A to Z Blogging {Still catching up!}; Other Ways to Bring God into Your Kids' Lives

(Click here to read part one of this post; Kids--Bringing God into Their Lives)

To instill a love of God in your child, God must be a part of your life every day—at home, at school, wherever you go and whatever you’re doing. Here are a few tips to make God an integral part of your life every day.

• When you read to your child, include Bible narratives. When your child is old enough to read, provide Bible stories; give tweens and teens Christian fiction to read. (Caution: read the books first, to be sure they are really “Christian” books.) Consider subscribing to faith-based magazines; again, preview them first to be sure they give the message you want your kids to read.
• Give each child a Bible of their own; consider a study Bible so they can learn even more from the study notes. Give them highlighters so they can mark in their Bibles too, and encourage them to write down what they’ve learned and questions that come up as they read.
• Have Bible-study/devotion time as a family. Teach what you learned in Bible study, or read and discuss passages from the Bible. Many Bible study and devotion books are also available.
• Write Bible verses on note cards and post them around the house. Encourage your kids to do the same so they memorize verses or are reminded of God during a tough time.
• Pray for your kids…and with your kids. Ask them what they would like you to pray for, for them. Pray that they will desire to have God in their lives and follow Him. Encourage them to start a prayer journal, recording their requests and God’s answers.
• Set a good example of showing Christ’s love wherever you go. Be polite even if the checker is rude. Return change when too much is given. Give to charity as you feel led. If you lose your temper with another driver, apologize, explain why what you did was wrong, and ask God’s forgiveness out loud.
• Bring God into situations in your child’s life. When she talks about a new child at school, encourage her to talk to him and explain how Jesus was kind to everyone. If a teen at her high school gets pregnant, talk about the consequences of not obeying God’s laws and the impact on the rest of that teen’s life. You can also use this as an opportunity to talk about choosing life, and God’s forgiveness.  
• It’s normal for teens to ask questions about faith and your religious denomination. Allow them to ask these questions (I think God is glad when we think about Him and His Word and ask questions!). Discuss them as a family; find the answers if you can, or ask your pastor or priest. Even if kids are questioning their faith, make attending church a rule.

How do you make God a part of your kids’ everyday lives? Please leave your comment below! 

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

The Morning Blues—and how to Beat Them!

Mornings can be hectic—whether you have kids at home or are just getting yourself ready for the day. Here are some tips to take the “blues” out of the morning.

•  Start the morning on a positive note with the Lord’s words: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23) and “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us be glad and rejoice in it!”  Psalm 118:24).
• It’s hard to start the morning facing a sink full of dirty dishes or overflowing garbage can.  Every evening take a few minutes (it takes less time than you think!) to clear off the counter and start the dishwasher and take out the trash if needed. Pick up dirty towels in the bathroom and toys and shoes and books scattered around the house. This is not deep cleaning but a quick pick-up so you don’t have to face chaos and clutter in the morning.
• Plan breakfast the night before and have a back-up in mind in case the bread is green or last bit of milk is spilled in the morning. It’s OK to eat supper for breakfast, too! Cody’s favorite supper/breakfast was meatballs and mashed potatoes. String cheese and baby carrots are another alternative. Have breakfast bars on hand in case breakfast has to be eaten on the way to work or school.
• Before bed, choose clothes for the morning; lay them all out, including underwear and shoes. If it’s the first cold spell of the fall also hunt down gloves and hats.
• Gather your purse, library books, backpacks, and everything else that needs to leave the house with you. If something needs to stay refrigerated until the last minute, put a sticky-not reminder on the door or your purse.
• Make a checklist for your kids (and maybe yourself) of morning “to-do’s”. This will also teach your kids accountability and time management.
• Make it a priority to start the day on a positive note. Grit your teeth through spilled milk or lost library books. Send your family off with a smile; the time to discuss changes in the morning routine is not when you’re in a hurry, but when you have time to discuss it calmly.

 How do you beat the morning blues? Share your ideas in the "Comments" section! 

“Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love,

that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”

Psalm 90:14

I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Nebraska Family Times. Check it out! 

Life Skills to Teach Kids (Catching up on the A to Z Challenge!)

By Shelly Burke

Our main job as parents is to work ourselves out of a job…that is, teach our kids how to live productive, independent lives—on their own! Along with teaching your kids to do their own laundry and cook ramen noodles, here are some less-thought-of skills that will be even more valuable in “real life.”

