Just a Reminder for all the Mothers

According to Titus 2:5 it is important that a young woman keep her home. She is “to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to [her] husband, so that no one will malign the Word of God.”  Unfortunately, our society has taken this out of context and we have placed more importance on keeping up appearances than anything else.  I ran across this great poem today that was a refreshing reminder of what my most important role in my home is…raising my children. Too many days are spent focusing on the aesthetics and not on the tasks that have true value, real merit and will place an indelible mark on the future.

I Took His Hand and Followed
Mrs. Roy L. Peifer

My dishes went unwashed today,I didn’t make the bed,

I took his hand and followed Where his eager footsteps led.

Oh yes, we went adventuring, My little son and I…

Exploring all the great outdoors Beneath the summer sky

We waded in a crystal stream,We wandered through a wood…

My kitchen wasn’t swept today, But life was gay and good.

We found a cool, sun-dappled glade, And now my small son knows

How Mother Bunny hides her nest, Where jack-in-the-pulpit grows.

We watched a robin feed her young, We climbed a sunlit hill…

Saw cloud-sheep scamper through the sky, We plucked a daffodil.

That my house was neglected, That I didn’t brush the stairs,

In twenty years, no one on earth, Will know, or even care.

But that I’ve helped my little boy, To noble manhood grow,

In twenty years, the whole wide world, May look and see and know.

Although it appears that the author of the poem was referring to educating her son in general, Christian mothers (which should really be all mothers) have the added responsibility of raising our children in God-centered homes.  A mother’s faithful instruction multiplies to bless others as her children grow into mature servants of God. 2 Tim. 1:5

2 Timothy 1:5 (ASV)
⁵ having been reminded of the unfeigned faith that is in thee; which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and, I am persuaded, in thee also.

Be blessed…

Raising them Right…

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:4

As believers our first ministry is to our family.  We are to consistently live and teach the gospel to our children.  These gifts are our responsibility and none of us should want to get caught with our work undone.   I was so very moved when I watched the video below.  It shares the testimony of a young man, named Brady, that came to Christ during a bout with brain cancer and how it built his faith as well as his parents’.

11-Year-Old Hangs Himself

It is normal for us to feel that no child should ever proceed their parent in death.  Whether the cause is illness or senseless violence the pain is still severe.  It was heart-wrenching when I heard Sirdeaner Walker describe finding her 11-year-old son, Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, hanging from an extension cord in his bedroom last Monday night after he had endured another day of taunting at New Leadership Charter School, where he was a sixth-grader, she said.

I don’t even think I knew what suicide was at 11-years old.  He would have turned 12 on the 17th.  She described her son as a happy child who had recently come under a great deal of stress due to enduring bullying at school, including daily taunts of being gay, despite his mother’s weekly pleas to the school to address the problem. This is at least the fourth suicide of a middle-school aged child linked to bullying this year.

In an unrelated incident another 11-year-old boy, Jaheem Herrera, in Atlanta suffered similar abuse.  His younger sister found him hanging in his bedroom last Thursday.  Norman Keene, the fifth-grader’s stepfather, said the family knew the boy was a target, but until his death, they didn’t understand the extent of his suffering.  “They called him gay and a snitch,” he stated.

Victims of bullies become anxious, insecure and cautious, suffer low self-esteem and rarely defend themselves or retaliate. Often they feel isolated and withdrawn. The most common reason cited by youth for why someone is targeted for bullying is because the person does not fit in.

Even if your child isn’t a victim, it can be beneficial to have a discussion about this topic. Who knows? Your child might become a protector of someone being bullied, or he may even decide to show compassion to a bully who feels guilty about how he’s treating others.

Most importantly, we should start at home by modeling Christlike attributes and behaviors before them.  This foundation will establish both accountability and respect for others.

Educators’ advice to parents on how to combat bullying:

> Talk with and listen to your kids —- every day. Engage in frequent conversations about their social lives.

> Spend time at school and recess. Research shows that 67 percent of bullying happens when adults are not present.

> Be a good example of kindness and leadership. Your kids learn a lot about power relationships from watching you.

> Learn the signs. Most children don’t tell anyone (especially adults) that they’ve been bullied. Learn to recognize warning signs such as complaints of headaches or stomachaches, or avoiding recess or school activities.

> Create healthy anti-bullying habits early. Coach your children what not to do —- hitting, pushing, teasing.

> Help your child’s school deal with bullying effectively. Zero-tolerance policies don’t work. Ongoing educational programs that help create a healthy social climate do.

