Mom's Tip of the Day #27

Do your children see you modeling a spirit of teachability as you work on developing your own gifts? There is always something new to learn!

Homeschooling: That Thing I Do

Last year, I ran a series of posts on my family's decision to homeschool. I'm wondering if you may have stumbled upon my blog today with questions of your own as the new school year approaches. So, just in case the Lord is calling you to homeschool, or if you simply wonder what would ever possess someone to go this route, I'm re-sharing my story today! Check out the links below.

Homeschooling: That Thing I Do

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Mom's Tip of the Day #21

Detecting sudden changes in your child’s personality? Ask questions, and listen carefully to your child’s answers. If needed, seek the advice of a professional.

How My Middle Schooler Saved Me $2000

Okay, here's what happened:

Derek and I almost always go pick up newspapers after church on Sunday. It is our habit, our routine, that-thing-we-do. We go just across the street from the church, where we can get them for $1 each. I usually get two or three Sunday papers, for the coupons, of course! I pull up in front of the store, Derek runs in, purchases them, and comes back out. Takes about two minutes total. Well, last Sunday, I pulled up--to my usual place right in front of the door--and he hopped out of the car to run in. However, on his way in, he held the door open for a female police officer who was on her way out.

She came directly over to the car and tapped on the window. I rolled it down. Here's the conversation:

Officer: Was that your son who just held the door open for me?

Me: (gulp) Yes, Officer, he was just going in there to pick up some newspapers. (Now, I'm not sure why I felt led to tell her what he was doing. Who cares, you know? But my first thought was that she was offended by his gesture. Maybe she didn't want some kid holding the door open for her. I will be quite honest and tell you I have never had a police officer come over to talk to me while I was in my car. I was a bit unnerved, and so I was a little on the chatty side. Kind of like now, just thinking about it.)

Officer: Well, I just want you to know that because he did that, I am going to overlook the fact that you are parked in a Fire Zone, which is a $2000 fine. And I'm going to take you off my list. And you can consider this your blessing for the day.

And that's how my middle schooler saved me $2000!

So much for couponing. :)

Mom's Tip of the Day #6

You’ve had the “drugs and alcohol” talk with your tween. Don’t forget to have the “pornography” talk. Make it an on-going dialogue.

Better Than Disney World: Family Camp

Yeah. I said that. And I'm not the only one! My family loved spending a week at the Life Action Family Camp in Buchanan, Michigan. There was something for everybody, and there was some "nothing" time, as well, which several of us really needed!

For seven days, we and 25 other families (from all over the U.S.) spent time away from everything that is usual, and we relished the gifts of family worship, rest, and play. Oh, it was a treat! The facilities were hotel-ish enough for Danya and me and rustic enough for the guys. The food was superb. Three great meals a day, plus a fun snack every evening (things like build your own sundaes, make your own pretzels, and s'mores). The camp is located on a beautiful lakefront, so there was a beach area where I spent most every afternoon, and tubing, canoeing, water slides, and a "blob" for the kids.

The BLOB

Getting away can end up being a lot of work, and sometimes you come home from a vacation feeling exhausted. We came home feeling truly refreshed. The worship times twice a day were contemporary and fun for everyone. The teachings by camp director Jimmy Herdklotz were spot on and delivered in a fresh, fun way. My only regret is that we didn't know about Family Camp ten years ago. Dear friends told us about it and invited us to join them this year.

So glad we did! And I feel it is my duty to tell y'all about it. Don't miss out! Start making memories of Family Camp in 2011. Space fills up quickly, so check it out--you can thank me later! ;)

Ready for fun!

Silly boys! (Middle Schoolers LOL)

Alfresco Dining--LOVE it!

Family Games--WHAT? Tournament

Mom's Tip of the Day #31

When it comes to your kids, playing the “what if” game is not only time-consuming, it is emotionally unhealthy. What if he were more like his older brother? What if he didn't act so silly all the time? What if he just made better grades? Live, and love, in the present.

Mom's Tip of the Day #56

Find a mentor. If you see a mom you’d like to emulate, ask her if she’s willing to help you on your parenting journey!

Mom's Tip of the Day #48

Teach respect. Children should ask permission of each other before borrowing items or playing with toys. A shared space should not imply shared belongings.

Mom's Tip of the Day #34

The tightrope of motherhood is the world’s most magnificent balancing act. The only way to get across without falling is by keeping your focus on Jesus.

Today on Tennessee Mornings: What do you say to your kids when their role models take a fall?

If you're visiting my site today because you saw my segment on Tennessee Mornings, welcome!

When celebrities that our kids are well-acquainted with, like Lindsay Lohan of the great family features like "The Parent Trap," "Freaky Friday," and "Herbie," take a moral fall, we can use the opportunity to talk to our kids about some valuable life lessons. Before you start talking, however, be sure that you are ready to be a good listener who respects your child's thoughts and opinions. You're not going after a time of lecture; you are aiming for a dialogue and an opportunity to have a conversation with your child that takes your relationship deeper.

