Mom's Tip of the Day #36

Ask heart-probing questions to help your child realize his actions do not just happen. He makes a choice that sets his behavior into motion.

Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

The Power of Your Silent Example

Early on in my journey as a mom, I learned the power of my silent example.

It was a warm day, and my children and I were getting ready to go to church for Bible study. They would be spending time playing with their friends on the sunny playground, and I would be in a chilly, air-conditioned classroom. I froze every week, so on this particular morning, I decided to dressed in jeans and a long-sleeved shirt.

As we were walking out the door, I noticed that my three kids (8 and under at the time) were dressed in jeans and long sleeves. “Hey, everybody,” I said. “What gives? It’s still summer.”

“We just looked to see what you were wearing,” my son replied. “We figured it must be cold today.”

Never was the power of my example so sharply felt. I explained to the kids about my chilly classroom and let them change their clothes before we left. But this powerful lesson pierced my heart: They’re watching me, even when I’m not aware of it. They are doing what they see me do.

So how does this apply to the afternoon crunch? If I can set the example every afternoon of being calm, cool, and Christ-like, it will encourage them to do the same. But if I lose my temper in traffic, fuss about how late we are, and then fume because I didn’t make any plans for dinner, I’m not only setting a poor example, I’m setting a tone for the whole evening. And it’s the wrong one!

Proverbs 14:1 offers these wise words: “Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.” The afternoon crunch can be a time of tearing down, or it can be a time of building.

• You can build stronger relationships with your kids by listening to them.
• You can create an environment that urges your children to connect with each other.
• You can establish a safe haven by simply letting Christ use you to not only mother but minister to your kids.

Ask for His help in the traffic, in the kitchen, and in the middle of the afternoon crunch.

Read More:
The Answer to Your Middle Schooler's Afternoon Crunch? Kitchen Duty!
Practical Tips for Surviving the Afternoon Crunch

Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

Mom's Tip of the Day #105

Sibling rivalry exists when a child perceives that there is someone who threatens to take his place within the family. Parents must strive to recognize each child’s individual position, plan, and purpose.

Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

After The Talk, Sex Should Be An Ongoing Conversation

Click on the button to view all my Porn and Purity articles!

When my kids were just toddlers, I received some great advice from an older mom. She said, “You want to be the first one to tell your children about sex. Then, everything else they hear will be measured against what you said.” My husband had that initial, biological, let’s-define-these-terms talk with each of our boys, and I talked with our daughter. We understood that when Mom or Dad is the first place a child learns about sex, it makes that parent an expert on the subject. It also makes that parent a safe place to go with questions. You see, after The Talk, sex should be an ongoing conversation.

It is ironic that the very facts of life are what seem to interrupt the way our kids live it! Hormones come barging in like an unexpected detour. Suddenly the well-worn path of childhood becomes a super highway of never-ending construction work! One evening a girl puts a tooth under her pillow for the tooth fairy to whisk away. The next morning, she starts her menstrual cycle! A boy who finally figures out his choir solo one week cannot even stay on pitch the next. The physical changes and emotional challenges that confront our kids come at lightning speed. How will they figure it all out?

You are the tour guide. A few years ago, my husband and I were planning a trip to New York City. I was excited about it, but as the date of departure drew closer, I began to panic. We had never been to a really big city. The fear of the unknown was overwhelming to me. How would we figure it all out? Then I remembered that I had a friend from college, Keith, who lived in Manhattan. A quick call was all it took and we had our own personal tour guide! Keith showed us the town—his town! The subways were a cinch to navigate with a seasoned New Yorker at our side. Hailing a cab was a breeze! As a transplanted Tennessean, Keith shared some insider information about New York’s culture and people. (He also acted as translator for all the folks who couldn't understand our southern accents!) Having adjusted well to the big city, he wanted us to see all the things he loved about it.

When it comes to Planet Growing-Up, the fear of the unknown can be overwhelming to your child. Yet you have been there; you know your way around.  Now it's time for you to act as tour guide (and translator!). You can help her feel comfortable in a changing body and a developing mind. You can share information about the people and the culture in this new adult world. Don’t you want her to see all the things you love about it?

Check out my book, Season of Change: Parenting Your Middle Schooler with Passion and Purpose loaded with tips and tools for leading your child through the awkward stages of growing up!




Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

Mom's Tip of the Day #116

 Ask your kids to practice their music when you are around to listen. Enjoy it!

Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

Practical Tips for Surviving the Afternoon Crunch!

