Parenting Insight You Can Use Now

by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN - http://www.biblicalparenting.info/ - Used by permission

Patience is a virtue but few children understand its benefits. Children tend to live for the present and typically want their desires satisfied fast.

One of the ways we help children learn patience is to teach them how to wait. They may not be able to wait long at first but the idea of waiting doesn't have to be like a foreign language. "Mom, could I have a snack?" "Well, it's 2:30 now. Let's have a snack at 3:00."

Sometimes a child will try to interrupt your conversation on the phone, or your interaction with another child or adult. One mom said, "I've told my son that if I'm on the phone and he wants to talk with me, that he can come over and gently put his hand on my arm to communicate that he wants to talk to me. I will either pause from my conversation to talk to him briefly or sometimes I'll just put my hand on his, communicating that I know he's waiting."

Talk to child about the maturity involved in waiting. You might define the character quality in practical ways that your child can understand. Patience is waiting with a happy heart. Or, patience knows that good things come to those who can wait.

Realize that the resistance your children exhibit to your "patience training" exercises is just the confirmation that they need to learn this valuable quality. They don't need harshness, but firm limits are good for children. Your work in this area will help them be more successful as they grow. Demanding children are unhappy children and indulging them rarely brings about peace. What they really need to learn is patience.

For more information about developing character qualities like patience in your children read the book, Good and Angry, Exchanging Frustration for Character in You and Your Kids by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN.

More Than Mended

by Lyle Berry, wife and mother of four children - 2012 - Used by permission

A lot of things around here have been breaking—plates, vacuums, major appliances. Jason and I have been asking each other, "Do we repair it or get rid of it? Is it even worth fixing?"  We shake our heads when the coffeemaker takes forever to crank out eight cups of coffee.  We are frustrated when our insurance company wants to fix the wrecked car with salvaged parts.

We are a disposable society. We do not value the broken, the old, the damaged. I am so thankful that God does not look at me the way I look at our broken freezer. Instead, through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus, my brokenness can be more than mended. On my own, I am not worth fixing. My sin, in the eyes of a holy God, breaks my fellowship with Him. Through Jesus, my relationship with God is not just patched back together with some salvaged parts. It is just as if I had never sinned! I am clothed in Jesus' righteousness. The sorrow and ugliness of past sins--all of my ashes--He turns into beauty.

I am so thankful for brokenness and for restoration. I am so thankful for forgiveness and new life. "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10).

How to Find Locally Grown Organic Foods

http://www.westonaprice.org/local-chapters/find-local-chapter
 
Local chapters help you find locally-grown organic and biodynamic vegetables, fruits and grains; milk products, butter, eggs, chicken and meat from pasture-fed animals.  They also represent the Weston A Price Foundation at local fairs and conference and may host cooking classes, potluck dinners and other activities to help you learn to integrate properly prepared whole foods into your lifestyle.  Local chapters may also be able to put you in touch with health practitioners who share the same philosophy and goals.

Precious Gems

Ladies, as always, thanks so much for your permission to include your kids' quotes in Heart to Heart!  I love them!

 

I was helping my 14 year old son, Josh, study for his health test. I asked him to tell me what types of diseases are work related. He replied, " Staph infections!". Although "occupational diseases" was the correct answer, I thought his response was pretty clever. ~Lisa in Virginia

 

During homeschool one day we were talking about weather. I 

had seen a really neat experiment online that you can make 

rain in a glass jar, so I told the kids, "Now we're going to go 

and make it rain in the kitchen."  Joshua (3) seemed a little 

unsure about what was about to happen and asked me about 

the idea of it raining in the kitchen, but I didn't fully 

understand his concern until his older brother, Caleb (5), 

came into the kitchen with his umbrella over his head! They 

thought that rain was really going to fall from the kitchen 

ceiling! ~ Alyssa in Asia Minor

Joshua (3) loves music and loves playing the guitar he was 

given for his birthday this year. When we recently celebrated 

my husband's birthday, we told him to play "Happy Birthday" 

