought council from a friend who has 5 children.

I learned alot in that 1/2 hr conversation.

My little girl was showing signs of anger and rebellion. Yes, two year olds are labeled as 'terrible' but this situation had a power behind it that was beyond what I even had imagined.

We PRAYED. We had our Pastor and Elders PRAY over her, we prayed more. It was ugly. I was in tears and didn't know what had happened to my little girl, how we got to this place and how to get out of it.

Here is what I learned.

My friend's words were.
"This is a time of restoration. Stop all chastisement (for a time) and show her LOVE. Respond differently to her."

Boy was that hard. The behaviors that were so disruptive to our home demanded some sort of correction. But I listened to my friend. I stopped chastising for the rebellion. I spoke softly to her. I sat on the floor more with her. I remained calm.

There was only one thing I would chastise for. Not coming when I called her name.
We practiced (and still do). "When mommy calls your name I want you to come to me and say, 'Okay mom, I am coming!' okay? I will go over here and you wait for me to call you."
For a week we did not leave our house. These issues can not be dealt with when in public can going out so much only allowed these habits to linger on. But that is a post for another day.

Each time she came to me when we practiced, she would get a reward. Sometimes it was an M&M, sometimes a hug, sometimes a high 5! The positive attention was winning back my little girl. I told her. "When you don't obey and don't come when I call you, I will spank you." Rarely does that even happen anymore. I say rarely. I know we will have to keep practicing!

Now, those other deviance's and rebellion do still show up. So instead of spanking her, my friend suggested time out in a confined area. Her bed was too much freedom. She would get out and throw things. The couch was too much freedom. She would flop her body all over and kick and get off the couch.
The solution was an extra 5 point harness car seat we had in storage. I would fasten her in every time there was a blow up. She would stay there until she was calm and her heart was willing to apologize for the offense.

It is working! Thanks be to our Lord who hears our prayers!

The time outs aren't lasting near as long as they used to. (At one time it lasted an hour and a half!

I have also learned that you can't make a child do anything. It really is all about relationship.

Some things we just need to learn on our own. But I thank God for women/moms who are willing to share their time and wisdom with me.
Thank you Julie!

A New Favorite Quote

2010-08-19T14:51:00.000-04:00

"It is easy to die for Christ.

It is hard to live for Him.

Dying takes only an hour or two, but to live for Christ means

to die daily.

Only during the few years of this life

are we given the privilege of serving each other and Christ...

We shall heaven forever,

but only a short time for service here,

and therefore we must not waste the opportunity."

-- Sadhu Sundar Singh

NOTE: "We shall heaven forever" is not a typo.

Think about the power of this entire verse and the reality of the idea of 'heaven forever.'

A Great Book for a Christian Home

2010-08-09T08:51:00.000-04:00

Leading Little One's to God: A Child's book of Bible Teachings

So where do I begin when I want to tell my children all about the Lord and his goodness, his power, his might, is love, his forgiveness, his mercy, his omnipresence, his majesty, and everything else that he is? THIS BOOK IS A GREAT PLACE TO START.

Each chapter draws the attention of the child and keeps it! I was surprised how well my 4 year old (when we started reading this) boy actually listened to each devotion. At the end there are questions you can ask and a prayer, a memory verse and a hymn or song that applies to what was just read. There is one picture for each short chapter. I will warn you, the pictures are a little outdated but the kids don't seem to mind.

Below I will list one chapter of each section covered. I am telling you, this book is FULL!

Here are some of the topics covered. Again these are only ONE from each section of part of the topics:

We can not see God
God is Everywhere
God Made all things for his Praise
What is means to be a sinner
Why we disobey God's Law
God Gave His Son for Us
Jesus came from heaven
Jesus Died for us
The Holy Spirit Has a Special Work
We Must Believe the Jesus is Our Savior
God's Children Love One Another
We Need Help to Live for God
What it Means to Pray
Why We Go to Church
Jesus is Coming Back

Oh, it is so good. I know if I were on my own I would never have thought to give this much detail.

Each reading takes less than 5 mins.

Let me encourage you to start when they are young. My two year old even sits in and listens! At first I thought my son was not hearing what I was reading. I can't tell you how many times he has asked questions or mentioned something about the reading later in the day. It is sinking in!

This is one of those books I will be keeping for my grandchildren. My only regret is that I bought it used. I am a penny pincher and didn't want to spend $3 extra for crip pages. Now I wish I had cause I know I will be reading this book for years. I want to keep it nice for the next generation.

Family

2010-08-05T20:42:00.000-04:00

I saw my neighbors and friends strolling up the street, holding hands, the dad was holding their 11 month old son, and next to them were their 4.5 year old son and their 2.5 year old daughter. Yes, their hands are full (and so are their hearts).

Sucking the emotion back at the beautiful sight. My heart beat fast.
A tear drop fell.

I noticed. They did not use a stroller. They were all touching. Dad holding baby, husband holding wife's hand. Little walking ones holding each other's hands and mom's hand.

This young father has 7 months - 2 years to live.

He has stomach cancer. They actually removed his stomach 2 months ago. He looks like he is in perfect health and even feels like it too. Inside he has microscopic cells that will take his life (baring a miracle from God).

We all are dying. Some of us know a little more about when that may happen. I see this family LOVING and ENJOYING each other. Sometimes we need a reminder that our days are few.

I thank GOD for the hope of heaven.

Love. While we have today.

Humility

2010-08-03T14:44:00.000-04:00

"Humility is such an elusive virtue. Once you think you have it, you don't, or you wouldn't think you did."

Quoted from Max Lucado's book Traveling Light

Releasing the Burdens You Were Never Intended To Bear.

A Promise of Psalm 23

A keeper!

2010-08-02T15:07:00.000-04:00

Character First has some great materials to teach character building! They have lessons for the workplace, schools and for home. At our house we love the character cards. Click on the link I just gave you. You have to see this! I love it! It couldn't be any more simple than this!

They are baseball type cards (and come in a plastic baseball card holder sheets) with a picture of an animal on one side and on the other side is a specific characteristic, it's definition, the opposite of that character, and a short list of specific ways you can live out that character.

Each week we choose one of the cards to work on. It is nice because throughout the day I can repeat the word (new vocab) and point out to the kids that this is an opportunity to practice that new character!

These tools and web site do not mention that they have a Christian background (psst... I think they are but they keep it quiet to reach more people). It doesn't really matter. Their materials are helpful and certainly do a top notch job of stretching us to become better people.

I ordered series 1,2,3 and 4 of just the cards. The total came to about $12.00!
Then the good Lord, our Provider, had me pick up a Character First Cd at a used book sale BEFORE I had even heard of Character First. It wasn't till about 2 weeks later that I realized he had handed me (for $1.00) a cd with all of these characters put into song! Oh, He is so good to us! To God be the Glory.

Go. Check it out! You will not be sorry. And those around you may notice a change too!

Are We Not Expecting Enough of Our Littleones?

2010-07-28T22:12:00.001-04:00

Orison is 3 or 4 years old. Orison's parents decided to read Luke chapter 2 (the Christmas story from a Christian perspective) everyday for the month of December. After about 2 weeks of listening to the readings this is what his parents discovered.

I am encouraged. Can it be that simple to put the word of God in the mouths of our little ones? They may not fully understand what they are saying but I pray that one day, when they need it, the Holy Spirit will enlighten them to the truth about the power of the Living Word of God.

Teach Them To Pray ~ Repost

2010-07-26T15:50:00.000-04:00

This is a repost from Monday, November 3, 2008

Teach Them to Pray

An exerpt from:
THE DUTIES OF PARENTS.

J.C. (John Charles) Ryle of Liverpool 1816-1900

"Parents, if you love your children, do all that lies in your power to train them up to a habit of prayer. Show them how to begin. Tell them what to say. Encourage them to persevere. Remind them if they become careless and slack about it. Let it not be your fault, at any rate, if they never call on the name of the Lord.

This, remember, is the first step in religion which a child is able to take. Long before he can read, you can teach him to kneel by his mother's side, and repeat the simple words of prayer and praise which she puts in his mouth. And as the first steps in any undertaking are always the most important, so is the manner in which your children's prayers are prayed, a point which deserves your closest attention. Few seem to know how much depends on this. You must beware lest they get into a way of saying them in a hasty, careless, and irreverent manner. You must beware of giving up the oversight of this matter to servants and nurses, or of trusting too much to your children doing it when left to themselves. I cannot praise that mother who never looks after this most important part of her child's daily life herself. Surely if there be any habit which your own hand and eye should help in forming, it is the habit of prayer. Believe me, if you never hear your children pray yourself, you are much to blame.

Prayer is, of all habits, the one which we recollect the longest. Many a grey-headed man could tell you how his mother used to make him pray in the days of his childhood. Other things have passed away from his mind perhaps. The church where he was taken to worship, the minister whom he heard preach, the companions who used to play with him, all these, it may be, have passed from his memory, and left no mark behind. But you will often find it is far different with his first prayers. He will often be able to tell you where he knelt, and what he was taught to say, and even how his mother looked all the while. It will come up as fresh before his mind's eye as if it was but yesterday.

Reader, if you love your children, I charge you, do not let the seed-time of a prayerful habit pass away unimproved. If you train your children to anything, train them, at least, to a habit of prayer."

The entire book can be accessed online at

http://www.premeditatedparenting.net/downloads/80_the_duties_of_parents_j_c_ryle.pdf

More Treasures

2010-07-20T21:56:00.000-04:00

Okay, I promised I would share with you more treasures we have in our home that I think truly shape us. This one is called, Wise Words for Moms.
It looks like a wall calendar. Which I think is a good idea cause it a quick reference guide to what to say when you interact with your children.

Inside is a list of behaviors a child may need addressed. For example: Whining.
Then next to it there are 2 or 3 heart probing questions you would ask the child. Ex: Are you communicating with a self-controlled voice?

Then there is a scripture that reproofs and one that encourages.
Reproof : "Whining is an ungodly form of communication." Titus 2:12
Encouragement: God wants you to use self control, even with your voice. Titus 2:12

Ginger Plowman lists a bunch of offenses to help steer our children toward pleasing God and knowing what the bible says about it.
Some are:
Revenge
Tattling
Selfishness
Lying
Destructiveness
Giving up
Defiant attitude
and more.

I love this little tool!

Treasures!

2010-07-17T21:49:00.000-04:00

'Treasures' are what I like to call items/resources that truly impact our family.
Over the next few post I will introduce you to some of the resources that our family loves and that I are so good I will hold on to them for my grandchildren (eons from now).
The first is:

A Child's Book of Character Building Volume 1 by Ron & Rebekah Coriell

A Child's Book of Character Building Volume 2 by Ron & Rebekah Coriell This one is out of print but you can find it online. I did a google search for 'OUT OF PRINT BOOKS' and typed in the ISBN which is 080071265x. I got it for $10 cheaper than Volume 1! (and to be honest my kids like it a little better too)

These books are basic. One large picture on one side of the page and a one page story that gives a realistic example of a specific character quality. The neat thing about it is each chapter has very short and easy to understand definition of the character quality and a bible verse. Then there are 4 stories that give the reader an idea of what the character would look like in the bible, at home, at school and at play.
My kids are 4 and 2 and when I tell them to go to the book basket they 95% of the time choose these books. The books really are geared more toward elementary age children but my kids seem to get it!
The pictures are large and actually depicted much like a coloring page. I have a friend with 5 kids who will photo copy the page and they kids color it while she reads the story. This is a great family, table time activity.

I have to resist telling you about the others... These are the rocks of our children's growing spiritually and in godly character!

I am a terrible mom....

2010-07-14T17:41:00.000-04:00

...when it comes to potty training!

Here I am again, child number two. Because my children are two years apart and it took me a complete year to fully potty train my first child I feel like I didn't get much of a break in between.

I have read a couple of books on how to potty train in a day and one in how to potty train in three days. What a joke!

What am I doing wrong? I am to the point where I am thinking it is okay to discipline for wet pants. How can it take so long for them to get it?

Do you have any words of encouragement? Anything?

Do you have any secrets? How did you do it?

If anything, pray that we all make it through.

Grins.

A 'Must Read'

2010-07-12T21:20:00.000-04:00

Hoping you and your family will jump (with both feet) onto
this bandwagon.

More to be grateful for!

2010-07-12T14:18:00.000-04:00

57. Civilization! I would be scared out of my mind sleeping in a tent or log cabin with all the wild beasts just on the other side of the wall!
58. Indoor plumbing. Along those same lines....I would hate to have to get up in the middle of the night to go tinkle in the outhouse...not to mention in the cold of winter!
59. Seeing old friends.
60. Generous Hearts.
61. Forgiveness.
62. Water! Have you ever thought what it would be like to go without water for a week? Water to drink and clean! And much more!
63. To be able to worship freely!
64. Computers.
65. Printers.
66. Sales!
67. Phones.
68. Automobles.
69. Flowers.
70. Backyard gardens.

One Thousand Things... to be grateful for!