Ask, What happened to Lindsay? Open up the dialogue by finding out what your child knows or doesn’t know about what’s happened. Summarize the issue briefly: Lindsay abused drugs and alcohol. She got in trouble and was given a certain punishment or set of boundaries by which she had to abide. She continued to make bad choices by ignoring what a judge told her to do and dismissing her punishment. So now, she is going to jail. Remember: It’s critical that you give your child time to talk. Give her room to process the information. Let her talk without thinking about what you’re going to say next, because if you do that, you miss everything she's saying. (And I’ve been so guilty of doing that as a parent—that’s something that I really have to watch about myself.)

How do we turn these current events into a platform for sharing life lessons with our kids when we begin talking? Use this simple acronym: ROLE.

R—Real-Life Choices

O—Owning Your Behavior

L—Living with Consequences

E—Emulating Good Mentors





Have you got a child in middle school? Check out my book, Season of Change: Parenting Your Child with Passion and Purpose. Order today and get free shipping!

Mom's Tip of the Day #22

 Your child needs to take it seriously if a classmate boasts of any planned violence or bullying, real or virtual. He needs to tell you, and you need to let the proper authorities know.

BUGS: The (Icky) Badge of Thrill-Seeking Honor

So...on the way home from Family Camp, my boys spent Sunday with friends at an amusement park.  They just got in last night, and this morning, David brings me his favorite T-shirt and, well, here's our conversation.

David: (sweetly) Hey, can you spray 'n wash this?

Me: (surveying the dark speckly-ish stains all across the front of the shirt) Sure...what is this? Blood?

David: (casually) No. Bugs.

Me: (dropping T-shirt on the floor) Eeeewww!

David: (thrilled and smiling proudly at my reaction) We were in the front seats of the Top Thrill Dragster.


What's gross to me is like a badge of thrill-seeking honor to my son! Boys are sooooo different! Summer is a great time to get to know your son better, and it's a great time for him to cultivate his relationship with the Lord. I'd love for you to check out my Bible study just for boys, 7th grade and up, Dig Deep: Unearthing the Treasures of Solomon's Proverbs.

Here's what one mom said about Dig Deep:

My homeschooled son is 14 1/2 and has been working through Dig Deep. He is
halfway through and absolutely loves it. He especially likes how you direct him to God and cover heart issues that a lot of people shy away from.
I also appreciate your straightforward approach and how you guide them to take ownership of their relationship with Christ. It is difficult to find material that will talk about life issues, like sex, without going into full-blown details. Many materials today, although they are Christian, follow the world's view on these difficult teen subjects. Thank you for the conservative but straightforward approach you have taken.

Take advantage of FREE SHIPPING and order your son a copy of Dig Deep today!

Mom's Tip of the Day #3

Have regular family meetings. Make plans in a relaxed atmosphere where everyone’s voice is heard and appreciated. Parents always get the final say.

He's Sweet 16!

Hey Everybody,

We have just returned from a GREAT vacation in Michigan (of all places--I'll tell you more about that later this week!) and so, I didn't get to properly wish my dear David a happy birthday on my blog (or my FB!).

We all knew that this was going to be a hard year on me, with Danya's 18th birthday and high school graduation, and then of course, my "baby," Derek, turning 13 back in March, and now this big birthday: David's 16th! Oh my. My kids are growing, growing, and on their way to being all grown up.

I am so thankful to have been entrusted with the care of this precious young man. He is funny, charming, kind, and he loves the Lord. He is a bold evangelist. He is a knowledgeable teacher. He can write me under the table! I am so blessed to be his mom. Happy Birthday, David!

Getting to the Finish Line

Hey Everybody,

Are you having a good summer so far? How is your garden doing? The corn and tomatoes are just beginning to come in here. We've had lots of zucchini, squash, and cucumbers like crazy! I'm completely stocked up on pickles :) and I'm looking for a good recipe on salsa that can be made fresh and then frozen. Anyone? Let me know!

The boys and I have been getting some DIY projects done around the house, and it's been exhausting but fun! We have a long way to go, but we do have a direction--so we know what we are looking forward to as the final outcome. We have a vision! But it won't happen overnight!

Isn't that just like life? I find that no matter what I am doing, if it is a project with any length to it--whether it is waiting on the garden to grow, or home-improvement projects, or relationships that are struggling, or even prayers that have gone on for a long time with no immediate results--if I can just get a picture in my mind of the final outcome, the finish line, then I can stay motivated to get there. How about you? How do you stay motivated when the results you are looking for seem far out of reach?




Be sure to check back at noon for Mom's Tip of the Day!

Mom's Tip of the Day #100

Ask God to provide healthy relationships for your child’s daily connections.

Mom's Tip of the Day #78

Be creative in spending one-on-one time with each of your children. Never underestimate the element of surprise!

Mom's Tip of the Day #64

Your house serves as a mission outpost for every friend your child brings home.