while we sing. We sang, but he didn't play. When we asked 

him why he didn't play he said, "My big guitar no sing Happy 

Birthday. My big guitar sing Hallelujah."  Apparently his 

guitar only knows how to play songs with the word Hallelujah 

in them! ~ Alyssa in Asia Minor

Overheard at my house as we're packing for our week at Marmie's house:
Michaela (8): "What are we gonna do about Allie (Marmie's dog) while we're there?"
Mom: "What do you mean?"
Michaela: "Allie barks all the time, and barking dog means crying baby. Crying baby means miserable mother. Miserable mother means miserable children. Miserable children mean miserable grandmother. Miserable grandmother means no cooking. No cooking means no food. No food means we starve to death. Starve to death means we die!"
So basically, we're going to die this week, all because of a dog. Oh, the drama! ~ Jennifer in Virginia

 

A four year old overheard at my house: "Mom, on the bus today Charlie said, 'I love you, Savannah.' I did not say it back. I just love God and my Daddy."  Lauren in Virginia

 

One of our spelling words today was "kisses" (learning about making a word plural with s or es). So as I was calling out the words we got to kisses and as soon as I said it, Jadyn (1) toddled over and gave me a big smooch! Who says a one year old can't spell :)  ~ Sarah in Virginia

 

The kids, Malakai and Amiya (4 year old twins) told me they learned about the Mayflower & penguins (pilgrims). In other news, apparently we have a dinosaur that's sneaking in to do all the things the kids "didn't do" (making a mess etc.) ~ Danielle in Alabama

 

Tonight I asked Livy (2), "What does 'family' mean?  I really wasn't expecting a logical answer, but her response was priceless.  She thought for a minute, then said carefully, pausing after each name, "Sophie. Mama. Livy. Tata!"  Love our little family! :) ~ Lori in Virginia

When voting yesterday, Anna (5) looked up and asked in a very concerned voice, "You mean daddy won't be our leader anymore?!" ~ Lauren in Virginia

 

Overheard at my house:
Savannah (5): "I'm sorry I had to be a car rider after you worked all night.  This is all Mom's fault."
Daddy: "Mom didn't mean to.  She just overslept.  Everybody does that sometimes."
Savannah: "Not me.  I never oversleep."
Daddy: "You should try it sometime." ~ Lauren in Virginia

Today I am thankful for my sweet 2-year old.  This morning Ondra (husband) let me sleep in after several rough nights with a teething baby.  Very concerned that I wasn't up as usual, Livy climbed into bed with me and said, "Did you sleep good, Mama?  Are you sick?  Poor Mama.  I give you squeezes!"  She proceeded to hug me tight, then said, "Thank you!" and scampered off.  Oh how I do love this child! ~ Lori in Virginia

Sometimes the things my kids (both 4 - twins) say make me so nervous.  They just told me to drive slower (it's rush hour) or I would hit two trucks, a tree, then go into the water and that would make Jesus soooo sad! ~ Danielle in Alabama

 

Funny story as mama is about to deliver soon:  Wyatt (7) asked Morgan (9), "Where's Levi (6)?  And Naomi (10) answered, "Mama ate him!  Look at her belly!!"  Everyone's a comedian. ~ Rachael in Virginia

 

A few weeks ago, on a Sunday morning, I walked into the living after getting ready for church and Ben (4) says, “Mommy, why do you have those legs.” I replied, “Uhm, they are just my legs.” Ben: “But they are brown!!”

"Oh you mean why am I wearing nylons (panty hose, stockings, tights……whatever you want to call these things)……..because it’s winter and cold!!"  Guess it’s been a while since I’ve covered up my (apparently very white) legs!!  And just for the record they actually were black nylons!! And super funny, both Ben and Jadyn (1) randomly rubbed my legs all day long!! ~ Sarah in Virginia 

 

Overheard at my house:
Savannah (5): Does grandad want to help decorate the tree?
Mimi: He doesn't really enjoy decorating the tree.
Savannah: Oh dear. Why did God make him that way?! ~ Lauren in Virginia

 