2010-07-04T19:58:00.004-04:00

56. A husband who willingly and joyfully goes to church with me.
57. A husband who cooks great food for our family on the weekends.
58. A husband who makes so much food on the weekends so I don't have cook on Monday and sometime Tuesday!
59. Holiday family times.
60. Forgiving children. (I closed the van door on my son's hand today and he still tells me I am a great mom!)
61. Sincere hearts.
62. Guests who help themselves...when I am too busy with little people.
63. Play date guests who help clean up just before they leave.
64. Clean floors. (while cleaning the house yesterday I was reminded that for thousands of years kitchen floors were dirt floors!)
65. The written word of God. We are blessed to have our OWN copies! For thousands of years only the Priests had copies and the lay people only listened. Now we have our own copies to read and memorize when we want.

Free Character Building Tools!

2010-07-03T12:49:00.001-04:00

I am so excited to announce (in case you haven’t already heard), that Focus on the Family has created a character building tool for parents to use at home! All of the materials are downloadable and FREE!

Have a look for yourself!

Kids of Integrity

www.kidsofintegrity.com

Laundry ~ How do I keep the ball rolling?

2010-06-17T08:40:00.002-04:00

I have another laundry trick I should share with you.

I didn’t even think of it until a comment was left on my last post. I do something a little different.

When we were just married (only 5 short years ago) I was (and still am) too cheap to buy a laundry basket. And I knew that a little white flimzy plastic laundry basket was just not going to cut it.

So I used what I had. A Rouchneck Rubbermaid Storage Bin.

Hubby teases me cause I feel like I can’t ever have enough of these things.

Well, our whole family only uses one of these for a laundry basket. He is the routine.

~ by evening, laundry for the day has been washed and put away.

~ when someone soils their clothes, it goes in this bin which is kept in mom and dad’s bedroom. If the bin is still in the laundry room the soiled clothes sit in our bathroom sink (we have two sinks in the bathroom but only one gets used for washing hands and brushing teeth).

~ once the laundry is cleaned and put away I go to the sink and put whatever is in there into the bin and put it back in our bedroom.

The sink doesn’t get very full during the day but by evening when the kids are getting ready for bath it starts to fill up, This is key: IF THE BIN IS NOT IN IT’S PLACE (AKA: laundry is not done for the day) Things start to get pilled up and looking out of control.

It is kind of like a game. I have to be done my job before the sink fills up.

Therefore, I have to laundry EVERY DAY!

Sometimes I will take Friday off and do a bigger load on Saturday when hubby is home. When he is home I have more leeway to leave the kids and give more attention to cleaning.

Hope this helps.

What I am Learning about Laundry

2010-06-16T10:13:00.001-04:00

Okay, I have MADE myself do laundry every day. It has been two weeks now. Hear is what I have learned.

~ You can’t let it go more than a day in a half…. otherwise it will be BIG & UGLY… too much work for what I want to do (even if it is every other day or so.. that just ends up taking me 2 days to tackle it all, only to do it all again)

~If you do it DAILY, the loads are smaller and much more ‘doable.”

~if you do it DAILY, you end up with clothes in the washer or dryer, or in the closet…non in a heap on the couch or in the laundry basket.

~ If you do it DAILY, you end up seeing what you really use. There are so many articles of clothing that just does not get used! Time to decultter!

~If you do it DAILY, I don’t get that nagging, overwhelmed feeling.

This is orderly looking but if you do it daily you should never have this much (unless you are the Duggers). We are a family of 5 and currently potty training and have a compulsive droller. We don’t have this much.

So I encourage you. DO IT DAILY!

Getting it Together

2010-06-15T13:50:00.001-04:00

Bear with the fonts. I am experimenting. I love cute fonts but I am not exactly an expert (yet). I can’t figure out why the title of the post isn’t the same font as the body of the post.

Anyway, feel free to let me know which font is more pleasing to the eye and easy to read.

Well, on to the ideas that are stirring in my brain….

I have been on a cleaning and organizing crazy woman lately! I love it! I is ~~finally~~ addicting! I signed up to be a member at Fly Lady. net( Fly Lady). If you sign up (it is free) they send you a daily email with the cleaning mission for the day. Over the course of a year you will have cleaned every nook and cranny by doing little bits each weekday. If you go to the website and you don’t want to get sidetracked only click on

~Control Journal : this is a daily cleaning plan that you can make for example Monday – wash floors, Tuesday – clean bathroom, Wednesday- Vacuum all floors, Thursday- empty all trash cans, Etc.

and

~ Fly Zone: this is deeper cleaning each day but it is so small it doesn’t feel like spring cleaning blood sweat and tears.

I have been so motivated by it! I am on a roll!

You as you read further, you will see that Fly Lady is big on decluttering. How can one truly clean unless the stuff is out of the way to do so? You must declutter!

I recently had a garage sale and cleaned out! It feels so liberating! Now each day I feel great cause the cleaning part comes so much easier.

I really believe that to be a great wife and mom, and steward of what God has given me, I need a clean and orderly home.

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Little by little, step by step, mile by mile, progress is made.”

Ever Thought about it this way?

2010-06-14T15:03:00.001-04:00

I am reading a book called, “Shepherding a Child’s heart” By Tedd Tripp.

I would like to share a bit with you that spoke to me.

We have all see the families that bend over backward getting each child to their afterschool sports and other lessons. we have all heard to not overdo it and instead say no more to these kinds of activities and try to keep life simple… spend time together as a family!

For me it has never been too much of a temptation simply because we can’t afford all of these extra things. But I can see how easy it is to slip into the trap.

SOme of the lures nag at me saying….

* it would be a good experience for her

* it will teach her a few things I could never teach her

* her friend is going to be in the class too

~ oh! I forgot to mention…. the she/her I am referring to is 2 1/2 years old!

I had never heard of extra curricular activities explained this way before but to me … it just makes sense!

Author Tedd Trip says about developing special skills,

“What is the problem with having your children involved in a broad range of activities? Many parents who would never allow their child attend public school will send them to dance classes. They will refuse to have them influenced by secular humanism in school, but will expose them to unbiblical ideas of beauty in dance class.

When I ask parents why they put their children in these classes, they explain that it has helped their child’s sense of self-worth. Are their any passages (of scripture) that make the development of self-worth a biblically mandated goal? Shouldn’t we be more concerned with an accurate of sense of self? Is it biblical to build self-worth on a child’s capacity to develop a physical skill? Are we not encouraging pride that comes from the capacity to perform? Most coaches do not teach the Little Leager who hits a home run to give thanks to God for the timing and coordination necessary to perform such a complex feat.

Many of these activities teach your children to trust in themselves, when the Scriptures say that those who trust in themselves are fools whose hearts turn from GOd. The self-love and self-trust our culture proffers always turns the heart away from God.”

I am interested in your thoughts on this.

Father's Day 2010

2010-06-12T10:34:00.004-04:00

Perhaps you can help me out... I am stumped for a good idea for Father's Day.
Last year I LOVED the gift we gave as it will be forever a reminder of
our little gifts and the blessing of God's design for a father and leader of our home.

Have a look!

Since then we have added a little footprint!

One Thousand Gifts

2010-06-08T02:12:00.002-04:00

41. The thrill of watching a preschool learn something new.
42. Listening to a 2 year old try their best to tell you something.
43. Watching a baby inch forward for the first time.
44. A faithful husband.
45. Family. (Family life is far more thrilling than I could ever imagined)
46. God's provision.
47. The body of Christ.
48. Cool morning walks.
49. A great book.
50. Mom.
52. Dad.
53. A wonderful family home...not perfect but great to be protected for a cruel world.
54. Deep roots in faith in God.
55. Memories.

Raising Homemakers

2010-06-01T06:40:00.004-04:00

If you have a daughter of any age this new site if for you!

Here is a blog called Raising Homemakers that is just getting started. I am so looking forward to it! I know I need all the help (that is godly) in raising my daughter to be her best as a woman of God.!

Subscribe by RRS feed and you won't miss an article

Remembering Today ~ Real Life

2010-05-29T04:20:00.004-04:00

My dishes went unwashed today,
I didn't make the bed,
I took his hand and followed
Where his eager footsteps led.
Oh yes, we went adventuring,
My little son and I,
Exploring all the great outdoors
Beneath the summer sky.
We waded in a crystal stream,
We wandered through a wood.
My kitchen wasn't swept today,
But life was sweet and good.
We found a cool sun-dappled glade
And now my small son knows
How Mother Bunny hides her nest
Where fern and larkspur grow.
We watched a robin feed her young,
We climbed a sunlit hill,
Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky;
We plucked a daffodil.
That my house was neglected,
That I didn't sweep the stair,
In twenty years no one on earth
Will know or even care.
But that I've helped a little boy
To noble manhood grow,
In twenty years the whole wide world
May look and see and know.
-Anonymous

One Thousand Gifts

2010-05-28T10:05:00.003-04:00

28. Content Children
29. 75 degree morning walks with 3 little ones
30. Friendly Neighbors
31. Newborn noses
32. Newborn noises
33. Great bible studies
34. Women who make themselves available to mentor others
35. the excitement that comes with learning
36. A husband who takes care of things right a way
37. Telephones
38. Parks
39. Sunflowers
40. Butterflies

.... to be continued.... working toward 1000 things to be grateful for.

The Good Old Days

2010-05-19T00:18:00.003-04:00

OUR Lives are LIVING PROOF !!!
To Those of Us Born
1925 - 1970 :
At the end of this is a quote of the month by Jay Leno. If you don't read anything else, please
read what he said.
Very well stated, Mr. Leno.
~~~~~~~~~
TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED THE
1930s, '40s, '50s, '60s and '70s!!
First, we survived being born to mothers who may have smoked and/or drank
while they were pregnant.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then, after that trauma, we were
put to sleep on our tummies
in baby cribs covered
with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, locks on doors or cabinets,
and, when we rode our bikes,
we had baseball caps,
not helmets, on our heads.
As infants and children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, no booster seats, no seat belts, no air bags, bald tires and sometimes no brakes..

Riding in the back of a pick- up truck on a warm day was always a special treat..

We drank water from the garden hose and not from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle, and no one actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread, real butter, and bacon. We drank Kool-Aid made with real white sugar. And we weren't overweight.
WHY?

Because we were always outside playing...that's why!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.
No one was able to reach us all day.
--And, we were OKAY.

We would spend hours building
our go-carts out of scraps
and then ride them down the hill,
only to find out we forgot the brakes.. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem..

We did not have Play Stations, Nintendos and X-boxes. There were
no video games, no 150 channels on cable,
no video movies or DVDs,
no surround-sound or CDs,
no cell phones,
no personal computers,
no Internet and no chat rooms.
WE HAD FRIENDS
and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut,
broke bones and teeth,
and there were no lawsuits
from those accidents.
We would get spankings with wooden spoons, switches, ping-pong paddles, or just a bare hand, and no one would call child services to report abuse.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls.
We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them.

Little League had tryouts
and not everyone made the team.
Those who didn't had to learn
to deal with disappointment.
Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers,
problem solvers, and inventors ever.

The past 50 to 85 years have seen an explosion of innovation and new ideas...

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned how to deal with it all.

If YOU are one of those born
between 1925-1970, CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good.

While you are at it, read it to your kids, so they will know how brave and lucky their parents were.

~~~~~~~
The quote of the month
by
Jay Leno:

"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"

One Thousand Gifts

2010-05-17T14:33:00.007-04:00

Over the course of time I will list 1000 things for which to be grateful.
I encourage you to do the same on your blog or in a journal or on scrap bits of paper.
Acknowledging the things we are thankful for is an addicting and life giving thing that can change your life!

John Milton wrote: "Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world."

Go ahead, try it.

Here I go!

1. The simple fact that our Lord and God WANTS to have a relationship with me.
2. Salvation
3. The freedom to Worship HIM.
4. My Husband who loves the Lord
5. My 3 healthy children.
6. The joy in childhood.
7. The safe christian (not perfect) home I was raised in (thanks mom and dad).
8. Answered prayer.
9. The unchanging word of God.
10.The ablitiy to read.
11.A warm home to live in.
12. A soft place to land my head at night.
13. Hot and cold indoor running water.
14. An indoor camode : )
15. Clean home and community.
16. Safe neighborhood.
17. Good health.
18. TODAY.
19. Each day is NEW.
20. Forgiveness
21. The wonderful smell of a baby.
22. Toddler's chubby legs.
23. A preschooler's giggle.
23. A child's request to "tickle me."
24. Sunny mornings.
25. Digital Cameras
26. Order
27. My husband.

..... to be continued.....

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-09T01:27:00.003-04:00

I want to wish all my lovely readers a wonderful and blessed Mother's Day! In honor of this day, I wanted to post an article that blessed me in hopes that you too will be refreshed and refocused on the high calling of mothers....enjoy!

Reclaiming the Lost Vision of Motherhood

O' for mothers to hold in their hands a child who's soul is eternal and to grasp the vision of changing the world through her mothering as she purposes toward multigenerational faithfulness.

To look into the eyes of her child and know that God has put a purpose for that child here on earth--to advance the kingdom of heaven-- which is glorifying the Father he serve's above. Mothers also put on earth for royal purposes, to raise children for the King. Shaping and molding them to become one day warriors for the Lord. Who will not just feed the poor in secret but also help direct and change the course of a nation. History has proven time and time again, that one person can change the course of history. You never know who you might be raising. Susannah Wesley never knew the child she rocked in the cradle would take England by storm. John Wesley started a movement and said, "If I can find ten men who hate nothing but sin, love nothing but God, and seek nothing but the souls of men, we can turn England upside down for God." This man, did indeed with the help from God, turned England upside down for God.