Teach your kids to: 

• Say “HI” to the janitor. And the waitress. And the check out lady. And the maid at the hotel.
• Request an extra pillow from the lady at the front desk. Call and order pizza. Check their bank balance by calling the bank. Making a dentist appointment. Ask the produce man how to choose a ripe pineapple or avocado.
• Make an exchange or a return at the store, or renew a car license at the courthouse. Politely, even if the person behind the counter is not polite.
• Make small talk. (“Tell me about your job.” “How about those Huskers!” “What about this weather?”)
• Know when not to talk, but to listen and observe.
• Introduce people to each other.
• Know when to apologize and how to apologize, without making excuses.
• Estimate how much groceries will cost. (As you’re checking out, ask each child to estimate what the final bill will be and write it down without letting anyone see. The one who has the most accurate estimate doesn’t have to help take the groceries in.)
• Comparison shop.
• Read a map. A paper map (maybe in a book called an “Atlas”).
• Pound in a nail…without a hammer. Screw in a screw…without a screwdriver. Pull out a nail…without a hammer. Hem a pair of pants…without a needle and thread. (Answers: hard heel of a shoe, knife, fork, duct tape.)
• Play a record on a record player. (When Morgan’s pre-school teacher did this, Morgan came home excited about huge “CD” her teacher had that was “this big!”)
• Write a letter. By hand. With a pen.  Look up the address in the phone book. Address the envelope and stamp it. Take it to the post office and mail it.
• Use the Yellow Pages. The ones made of paper, not on a screen!
• Check the oil level in a car. Jump a car battery. Change a tire.

 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Proverbs 22:6

What practical skills do you have to add to this list? Please leave your suggestion in the "Comment" section below!

I’m also blogging the A to Z Challenge at Nebraska Family Times Check it out! 

Catching up...and...{Drumroll}...winners!

The winners of the gift basket (pictured below) are: 

• Marcy, for your comment on the Nebraska Family Times blog on 4/18
• Buffie, for your comment on the Nebraska Family Times blog on 4/16
• Melanie Schultz for your comment on the Home is Where the Mom Is blog on 4/16
• Multi-Tasking Mama for your comment on the Home is Where the Mo Is blog on 4/8

Please e-mail me your mailing address to me at shelly@shellyburke.net by Wednesday and I'll get your gift in the mail!

Thank you to everyone who commented! I appreciate your taking the time to do so and I appreciate your comments! Keep commenting because...

The next giveaway will be announced later this week;

sign up to receive these blog posts in your e-mail so you can sign up

for the next gift giveaway! {HINT: It will contain CHOCOLATE!)

And stay tuned...I'll be catching up on posts for the A to Z Blogging Challenge on both blogs this week! 

Wild Week! And Your Chance to Win a Gift Basket Extended!

Yes, I know it's not the day for "W" yet...

Please accept my sincere apologies at falling behind on the "A to Z Challenge"! On Sunday I was invited to go with a friend to a little town in western Nebraska; she gave her "Chocolate" talk there. After, as she was talking with people who attended, we started hearing that the Interstate was closed...because of snow! We did NOT expect that but after checking with family and friends realized that we'd be spending the night in North Platte (where there was no snow, by the way...). After a trip to WalMart for pajamas and a few other necessities, we treated ourselves to a nice supper out and talked until almost 2 AM, discussing everything from our kids to the theology of heaven to our future writing plans and goals to the kind of toothpaste we used...

Needless to say I didn't get any blogging done that day or Monday...we left mid-morning to come home and within 5 or 6 miles saw the first semi jack-knifed in the median. We saw numerous other cars and semis on their sides or completely overturned as we made our way home. We were very thankful to get home safely!

The rest of my week was spent putting the May issue of the "Nebraska Family Times" together (for more about the "Nebraska Family Times" go to "Nebraska Family Times" ; if you'd like a FREE copy of the June issue e-mail me at shelly@shellyburke.net with your mailing address), working, going to church, welcoming Morgan, my daughter, home, seeing the movie "Heaven is for Real", planning and shopping for Easter dinner...and basically, well, not blogging.

I have my posts planned out and WILL catch up within the next few days.

To make it up to my readers I will be giving away 4 gift baskets instead of just one (see this post ) and have decided to extend it until Easter Monday; everyone who comments between now and then will be in the drawing for one of the gift baskets.

May God bless you and your family this Easter!

"He is risen!"

"He is risen indeed!"

"Alleluia!" 

How to say "NO!"

(adapted from “Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home.”)

It’s tempting to say “yes” to any request you get—after all, you want to make people happy, help out when you can, and do good deeds. But sometimes, for your own good, you have to say “NO.” Unfortunately it’s not an easy task, especially when you’re turning down a request to do a “good” thing, like teach Sunday School, buy your child the latest fun toy, or head up yet another project.