While you prepare dinner, keep the kids close by with these fun family activities for all ages, and be prepared to enjoy some quality conversations. You can rotate these ideas for a regular weekly or bi-weekly schedule.

Make A Mural. Take a piece of butcher block paper and spread it across the kitchen table or on the kitchen floor. Write a Bible verse across the top of the mural that will dictate the theme: “Jesus went about doing good,” “Give thanks,” or “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” If you choose to make this a weekly activity, mix it up a little by varying your art media. Choose from stickers, stamps, markers, crayons, colored pencils, and glitter pens. Encourage little ones to take turns and share the art supplies. Ask your older ones to enjoy this activity with their younger sibs. Hang the finished mural for everyone to enjoy, or leave it on the table to serve as the evening's tablecloth.

Letters and cards. Your children can invest some time in writing letters to long-distance loved ones and making cards for homebound church members who could use a lift. Younger children can draw pictures and older kids can work on their communication skills. This is a great way to cultivate the lost art of the handwritten note.

Tents. Set aside an afternoon for little ones to play with makeshift tents. It seems like a big mess, but it just takes a few minutes to clean up. Give your crew the blankets and sheets they need to drape over some chairs, and let them play with books, flashlights, and card games inside. Once you’ve got dinner in the oven, join them for some play time.

Bowling. Set up an indoor bowling alley. Use empty soda cans, chip cans, paper or plastic cups, and a nerf ball for safe indoor play.

Play with your food. With world hunger at an all-time high, I don’t recommend any kind of food crafts unless you are actually going to eat the food once you’ve finished playing with it. That said, threading circle-shaped cereal on a piece of yarn for a necklace is a quiet tabletop activity. Building houses out of graham crackers and peanut butter is edible fun. Using prepared sugar cookie dough and a set of cookie cutters puts the kids to work making dessert.


Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

Mom's Tip of the Day #112

Most men don’t mind helping out around the house. What bothers them is our criticism when they don’t do things the way we would.

 

Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

The Answer to Your Middle Schooler's Afternoon Crunch? Kitchen Duty!

It’s the afternoon crunch: that time crunched between the end of the day and the beginning of the evening, when everything seems to be happening at once. Kids are getting home from school, many parents are transitioning from work to home, and it's time to get dinner ready. Plus, homework needs to be started, and extracurricular activities like dance lessons and sports practices are coming up later, with a precious few hours in between. How do you reel in the chaos that accompanies the crunch?

Mom's Tip of the Day #102

The family table is not just about celebrating major events. It is a place to rejoice over the smallest daily victories as well.

 

Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

Weekly Wrap-Up: Driving Thru

Licensed to Drive!

Can you believe it's Friday--and time for the Weekly Wrap-Up? So glad, so glad! What's been going on in your family's homeschooling world? Around here, it's been busy!
My daughter is loving college and somehow managing her courses with a busy show schedule as well. Derek has started basketball practice and is getting ready for a GREAT season! Go Royals!

Eighth grade is moving along with the settling of America (and my sophomore is right there, too, in his Notgrass American History). I told Derek tonight that I really don't think it gets old; reading through American history is a yearly thrill for me. The passion, the politics, the privilege we have of living in this country--and the perspective--the perspective that studying history brings to current events. Oh my, that's definitely another post (and probably someone else's blog!)

And my David got his driver's license! Would you look at the authentic, undiluted joy on that boy's face? It means so much to a young man; it really does. David is a good driver, but I must say, it was different teaching a boy how to drive than it was teaching a girl. I don't know--with a son I think it's just that you realize there is a lot of thrill-seeking, risk-taking, adventure-chasing genes that you know have to be disciplined and reigned in for his safety, the safety of others, and your insurance premiums LOL. David's best piece of advice for mothers teaching sons to drive?

"Don't freak out."

Well said.

And some news: The week of October 11-15, I'll be doing an "Ask the Expert" Q&A on home education, answering questions about homeschooling on the CafeMom.com website. (I guess anything you do for 15 years will net you "expert" status!)  There will be some giveaways involved (you like that, right?), and I'd love for you to be a part of it!  If you are not a member of CafeMom, the leading online community for moms, please register and join, so I can see you there! I'm a member already, so look for me: MomSeriously! Have a great weekend!





Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

Mom's Tip of the Day #81

Keep in mind: Your children have inherited the sin nature of Adam. They are not perfect and never will be. (Despite what their grandparents might think! LOL)

Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

Finding Your Balance As A Mom: Just Say No

GettyImages.com

My daughter returned home from babysitting for some friends one night with this report: "Emily likes saying, 'No.' She likes it a lot!"