Mothers, do we understand that what is done in the four walls of our home--that it is holy work done to the Lord? As we teach that small child to stand, are you praying that one day he will stand strong for the Lord against wickedness? As you teach him to walk, are you teaching them to walk to the lost and preach the gospel? When you teach them to read, are you telling them that one day they will read the Word to the masses and that lives will be transformed forever?

In other words are you raising your children to be world changers? Yesterday I gathered all my children together and shared with them how God gave them life for the soul purpose of changing the world---for HIM. Who is the child who understands his purpose in life---his calling? Where is the child who has been whispered to and reminded that he will one day change the world since he was a wee babe? How would our lives have been different had our mothers embraced such a vision?

As mothers we need to equip our children well to do the work the Lord has assigned for them to do. We must diligently teach scripture, we must teach godly character, we must teach love for the Lord and the lost without growing discouraged ourselves for we have the Masters work at hand, an honorable and momentous responsibility! We must understand that lost souls could be at stake and nations could be destroyed if we do not fulfill this high calling of motherhood. We cannot simply render ourselves weary and ultimately give up.

Do you notice that little boy who is playing in the sandbox? He might very well be the world's next church planter. That little girl in the corner who is quietly playing dolls might one day raise a martyr for Christ. The little baby in your arms whom you cradle today could very well go to Africa one day and share the gospel to the lost tribes.

I am convinced that the greatest world changers have not been written about in history books, and that only God knows who they are. They are God's best kept secrets. They are the unnoticed people in society-the old man you brushed by walking to the store today. They are the ones who do great and mighty works in private where only He sees. They are the ones that make a difference through the one small, powerful act that the Lord had assigned them to. These will be richly rewarded in Heaven for their faithfulness---we will find them seated at the right hand of Christ in Heaven!

Our lasting influence impacts future generations through our children, our grandchildren and great grandchildren whether for good or for evil. Which are you raising for the Lord? Descendants who could be an army to take the world by storm or descendants who build up alters to false gods? We must revive the vision of multigenerational faithfulness! We cannot change our homes through the efforts of our flesh---it comes from grace and power from God alone---but we are required to do our part. We cannot fall short of this glorious vocation because our Lord has called us to it. And where He calls us to- we must obey.

Now in of honor those great mothers who have come before us who have sacrificed their lives, gave unselfishly, wept in the dark to the Savior and persevered to the end---we applaud you! You have paved the way for us behind you! The Lord has used you as a mighty instrument in His hand and you are surely called blessed among your children. Your dedication has lasting power that is the sweet aroma of Jesus Christ.

God certainly uses the weak to shame the strong. And he uses ordinary people who serve an amazing God that has extraordinary plans to help us reclaim our vision for motherhood and build a godly nation for Him.

Article can also be viewed at A WISE WOMAN BUILDS HER HOME

A Reminder to Myself

2010-05-03T06:25:00.004-04:00

They are adults for a long period of time than they are children.

Enjoy TODAY.
Kiss them more,
Hug them longer,
Laugh a little harder,
Listen a more sincerely,
Play with their favorite toys...

Take lots of pictures!

Lord, we thank you for the children you have placed in our care. We pray that we would honor you as we spend each moment with them. Please give us today the tools we need to teach them what will prepare them for life and godliness. These little people are a joy to this sad and sinful world. Protect our little ones, today and all the days of their lives. Keep watch over them always as we know you love them much more than we could ever love them. Thank you for each beautiful gift...our children.

In Jesus great and beautiful name,
Amen

What you do today affects the future

2010-04-24T07:17:00.003-04:00

"Discipline isn't just about winning or losing.
Every power struggle offers you the opportunity
to connect with your child or disconnect.
The relationship you will have with your child
when he's an adolescent
lies in the words and actions you use today.
Ultimately your real power is in that emotional bond."
--Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
Kids, Parents and Power Struggles

What is this mess!

2010-04-16T14:42:00.004-04:00

When the your kids make a mess. STOP. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. Are they enjoying themselves? Are they being creative? Are they experimenting and learning? It is freeing to allow them to discover things on their own through play. Yes they will need to clean up after themselves but atleast allow them to soak up their childhood.
When I walk into an area that screams out "I AM AN ABSOLUTE MESS!" I can have confidence that someone had fun here!

I Got Paid Today!

2010-03-26T13:32:00.004-04:00

Paid? You may be wondering just how a stay at home mom (SAHM) gets paid.
This is how.

Actual Occurrence:

Mom takes three little ones to the Public Library. Children are ages 4 years, 2 years and 4 months.

While at the library another mom observes her child and how all of the kids are interacting with each other. This mom says to me (paycheck time!), "Your kids are so polite!"

At that moment I was not sure what to say. It caught me off guard. Not that my kids are all that bad... it is just that it was a huge compliment to me.

I have posted about it before but this is what has worked WONDERS for our family.

When one child wants something that another child has, Grabbing is Not allowed. If you want it, ask for it kindly by saying, "May I have a turn?" The child who has the item can respond in two ways, 1) Yes you may
or 2)You may when I am finished.
It still surprises me when I see it work.
100% of the time grabbing causes trouble.
95% of the time asking kindly they get what they want with peace.

When they need a little coaxing I simply say, "Are you choosing to be peacemaker or a trouble-maker?"

This works for our family. I know that combinations of personality styles as well as other factors has lots to do with it. It certainly pays to be consistant and to not give up. Ah, how rewarding it is when they use it and (humbly) when others see the fruit of your labor. When others see it, it is an opportunity for me to share how we got to that point. I can assure you it doesn't just happen naturally.

Which one is faster?

2010-03-19T21:23:00.006-04:00

Okay mom's out there. I know we have all experienced this.

If you see this on the road

Then you see this on the road (with a screaming baby strapped into a 5 point harness carseat)....

WHICH DO YOU THINK CAN DRIVE FASTER?

{ahem, did I say this happened to me today?}

Yes! Jesus Loves Me!

2010-03-10T22:19:00.003-05:00

Last week I watched my friend's school age children because they had their mid-winter break. I witnessed a sad and eye opening fact of our kids in today's churches.

My 2 year old has a stuffed animal that sings "Jesus love me this I know, for the Bible tells me so..." (and so on), when you press the button on his tummy.
Well the kids pressed the button and the kids stopped to listen. Then one child said to her brother, "What movie is that from?" And they were racking their brain to think of where they had heard that song! I was bumbfounded! What? These kids have been going to church for the 8 to 13 years they have been alive and they don't know the song Jesus Loves Me? I was sick.

SING TO YOUR CHILDREN! Sing to them simple Sunday school songs! Sing to them old hymns of the faith! Sing to them modern day worship music. Sing unto the Lord!!!!

If you teach a sunday school class, SING JESUS LOVES ME! If you don't teach them who will?

Obey First and Then We'll Talk About It

2010-03-05T14:20:00.002-05:00

This is another great TIP from Biblical Parenting
Click to get these tips sent to your email!

When parents give an instruction but children don't want to comply or it's not convenient for them, sometimes they need to learn to "obey first and then we'll talk about it." This emphasizes obedience.
If little Brian has pulled a chair over to the counter and is climbing onto it, you may say, "Brian, we don’t climb on chairs."
"But I was just…"
"No, you need to get down. Obey first and then we'll talk about it." Once he gets down, discuss the problem and find a solution together.
"Karl, go get your pajamas on."
"I don't want to go to bed."
"No, obey first and then we'll talk about it."

To some parents this may sound like blind obedience. We've all heard stories about people who were led into cultish activity because they couldn't think for themselves. No parent wants a child to fall into a pattern of blindly following a leader's instructions, but evaluating instructions is an advanced skill.

Many parents have gone too far in the other direction ending up with children who can't follow simple instructions without a dialogue. Parents sometimes believe they have to talk their child into wanting to obey. Inadvertently, these parents teach their children that if you don't like a request then that's enough reason to resist it. These children make poor employees, develop selfish attitudes about following someone else's leadership, and have a difficult time in relationships because they haven't learned how to sacrifice their own agenda for others.

Talking is important but sometimes even we, as adults, must obey first and then understand later. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son without fully understanding and then considered it faith for him to obey. Peter didn't know why he was to go to Cornelius' house but went anyway only to discover that God wanted to bring salvation to the Gentiles. Philip was asked to leave a revival in Samaria and go out into the wilderness, not knowing why, but when he got there he led an Ethiopian man to Christ.

Evaluating instructions is an advanced skill and will become important later on but children need to learn that sometimes we all must "obey first and then we'll talk about it."

Teaching Table Manners to your Preschooler

2010-02-25T09:33:00.002-05:00

Begin with the idea that mealtimes are pleasant and that good behavior makes them more fun for everyone. Talk with your preschooler about the importance of good manners, and encourage them to think of themselves as a polite person. Set realistic expectations, then gently reinforce them until they become habit.

Your child isn't ready for the finer points of well-mannered dining (such as which fork to use for the cake), but they're old enough to start learning and even perform the basics - depending, of course, on whether they've just turned 2 or are approaching kindergarten age.

Some behaviors to teach and encourage at this age:

Hand washing before coming to the table
No toys at the table
No throwing or grabbing food
No banging utensils
No spitting food out
No yelling or running around the room while others are eating
Saying "please" and "thank you"
Using utensils instead of fingers when appropriate
Asking to be excused at the end of the meal (a nice touch is to teach them to thank the person who prepared the meal)
Clearing dishes from the table to the sink or counter (if the path is clear and the dishes are replaceable)
Some older preschoolers (those who enjoy learning to act "grown up") can handle a few more details. Your child might like to know how to put their napkin in their lap and use it to wipe their mouth, to take small bites, and to chew with their mouth closed. They can learn not to slurp their beverage (by leaving some in the bottom of the glass), to wait until everyone is served before starting to eat, and to comment nicely on the foods they like (but not on those that are "yucky"). Mealtime is a great opportunity for them to polish their communication skills, too, so be sure to include them in discussions.

Your preschooler wants to please you, and they want to be like you, so the best way is to show them how it's done. Talk pleasantly at the table - no lectures, arguments, or raised voices. Say "please" and "thank you" when you ask for something to be passed. And don't read the paper, watch television, talk on the phone, or jump up to tend to other things. Show them that good table manners involve showing respect for the other people at the table.

Consistency will help make good manners a habit for your child in the coming years, so when you introduce a behavior, set expectations and use gentle reminders to reinforce them. Simply hand your child their spoon when they pick up their cottage cheese with their fingers, and prompt a "thank you" when you refill their water.

Give your child strokes for behaving well at the table - when they sit nicely and ask politely, for example. Don't overdo the praise, though, because you don't want them to feel that they're the center of attention whenever you sit down to share a meal.

What should I do when my child misbehaves at the table?

You have a couple of choices. Some parents find it's best to ignore the misbehavior - the demanding, the banging, the mess-making. When this tactic works, it's because the child stops doing whatever gets no response. Other parents find that it's better to find ways to discourage their child's problematic behavior. If your child doesn't say "please," then don't serve that second helping until they do. And some parents simply remove their children from the table when they do things that are unacceptable, explaining that their behavior is not good manners.

If you make it enjoyable for your child to share meals with you - by talking with them and being upbeat - then they're more likely to want to stay and share the good vibes. Next time (or eventually, in any case), they won't do things that get them banished.

What are some good rules at this point?

Different families are comfortable with different rules, so you get to decide. One family might be fine with everyone coming to dinner in their bathing suits or jammies, for example, while another may require that everyone gets dressed for dinner. Your family may enforce the "no elbows on the table" rule, while another has no such rule.

So you'll want to make sure that your child learns to be polite, but there's some leeway on what that means. As they grow, you can teach your child the basics (to say "please" and "thank you," to chew with their mouth closed, to be pleasant) and even some nitty gritty (like which utensil to use and where to put their napkin), but don't get too hung up on formalities. Good manners are really about being considerate of others. If your child keeps that in mind, they'll do fine.

There are a couple of rules you might not want to enforce at mealtimes, though. One is the old "clean your plate" rule. You want your child to learn to stop eating when their body says it's full, not when everything in front of them is gone. So offer small portions, refilling as necessary, and respect their decision to stop eating.

At this age, you might also forgo the rule about sitting at the table until everybody is finished eating. Your preschooler is still active by nature, and it's likely they just can't sit still that long. A better idea might be to let them ask to be excused whenever they're finished. You might want to say that once they leave, they can't come back for more food, though, so they won't get into that habit of coming and going throughout the meal.

Mommy, Can You Tell Me A Story?

2010-02-17T22:25:00.001-05:00

How many times have you heard this question from your little one and again you say “Not right now dear.” Only because you just can’t think of a story to tell?

This happens multiple times a day for me lately. I am thrilled that my little guy wants me to tell him a story and that he wants to listen to what I am saying! I know that story telling can be a wonderful bonding time as well as the skeleton that builds fond childhood memories. It builds a child’s imagination that can be more thrilling than an actual adventure! When I do tell a story I always want to use that time to deposit godly character or godly moral into the story. What a better way to learn from God than through stories? Jesus himself told parables to get his point across.

