“I want that!” My daughter’s eyes widened as she grabbed a colorful stuffed animal at the toy store. At that moment, a wave of frustration came over me. After I just bought her a toy the day before, I could hardly believe my ears when she wanted something else. Doesn’t she have enough? I thought to myself. Surely she can’t be that consumeristic, could she? As her face changed from jubilation to disappointment at my refusal to buy the toy, a startling reality came over me: I caused her selfish attitude. I didn’t do it intentionally. My husband and I …
Connecting or Disconnecting Because of Technology & a GIVEAWAY?
Today, we have a treat for you! A giveaway of GARY CHAPMAN’s and ARLENE PELLICANE’s new book, GROWING UP SOCIAL! Arlene is a guest who has shared here at The M.O.M. Initiative several times and I love her heart to minister to women! Today’s post is an adaptation from Growing Up Social and Arlene has graciously offered to give away a copy! SOOOOO… be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win. Winner will be announced in Sunday’s post. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – …
5 Ways to Teach Your Children to Behave Themselves in Public
It’s almost inevitable. Kids behaving badly in public and moms wanting to hide under a rock. It happens to the best of moms! So what’s a mom to do when her child begins to behave badly in public? How can a mom teach her children to behave themselves? 1. Begin setting very clear expectations at a young age. Even when your children are only about two, you can convey your expectations to them and when you have defined the ‘code of conduct’ for your household, your children will begin internalizing those expectations and make them their own. Remember, clear expectations …
The Dark Place of Addiction ~ for Moms Whose Children Struggle with Addiction
The M.O.M. Initiative is going where some moms live so that we can offer hope and encouragement to those who are there now… for those who have children who are struggling with the dark place of addiction. Before you begin to read I want you to know that I believe there is always hope in every situation. I only write from what I have seen and experienced through my children and others who are on this journey. As addicts progress on the path of addiction, the partial light that once illuminated from the shadows gradually fades away. The darkness begins …
5 Questions to Help You Connect with Your Teen
After living with teenagers for nearly 18 years, you would think I’ve figured out exactly how to connect on a heart-to-heart level, right? Of course, you may be wondering how does one live with teens for that many years? Well, my husband is a boarding school teacher, so I’ve literally spent my whole adult life with tweens and teens from around the world and across the United States. We eat together. Worship together. Enjoy life together. I get to see what they are really like when their parents aren’t watching and especially as they try desperately to gain the approval …
Empowering Kids to Make Wise Decisions
As my kids grow bigger, I’m learning to let them make their own choices. Even when I disagree. Like last Saturday, for example, at the grocery store. “Mom, can we get a watermelon? Please? Please? I love watermelon!” My seven-year-old spied a crate of enormous melons in the center of the produce aisle. She clasped her hands in front of her chest and pleaded. “Sure, we can get a watermelon,” I nodded. “If you promise me you’re going to eat it.” “I will, I will! Can I pick one?” “Uhhhh . . . okay.” Now, you need to understand—I’m really …
A Passion for Freedom
Happy Independence Day! When I think of the 4th of July, I think of the passionate people who sacrificed so much to secure our freedoms. I think about the men and women who were willing to sacrifice their homes, their safety and the lives to assure that future generations would be free. But I also think about how Jesus came to give us the ultimate freedom…the freedom from sin. I think about our independence IN Christ and our dependence ON Christ. And my heart turns to the generation that depends on us to pass down the freedom that was so …
Tell Him About Jesus / Compassion International / by Jenny Sulpizio
Most of us have enough knowledge and enough resources right now to change at least one person’s life. It’s not a matter of knowing there is a need. It’s a matter of caring enough to do something about it. –Lisa Whittle We watch them on the news. We hear about them on the radio. We’re aware of their plights taking place half-way around the world. We’ve been told of their suffering, their horrendous living conditions, and the struggles they face, but more often than not, we don’t offer assistance. Many of us are holding on to the hope that others …
Mom the Enforcer or Mom the Evaluator by Lori Wildenberg
Do you sometimes feel like you are the Enforcer? Or the Parent Police? Okay instead be the EVALUATOR! Summertime is filled with countless decisions because of the additional flex time. Evaluating every activity deciding, whether or not to give the go ahead nod or deliver the dreaded no is exhausting. No matter the age of your kiddo, youngster to young adult, constantly thinking on your feet to determine if your answer is a yea or nay is such a brain drain! Constantly thinking on your feet to determine if your answer is a yea or nay is a brain drain! …
A Story Like Yours… or Maybe Not ~ But a God Who Makes Beauty Out of Ashes…OH…and a Conference You Just Can’t Miss!
Hey you. Yeah. You! The one who may have had a rough day, a bad past, or are feeling a little lost in this great big wide world. I want to share a bit of my heart with you about what God has brought me from and what God has brought me to. It’s not a rags to riches story…but is is beauty from ashes story. It’s a story about a girl…a girl whose story might be like yours…or maybe not. But it’s about a God who is really good at making beauty out of ashes. It’s a story about …