 It's "Show and Tell" day at school.  Austin's (4) take is that, "If they're a girl, they will bring princesses...I'm serious.  And I do not like princesses.  So I will bring turkey feet.  The girls will not like that."  And that's what he did.  Can't wait to hear about how well that goes over. ~ Emily in Virginia

Amazing wisdom from five year old Savannah: "Mom, that man that shot those kids...I think maybe he was confused.  You know, Satan is a liar and maybe he believed him...and that made him make some bad choices." ~ Lauren in Virginia

 

Daniel (4) called me on the phone to say, "Thanks, Grammie, for sending me the Bandaids for my stuffed animals."  I did remember that he didn't play with stuffed animals very much, but he loved them and right away put the felt Bandaids on his sock monkey who has several holes.  They stick with Velcro.  He also told his mom, "I think I need to make friends with some more stuffed animals!"  He said to be sure I bring my sewing machine when I visit, so I can fix his sock monkey. :) ~ Lois

 

Last night our son, Jeff, took his two boys, Daniel (4) and Andrew (19 mo.), out to the back yard to eat their dinner by the campfire. The boys both so enjoy sitting by the campfire with their daddy.  Out of the blue Andrew raised both of his hands to the sky and said with a huge smile, "Haaappppy!!!" ~ Lois

 

Fact Checker: Divorce Rate Among Christians

http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/09/25/factchecker-divorce-rate-among-christians/ 


Note: FactChecker is a monthly series in which Glenn T. Stanton examines claims, myths, and misunderstandings frequently heard in evangelical circles.

We've all heard the statistics saying, "Christians divorce at roughly the same rate as the world!"  However, according to this article, divorce is much lower among conservative Christians, and significantly lower among conservative Christians wholive out their faith.

The following statements are excerpts from the article which you will hopefully take the time to read and view the chart given:

The factor making the most difference is religious commitment and practice.

What appears intuitive is true. Couples who regularly practice any combination of serious religious behaviors and attitudes---attend church nearly every week, read their Bibles and spiritual materials regularly; pray privately and together; generally take their faith seriously, living not as perfect disciples, but serious disciples---enjoy significantly lower divorce rates than mere church members, the general public, and unbelievers.

Professor Bradley Wright, a sociologist at the University of Connecticut, explains from his analysis of people who identify as Christians but rarely attend church, that 60 percent of these have been divorced. Of those who attend church regularly, 38 percent have been divorced.

W. Bradford Wilcox, a leading sociologist at the University of Virginia and director of the National Marriage Project, finds from his own analysis that "active conservative Protestants" who regularly attend church are 35 percent less likely to divorce compared to those who have no affiliation. Nominally attending conservative Protestants are 20 percent more likely to divorce, compared to secular Americans.

Scripture Memory Verses for Toddlers

The following are just a few scripture verses to begin this exciting journey of scripture memorization with your children or grandchildren, but there are so many more that would be easy enough and appropriate to add to this list.  Remember, scriptures learned as children will stick with them as they grow older, so I hope you will take advantage of filling their minds with truth from God's Word.

I found that simply going over each verse over and over with my children or grandchildren, and leaving out a word or two as they learned the scriptures worked well.  Making a booklet of each of the scriptures along with pictures, either drawn or glued in, is another way of reinforcing scripture memory in young children.

Steve Green and other Christian artists also have CD's of music with scripture set to music, another wonderful way of memorization of God's Word.  You can also download his music at no cost to your computer on Spotify.

Here is a short list to begin scripture memory with your little ones:

Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. - Ephesians 4:32

 

Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. - Ephesians 6:1

 

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure and whether it be right. - Prov. 20:11

Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift. - II Corinthians 9:16

 

When I am afraid, I will trust in Him. - Psalm 56:3

 

We love Him because He first loved us. - I John 4:19

 

Casting all you care upon Him, for He cares for you. - I Peter:5:7

 

Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. - I Peter 3:10

 

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life - John 3:16  (For a very young child of two or under, you may want to have him master the first phrase before going on to the entire verse).