Well, I asked some ladies on THE HOMESCHOOL LOUNGE what techniques they use to tell stories to their little ones. Below are the responses perhaps they will spark something in your imagination that will begin a wonderful adventure of the mind for you and your children!

My stories always begin with "Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived the most wonderful boy ever and his mommy loved him with all her heart. And one day...."
And it's usually just a re-telling of something we did, or are going to do, or that he has been talking about doing that is exciting to him. He loves volcanoes, so maybe I will tell a story about how one day mommy and daddy packed everyone in the car and drove and drove until we got to a volcano and we ate in a restaurant that floated on the lava lake, and we met his favorite volcanologist...silly stuff like that. Or we dig up dinosaur bones, or go to the beach, etc.
Sometimes I tell a story as if he is inside one of his favorite tv shows. He loves Bob the Builder, so sometimes I will tell a story that one day when we were eating breakfast, Bob showed up and took us all for rides on the machines. Or that we moved to Bobville. Or he meets Frog and Toad. I have other stories about adventures his toys go on when he is asleep.
To be honest, I have never really thought about trying to make a story with a moral - I just want to give him something fantastic to think about while he drifts off to sleep, and so he can have sweet dreams. Just start talking - it'll come to you. Another fun thing to do is tag-team the story with Daddy, so you tell a few sentences, then Daddy tells a few sentences.. If I am drawing a complete blank, I just ask him what he wants a story about. Half the time he tells me some long, drawn out story, and then I just regurgitate it back to him.

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A lot of times my girls want to hear what we've come to call "lifetime stories" - anecdotes about my childhood or my husband's or even about their grandparents. Those are fun, and just getting started with the telling often automatically brings back long-forgotten details. Of course, once they hear a particular story, they ask for it again and again! Sometimes it's a struggle ("Not that one! Can't I tell you a different one?"), but kids find great security in those repeated stories - and I've seen how they've become part of what they consider their own personal history, even if it's a story about a grandma. It's cool. :^)

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Kind of along the same lines as Tina's response, my children love hearing about the things they did as babies - when they learned to walk, talk, funny "tricks" they did that the others didn't do, etc... I don't necessarily how you could tie morals into those kinds of stories (unless there are obvious ones inherent in the story), but there is definitely value in sharing things about them that were special to you at those times in their lives. And there's value to the teller of these stories, too. Maybe it's just me, but I used to think that I would never forget ANYTHING about either of my precious babies, but 11 years and 4 kids later, I have to think really hard to remember which one even walked when!

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Yes, my kids also love to hear about their own "pre-memory" years...especially their birth stories. They've gotten to the point where they now say, "Oh, yes, I remember how hard your tummy squeezed to get me out!" or "I remember blinking at the bright light as soon as I came out," and they truly think they remember because we've told the stories so often. And, yes, it really does help me to remember what I don't want to forget, too.

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For Bible Stories, I made up a list of ones I wanted to cover, then each night I read over and prepare one for the next day. I find telling the stories works SO much better than reading them--I can do it over a meal and it really grabs their attention.
I have over the past few years built up a few folk tales that are easy to retell and we do those over and over (that's the beauty of told stories). You can tell the ones that were meant to be told like this--they have a lot of repetition to make it easy to do:
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
The Three Little Pigs
The Little Red Hen
The Old Woman and the Pig
Henny-Penny
(These mostly may not seem to have a great moral, but they really are a sort of life-lessons course in caution, courage, diligence, resourcefulness, and danger--very appropriate for 3-5 year olds who are just starting to encounter the big, scary world out there and need an imaginary vehicle to help them deal with and prepare for it. Then again, some of them are just for fun.)
I want to add in a few more historical/biographical stories--like William Tell and the Apple, etc. I try to introduce holidays this way (e.g. Thanksgiving, Lincoln's Birthday). I figure at this age the spirit of the story is more important than detailed historical accuracy. But I haven't done as much there as I would like.
Family stories are really good, too!
I used to be able to make up stories, but like you, my brain doesn't seem to work that way anymore. Too many other demands on it, I suppose.

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yes story telling is so much fun! the kids anticipation!!! the big eyes waiting for what happens next!
my dad is a fantastic story teller, so when the kids visit him they always ask for stories!! and even now that they are grown up they love to hear stories! and i still love to visit my dad and hear stories!

Thanks Benemakesten for choosing Shaping Little Souls!

2010-02-17T01:39:00.009-05:00

Thanks Benmakesten for this blog award! I am honored.

Check out these fab blogs I follow!
A Wise Woman Builds her home.
Filth Wizardry
Lessons for Ladies
Collecting the Moments
Resolved 2 Worship
Shanty2Chic
Satori Smiles
My Two Happy Homeschoolers
Mom Tried It
Little Hands, Big Work
One Tightwad Mama
Totally Tots
The Excellence of Wisdom
Forever Young
Walking By The Way

7 Things about myself.

1. My passion is to help mom's of young children bring peace and order to their home.
2. I am an artist. Medium is chalk pastels.
3. I am Canadian but live in the USA. (Socialized Medicine is a BAD idea!)
4. Before I had children I was an accountant for our church and also worked in a child care with infants.
5. I have a 4 year degree in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Business.
6. I LOVE to see my kids learning and soaking up life!
7. My dear mother has Alzheimer's disease (please lift her up in prayer for second now)

Arrows

2010-02-14T08:35:00.002-05:00

It is truly an amazing thing to be a parent. It may not always feel amazing, but it always is amazing. I’ve lately been looking into my family heritage and I’ve been touched by the things I’ve found. I’ve found Christians and pagans, rulers and slaves, individuals who changed the world and others who let the world change them. I’ve been struck by the variety and also the similarities. Probably few of those I have researched ever imagined that some quirky descendant hundreds of years after them would be reading their life story on Wikipedia! That’s one of those amazing things about having children: Legacy.

Truly the Psalmist said it aright when he penned that, “Sons are a heritage from the Lord” and they are “like arrows in the hands of a warrior.” After all, what exactly do arrows in the hands of a warrior do but go beyond that warrior? They shoot from the warrior’s position and accomplish what the warrior cannot from his location. They are more than knife or sword that stay with the warrior. They fly from the hands reaching places we cannot reach and perhaps never even imagined.

I don’t know about you, but that’s what I want for my children. I want to them to go beyond me, to accomplish more than I have, to experience more of all God has for them. But why is it that so many only seem to repeat history? I’m afraid a good amount of the responsibility could go to the warrior. After all, he was the one who was aiming and shooting. While children eventually have all the responsibility for what they chose to do in life, the warrior has some responsibilities while the arrow is still in his hands!

The Arrow. While we are not expecting to release perfect “arrows” or children, we need to be inspecting them and, to the best of our ability, be smoothing out the barbs and flaws we can see. Of course, we are not God and we are dependent on Him to do the heart-work in our children, but we are responsible to help our children in being prepared to fly — not only in the natural areas, but also the spiritual. We need to be the ones instructing our children in righteousness. We need to be seeking the Lord, listening for Him to tell us what He wants us to work on with our children. When my arrows fly off the bow, I want them to fly straight, not wavering because they were not smoothed well by me.

The Target. Where are our arrows flying to? Are we just releasing them without aiming them, hoping they will hit something … anything? We need to be training and encouraging our children in the direction they are headed. Again, this needs to be our focus not just in the natural, but also the spiritual. Does your child have a career aspiration you can help him/her develop? Does your child have a ministry calling you can help him/her launch? What are your child’s hopes for the future? What are his/her spiritual gifts? Your children will go far when they are released with purpose!

The Shot. When shooting a bow and arrow, we must have sure footing, careful aim, strength to go the distance and the skill to let go at the proper time. What is the foundation you are standing on as you shoot your arrows? When we have a foundation other than the Word of God, we will be shooting in vain. What is your aim? Speak words of life and hope over your children. Do you have the strength? When we are too busy and distracted to take aim and shoot with purpose and strength, I’m not sure we can expect to hit the target or even send the arrow flying. Are you ready to release? Releasing either too soon or too late will negatively affect your arrow’s flight. Release too soon and it won’t fly far. Release too late and it will drop at your feet.

Yes, being a parent is amazing. So much hangs on what we do. There is so much purpose and calling locked up in each child and the Lord calls upon us to help release it! I want my children to be instruments of change in the world. That’s what legacy is all about. So fly, my arrows, FLY!

SCRIPTURE:

“For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just.” Genesis 18:19

Post by Ami Loper under Parenting/Society, Spiritual Life
Growing Kids

Why we chose Parent-directed Parenting

2010-02-12T09:37:00.004-05:00

This is an actual email someone sent to me. The child she is refering to is 5 years old. This has been going on for that long. Remember the days of caring for a newborn? How about letting that kind of sleep (or lack thereof) go on for 5+ years!

This is a good reminder of WHY mom and dad make the decisions and NOT the children (as hard as even that can be sometimes).

I was basically up ALL night. After my last note to you, I went out to tidy in the living room, thinking I would have time to do some things. I was alone for about 10 min and then out comes L. She was cold, lost her teddy bear, etc. We are trying to keep her from coming into our bed at least until after 6am. So, I got her things fixed up and laid with her to warm her up. I was wide awake anyway, so I just laid there and prayed about things. That was from 1:15-1:50. I decided to go into my bed and out she came at 2:30. She had to use the bathroom. I went back in with her until 3:30, hoping she would get into a better sleep. I fell asleep there and was resigned to spend the night sleeping there. Then the dog had to go outside and was full-body banging between L's door and our door where D was sleeping. He couldn't hear it, so up I got again! It was almost 4 by then. I finally fell into bed then and slept until nearly 6:45 when L came in for the last time. We get up at 7:20 for school! O what a night!!!!! So, I am hoping to sleep from now until 10:40. L's home at 11.
Anyway, crazy, crazy night!!!!

Loving Daughters

2010-02-11T07:35:00.003-05:00

The Bible tells us this about daughters in Psalm 144:12-13, “That our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace: that our garners may be full.”

As corner-stones, polished after the similitude of palace, God desires that our daughters grow up to become strong and beautiful ~ and adorned with all the ornaments belonging to their sex. What are the “ornaments” that the Bible teaches belong to the female sex? Titus 2:4-5 describes them as: soberness, love for family, discretion, purity, excellent housekeeping, goodness, and submission to authority.

That’s a tall order, isn’t it? And the reason that it is so important that our daughters be taught and trained in these areas is because (as the Treasury of David so wisely puts it), “Daughters unite families as corner stones join walls together, and at the same time, they adorn them as polished stones garnishing the structure into which they are builded.”

Daughters are an important part of every family, and it is our duty to teach them how to be a blessing to our families now so that they will understand how to be a blessing to the family they will marry into later on.

Matthew Henry writes, “That our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace or temple. By daughters families are united and connected to their mutual strength, as the parts of a building are by the cornerstones; and when they are graceful and beautiful both in body and mind, they are then polished after the similitude of a nice and curious structure. When we see our daughters well established, and stayed with wisdom and discretion, as cornerstones are fastened in the building; when we see them by faith united to Christ, as the chief cornerstone, adorned with the graces of God's Spirit, which are the polishing of that which is naturally rough, and "become women professing godliness"; when we see them purified and consecrated to God as living temples, we think ourselves happy in them.”

So, how are we to go about accomplishing so great a task?

First of all, we must remember that daughters have a great need for love and security.

1. Daughters need to be treated with kindness.

2. Daughters feel loved when we are patient with them.

3. A critical spirit is a destructive thing to a daughter’s spirit ~ it causes her to feel insecure about who she is and what she is able to do.

4. Comparison also causes daughters to feel insecure about themselves. Daughters are in desperate need of acceptance in order to become the polished corner stone of the family that God desires them to be.

5. It’s a mothers job to identify the special needs that her daughter has and help her to overcome or practically accommodate them.

6. Mothers must be careful not attribute motives, nor take offense, lose patience, or take the ridiculous things that daughters do too personally.

7. Mothers must remember that daughters need to be raised in a happy, loving home in order to feel totally secure. No amount of love, compliments or kindness will make up for the fear that is brought into a daughter’s heart by marital strife or divorce.

Secondly, daughters need to be taught to control their emotions.

1. Whining, gossiping and complaining should not be tolerated. Make every effort to train your daughter to be sensible by teaching her how to be thankful, patient and kind as she deals with her every day issues of life.

2. Emotions must be taught to follow and not allowed to lead. The best teacher is example. Make it your goal to be a good example of this so that your daughter can “see” how this is done.

3. Daughters must be taught that they may not use their “hormones” as an excuse for sin!

4. Teach your daughter how to manage her tears. There is a time for tears ~ when they are hurt, when someone they know or see is seriously injured or dies. But crying is not something that should continue on and on ~ they should be short and brief. Even in the case of death of a loved one: there is a time to cry, and there is a time to cease from crying.

5. The same goes for silliness. Giggling and acting giddy is fine at times, but too much of it makes a girl ridiculous.

Thirdly, daughters must be raised to embrace their femininity.

1. Daughters should be taught to be home-centered. They should be encouraged to love working with their hands ~ both in housework and handiwork.

