9 Ways to Raise a Rebellious Kid

Fact: Kids love to push the limits.  Fact: Rebellion is a human condition.  Yet there are things we do as parents that encourage the growth and intensity of a rebellious heart. Here are 9  ways to fan the flames of rebellion. Expect perfection: Performance based parenting focuses on the outside observables  rather than internal  notables. Notice outcomes but focus on developing your child’s character. Rather than only commentating on appearance or performance, “You look so beautiful” say, “Thanks for helping your sister today. You have such a kind heart.”  Punish for every infraction: Instead start saying what you want. When the child messes up, retrain. Next move to a natural consequence, …

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Internet Safety Every Parent Should Own

  One of my friends choked back tears as she poured out her broken heart. Her son, who she thought could not access pornography on the home computer, had done just that. Her tears came from knowing how hard she tried to manage the internet and her children’s safety, and yet the ugly pictures defeated her goals once again. My Friend Isn’t Alone Over the past ten years, I have also faced the challenge of our own internet safety in hopes of protecting my young men from the powerful tide of porn. Over the years I have tried just about …

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DIY Chocolate Mint Lip Balm

This is a fun, super easy project to do along side your kiddos! Perfectly glossy as well as soothing, your lips will absolutely love these! The mint warms your lips while the chocolate adds a yummy taste and slight tint.  Most of these ingredients you will already find in your kitchen. The rest can be purchased through Amazon.com. I use transparent clear lip balm containers found here. Your mouth will love the all-natural, skin loving ingredients. Remember these have no preservatives, so enjoy them within six months! (This won’t be a problem-trust me!)     Do you have any DIY …

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How to See Eating Disorders in Kids

On the day she shared her story with me, Katie Kluke’s blue eyes were full of hope. She wore a soft gray sweater that draped easily around her slender frame. Her voice was calm as she told how she once used her Daddy’s stability wrap to encircle her girlish self, making her feel wonderfully “small.” She recounts how she didn’t want “thunder thighs” or the way they made her look: not petite, even in second grade. By 8th grade, family stress stirred the lies in her heart and mind and a full-blown eating disorder in her body. The United States …

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Smart Cinnamon Roll-Ups for Your Scholar

Whether launching kiddos off to school or taking a break from the homeschool table, these cinnamon roll-ups are a smart way to pep up your scholar! Allow your kids to whip-up these super easy, warm and gooey breakfast treats! Click To Tweet     How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!  Psalm 32:1-2 NASB We love hearing from you! What is your favorite school recipe? In Him, Tara Dovenbarger

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Is Your Child on Something?

She looks different to you.  Her eyes are glassy. Or is that a twinkle? Giggling, she can’t keep quiet. Gushing all of the great things about him, all conversations now lead to this one subject. If she were back in her light up shoes, the strobe light would be blinding as she twitters around the room. It’s like she’s on something. And she is. It’s infatuation. Although it’s not deadly or illegal, it does give this mama heart cause for concern. It’s a drug that can blind our kids, causing them to miss what is glaring to everyone but them. …

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Back to School!

Each year, when summer comes and school lets out, it makes me reflect on my childhood summers. You know…those summers that seemed to last forever? I think about all the wonderful days I experienced growing up. We all had so much fun. Forced to be outsiders, we actually got exercise by running around playing tag, kick ball, or roller skating. We circled the neighborhood subdivision on our bikes until dark and the bugs hit our teeth, or Mom rang the bell to come home. Our parents never worried about us. Because a high level of trust in one’s neighbor existed, …

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Precious in My Sight

  I wasted a year of high school starving myself. Tall is fine when you’re 30-something, but back then my 5-foot 9-inch healthy frame didn’t fit the tiny sophomore cheerleader mold, and I concluded—I must be a big girl. I was a smart girl, too, who should’ve known better. Straight A’s looked great on college applications, but they did nothing to enhance the mirror image. So I did what good overachievers do. I set a goal. My goal was to be skinny—and I chased it with gusto. For breakfast, I rationed exactly half a cup of cereal because the box said …

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Easing Your Kids’ Back-to-School Nerves

  We’ve all experienced the first day anxiety of something…You know that YUCKY feeling you get on the first day back to school when your stomach is turned upside down doing somersaults like it’s in the Olympics. As a former school teacher, I have seen that agonizing look of fear on so many faces on the first day of school. You know that YUCKY feeling you get on the first day back to school – 10 ways to ease your child’s nerves Click To Tweet  Believe it or not, most teachers go to great extremes to help ease their students’ …

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When Life Throws Us More Change

  Welling up with tears, I began my apology to my daughter. Seems like I’d been doing that a lot lately. This time I had failed to order her graduation announcements. What kind of mom am I? My girl smiles at me as I blubber my confession. She reassures me: this is not an emergency. Tilting her head, she looks at me as if I’m from another planet. Not because I forgot, but because I’m crying. Who is this woman? I imagine her asking in her thoughts. I know she must wonder about me these days. Lately, I haven’t been …

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