Summer Archives - The Mom Initiative

The ABC’s of Vacation Bible School

I was born into a family where “vacation,” “Bible” and “school” didn’t go together. Before my parents began a relationship with Jesus, the Bible was a way to ruin our vacation! But once our family learned about God’s plan for moms, dads and kids, summer became a special window of opportunity to grow in faith. It’s a season when signs start popping up on street corners advertising “Vacation Bible School” for kids. If you haven’t been part of a church community for long, you might wonder why VBS should get prime real estate on your summer family calendar. What’s so …

Camping Recipes Your Kids will LOVE

Ah yes, summer is here. That means long hot summer days, mixed with lazy afternoons by the pool or weekends spent in the woods being one with nature, a.k.a camping. In no uncertain terms am I an outdoors type of girl unless there are showers involved…and fluffy mats to sleep on–then I’m all about camping. Not sure what I mean? Here is my idea of camping. And here is my husband’s idea of camping. And it looked a little like this. In my stress of not having a shower and being in the woods, …

Making This Summer Count

18 summers, give or take a few. That’s how many summers most of us will have with our children before they leave our homes. I read once about a mom who put 18 rocks in a jar. At the end of each summer, she removed a rock. As each year passed, the jar looked more and more empty, reminding her of how fast time was passing. The truth is, it’s tempting to wish the days away…especially the long, difficult days. It’s tempting to anticipate the next stage so much that we miss the beauty of the stage we’re in. Last night, …

The One Thing You MUST Do This Summer

I love a good to-do list. My husband can attest. Scratch that. Anyone who has seen my writing desk can attest to that. There are electronic lists on my computer and phone, as well as hand-written lists on notepads to prove it. The only problem with a good to-do list is that sometimes…especially with Type A people like me who LOVE getting things done…the items on a list can take precedence over the people in my home. Ugh, I’m cringing as I type. Nonetheless, it’s the truth, and my guess is, I’m not alone in this struggle. I’m guessing …

50+ Things to Do with Bored Kids for Summer

Running out of things to do with the kids yet? I found a bazillion things to do on the internet. Narrowing them down to fit here was difficult. Some of these make great science projects. I won’t jabber on so I can leave space for all the links and suggestions. So, here we go: * Instructions for things to make. 1) Make your own lava lamps http://slsmithphotography.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/06/lava-lamps-summer-fun.html 2) Make a city using masking tape * Let the kids go wild with a roll of masking tape. They can tape over the carpet, the furniture, wherever you allow, to make roads …

Mom the Enforcer or Mom the Evaluator by Lori Wildenberg

Do you sometimes feel like you are the Enforcer? Or the Parent Police? Okay instead be the EVALUATOR! Summertime is filled with countless decisions because of the additional flex time. Evaluating every activity deciding, whether or not to give the go ahead nod or deliver the dreaded no is exhausting. No matter the age of your kiddo, youngster to young adult, constantly thinking on your feet to determine if your answer is a yea or nay is such a brain drain! Constantly thinking on your feet to determine if your answer is a yea or nay is a brain drain! …

A Mother’s Heart…Summer Daze

“It’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it! Do all you want to; take in everything, but realize that you must account to God for everything you do.”(Eccl. 11:9-10 TLB) The Baby Boomer era is said to be the years between 1946 and 1964 so that would include me. I belong in the very first year of that group, born in 1946. So, now you know how old I am! Each year, when summer comes and the school lets out, it always makes me reflect on my childhood summers that seemed to last forever. I think about all …

Real moms praying for real teachers

If the sand is running through the hour glass of your summer, it’s likely a teacher is in your future. For children in traditional style classrooms or co-op groups, another adult will direct most of their school days. In the days of the one room schoolhouse, everyone knew the teacher, but in modern times, few parents have a close relationship with the educator who will invest so much in their child’s growth academically and otherwise. Real moms want to know, “Who is this stranger who will imprint herself (or himself) on the life of my child? Does this real person …

Half-time for SUMMER!

How many summers have ended with regrets over what we didn’t do? While we were gorging ourselves on popsicles and spending hours in the pool … summer slipped through our sun-screen covered fingers. Before you know it, you’ll be buying the box of 500 sandwich bags and getting back in the lunch box assembly line with vague memories of these crazy, lazy days of summer. Or maybe you’re in the crazy and longing for the lazy. STOP! It’s half-time! While it’s still hot and hazy, you can take a break and teach your children a valuable lesson at the same …

Cool Summer Fruit Salad

Craving something cool and yummy on this hot day? Here is the best ever fruit salad recipe! 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks; 2 large bananas, cut into 1/4-inch slices; 1 cup green grapes; 1 cup sliced strawberries 1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained; 2 apples, sliced; 1/2 cup sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/3 cup orange juice; 1 tablespoon lemon juice Drain pineapple, reserving juice. In a large bowl combine the pineapple, bananas, grapes, oranges and apples. In a saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch; add the orange juice, lemon juice and …

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