2. Daughters should be encouraged to wear dresses, fix their hair and want to look pretty.

a. However, we must be diligent to encourage them to be MODEST and pretty. The female body is a beautiful creation of God and modesty teaches them that it is a precious thing that must be saved for their future husband (and not the whole world) to enjoy.

b. We also must be careful not to raise our daughters to be too prissy or “primadonas” who only a mother and father is able to tolerate and love :).

3. Daughters must be encouraged to play with toys that will encourage her to home-centered and not bedroom-centered. (Baby dolls rather than Barbie dolls)

4. Daughters must be taught and trained how to respond to the men around them.

a. Daughters have a God given need for male attention. Teach them when they are little how to love and serve Dad, so that Dad will enjoy being around them.

b. Teach your daughter how to respect her Dad and brothers. This is will prepare her to enjoy good success when she is married to her own man later on.

Mothers are the role models for their daughters, and it is important that we realize that we are teaching our daughters every day by the way we live. As Christian mothers, it is vital that we commit ourselves to living as the godly women that we would want our daughters to grow up to become. This is a tall order, but one which is certainly possible as we grow in the grace and knowledge of our loving God.

Another great article by Mrs. Julie Fink @ Lessons for Ladies

Visit her blog and be blessed by her Bible Studies!

Respecting Sons

2010-02-02T22:49:00.004-05:00

I found the most beautiful blog! The writer is full of wisdom and love for our Lord Jesus Christ!

One of her recent posts is called Respecting Sons. In detail explains what we mom's can do TODAY to build sons who will grow to be confident men who lead as the Lord has designed them.

This blog is so full of great wisdom! Check it out!

Don't Forget to Say Thank You

2009-12-22T08:19:00.003-05:00

The following article is from a parenting program called Parenting is Heart Work. They send out emails with parenting tips. This was in my mailbox this morning. Thought I'd share.

Gratefulness is an important life quality because it helps us to be thankful for what we have instead of complaining about what we don't have. Gratefulness is a lifestyle but it starts by saying "Thank you" to others who bless us.

Begin now to prepare your children for receiving gifts. Talk about the importance of the giver, not just the gift. Teach children to look at the nametag first so they can be thinking of the person who gave the gift while they open it. Encourage children to express thanks to the giver, even if that person is not in the room at the time. A phone call to extended family or a thank you note to a distant friend can mean a lot.

Gift receiving sometimes provides that awkward moment when we want to ask, "What is this?" or discover that we already have one of these. Play a "What if" game with children to help them anticipate how they might say thank you in those times.

Opening gifts can happen fast and then children are off playing with new toys and games. Helping them to take time to express gratefulness can extend the true meaning of Christmas past the few hours of Christmas Day. And don't forget to take time to thank the Lord for his special gift in Jesus Christ for us.

We have done this in our home. We also practice around birthdays too. I have even had my children play a little game where I wrap up toys from around the house and give one to each child. They get to 'give' one to a sibling and we practice etiquette in gift opening. I want to also implement the rule that we don't play with or use the gift until a thank you note has been sent in the mail.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-18T17:04:00.003-05:00

I enjoyed this so much I just had to share it with me wonderful followers!

First Time Obedience Training

2009-12-17T02:02:00.004-05:00

Sounds too good to be true doesn't it? FIRST time obedience? Sign me (my kids) up!

We start this process in our home when the kids are around 15 months old but there is never a time when it is too late to start, it may just sound a little different at various ages.
This is how it works. You want to train your children to come to you every time you call their name. Not only that, you want to hear them respond with "Yes Mom, I am coming." Or something like it. My husband and I prefer, "Here I come mom," or, "Okay mom, I am coming." So, say 3 year old Joey is in his room playing and I call, "Joey" from down the stairs. Joey should be trained to respond quickly with words and action.... "Yes mom! (verbal acknowledgement of your call), I am coming (physical acknowledgment)." Once the child has come to you, you can speak to them rather than yelling up the stairs to say what you wanted to say. Then once you give your instruction (ex. It is time to pick up your sister from dance class, I want you put your socks and shoes on now), you can then wait for a verbal agreement (okay mom).

Side note: Results in successful follow through to a command is 95% higher if the instruction was given in a speaking tone and done face to face verses yelling from a distance.

You are looking to have them come to the call of their name 100 % of the time. This will take time and training but it is possible. Because of our natural sin nature you may want to bump that percentage down to 98% but aim high sin is no excuse. Once you have this established you will need to continue working on it. Just like anything we teach our kids, they need constant reminders and refreshers. The magic in this little game is it spills over into all other interactions all day long. The key is you get eye to eye contact and a verbal acknowledgement and in the end a verbal agreement. In Bible times verbal agreements are heavy and sincere commitments. We are looking to have our children obey and follow through.

As you are training them make a game out of it. Tell them, we are going to play a game to practice coming when I call your name. I want you to go over there (or into the next room - somewhere where they will hear you call) and I will call your name. When you hear me I want to you say "Yes mom, I am coming!" and then come running to me. When they do this (if they are 2 -5 years old) all they need is a great verbal reward for playing the game. My kids love it. I try to use different tones and sing songy sounds each time I call them. They come running and I give them a hug or a high five. Then when I call them and it is not the 'game' they seem happy to do it!

If you are training a very young one who can't verbalize yet. What you do is say their name from across the room and then go to the child take them by the hand and lead them back to where you were when you called them. And say, 'say, coming." or "okay."

Sometimes I will call them throughout the day just to see if they do it. When they get to me, I tell them, "I just wanted to tickle your belly." They eat it up!

Now, what do you do if they don't come or say okay mom. Well, if you really want to see first time obedience, you will need to decide on a consequence. For us, since they are all 3 and under I tell them, "Opps! That's not what you are suppose to say. Let's try that again." And they usually choose a better way the second time. If there is absolute defiance, I will have them sit on the couch quietly and when I decide, I will call them to me. Their response at this point will tell me if they are ready to move on.

It is fascinating to me that this one thing spills over into all other instruction you give. Eventually they will not only say okay to coming but they will say okay to the instruction you give once they get to you. And if they don't simply tell them how they should respond. This is training. We parents need not feel bad for putting words in their mouths. We are training their actions, words, thought patterns and attitudes.
When they are young tell them how to think, and what to think, what to say and how to say it. They need us! Now go train and have fun doing it!

Invisible Woman

2009-12-08T15:18:00.004-05:00

Here is an encouraging word for you! This video was sent to me at the perfect time! I was at home trying to be the authority figure in a home of an almost 4 year old, a 2 year old and a 3 week old! Believe it or not, my 3 week old regularly ties me to the couch (nursing) while my 2 year old strips herself to her cute cubby bare naked bum while my 3 year old decides he wants to be a super hero and fly from his bed to the other side of the room. When dad comes home at 6:30pm, I am ready to play hide and seek in a place that NO ONE will find me!

What I am learning during this time is that this is a test of how well they obey when I speak and not physically lead them to obey. Needless to say, first time obedience training will be revisited in our home!

Whatever your situation at home or in your own skin, I pray you are encouraged by this insightful and encourageing video.

More creative fun!

2009-11-04T01:28:00.005-05:00

A couple of days ago while waisting more time reading blogs.... I came across
a creation that was not so much of a waist of time. It was unique but simple and oh so much fun!

Have a look at this newspaper hut! We did this right away and it really was much simpler than it looks. Please note I did this with my 3.5 year old and my 2 year old and I am minutes away from delivering #3! It is just that easy and fun!

I'd love to hear from you if you decide to try it! I will definitely be doing this again.

Note: I gave my kids fair warning that this structure will break eventually and not to be disappointed when it does for we will be building another one soon!

Wondering if you should have more children?

2009-10-09T14:19:00.003-04:00

This is and eye opener! It also has shown me that whether I have more children or not is not a matter of my ideas but God's! Let's look at HIS will and HIS plan. How do WE fit into that? Your every decision does matter!

Please make time to watch this SHOCKING VIDEO - "Muslim Demographics"

"Muslim Demographics" Video -(8 mins) - very worthwhile to watch.
Here is the link below-

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2009-10-06T05:05:00.003-04:00

My twin sister is single and sometimes sad about that. One of her recent blog posts says.....

"Some days I would like to come home to somebody.

Somedays."

To which I respond.....

Some days I'd like to come home to nobody.

Some days.

Every day I would like to go to the bathroom without someone looking to see if I did a pee pee.

Most days I'd like to take a shower and be able to shave both legs on the same day without feeling guilty that I am taking too long.

Most days I would like to talk on the phone without being covered in stickers and not even realizing it.

There are hang ups to both.

Thank God..... we are never alone because we have HIM!

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5

Learning in the Car

2009-10-03T04:58:00.004-04:00

Time in our cars with the kids can be times of invaluable conversation and getting to know what is going on in the mind of your child.

I get a weekly email from Life With Your Kids and I really liked this weeks ideas so I thought I'd share them with you.
The article is below but be sure to explore this mom's wonderful blog and site. She is rich with wisdom in how to raise godly children.

Learning in the Car
Even when we try and reduce our busyness and stay at home more we still find ourselves in the car often. This time can be wasted time or it can be used to our fullest advantage.
We have this opportunity with our children every day that we get in the car and yet our eyes are so often on the destination, on the chores that we need to accomplish that we miss the relationship building opportunities, we miss the discipleship moments.
Over the years we have used travelling time, be it a short 15minute run to town or an hours drive to visit friend, or a day’s travelling as we drive to the city, we have used this time to train our children and to build memories.
Training
When Nomi was a baby we would spend whole days in town. We had preschool for Josh, Nomi had doctor appointments and we would wrap up the day by going to the pool (crazy idea but that is what I would do regularly!!) By the time we bundled into the car to head home the kids would be far beyond. They would be snarky with each other, they would be grumpy. Often we drove home with the two kids (4yo and 3yo) with their hands over their mouths (this was to remind them if they couldn’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all) or they would be sitting on their hands (which was to remind them that their hands were to be used for blessing others not hurting!) These were physical reminders that gave them practice in the things that they needed to learn.
Another situation we often enforce (even now with older children) is complete silence as we drive home. This is like Room Time, or rest time. We get so overwhelmed (or hyped up) or we become so tired while we are out and about that sometimes we just need time to ourselves. The car is as good a room as any. If we were home, they would be in their bedrooms, so we just use the car as a room. This also works when we are out and about and they need to ‘find’ their self control. They go to the car – it offers privacy and space to do some thinking.
There is so much we can do in the area of training our children while we travel – we can question our children to see what they know and understand, we can tell stories that have a lesson to learn, we can paint scenarios for them to consider, we can practice the things we are learning.

Education
Driving in the car also gives us opportunity to continue our children’s education – to engage their brains.
We listen to stories or seminars on CD or someone reads aloud
We play language, math or general knowledge games

We have discussions
One of our favourite things to do is to see pictures in the clouds. We only have clouds in the sky for the ‘wet season’ which is on its way now so we are back again enjoying this activity together.
I like to ask one child to talk about something he is reading. Though it is a good time for me to catch up with his thinking it is also good for all the children to listen and ask questions. It is an opportunity to be together as a family, and show interest in each other’s interests and learning.
If we are heading into town to do town chores then it is a good opportunity to talk to the children about that aspect of life. We may talk about banking, the building industry, services versus providers, the fireman, the postman, the baker. The children need to understand how all these things fit together, how Daddy’s money fits into the picture, how technology has made our life easier (harder?). They need to be aware of the decisions processes that go on in our head, how we compare one company to another, how we organise our way around town, how we prioritise things. As we discuss what is going on in our head, it opens up all sorts of conversations with our children.
Our children always, always, take a book with them when we go anywhere. This has been helpful for the times I get caught up either in a shop, or with someone I meet in the street. The children can use their time wisely by reading.

Memories
We live in a remote part of Australia and driving long distance is a part of normal life. We have learnt that the drive is as much a part of our holiday (or day out) as the destination. This means we consider each other’s needs during the day instead of the attitude that we grin and bear the drive and enjoy life when we get there.
When we head out of town, driving to Darwin for our holidays, we always play a particular CD. We play one CD leaving town, and then just down the track we play another CD. Always! This is tradition! We reverse the order of these two CD’s on our return trip. Music plays a big part in us enjoying our travel.
One of the things that we do, is encourage photography so if someone sees a great shot then we stop. I always tell the story that my Grandma used to say “Oh, that would have made a lovely picture” 10 minutes after we had passed by. It drove my dad nuts! So we have decided to say it then and there and the driver, if possible, will stop.

Relationship Building
We can take this opportunity, of being in a car together, to get to know each other just like Peter and I did way back when we were engaged.
We can talk to the children about the things that are precious on our heart, our beliefs, our dreams, our hopes
We can invite our children to share the things that are on their heart
We can take a moment to address heart issues (this is best done one on one)
We can teach about God – either drawing from the things we drive past or from something on our heart
We can tell stories of our past, building their heritage
Talking and shared experiences are the building blocks in getting to know people. We need to get to know our children, and our children need to get to know us.

Driving in the car may simply be a necessity in your life but I encourage you to start seeing it as a tool you can use to reach your discipleship goals in your family. Take a moment this weekend to think through the driving opportunities in your family and how you can use them train, educate, build memories and strengthen relationships.