Little ones are great at saying No. So what happens to us big girls--us moms--that we seem to forget how?

Sometimes we say yes with good reason. Someone asks us to do something that we feel led to do, or that we know won't be too difficult, so sure, why not? But then it snowballs, and suddenly, we feel like we are standing at the end of the buffet line with a full plate and wondering, "How did this happen?"

Vision. Priorities. Balance.

How does a mom get her priorities in order? I think it starts with a vision for what you want for your children. In my book, Baby Boot Camp (devotionals for new moms), I shared my vision for my kids. I came before the Lord when they were little bitty and asked Him to show me what my vision for my children should be. Then, whenever I was asked to do something, I went back to my vision to see how it matched up. Try writing your own vision for what you want to accomplish as a mom, and then when you are asked to take on something new, whether in ministry, at work, or in your community, ask yourself:

• Will this take time away from what I am trying to do as a mom?
• Will this add to the benefits I want for my family?
• Are my children at ages where this is do-able, or is this something I need to put off for a few years?
• Is my energy best spent in this capacity?
• Can someone else do this better? Am I being asked because I am the right person for the job or because I am a warm body for the job?
• Is God calling me to this?
• Is this really going to be all that difficult and time-consuming?
• Am I bringing a spirit of dread to this endeavor if I say "yes"?
• What is my motivation if I say "yes"? If I say "no"?

Sometimes, the choice is not necessarily between what is good and what is bad, but what is good and what is best.

Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

Mom's Tip of the Day #95

Boys think pornography is harmless. They have to be convinced and convicted that it is wrong and has damaging effects.

Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

From Porn Addict to Kiss-Saver: Part Two of the Mom Seriously Interview with Youth Pastor/Speaker Troy Perry

Click on the button to see all my Porn and Purity articles!

ABC’s Extreme Makeover Show was in Nashville last week, rebuilding the Lighthouse Christian Preschool, which was destroyed in the Historic Flood back in May. I love a good rescue, don’t you? I love it when people can pitch in on a work of God’s amazing grace, take something that looks like it has no hope, and restore, renew, refinish, rebuild, yes, rescue what was perishing, forgotten, and beyond repair. And to think the Lord does that with hearts and lives! WOW!

Remember Troy Perry, whom you met a few weeks ago in the post entitled, Porn, The Secret Cancer? Well, Troy went from a porn addict to a redeemed life. He was so committed to serving the Lord with purity that he made a decision to save all his future kisses for the bride he believed God would bring him one day. Take a look at the second part of my interview with Troy.

Mom Seriously (MS): How did you go from being an Internet porn addict to saving your kiss?

Mom's Tip of the Day #96

Mom, understand how your adolescent son is wired and the battle he faces every day. Support him prayerfully and practically in his every effort to stand strong against our sexually-charged culture.

Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

Are Hemlines a Heart Issue?

Tomorrow, I'll be posting Part Two of my interview with Youth Pastor/Speaker Troy Perry. We'll be talking about modesty among other things, but I came across this clip and I just wanted to post it and see what you think about it. Agree? Disagree? Please feel free to leave comments! (If you're subscribing via email and the video doesn't play for you, please come over to MomSeriously.com to view it!)




Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

Mom Seriously: Mom's Tip of the Day (1-50)

Here they are: The first 50 tips! Read and enjoy! 

(PLEASE NOTE: All the Mom's Tip of the Day posts are excerpted from Rebecca's published articles and books, written by Rebecca Ingram Powell ©2000-2011 MomSeriously.com. For personal use only. May not be reproduced, reprinted, or distributed.)

