Misunderstood Momma

* A flask of gunpowder and a bag of bullets were absent from this quick-draw-duel with my four-year-old son. One child stood alongside me in the elevator nice and happy. The other stood determined on the outside not about to get in. His glare along with his high-pitched voice screamed his defiance as he stood his ground. He had been testing my authority all morning and saw this as yet another opportunity. Time stopped as the showdown began. Who would win this battle of the wills?  As my mouth told him to get in, my brain cried out a prayer that this time he …

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Mom hugging son

Good mom, good wife?

Is being a good mom the same as being a good wife? From the time a child enters into a family, they can’t help but try to take over and secure their spot at the center of our world. At first, they seem so innocent and helpless, but their power to dominate slumbers like a morning nap under a mobile with a nursery rhyme. It may be years before a mom realizes that her precious children can unseat her husband’s unique place in her heart. If we aren’t careful, children can take the place of our mate. They are a …

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Unsung Heroes of Motherhood Series

Today’s Great Giveaways! Prime Time Together With Kids & More Prime Time Together With Kids by Donna Erickson A wonderful collection of suggestions for creative family time. It includes chapters on outdoor activities, environmental and recycling projects, and many other fun things to do for a variety of ages. Best of all, the projects use simple and inexpensive materials and are easy and fun to do The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian Bestselling author Stormie Omartian inspires women to develop a deeper relationship with their husbands by praying for them.The Power of a Praying Wife—now with a …

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A Mother’s Heart…Spiritual Rearing

In 1956, he was a young preacher at the age of 37. He preached twenty-six services over four weeks in Louisville, KY. My parents and grandparents held a large reception for him when he came to town and I vividly remember meeting Dr. Billy Graham. I remember shaking his hand and looking up as he towered over my tiny body. I stood in awe. I don’t know that any words came out of my mouth. As I looked into his crystal blue eyes, I thought I had just met Jesus! I don’t think my parents took me to the crusade. …

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Pursuit for the Perfect Pediatrician

I still remember my firstborn’s baby room: light blue paint with Peter Rabbit border, rocking chair in the corner, brand-new crib with matching accessories.  My time was spent making sure everything was just right. I had a great time planning everything for my babies first year. In all this fun planning, though, I didn’t save a single thought about his pediatrician.  I didn’t realize at the time how important and stress relieving it is to have a great doctor on hand.  I wish then what I know now. On your pursuit for a pediatrician, what should you look for? A doctor …

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How Parents Support (and Sabotage) Student Success (Part II)

  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 is Part 2 of a series in which we explore one support strategy and one form of sabotage. (You can find Part 1 here.)   Support 2:  Expand your child’s listening vocabulary.  A child who starts school with an enriched listening vocabulary has a huge advantage over a child who does not. Sure, when they’re both learning basic …

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Season of Growing

A walk to my mailbox yesterday revealed a rose about to bloom. A clematis vine winds its way up the porch, hanging with purple blossoms. Even the fungus on the stump has gone from espresso cup to soup bowl size in a matter of days. If growth is the symphony of springtime, our children take center stage.   It’s time for mommies everywhere to set aside their ironing baskets, resist spring cleaning, and turn off technology in favor of embracing this season of growth with our children.  Including these 7 essential ingredients in your spring will help you make the …

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Kids and Technology: The “Guinea Pig” Generation

I should have seen it coming. Almost two decades ago, Daniel and I scrutinized the ten or twelve boxes of cutting-edge “educational software” at CompUSA, finally settling on Reader Rabbit. Back home, we devoted the evening to learning the program, ourselves, so that we could help our daughter with it, during the upcoming weeks and months. We stayed up past midnight, and I’m pretty sure we high-fived each other for being such with-it, tech-savvy, forward-thinking parents. Forty-five minutes. What had taken two college-educated adults hours to figure out together took our 3-year-old less than one hour, all on her own. …

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10 Valentine’s Day Ideas for the Kiddos

Do you remember what Valentine’s Day was like when you were a child? Handmade heart-shaped cards, Sweathearts conversation candies with phrases like, “Be Mine” and “LOVE” impressed on the front, and a hollow chocolate heart Momma placed on the dining room table that day. As moms, we love to make holidays fun and even educational for our children. So with Valentine’s Day looming largely over us, The M.O.M. Initiative is sharing 10 Valentine’s Day Ideas for the Kiddos. 1. Go old-school. Have them cut out heart-shaped cards from red construction paper and write a sweet note to their friends and family listing …

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10 Scripture Memory Tips

Have you’ve ever wanted to memorize Scripture but didn’t think you had the time? Have you ever wished you could come up with an easy way to help your kids memorize Scripture. Memorizing the Word doesn’t have to be hard. Using the ideas below, you and your family can make Scripture memory fun as hide God’s Word in your hearts together! 1. Take your weekly memory verse with you wherever you go.  Review it at every stoplight. You’ll be surprised how much you retain! If the family is in the car together, take turns saying your memory verse at each …

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