My BIGGEST Pet Peve - as a mom

2009-09-21T14:51:00.004-04:00

Okay, this isn't funny! I am looking for ANY solution and I am hoping my readers can help.

Are you ready to hear my absolute biggest eerk of all of parenthood thus far!

Nap time horror story. It is when you put your toddler to bed and she falls asleep beautifully. Then after a couple of story books, the preschool goes to bed. He talks, sings, claps, and then calls out persistently, "mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy....." and on he goes until mommy comes in and it isn't the mommy he was hoping to see. He gets the hint and quickly falls asleep. Seconds later, his toddler sister (who has been sleeping for 20 minutes) is shrieking in tears because she was prematurely woken up!

Some may say, just go in and tell her to go back to sleep. Okay, not this child. She WILL NOT! She is up and she will stay up. By 4 o'clock she will have turned into a pumpkin!

What is a mom to do? Wake the sleeping child to hear his sisters cries?
I am stumped. Can you offer any wisdom? Other that call the babysitter quick and get out of the house?

Watch your: Thoughts, Words, Actions, Habits, Character

2009-09-16T13:59:00.003-04:00

This would be a great tool for our children (and parents to memorize)
You could have a leader say the first half of the phrase and everyone else
completes the phrase.
I love teaching my children great sayings to live by. I also love seeing them live it out! How happy our Father in heaven is when we do the same!

Watch your thoughts, for they become your words.
Watch your words, for they become your actions.
Watch your actions, for they become your habits.
Watch your habits, for they become your character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

A Fun Noodle Treat!

2009-09-11T15:55:00.003-04:00

Just a few thoughts...

2009-08-29T20:04:00.004-04:00

My children are ages 4 and 2 and one on the way. I was thinking today...
'I am having so much fun with them at this age, I don't want this to end.'

Then there are days when I long for them to help with chores and be responsible enough to play in the back yard without me and buckle their own seat belt and put on their own shoes... the list goes on.

I once heard a very true statement that says it all.

"When the children are young, the days are long but the years are short."

How did you hear about Shaping Little Souls?

2009-08-22T14:59:00.003-04:00

I would love to hear from my followers about:
How you heard about my blog
What is it that draws you to read my blog
What topics would you like to see more of with regard to parenting and child training?

What Every Child Should Know Along the Way

2009-08-06T15:37:00.007-04:00

This book is a great resource for calling greater responsibility to our children. It has been a great guideline for what young ones are capable of doing and at what ages.
I honestly believe that today's adults (35 ish and younger) are really very immature compared to the 12- 35 year old's of the past. Our society's morals and values are crumbling underneath us for a few reasons - some of which I believe begins in the home. WE EXPECT TOO LITTLE RESPONSIBILITY FROM OUR CHILDREN.

I am reminded of pioneer children and the heavy chores and expectations were put on them. Yes it was hard. But they were also able to begin their own trade and families in their early teen years! Today we have people that are in their late 30 who are playing games that youngsters play. When do adults today really grow up?

I want my children to enjoy life but I also want them to learn the value of maturing and becoming a strong confident adult.

What Every Child Should Know Along the Way by Gail Martian can help set the path for successful adults!

Teaching Our Children How to Apologize

2009-08-04T21:56:00.003-04:00

Food for thought.
We adults can learn from this little lesson as we teach our children how to be sincere in our mistakes and offences against others.

Here are some points that can help us resolve conflict in a godly manner.

1) Express sincere regret by saying, "I am sorry."
2) Accept responsibility by saying, "I was wrong."
3) Making restitution by saying, "What can I do to make it right?"
4) Genuinely repenting by saying, "I don't want to hurt you like this again" and making a plan so it doesn't.
5) Requesting forgiveness, "Will you forgive me?"

Other thoughts...
How do I apologize to others? Is that how I would receive apologies?
What is missing from apology?
What hurts me most about the situation?
It is important to apologize to the person and to God otherwise it is incomplete.

Defying the odds???

2009-08-04T19:35:00.003-04:00

Mom needs to brag a moment. Bear with me.

My 22 month old is potty training! I am in shock!

Her brother who is 3.5 years old is also practicing using the toilet... for the last year!

This is what is so shocking, If you know anything about toilet training there are a few DON'Ts.

1) never train when a child is sick

2) never train when you are in the midst of a big transition : moving or new baby coming.

3) never compare your children

Well, the little girl has had a fever for 2 days and still tells me when she has to go, and

we are moving in two weeks, and we will be having another baby in about 3 months!

Let's hope she really is defying the odds!

Thanks for listening to my moment of joy. After all it does have to do with 'child training.'

Why Haven't I blogged in soooo long?

2009-08-03T22:40:00.003-04:00

I have so many things I want to share with you on my blog! I am so anxious to pass it along but.... I have been struggling along in how to present it!

I am fairly new to blogging and don't know how to do all the neat tricks. I have spent hours doing google searches and clicking the 'help' button at the top of most screens. I still haven't gotten very far.

If any of you know where or how I can learn to do any of the following please educate me! I want to learn to....

1) add documents from my computer to my blog so that you can view them and download them
2) how to add in a highlighted word so when you click on it, it will direct you right to it.
3) add cute fonts to my blog

How do all the other blogger moms learn all this cool stuff without neglecting the family? I would love to take a class but don't even know where to do that!

Little Life Lessons - Peacemaker

2009-07-15T07:19:00.005-04:00

I made this little book for my son to teach him what it means to be a peacemaker. He loved it!

Now throughout the day when I see him giving up something for his sister or for talking through a conflict, I tell him, "That's wonderful that you did that! You are a peacemaker."

We read this book during reading time before bed or naptime. Let me know how it affects your family. I love to hear. Also let me know if there is anything you think I should change in it.

I have more books that teach godly character on the way!

Be a Peacemaker Instead of a Troublemaker

A Special Father's Day Gift (Homemade)

2009-06-21T22:30:00.002-04:00

You have to do this when they are young. Other wise it may be poster size!

Do your kids closets suffer from closet chaos?

2009-06-08T02:54:00.005-04:00

Here is a tip that has helped my sanity and has also helped bring order to my children's closets.

Find two gift bags that you have stashed away in your gift wraping box (we save them and recycle them when we give gifts).

Bag number one will be used for the clothes that no longer fit your child. At a later time you can store those 'too small' clothes in the appropriate long term storage bin in the basement.

Bag number two will be for the clothes that you know you do not want to keep. We get lots of hand-me-downs from my sister and sometimes you don't know if it is a keeper until you try it on. I put items in this bag that just don't seem to sit right, items that seem uncomfortable or items that may be stained or just is not your style. At a later time, you can take that bag to the basement and toss it in your Good Will box or Garage Sale box.

How to hang it.... use one hanger on each handle of the bag and hang in the closet so the bag stays open all the time for quick and easy deposits!

This little trick has worked wonders for my peace of mind. Now we have no loose items lingering and it minimizes the clutter in the closet.

No Grabbing, try asking.

2009-06-04T14:31:00.005-04:00

At our house, we have a "no grabbing" rule. I works very well 98% of the time. It has even worked surprisingly well in public (with children we don't know from the library or the park).

This is our protocol.
Child 'A' has something that child 'B' wants or was playing with.
Child 'B': May I have that? (while holding their hand out to recieve)
Child 'A': OFTEN gives it up.

if they don't want to ...
Child 'A' is encouraged to respond: You may have it when I am finished with it.
Child 'B': Thank you.

As mom and mediator, I make sure the child 'B' actually gets their turn. Rarely do I have to make child 'A' give it up. For some strange reason, my kids willingly give up that item when the other asks for it. If grabbing is involved the answer is a hearty 'no' with crying and pulling.

This routine seems to work well of us. It has surprised other moms while at the library and park too. If a child we don't know wants something from my child I simply tell them. "At our house, if you would like something someone else has you just say, "May I have that." Try it. Ask him and see what he says." They do and they get it!

I would love to hear if this works for your kids too!
By the way my 3 year old and my 20 month old are doing this! So try not to limit those little guys! These ages are probably the best time to train. Start positive habits now! It also teaches delay of gratification. They will need to wait for the answer and they will need to possibly wait for their turn.

For the Birds

2009-06-01T09:20:00.004-04:00

In the summer we (I) am always looking for something to keep the kids busy in the backyard. We did this last year and
are really enjoying doing it again this year.

We feed the birds! I have a little bird feeder and a jar of bird seed. I saved little scoops from formula cans and OXY clean and they use
those to scoop bird seeds to fill the feeder. They LOVE it! They also love watching the birds come feed. The nice thing is that it is a continual
activity. We usually do it once a week.

NOTE: You can't freak out when bird seed spills all over the grass. Just know it is not being waisted. The birds (or chipmunks) will still get it!

Another fun thing we will do is plant some of those bird seeds and see what actually grows. What is it they put in that bird seed mix? We will soon find
out!

Teaching Manners and Etiquette to your children

2009-05-25T13:34:00.004-04:00

I have a plan to make our own booklets of specific things I want my children to know. Reading at story time will allow us to read about it and talk about it. Making the book together may be fun too!

Be watching for future booklet ideas.
This one is HOUSE RULES

Etiquette for
Little Ones at Home

*Say “Good-morning” and “Good-night” to everyone in the house.
*Greet our guests at the door with a smile and “hello!”
*Say “Good-bye” to our guests and help them out the door.
*Remember your manners: “please” and “thank-you”.
*Stay seated at the table until you are excused.
*If an adult drops something, pick it up quickly!
*Protect children - especially babies - who are younger than you.
*When you are eating a snack, offer some to the people near you.
*When people speak to you, look in their eyes and respond kindly.
*When daddy or mommy asks you to do something, say, “Yes,
dad!” or “Yes, mom!” and do it right away.

Feel free to copy or add your own ideas. I know the 'rules' can be endless but it is nice to have some that you don't usually talk about in paper for review. Most of all, have fun as you train your child(ren)!

Empty Shirts

2009-05-21T16:35:00.005-04:00

My husband's co-worker was tradgically killed yesturday while repairing a machine where they work. I can't help but think of the wife that got a knock on the door last night to recieve the horrible news that her husband will not be coming home.

As I lay in my bed and see my husbands shirts hanging in our bedroom, I think that her husband's shirts will never be filled by him again. Sorry if that sounds morbid but that is where my mind goes when I hear of tragedy.

I remember when my husband and I were still dating. I would quietly complain to myself in a loud voice about how annoying it was when I got into my car after he had driven it I had to re-adjust everything that was adjustable. The seat back, the seat bottom, the adjustable foot peddles, the hight of the seatbelt over the shoulder, the stearing wheel, and all three mirrors!

Then one sad day, our relationship had been severed and I didn't have to be bothered by all of that adjusting. When the joyous day came when we were together again, all of that adjusting was a gentle and comforting reminder that he was still here...with me.

I also need these same reminders when I am constantly picking up toys, when I have a 19 month old wedging her way between me and sink of dirty dishes, when I have 5 projects started and none finished, and when I am lucky enough to shave both legs on the same day. You get my point.

Being a mom takes sacrifice, lots of patience and a good sense of humor. I am grateful to God that my calendar is full, my days are full and my heart is full.

Yes, these days with little ones are long but the years are short. Savor every God given moment you have with those you love!

Sad Instead of Mad

2009-05-20T19:23:00.001-04:00

I know I am guilty of being Mad instead of Sad. How about you?

Often parents have a inadequate repertoire of discipline techniques so they do what comes naturally—they use anger as a consequence. Anger becomes the punishment that children learn to fear and the result is distance in relationships. Parents want to express disapproval for misbehavior and anger becomes the vehicle for showing it.

Imagine this scenario: You're making dinner and your six-year-old daughter, Amy, comes into the room complaining that she’s hungry. You tell her that you're making dinner and that she needs to wait. She persists and complains that she hasn't eaten all day. You remind her that she had a snack a few hours ago and then encourage her to leave the room.
Instead of leaving, she begins to whine, "I’m starving." Finally you sigh and offer her a banana or an apple. "I don’t like bananas! I don’t want an apple!" Okay, you give in. You offer her some milk and a cookie. Amy is so excited she jumps up…and knocks over the milk! You’ve had it! That was the last straw. Now you're really angry and yell, "What's the matter with you? Now look what you've done!!"

Think a minute. What caused you to lose control? Was it the spilled milk, or was it the fifteen minutes of whining and complaining? If we wait until we become angry to discipline, then we end up responding like a time bomb. Our children can never be sure when we’ll explode.

In this situation, Mom needed to take action earlier. "Amy, it makes me sad that you keep asking after I said 'No.' You need to go to your room until I call you for dinner."

In honor-based parenting, anger and its accompanying distance are not appropriate consequences. Instead, parents learn to reflect sorrow. Some parents may feel like hypocrites because they don't feel sad, they feel mad. But it doesn't take long for a parent to recognize that the sorrow is there. It's just masked by the anger. If you peel away the anger you will genuinely feel sad that your child is acting out or choosing to disobey. You see that their misbehavior will lead to an unhappy and unsuccessful life. Reflecting sadness is much more beneficial to the child and to the relationship.

