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“But What if… Mom?”
Has your child ever asked you a question that left you feeling sad because you knew their question was valid; but you had no power to fix their situation? We all have those moments when we don’t know what to do to help our children. Life is like that. With the new school year starting and kids going back to school, and to college, stressful situations arise, simply because of change. From difficult schedules, to classrooms without their friends, to no one to eat lunch with, or a lunchbox or shoes that aren’t like everyone else’s; school can be stressful. As a parent, how are we to respond to questions…
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Suicide is NOT an Answer to Pain
Two weeks ago, my daughter phoned me to tell me a sweet boy, who we had to our home many times over the years, had died. He grew up with my youngest son. He came to birthday parties and sleepovers. I taught him in school. He was a gifted artist and sweet, obedient child. As he became a young man, he was known for being a loyal and generous friend. He was extremely bright, talented, and artistic. He felt things deeply and always made those around him feel loved. But, on a seemingly normal summer day, he posted to social media, that he could no longer handle the difficulties of…
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What Does It Mean to Parent Our Adult Children?
As our children grow up and fly the nest, so to speak, what is our role to be in their lives? We never stop being their parents, but we do stop parenting per se. By the time our children leave home, we have instilled in them, the morals, values and life skills that we find important. When they leave, it is time for them to use what we have taught them. Some of what we have instilled in them will be used; other things will be set aside, as they make their own life and find, ways of doing things that better fits them. However, that does not mean they…
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Melanie Martinez Song Lyrics Destructive to Children
Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? Protecting our Children from Harmful Lyrics and Videos Satan is a sly and cunning adversary seeking those he can deceive and destroy. He is able to camouflage himself in ways that are appealing not only to us as adults, but to our children as well. What are our children seeing and listening to on their computers and phones? What about when they are with their friends, or at school? I recently discovered an artist very popular with young, elementary age girls. Her YouTube music videos are extremely dark and confusing. What impact are they having on these little, impressionable minds, as they try…
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Ideas for Summer Fun with your Kids!
School is out and summer is here. Now you are asking yourself what to do with the kids. Summer should be a time to relax, rest and have some fun. You don’t have to rush to get the kids to school or activities. Whether you stay home with your children or you are working full time, you can make the summer special. Here are few ideas! 1. Visit the local library and fill up on great reads. For younger children you can read to them at night before bed some of the books they picked out. For older children you can read the book they picked out and discuss…
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Teaching Our Children to Lean into God
How many times has fear stopped you from moving forward, pursuing something incredible, or taking the next step? When you feel conflicted about a decision, what is your first inclination? When something unfair happens, how do you respond? Is it to worry, pace, and talk to others? Do you get angry and question God? Or, do you move towards God and rely on Him, trusting Him completely? Recently, I had a co-worker share with me how each year she asks God to reveal a word for the year to her. It could be perseverance, trust, patience, or even a small phrase such as, keep going, or finish well. As I…
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How do I help my grieving child?
“People are always telling me that change is a good thing. But, all they're really saying is that something you didn't want to happen at all has happened.” Kathleen Kelly from the movie, You've Got Mail Grief is a bizarre thing. It always comes unexpectedly, whether you are waiting for it or not. Something out of your control, extremely unfair happens that affects your life and in the end, something very precious is lost. Loss equals grief. Maybe it is something you hoped and prayed would happen and it didn’t. Or, maybe it is something you prayed wouldn’t happen, but it did. Have you ever done that? (You can fill in the…
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One Centurion Soldier’s account of the day Christ was crucified.
As a centurion soldier, it was up to me, To get Him up, and back down from that tree. False is the news, and wrongly accused, as friends of His deny, Their friend, teacher, savior, preacher, afraid like Him, they’ll die. We thrashed His back, red and black, ripping new flesh free. Mangled whips, cracked against back and hips, brackish the future would seem. As black and sin grew stiller then, and the sun refused to beam. The cross on His back, no tormenter lack, blood staining the stones under His feet, He stumbles and falls, and almost crawls, down that crooked street. My eyes—blind to the…
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“Oakley”, Not Just Any Dog -The Things Our Dog Taught Us
I never thought I would have a big dog, but when my oldest was in high school, his grandpa (my dad) offered to buy him a golden retriever, to hunt alongside him. I thought it would be a great opportunity for my son and honestly, “Oakley” was the cutest puppy ever! Both of my boys spent hours playing with her and throwing duck decoys to her. She was eager to please and a quick learner. However, as life happens, and children grow, the less time the boys had for her. Football season, games, and school schedules, all seemed to leave very little time for taking her hunting. Still, the…
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“I didn’t make it!” How to Help your Child with Disappointment
For the next few minutes, think back to when you were in college, high school or middle school. Now, think about something you really loved or wanted to do … You have worked so hard and you want to make the team, valedictorian, cheerleader, yearbook, captain, or maybe it is the play, the musical, the band, the fraternity, the sorority. You want it so bad you can taste it. You have trained, studied, worked, and practiced. This time you know that you are ready. You picture seeing your name on the roster, called out over the intercom, listed in program, in the cast, on the solo list. The tryouts take…