Source: Education.com

More Recommended Resources:

State Laws on Bullying

Cyberbullying

No More Bullies: For Those Who Wound and Are Wounded By Frank Peretti

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Monkey See, Monkey Do!

Monkey See, Monkey Do!
By Pam Ford Davis

Over and over, we are told by educators that things are more often “Caught than taught”. By repetition and example children experience much of their learning. With a background in childcare, I saw this time after time.

With children from twelve to twenty four months, they often mimicked what I did, such as coughing or blowing my nose! When they begin talking, it seems like they are turning into parrots!

Parents will be quick to realize that their children repeat what they have heard at home. With a smile, the usual comment is “I’ve got to be more careful about what I say!” They copy parents;they copy their older sisters and brothers.( That is a real bonus with potty training.) A favorite is to copy animals; they love to get down on the floor,on their hands and knees, and bark like a dog, or ROAR like a lion!

At the childcare ministry where I worked last, a boy had observed how the friendly janitor pushed the large broom or mop down the long hallway. A short time later his mom said he had a toy broom in a friends house, and pushed it all around the room, using the same motions he had seen before!
From my personal “Memory Treasure Chest”, I want to share one example of our oldest grandson, Justin, who was three years old at the time.( He is now preparing for his high school graduation.) My husband and I were at the military base housing of our daughter, her husband, and their son. I think it was his third birthday celebration. He had gone outside with his grand daddy.

When my husband sat down on a curb area, he heaved a heavy sigh. Grandparents do a lot of that! Right away, Justin sat down beside him, and gave out a loud sigh! It was a valuable lesson for both of us, that we have not forgotten. THEY DO COPY US! “Monkey See, Monkey Do!”
Even if you have no young children or grandchildren of your own, you would be surprised at how many children may be watching you. It might be at church, or at a grocery store, maybe even at a doctors office. Mind your P’s and Q’s!
With those in our families, we are instructed to share our faith in God. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7) Lovingly repeat stories of Jesus at home, or in the car…in the morning, as they are getting up, and at night, before going to sleep.

Remember, they learn by repetition. Just as we teach them the alphabet by the simple “ABC’s song;” they can learn of Gods’ love with “Jesus Loves Me.”

Now, at nearly sixty years of age, I still remember the love of Jesus, shown to me through the lives of a godly grandma and grandpa. We must not forget…”Monkey See, Monkey Do!”

I am a wife of over 40 years, mother and proud granny. I was born in N.Y. State, currently reside in central AL. With a past career in Radio announcing our family lived across the nation, later worked in the child care ministry. Now, I am living the dream of writing. All things are possible!

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS-MAKE A WEBSITE

National Autism Awareness Month 2009

April is National Autism Awareness Month.  Autism is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the U.S., affecting 1 in 150 children. Every 20 minutes, a child is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Autism is more common than juvenile diabetes, childhood cancer, Down’s Syndrome and AIDS combined. It is one of our community’s most urgent needs.

According to the Autism Society of America, Autism is a complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life and affects a person’s ability to communicate and interact with others. Autism is defined by a certain set of behaviors and is a “spectrum disorder” that affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. There is no known single cause for autism, but it is generally accepted that it is caused by abnormalities in brain structure or function.   Brain scans show differences in the shape and structure of the brain in children with autism versus neuro-typical children.  Common knowledge says that parents whose child has been diagnosed with autism should run — not walk — to the nearest therapist. Early intensive intervention, it is said, is the key to “optimal outcomes” for autistic children.

There’s no doubt that autistic children who undergo intensive intervention, be it behavioral or developmental, do better than children who don’t. And there’s certainly no good reason to wait to provide such therapy. The following video from the Center for Disease Control helps provide information on recoginizing the signs of developmental delays.

The contents of SistersoftheFaith.com, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on SistersoftheFaith.com (”Content”) are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on SistersoftheFaith.com

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Christian Sex-Ed

Let me first start by saying that I have desperately been avoiding this issue.  However, it seems to keep popping up everywhere, including my own home.  My six year old wants to know where babies come from and how any human being could have eight!  I thought I had taken care of this conversation for at least another couple of years, but with OctoMom being covered on every news outlet there is no escape.  So, begins my journey.  How do I teach with all clarity and accuracy about sex?  What is age appropriate?  How much is too much?  Should boys and girls be handled differently?

Sometimes as parents we make the mistake of putting off questions. When we do we might think that we’ve “successfully avoided” the issue. Instead, we are teaching our children that you are not a good sources of information. They will go elsewhere.   Instead, we should “take advantage of the opportunities our children give us to provide correct answers.”