Try it; you may be surprised. Children often open up in response to sadness and you may end up with a productive conversation. Sadness opens relationships; anger shuts them down. It may take some practice, and self control, but your relationships with your kids will benefit in the end.

This tip comes from the book, Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, In You and Your Kids by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.

Bed Time Battles

2009-05-20T16:02:00.005-04:00

How many of us have fallen into the trap of interacting with our kids 10 times (or more) after they have been tucked in for the night (or at nap time for that matter)?

I was desparate to STOP the manipulation. But how? I had taken privalages away, I had threatened that if this continued the culpret would stay in his bed for 15 minutes after he awoke. I'b tried a swift pat to the buttocks, and even time out (which only prolonged the bedtime process). I even thought to cut out the special reading time before bed but thought cutting out books is not a good idea. I want to promote reading and look for more opportunites not less.

The Solution!
After talking to my friend who has three children and has played this game clued me in. Here it is.... it worked!
When the comotion begins, quietly go into the room, remove the child's blankets, pillow and favorite cuddly, kindly say, When you are ready to be quiet and go to sleep, I will bring these back. And leave the room.

The first time I did this I think he was in shock. He knew his games weren't going to work this time. He did cry but the first time he was quiet for a minute or so I returned the comfy materials. Every time since then, he as been silent and the process is much shorter lived. Whew!

This worked for me. If you find opportunity, try it. It may just work for you too!

Fond Memories of Childhood

2009-02-06T09:13:00.004-05:00

Close your eyes...And go back.

...Before the Internet or PC or the MAC......
....Before semi-automatics and crack....
....Before Playstation, SEGA, Super Nintendo, even before Atari...
....Before cell phones, CD's, DVD's, voicemail and e-mail....
....Go way back......way.....way.....way back.....
Go back.
I'm talkin' bout hide and seek at dusk
Red light, Green light
Red Rover....Red Rover.....
Playing kickball & dodgeball until the first
...no...second... no...third street light came on
Ring around the Rosie
London Bridge
Hot potato
Hop Scotch
Jump rope
YOU'RE IT!!
Parents stood on the front porch and yelled (or whistled) for you
to come home - no pagers or cell phones
Take One Giant Step..... May I?
Seeing shapes in the clouds.
Endless summer days and hot summer nights (no A/C) with the windows open.
The sound of crickets.
Running through the sprinkler.
Cereal boxes with that GREAT prize in the bottom.
Cracker jacks with the same thing.
Ice pops with 2 sticks you could break and share with a friend.
.but wait.……
..there's more...

Watchin' Saturday Morning cartoons Tom and Jerry, serial adventures,
Captain Midnight, Cisco Kid, The Lone Ranger, Boston Blackie.
Catchin' lightning bugs in a jar
Christmas morning.
Your first day of school.
Bedtime Prayers and Goodnight Kisses.
Climbing trees.
Swinging as high as you could in those long swings to try and reach the sky.
A million mosquito bites and sticky fingers.
Jumpin' down the steps.
Jumpin' on the bed.
Pillow fights.
Runnin' home from the western movie you just saw 'til you were out of breath.
Laughing so hard that your stomach hurt.
Being tired from PLAYING.

WORK: meant taking out the garbage, cutting the grass, washing the car, or doing the dishes.

Your first crush.
Your first kiss (I mean the one that you kept your mouth CLOSED and your eyes OPEN)

Rainy days at school and the smell of damp concrete and chalk erasers

Oh, I'm not finished yet....

Kool-Aid was the drink of the summer.
So was a swig from the hose.
Giving your friends a ride on your handlebars of your bike.
Attaching pieces of cardboard to your bike frame to rub against your spokes.
Wearing your new shoes on the first day of school.
Class Field Trips with soggy sandwiches.
When nearly everyone's mom was at home when the kids got there from school.
When a quarter seemed like a fair allowance, and another quarter a MIRACLE

When ANY parent could discipline ANY kid, or feed him, or use him to carry Groceries... And nobody, not even the kid, thought a thing of it.

When your parents took you to the cafeteria and it was a real treat.

When being sent to the principal's office was nothing compared to the fate that awaited you at home.

Basically, we were in fear for our lives but it wasn't because of drive by shootings, drugs, gangs, etc. We simply did not want our parents to get mad at us.

Didn't that feel good? Just to go back and say, "Yeah, I
remember that!" Well, let's keep going!!

Let's go back to the time when...
Decisions were made by going "eeny-meeny-miney-mo"

Mistakes were corrected by simply exclaiming, "do over!"

"Race issues" meant arguing about who ran the fastest.

Catching fireflies could happily occupy an entire evening.

It wasn't odd to have two or three "best" friends.

The worst thing you could catch from the opposite sex was cooties.

Nobody was prettier than Mom.

Scrapes and bruises were kissed by mom and made better.

Getting a foot of snow was a dream come true.

Abilities were discovered because of a "double-dog-dare"

Spinning around, getting dizzy and falling down was cause for giggles.

The worst embarrassment was being picked last for a team.

Water balloons were the ultimate, ultimate weapon.

If you can remember most or all of these, then you have lived during a more pleasant simpler time !

I wonder how many of you that I have sent this to remember all of these things. I know some of you are my vintage.

Those of you who remember will have lived in an era that no one else will ever experience. The era has passed and slowly those of us who lived it are passing also. If you do not remember, then ask your parents, grand parents or great grand parents. We went from am radio to the stars. Your era is here, be part of it. Make it worthwhile for future generations to build on. Keep God in your lives.

We did.

Practice Opening our Ears to Hear What Comes Out of our Mouths (and heart)

2009-01-22T09:26:00.008-05:00

A Game to Raise the Awareness Level

Here’s an interesting and enjoyable game that can be played over several hours or a few days. You may choose to play this game on a car trip or when hanging out at home together on a Saturday afternoon. The game is the "Whoops" and "Ahhh" Game. Playing it can be a lot of fun and it helps you recognize common forms of speech that aren’t very honoring. Choose a few hours when you'll all be together interacting.

Announce the beginning of the game and explain how it's played. "We'll look for five types of dishonoring speech: arguing, boasting, whining/complaining, talking too much, and being bossy. Anyone who hears dishonoring speech from children or adults says 'Whoops!' Everyone then tries to guess which type of dishonoring speech they heard. The family then works together to offer honoring suggestions."

When Bill says, "Aren't we there yet," in that whiny voice, his sister, Karen might say "Whoops!" You can identify that as whining and suggest that Bill ask his question in a more honoring way.

At the same time everyone is on the lookout for honoring speech that includes praise, gratefulness, compliments, and affirmation. If Karen says, "Thanks Dad, for taking us on this trip." Dad can say, "Ahhh."

To keep it fun, you might occasionally say something dishonoring on purpose to earn a "Whoops!" You might say, "I sure am a good driver." This will earn you a "Whoops!" for boasting followed by an interesting discussion of your alternatives.

Be sure to set an end time to the game. Although the evaluation can be helpful for a time, too much analysis can get irritating and loses its fun.

By the way, if you try this game, let us know how it went. We enjoy the responses from these tips and like to hear what things work best.

For more ideas on teaching honor in your family, you’ll want to consider the book, Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, In You and Your Kids by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller RN, BSN.

If you'd like to receive tips yourself, you can sign up at www.biblicalparenting.org.

Scheduling your Child's day (preschool age)

2009-01-19T14:32:00.005-05:00

I thrive off of structure but kids sometimes throw a kink in that plan. My ideal day would be to plan an activity for every half hour. Toggling between alone play and together time. BUT reality says....

Wake, dress

Breakfast

table time activity (play doh, coloring, art)

Short video

Large motor activity (walk outdoors, play in basement)

Prep Lunch

Eat lunch

Read books

Nap Blanket time (sit on blanket on floor and play with a toy or look at books - no getting off the blanket)(you will need to train him to do this)

Dancing/music

time Table time while you prep dinner

Eat dinner

Tickle time with dad or outing

Bath

Read

Bed.

I don't like to put times on it other than eating and sleep times. Commiting to a time for each just frustrates me and the kids.
If you are having a hard time with it plan one structured activity for the morning and one for afternoon. Between meals and naps it will give you some freedom to think and breath until you get a more regular schedule.
I do have a wonderful list of activites that can be done with mom and without mom for appropriate age levels. This list has really helped me especially with the younger ones.
I also have an activity book from Meijer. The brand is called School Zone. Look for the PRESCHOOL one and tear a page out each day for him to work on. Or simply print coloring sheets from preschool printable websites. That way you can print things that interst him at that time. You have no idea how much free stuff is online for preschoolers.

Activities for Babies (0-12 Months)
Alone
Pop Up Toys

Mobiles

Swing

Johnny Jump Up

Baby Mirror

Soft Blocks

Toys That Can Be ChewedBooks (Cloth)

Crib Gyms

Infant Seat (To See Things from Different Perspectives)

Bouncy Chair

Rattles or other toys that make sounds

Mom And Baby

Feeding

Rocking

Play Time On Blanket (Mom Helps Baby Develop Skills)

Singing/Eye Contact/Rhymes

Read

Bath Time

Walking

Activities for Toddlers (18 Months - 2 Years) Alone

Playtime in Crib/Playpen

Play Center (Theme)

Blanket Time

Magnetic Numbers (at fridge or magnetic cook sheet on a blanket on the floor)

Letters on Refrigerator

Dress Up

Shape Sorting toys

Play doh

Sit Time with Books

High Chair Toys

Paint with Water

Large piece Puzzles

Throw cards (from a deck of card or flash cards) into a laundry basket or a hat

Toy bulldozer in tin of dry rice or noodles (at table or highchair)

Nesting/Stacking ToysListening Tapes

With Mom

Cooking Time (Real Or Play)

Stamping/Stickers

Rice/Corn Meal

PlayThrowing Bean Bags in Container

Reading

Prayer Time [at meals and bedtime]

Outdoor Play

Walk

Baby Pool

Paint with Water On Patio

Sand Box

Bubbles

Outdoor Toys

Activities For Preschoolers (2 Years - 5 Years)
Alone

Color / bingo dabbers

Playdoh

Toys at Table

Stamping Finger Paint or Paint on paper with water

Peg Boards

Sit Time/Blanket Time (practice self-control by sitting and playing on blanket for an extended period)

Listening Tapes

Magnet Numbers/Letters On Refrigerator

Water Play at Sink

Books

Computer [limited]

Lego’s

Sticker Books

Puzzles

Chalkboard

Picture Time

Stencils

Room Time

Video time [limited 30 min. per day]

Dress Up

Learning to use a pencil - print letters

Stringing Beads

Lace Cards (use old greeting cards glued together and punch holes around the edges to lace yarn through)

Corn Meal/Rice Play

People/Animal Figures

With Mom

Cut With Safety Scissors

Cooking

Reading

Prayer Time

Finger-paint

Games

Crafts

Character Quality Explanation/Stories

Chores (Training)

Watering Plants

Plucking grapes from stems (throwing squishy ones away)

Picking up toys on Patio

Sweeping

Putting Silverware Away From Dishwasher

Cleaning Fronts of Appliances

Window Washing

Set Table

Folding Laundry

Dusting

Cleaning Mirrors

Outdoors [*with direct supervision for sure]

Swim

*Chalk

Sand Box

Walking

Shaving Cream on Picnic Table

Gardening

*Water Hose

*Bubbles

Riding/Outdoor Toys

Paint with Water

For a more extensive list, see What Every Child Should Know Along the Way By Gail Martin.

Teaching your child how to honor you and others

2008-11-24T14:15:00.001-05:00

This is an article I appreciated and thought I'd share it here:

One of the ways that parents can teach honor to children is to include it in the instruction process. You might say, “I’d like you to obey me by setting the table, then I want you to think of something extra to do to surprise me. That’s showing honor. You choose; it’s up to you. Report to me when you’re done and I’ll check your work.”
Surprising parents delights them and focuses on something they want or need. Instructing children to surprise you by doing something extra teaches them to think about your needs and desires not just getting away with the bare minimum. When your child does an extra task, it’s like giving you a gift. Receive the gift with delight. This can be a fun way to teach honor.
Honor involves doing more than what's expected. All family members need to learn honor and children can learn it when parents teach it. So look for ways to teach kids to do more than what's expected in daily life. It will not only make family life better now but it will also help kids be more successful as they get older.

This parenting tip comes from the book Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining, and Bad Attitudes, In You and Your Kids, by Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.

Making your own baby food.

2008-11-20T09:39:00.006-05:00

Let me encourage you to make your own baby food! It is much easier than you think!

It takes just about 15 - 20 mins per week to make 2 or 3 varieties of food.

I learn all I know about making my own baby food from an excellent book called SUPER BABY FOOD by RUTH YARON

Here are just a few simple tips to make your own baby food.

Sweet potato:

Bake at 400 for one hour (baking maintains more nutrients than boiling or microwaving).

Let cool slightly.

Peal and puree in blender until smooth adding water until you get right consistency.

Peas:

You can use frozen peas but I have found the skins too tough to puree. I buy a bag of split peas (found in the isle with other dry beans). Cook as packaging instructs and puree!

Ta-da!