 

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God - Romans 3:23

 

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord - Romans 6:23

 

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. - James 4:8

The Names of God

A great comment from Lisa Weddle in Virginia about an article I wrote for Heart to Heart in September:
http://www.heartfilledhome.blogspot.com/search/label/Names%20of%20God

Thanks for your article on the names of God. About a year ago I started writing down the names of God as I read them in the Bible. I finally  bought a small notebook and put one letter of the alphabet on each page. Now as I find names of God while I read, I put them in my little notebook. So far I have found over 300. It has been an excellent study on God's character and attributes. It is also great way to remember His attributes as I give God praise while I pray.

 

Fun and Frugal Scavenger Hunts

www.stretcher.com - Used by permission from the Editor, Gary Foreman

Great ideas for youth groups, adult Sunday school classes, friends, and families.

Updated Scavenger Hunt Ideas
We did this as kids in the neighborhood too, asking for old calendars of a certain year, or a penny of a certain date. We all had the same list to work from.

But now the teens are using technology. They get a camcorder for each group and have a list of things to do at various locations. They put the list of each group in a different order so the groups don't all go to the same place at once. Then they film it for proof.

Like go to a certain gas station and help someone get gas and wash his or her windows. Go to another business and sing a song, etc. Not only is it different by going to all these various locations, but then they each watch the other's film to verify what was done and have some refreshments and laughs. You can change this any way you like to fit your group and/or location. ~ Thomas

A Hunt for Information
A couple of years ago, I organized a fun car rally/scavenger hunt for the staff at work. I concentrated on the hunters gathering information rather than things, so as not to disrupt the activities in stores and other businesses. Scavengers were asked to get dates from a building cornerstone and a gravestone, an inscription from a building lintel and a gravestone, to count the number of seats in a restaurant and the number of overhead light standards on a bridge, to identify historic community landmarks, etc.

The route was carefully mapped out to take participants around the community, with rather cryptic directions such as "turn right where Eveline meets royalty" ("royalty" was Queen Street). Setting up such an event can be just as much fun as participating in it! ~ Barbara

Bringing Back the Proof
Our church youth group did a photo scavenger hunt once. You make a list of different settings - for example, get a photo of your group doing a human pyramid, a photo of your group in front of a house with the numbers 123, a picture of a member of your group getting frisked by a police officer, etc. You set a time limit - say 2 hours - and each group get in a car and takes off. Some pictures are worth more points than others, depending on difficulty of acquiring the picture. After the time is up, you add up the points. The activity is great fun and the photos afterwards are great souvenirs. ~ Tasha

Community Service Scavenger Hunt
Here's a twist on the old scavenger hunt. For a neighborhood block party we had a Service Scavenger Hunt. We gave groups of people a list of nice things to do for someone: sweep a kitchen floor, read a story to a child, unload a dishwasher, sweep a front sidewalk, take out the garbage, etc.

The first group to meet back at Base with all the items done got a prize. We had a ball, and it was a good way to meet some of the shyer ones who weren't planning to come to the party at all. ~ Joey

Riddles that Kids Love to Use to Stump Adults

My nine year old grandson, Justin, loves to ask riddles like these.  In fact, the first riddle was asked by him.  I hope you and your children or grandchildren enjoy these.  Parents, if you pack lunches for your children, why not write a riddle on a sticky note and surprise him as he gets out his lunch.  That will be sure to bring a smile to his face!  Grandparents, why not call your grandchildren and try out these riddles on them!

Q:  Why did the football coach go to the bank?
A: To get his quarterback!

Q: What do you call a lazy baby kangaroo?
A: A Pouch potato!

Q: What starts with "T," ends with "T," and is full of "T?"
A: A teapot!

Q: How do you stop an elephant from going through the eye of a needle?
A: You tie a knot in his tail!

Q: What is the best thing to put in a pie?

A: Your teeth!

Q: What is a caterpillar scared of?
A: A dogerpillar!

Q: Why did the banana go to the doctor?
A: Because it wasn't peeling very well!

Q: Why should you not take your computer where there will be a large crowd?
A: It might get a virus.

Q: What do you get when you cross a caterpillar with a parrot?
A: A walkie talkie