Here are a few tips for evaluating requests: 

• Make it a habit to say “I have to check with my spouse/look at my calendar/see if I can find a babysitter” whenever someone asks you to do something. This gives you time to decide if you should do the task or not.
• Find out all of the details—date, time, time required to complete the task, and so on—before you decide whether or not to say “yes.” You might be surprised to find the task is minor and will fit into your schedule—but you might find a seemingly quick task will require much of your time.
• Will saying “yes” ultimately help, or hinder the situation? For example, if your child asks for help with his homework, does he truly need help or is it just easier to ask you? Are you being asked to work overtime to fill in for someone who is sick, or is the organization chronically understaffed?
• Prayerfully consider the request and open your heart to God’s direction. He might urge you in a new direction…or He might prompt you to say “no”.

Principles to saying “NO”:

• First, have it set in your mind that your “no” answer is the best one for you and your family, and that you will not change your mind.
• You do not have to give a reason for your answer. Of course if it’s a close friend or family member you might want to explain, but in some cases your explanation will just lead to the other person arguing with you about your reasons, trying to talk you into saying “yes.”
• The person who is asking might wait silently after you’ve given your “no”, hoping you’ll offer more information or change your mind and say “yes” if she waits long enough. Outwait her. If she is bold enough to question you or try to change your mind, simply repeat your answer, as many times as necessary. Don’t be intimidated. You gave the request thought before you answered; remember how you’ll feel if you’re bullied into doing something you don’t want to do.

How to say “NO”:

• “I’m sorry, I can’t.”
• “It just won’t work for me and my family.”
• “If I do that it won’t help you in the long run.”
• "Doing that for you will just keep you from learning..."
• “I have other plans” (even if it’s a plan to take a nap or work on a project at home)
• “I know I helped last year, but I just can’t this year.”
• “That’s not one of my skills or interests, but I would like to help by…”
• “I can’t help you with this fund raiser but I would be willing to help next year.” (Do not say this unless you are really willing to help next year; you WILL be asked!)

 Sign up in the sidebar on the right side of this page to receive these posts by e-mail; 

the post for the letter “Y” will be titled, “When to Say YES!”

(I'm also blogging at Nebraska Family Times. Today's post 

is based on Hebrews 4:16 and titled "Near".)

Kids, Bringing God into their Lives

(adapted from the book “Home is Where the Mom Is;  A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family and Her Home”)

Our main job as parents is to make our children, children of God. Jesus clearly treasured children; in Matthew 18 He tells His disciples, “Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for Him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:5-6

Here are some suggestions for bring God into your children’s lives.

Take them to church. This is one of the most fundamental things you can do to make God an integral part of their lives, but arguably one of the most difficult as well. Here are a few tips, from moms who have been there.

• Make going to church a regular routine from the time your children are babies.
• Explain, as age appropriate, what is going on during church.
• Some parents find kids listen and pay attention better if they’re sitting toward the front of church, where they have a clear view of the pastor or priest and can better see what is going on. Other parents prefer to sit near the back, where they can easily “escape” if their kids are acting up.
• Be conscious of any noise your kids might be making. While it’s important for kids to remain in church if at all possible, if they’re disturbing those around you, clearly the kids are not paying attention and others aren’t getting anything out of church either. Consider taking your kids out if they’re disrupting the service; to make sure this doesn’t become a habit, impose a consequence later.
• Take quiet snacks and activities to occupy small children. Consider taking faith-based books, coloring or activity books so that kids are still learning about God even if they’re not paying close attention to the service.
• Consider asking older kids to take “sermon notes” or write down questions or observations about the service to discuss later. Doing so might encourage them to pay attention.
• Be very discerning about missing services for school or sports activities. You are sending a message when these things take precedence over church. Check for services on Saturday evening, or investigate churches in the town to which you will be traveling, if appropriate.

Advice for those who don’t have small children in church with them:

• Remember how you felt when you had young kids in church, and remember the importance of kids being in church. If their noise disturbs you, sit in the area of church where the kids aren't.
• Encourage moms and dads who bring their kids, with a smile and a word of encouragement after the service.
• I recently bought a few Bible activity books that were on clearance; I plan to put them in my church and give them to kids (if their parents ok it) if they’re restless. Could you do something like that?
• In our church, activity bags are available. Parents can grab them before church, their kids keep occupied with what’s inside during church and they’re returned after church. Would this be an option in your church?
• If a mom or dad have a particularly difficult time during a church service, make a point of talking with them after church and telling them how much you appreciate them bringing their kids to church. I will never forget something that happened years ago in our church; during a baptism, the older sibling (who was about 3 years old) escaped her grandma’s grip and ran to the front where her parents and baby sister were. The toddler ran around the altar area and made a fuss. The mother was clearly embarrassed. After church, in the narthex, the lady was talking about how bad she felt about what had happened. An elderly lady went up to her and said very clearly, “We LOVE the sound and activity of children in this church!” I've never forgotten the mom’s expression of relief and gratitude at hearing that.

 (This post will be continued on “O” Day, “Other Ways to Bring God into Your Kids’ Lives”)

(I’m also blogging at Nebraska Family Times. Today’s post is titled “Knowledge”.)