Carrots:

NOTE: Since these are made fresh the baby must be 7 months old before they can eat them. It has something to do with it being a root. Read more about it in SUPER BABY FOOD. The store bought carrot are altered to be safe for babies of any age.

Steam carrots until super soft. Drain water and set water aside. Puree carrots adding bits of water that you steamed them in until desired texture.

Using the same water adds more nutrients cause some of the nutrients go into the water when steamed.

Broccoli:

Steam until super soft. Drain, set water aside. Puree adding just enough water that has been set aside until desired texture.

See how easy it is!

I did not puree apples... I bought a large glass jar of unsweetened applesauce.

I also found that other fruits like pears when pureed is much to watery and does not produce much. You would have to buy tons of pears to make it worth your while. I bought jar baby food for most fruits....EXCEPT bananas!

Bananas:

Bananas are the easiest! No pureeing required!

Peal, fork mash, serve!

Yes you can freeze bananas. They do brown because of oxidization. All this means is they have had contact with air! Still good to eat just a little brown.

These are the main staples I kept in my freezer for my babies. It is just enough for variety and still saves the pocket book!

NOTE: when serving, if you find the pureed food is too runny, add a little rice cereal to thicken it. It does not alter the flavor at all.

My Favorite Play Dough Recipe

2008-11-20T09:29:00.002-05:00

This recipe is great! It is easy to do, it saves money and it lasts for months!
Let me warn you... you will get quite a workout in one arm as you stir it. But it is well worth it.

Cooked Play dough Recipe:

4 Cups Flour
2 Cups Salt
4 Tablespoons of Cream of Tarter (in spice section of grocery stores)
4 Cups of Water (add a few drops of food coloring into the water)
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil

Combine dry ingredients, slowly add water and oil. Cook over medium heat, stirring until stiff. Let cool and knead. Store in zip-lock bag or plastic container, so it won't dry out!

You can add food coloring or glitter, at the preschool I worked for we used to add different scents for the time of year. Fall-pumpkin spice, Holidays-peppermint, Cinnamon, Valentine's Day-Cocoa. Dye it green for St. Patrick's Day etc...

Get out your cookie cutters, toy rolling pin, old plastic lids, mini tractors, bulldozers, hard plastic animals to make foot prints, etc... get creative as to what to make and what toys to use while playing with the play dough.

Your children will be entertained for a good period of time!

This play dough is non-toxic as you can see it is made of all consumable ingredients. It is not very tasty unless you like lots of salt!

Have Fun! Play with your kids during this table time activity.

Dropping Naps

2008-11-10T08:35:00.005-05:00

This is a very helpful article on when to drop naps. It covers infants to three and four year olds.

It is helpful even for moms who have done it before. How soon we forget!

Washing Hands - the fun way.

2008-11-06T14:47:00.003-05:00

When my preschooler has to wash his hands so frequently I thought I'd make it into a fun time.
He loves music and singing so we sing the little ditty.
Round and round the Garden like a Teddy bear (during this time we put soap on our hands and rub round and round and round and round)
One step, two step (rub around again)
Tickle 'em under there (we tickle the running water to wash off the soap bubbles).

He loves it and it gets the job done!

Tentative Schedule for Infants 25-52 Weeks

2008-11-06T14:46:00.002-05:00

Preparation for Parenting
Baby Wise

Routine for Weeks 25-52

Session Time What to do
Early Morning 7-8 am 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Mid Morning 11 am-12 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Afternoon 1-2 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Possible wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Mid-afternoon 5-6 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time. COUCH TIME!!!!!!
3. Put baby down for a cat nap if necessary
Early Evening 7-8 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Put baby to bed for the night!
NOTE: Once baby is done feeding, burp the baby and keep baby awake at least 10-15 mins before laying baby down for the night. The reason for this is #1 to let the food settle a little before laying baby down and also so that the baby learns to fall asleep on their own. You want to avoid putting baby to bed when they are sleepy from a feeding!

Goals: 3 meals a day

Feed: 4-5 liquid feedings if nursing

Naps: 2 naps 1 ½ - 2 hrs, third nap may be dropped by this time.
Morning nap is not dropped until 16-20 months / then the afternoon nap becomes 2-3 hrs

Night Time Sleep: 10-12 hours

Tentative Scheule for Infants 14-24 Weeks

2008-11-06T14:44:00.002-05:00

Preparation for Parenting
Baby Wise

Routine for Weeks 14-24
Moving toward 3 meals with an additional liquid feeding in early evening

Session Time What to do
Early Morning 6-8 am 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Mid Morning 11 am-12 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Afternoon 1-2 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2 Wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Mid-afternoon 3-4 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time. COUCH TIME!!!!
3. Put baby down for a cat nap
Early Evening 7-8 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Put baby to bed for the night!
NOTE: Once baby is done feeding, burp the baby and keep baby awake at least 10-15 mins before laying baby down for the night. The reason for this is #1 to let the food settle a little before laying baby down and also so that the baby learns to fall asleep on their own. You want to avoid putting baby to bed when they are sleepy from a feeding!

Goals: Drop the Late-Evening feeding if you haven't already dropped it.
Introduce solids between 4-6 months.
By 24 weeks their meal times should line up with the family's.

Feed: 4-6 liquid feedings/day > 4 feedings at 24 weeks

Wake Time: You should have 2-3 hours total wake time

Naps: 3 naps 1 ½ - 2 hrs, third nap may be 30-45 minutes and may be dropped around the sixth month.

Night Time Sleep: 9-10 hours for breast-fed babies, 11 hours for bottle-fed babies

Growth Spurts: 6 months

Additional Notes: After 20 weeks read "Toddler Wise" By Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo.

Tentative Routine for Infants 9-13 Weeks

2008-11-06T14:43:00.002-05:00

Preparation for Parenting
Baby Wise

Routine for Weeks 9-13
3 ½ -4 hour routine

Session Time What to do
Early Morning 6 am 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Mid Morning 9:30 - 10 am 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Afternoon 1-2 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Mid-afternoon 4:30 - X pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time. COUCH TIME!!!!!
3. Put baby down for a nap
Late-afternoon X-6 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Early Evening 8 - X pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Put baby to bed
NOTE: Once baby is done feeding, burp the baby and keep baby awake at least 10-15 mins before laying baby down for the night. The reason for this is #1 to let the food settle a little before laying baby down and also so that the baby learns to fall asleep on their own. You want to avoid putting baby to bed when they are sleepy from a feeding!

___________________________________________
dropped by the end of this phase
Late Evening 10:00 pm-11:30 am 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Put baby to bed for the night.

Goals: If necessary to drop the middle of the night feeding (the feeding after the late evening).Toward the END of this phase (end of the 12th week – beginning of the 13th week) if you are still waking your baby for the late evening feeding you may be ready to drop it. DO NOT LENGTHEN THE TIME BETWEEN FEEDINGS UNTIL YOUR BABY IS SLEEPING AT LEAST 9-10 HRS AT NIGHT (refer to page181)

Feed: 6 feedings/day on a 3 ½ hr routine and 5 feedings/day on a 4 hour routine

Wake Time: How is Pac-n-play time going?
You should have 1 hour total wake time
1 – 1 ½ by 10 – 12 weeks

Naps: 1 ½ - 2 ½ hrs

Night Time Sleep: 9-10 hours for breast-fed babies, 11 hours for bottle-fed babies

Growth Spurts: 3 months

Additional Notes:
§ Breast tissue softens between 3-4 months
§ When dropping a feeding back it up 15 minutes until the feeding is within 2 hours of the last feeding and then drop it altogether. For example: 11:30 becomes 11:15>11>10:45>10:30>10>gone. Try to adjust every 2-3 days so the transition is less disruptive for the baby.

Tentative Schedule for Infants 5-8 Weeks

2008-11-06T14:42:00.000-05:00

Preparation for Parenting
Baby Wise
Routine for Weeks 5-8
3- 3 ½ hour routine

Session Time What to do
Early Morning 6 am 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Mid Morning 9 – 9:30 am 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Afternoon 12-1 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Mid-afternoon 3-X pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time. COUCH TIME!!!!
3. Put baby down for a nap
Late-afternoon X-6 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Early Evening 8 - 9 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Put baby to bed
NOTE: Once baby is done feeding, burp the baby and keep baby awake at least 10-15 mins before laying baby down for the night. The reason for this is to let the food settle a little before laying baby down and also so that the baby learns to fall asleep on their own. You want to avoid putting baby to bed when they are sleepy from a feeding!
Late Evening 11:30 pm-12 am 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Put baby back to bed.
NOTE: For many babies, this feeding is the last scheduled feeding of the day. If this is the case with you your baby, do not wake him for his next feeding. Let him wake naturally. If he or she wakes, wait to see of they will resettle. Through the eighth week you must feed them.
Middle of the night (anytime after 3 am)
You will no longer schedule this feeding but if your baby wakes, you will feed and put the baby back to bed.
Toward the "END" of this phase you have more options during the night:
1. Wait to see if the baby will resettle on his own (wait at least 5- 15 mins).
2. Pat baby on back without picking baby up.
3. Offer pacifier.
4. Reposition baby (turn to side, back)
5. Feed baby (snack). Be sure to wake baby at regular time in the morning.

Goals: Drop the middle of the night feeding; 7-9 weeks sleeping 7-8 hours transitioning from a 3-3 ½ hour routine.

Feed: 6-8 feedings/day depending on length of time between feedings

Wake Time: Pac-n-play time …… 30 mins at 6 weeks; 45 mins at 8 weeks

Naps: 1 ½ - 2 ½ hrs

Night Time Sleep: If you consistently have trouble waking your baby for the middle of the night feeding, it may be dropped. Under normal circumstances, after three consecutive nights of sleeping X amount of hours then you can hold the baby to it because you know they are capable of doing it.
6-6 ½ hours of continuous sleep possible.

Growth Spurts: 6-8 weeks

Additional Notes: Non-nutrative sucking: Remove baby from breast when baby is still sucking yet you no longer hear baby swallowing. Use a pacifier to sooth the natural sucking reflex. This teaches baby that the breast if for feeding only not as a sleep prop.

Sleep props are no-no’s: they are anything that "helps" put baby to sleep. Ex. Intentionally nursing to sleep, rocking baby to sleep, sleeping with baby, mobile on in order to fall asleep, etc.

Tentative Schedule for Infants 0-4 Weeks

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0-4 Weeks
Preparation for Parenting
Baby Wise

Routine for Weeks 0-4
If breast-feeding: 2- 3 hour routine for birth to end of fourth week
If bottle-feeding: every 3 hours (pg 81 in Prep for Parenting) 1 ½ oz – 3 oz bottle for first several weeks.

Decide when you want to start your day. Somewhere between 6-7 am. Wake baby each day at this time. If the day starts earlier than ½ hr – 1 hr before the time you decided adjust accordingly. If baby wakes earlier than 1 hour before the time decided, attend to baby and put back in bed.

Decide when you want the day to end. Baby should be in bed within ½ hr of this time each night.

Session Time What to do
Early Morning 6 am 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Possible wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Mid Morning 9 am 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Possible wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Afternoon 12 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Possible wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Mid-afternoon 3 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Possible wake time. COUCH TIME!!!!
3. Put baby down for a nap
Late-afternoon 6 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Possible wake time
3. Put baby down for a nap
Early Evening 9 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Possible wake time
3. Put baby to bed and go to bed yourself! Set and alarm clock for the next feeding.
Late Evening 12 pm 1. Feeding and diaper change
2. Put baby back to bed. NOTE: If you are breast- feeding, we do not recommend that you let your baby go longer than 5 hours at night for the first 4 -5 weeks. Therefore we schedule the middle of the night feeding through the end of this phase.
Middle of the night 3 am 1. Feeding
2. Put baby back to bed.

Goals: Establish milk supply, teach baby to nurse, give full feedings (both sides), baby to gain weight (use healthy baby growth chart in back of book!)
Feed: 8 feedings/day
Wake Time: Wake time is limited at first due to baby's need for sleep. 10-15 minutes for first 2 weeks…. Begin pac-n-play time when baby has wake period of 15 mins. 30 mins for weeks 3-6.
Wake time ideas: Rock & sing to baby, watch mobile, go for a walk, run errands, visit friends and family, bathe baby, place in infant seat near window.
Naps: 1-1 ½ hrs
Growth Spurts: 2-3 weeks
Additional Notes: * First feeding is 15 mins per side if comfortable.
* Milk comes in approx 3-5 days after birth.
* First week aim for 15-20 mins per side for a total of 30-40 mins
* Limited soap on nipples due to drying affect.
* You may introduce bottle or pacifier at 2-4 weeks of age, 1 or 2 times a week.
* Be aware of the checklist on page 28-30, reread chapters 4-6 before birth if you have any questions.
Do your best to wake sleepy babies:
* Make sure you wake them up the same time every morning (within a ½ hr) (see pgs 107-108)
* Wet wash cloth on forehead or feet
* Strip down to diaper and rub feet
* Feed one side (or half bottle), change diaper, feed other side (rest of bottle)
* If baby is asleep at the breast, gently tap under baby's chin to encourage them to continue eating.
* 10-10-5-5 works well (feed 10 mins on each side, then go back to first side and do a second round (dessert) this time for only 5 mins each side)