Mom's Tip of the Day #1

Mom's Tip of the Day #2

Mom's Tip of the Day #3

Mom's Tip of the Day #4

Mom's Tip of the Day #5

Mom's Tip of the Day #6

Mom's Tip of the Day #7

Mom's Tip of the Day #8

Mom's Tip of the Day #9

Mom's Tip of the Day #10

Mom's Tip of the Day #11

Mom's Tip of the Day #12

Mom's Tip of the Day #13

Mom's Tip of the Day #14

Mom's Tip of the Day #15

Mom's Tip of the Day #16

Mom's Tip of the Day #17

Mom's Tip of the Day #18

Mom's Tip of the Day #19

Mom's Tip of the Day #20

Mom's Tip of the Day #21

Mom's Tip of the Day #22

Mom's Tip of the Day #23

Mom's Tip of the Day #24

Mom's Tip of the Day #25

Mom's Tip of the Day #26

Mom's Tip of the Day #27

Mom's Tip of the Day #28

Mom's Tip of the Day #29

Mom's Tip of the Day #30

Mom's Tip of the Day #31

Mom's Tip of the Day #32

Mom's Tip of the Day #33

Mom's Tip of the Day #34

Mom's Tip of the Day #35

Mom's Tip of the Day #36

Mom's Tip of the Day #37

Mom's Tip of the Day #38

Mom's Tip of the Day #39

Mom's Tip of the Day #40

Mom's Tip of the Day #41

Mom's Tip of the Day #42

Mom's Tip of the Day #43

Mom's Tip of the Day #44

Mom's Tip of the Day #45

Mom's Tip of the Day #46

Mom's Tip of the Day #47

Mom's Tip of the Day #48

Mom's Tip of the Day #49

Mom's Tip of the Day #50



Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

Mom's Tip of the Day #38

Every parent needs an accountability partner: a trusted friend who holds her accountable for her choices. Who is asking you life’s tough questions?

Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

It's Nothing...Just A Little Coupon Quandary...

It’s not all that easy being bff’s with Nashville’s Coupon Gal. Especially when you haven’t been to the grocery store in three weeks because you haven’t kept up with your couponing! You see, since Kelly and I met over a year ago, I don’t go to the store without coupons. So if I don’t have a list and a plan, I don’t go. I won’t go. I refuse.

Kelly (R) and me (L)

The woman has ruined me. LOL.

So my family eats out of the stockpile until I get my game on again. This has worked pretty well, as I usually stay a week ahead on meal-planning—until last spring when I was out of town several times with speaking engagements, and David’s baseball schedule was consuming most of our weeknights, and we were trying to finish up school, graduate our senior, and help our community recover from all things flood-related!

Although I had kept up with my couponing for months and I was reaching my one-year anniversary, I totally fell off the wagon. I felt stuck. I had to go to the store…
but I really needed to get my coupons together…
but I really didn’t have any because I was so far behind…
but because it had been so long since I had gone shopping, we were out of everything!

Did I mention that I am easily overwhelmed? If I don’t stay on top of something, be it piles of coupons, piles of laundry, or piles of papers to grade, it is very hard for me to deal. And since I am a procrastinator, this happens more than it should. Thankfully, I am learning to ask for help when I need it, so I took a deep breath and

Mom's Tip of the Day #85

 Over and over, God uses the parent-child relationship to show us who He is. Let Him teach you through your kids.

Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

Mom's Tip of the Day #29

Date your kids! Regularly create opportunities for one-on-one time with each of them, and give them your undivided attention. Remember: Kids spell “love” t-i-m-e.

Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.

Looking for a Great Read? The Duggar Family's Favorite Books!

If you love the Duggars, you'll love today's post!

When I interviewed the Duggars a few years ago for ParentLife magazine, I got a list of their favorite books, which I am so pleased to share with you! This list is only through the 17th Duggar, but I'm betting you can find some great reads for yourself and your children--and what about nieces and nephews? (Christmas will be here soon,y'all!)

Dad Jim Bob -- Jim Sammons' Financial Freedom Seminar (Textbook and DVD's)

Mom Michelle -- Imparting the Blessing to Your Children: Your Biblical Heritage (What the Jewish Patriarchs Knew) [4 Audio Cassettes]

Joshua -- The Ultimate Gift (The Ultimate Series #1)

Jana -- STAY IN THE CASTLE THE STORY OF ONE TEEN-AGER'S DECISION TO: STAY IN THE CASTLE by Pastor Jerry Ross, foreword by Dr. Daryll Moore (Third Printing 2001, Softcover 24 pages Ultimate Goal Publications)

John-David -- The Reverend Spy

Jill -- Before You Meet Prince Charming: A Guide to Radiant Purity

Jessa -- Alone Yet Not Alone: The Story of Barbara and Regina Leininger

Jinger Ten P's in a Pod : A Million-Mile Journal of the Arnold Pent Family

Joseph The Lighthouse Mystery: A Graphic Novel (Boxcar Children Graphic Novels #14)

Josiah Boys of Grit Who Became Men of Honor (Rare Collector's Series)

Joy-Anna Little Daisy & the Swearing Class

Jedidiah A Child's History of Our Naval Heros (Book 4)

Jeremiah Storytime With the Millers (Miller Family (Harvest House))

Jason Our Flag Was Still There : The Story of the Star Spangled Banner

James Adam Raccoon and the Circus Master

Justin Buzzle Billy: A Book About Sharing (Building Christian Character)




Don't miss any great parenting info: Subscribe to my daily email newsletter! Click HERE.