As parents, we want to help our children succeed in school. In my twenty-two years as a classroom teacher (twenty-one as a parent), I’ve seen parent strategies that pay big dividends. I’ve also seen well-intentioned efforts that actually cost the kids. Today, I’m going to start a series in which we explore one support strategy and one form of sabotage. Support 1: Help your child learn their multiplication tables. Through the 20s. As soon as possible. I’m not suggesting “super baby” tactics. But do take advantage of edutainment software programs that will drill your child over and over again. Make …
10 Ways to Win the Whining War
It has a way of grating on your nerves. Whining can drive a momma up the proverbial wall. How do you stop a two year old from whining when it’s time for bed, when you take her favorite toy away or when she doesn’t get her way? What do you do when your 5 year old whines about what you feed him for lunch, when you make him play outside or when you make him take a nap? Somehow, whining is a universal language for children between 1 and 18… and if it’s not dealt with before they become adults, …
Is it Autism?
“She does not like to be held or rocked at all. She won’t look at what I am pointing at, and never points at things herself. The softest touch sends her wailing, but being bitten by ants at the playground did not cause a stir. She still is not talking, but all my friends have had late talkers. She seems to look everywhere but in my eyes. So many things don’t seem right. Could this be autism?” Autism. Just the sound of the word makes the strongest of moms weak in the knees. So what is autism? According to the …
The Pursuit of Proverbs 31
Featured Guest: Amy Bayliss Often we go through our day to day lives making decisions that could have been better if we had just included God in them. He knows all and is best suited to give us direction. All we have to do is ask and listen. We must stop solely relying on our human intellect to guide us. I like a list. I like plans. I like specific instructions. I keep them all in my cus- tom household notebook. I like to not have to have faith to know that what I am doing is right. There, I …
Complaint-Free: Who Me?
Complaint-Free: Who Me? As I thumbed through a copy of A Complaint-Free World five years ago, I considered myself the most optimistic, positive, encouraging (and obviously humble) person I knew. In fact, I joked to my husband that we needed to buy two (maybe three) dozen copies to give the long list of negative people in my life who drag me down with their never-ending complaints, criticism, and gossip. Than I read a little farther. And the author had the nerve to suggest that of all the negative people in my life, I might be the worst of the worst! That. …
A Mother’s Heart…Unmet Needs
Harried from too many tasks on her day’s schedule, she stumbled into bed, falling asleep almost before her head hit the pillow. Rising in the morning, she had a strange feeling something wasn’t right, but she could not put her finger on it. Dismissing it, she hurriedly dressed and mumbled a few quick prayers. With four kids, one husband, a slew of pets, and a busy calendar, she had plenty to do each day. Throughout her day, thoughts of her weaknesses filled her head: I wish I could handle my time better. I wish I had more strength to meet …
Investing Time In Our Children’s Interests
By Featured Guest: Amanda Beth Today I spent 15 minutes and $5.00, and made a world of difference in two darling girl’s lives. When my daughter and her friend get together they are so creative. They usually plan for days what they are going to do before their play dates. Today, they created a gift shop and beauty salon. They’ve been planning this one for weeks, making signs, jewelry, hair accessories, and craft items to be ready for their shop. They were so excited when I accepted their invitation to browse their store, and even more excited when I …
The Irony of the Empty Nest
How painfully hard it is to watch as the momma bird nudge her little babies out of the nest. They desperately try to cling to the wiry branches that had once been meticulously placed there by their parents. It was their home… all they ever knew. They were carefully cared for while they nestled in the twig-lined tree house yet a whole wide world awaited them beyond their little bungalow suspended between two limbs. But it’s time for her babies to soar. It was what they were created for. It’s ironic, you know? You raise them up to let them go. I know …
Recipes from M.O.M.
A domestic diva, I’m not… so quick and easy is my favorite way to cook. Healthy is important too, but even healthy tastes better when it’s quick and easy. I’m all about Rachel Ray’s 30 Minute Meals but when cooking isn’t you’re thing and recipes don’t come easy, the term “concoction” seems to be what best describes the food situated on your plate. Today, I’m going to share with you a concoction that may be thrown together to make a one-dish meal but is definitely quick – definitely easy – and almost definitely healthy. You will notice by the flexibility …
Recalls Moms Should Know About
The M.O.M. Initiative loves y’all like crazy and we want to offer information to help you in your journey. Today we want to share with you some current recalls that you may or may not be aware of. Recalls may seem silly to some but they arm moms with information they may need to protect their children. So, here are some current recalls: Lakeshore Feels Real Baby Dolls On 2012-03-27, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a recall on Lakeshore Feels Real Baby Dolls due to a potential choking hazard. This product sold new beginning in May 2011 for approximately $20. About …