Our goals as Christian parents should be, first, to model healthy, biblical sexuality (in our actions and attitudes), second, to educate about healthy, biblical sexuality (the physical, spiritual, and emotional dimensions), and finally, to help our children to internalize healthy and biblical attitudes and boundaries with their own sexuality.

I plan to read the following  selections and share the information and insight with you.   Please share any experiences that you have had in this area.

God’s Design for Sex Series, Book 1: The Story of Me, Revised By Stan Jones & Brenna Jones / NAV Press

Questions Kids Ask about Sex: Honest Answers for Every Age By J. Thomas Fitch, M.D., with Melissa R. Cox / Revell

Teaching Your Children Healthy Sexuality–Parent/Child Kit By Jim Burns / Bethany House

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Sound Off: What Would You Do?

A great deal of our readers are or have been breastfeeding mothers.  There doesn’t seem to be anything quite like the bond between a mother and her child.  It is amazing the way that nature innately gives us all the necessary framework to know when our children need us.  We want to immediately attend to that need and rectify the situation.  However, at what point does the need to nurture supercede the need to protect?  Sound off sisters?

National Child Passenger Safety Week 2009

Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of children ages 2-14. “The use of belt-positioning booster seats lowers the risk of injury to children in crashes by 59 percent compared to the use of vehicle seat belts.” The finding comes from a study of children ages 4 through 7 by Partners for Child Passenger Safety (PCPS), a State Farm-funded research project at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

While 94 percent of America’s toddlers are now regularly restrained, not enough kids ages 4-8 are properly and safely restrained. Only 10-20 percent of kids ages 4-8 who should be using booster seats to protect them are actually in them. This puts children at an unnecessary risk of being injured or killed in crashes because they are simply in the wrong restraint for their size.

This year the week will be observed from February 8-14, 2009.  This is a change from the observance in September in prior years.

As children grow, how they sit in your car, truck, van or SUV should also change.   For maximum child passenger safety, parents and caregivers simply need to remember and follow the 4 Steps for Kids:

• Use rear-facing infant seats in the back seat from birth to at least one year of age and at least 20 pounds;

• Use forward-facing toddler seats in the back seat from age one and 20 pounds to about age four and 40 pounds;

• Use booster seats in the back seat from about age four to at least age eight – unless the child is 4 ft. 9 inches or taller and

• Use safety belts in the back seat at age eight or older or taller than 4 ft. 9 inches. All children age 12 or younger should ride in the back seat.

Many parents are under the false impression that children who have outgrown child safety seats can move right into safety belts, but nothing could be further from the truth.   Safety belts, are designed to fit adults, and won’t fully restrain a child in a crash.   Using a booster seat will better protect your child from being thrown from the vehicle, or thrown around inside it, during a crash.

Other parents or caregivers may regard booster seats as a hassle to use.   But truly protecting the ones we love means getting past the temporary complaints and perceived hassles because the lives of our children are really at risk.

Visit the following links for more information:

www.boosterseat.gov

www.nhtsa.gov

Business Spotlight: February 2009

Okay Sisters, as promised we have chosen the first business for our Monthly Business Spotlight.  I recently had the pleasure of meeting a lovely young woman who has used her God given talent to create an educational board game for children.  Robin Walker has an infectious smile and her face just glows when she begins to describe The Continental Whiz, Jr.  Robin says her daughter was the inspiration for the game.  “I wanted to  help make learning fun for her,” Walker says.  During the developmental stages she was able to test the game at different public and private schools.   “It was designed to stimulate children’s minds“, she adds “so many parents and educators often become frustrated with different learning styles of their children.  That’s why The Continental Whiz, Jr. is customizable.”

“The Continental Whiz is a board game that will not only provide children with hours of enjoyment, it is also an extremely powerful tool that puts the fun back into learning. The game is interactive and fun for ages three to adult.   It’s available in three age groups.   The Continental Whiz is the ideal learning companion that will grow with a child’s level of intelligence and/or level of maturity in the classroom or the living room. The game comes packaged with a timer, game board, die, pencil, score pad, and question cards,” Robin explains.

A braile version and several different translations including Spanish, German, Latin, French, and Japanese are available.   Anything can be incorportated into The Continental Whiz, Jr.  For, example if you are a home schooler or a teacher you could place a special order and have a custom board designed per your specifications.  “We are willing to do anything to further a child’s education,” say Walker.  Studies have shown that the learning process of the game board is enjoyable and the retention rate and interest level of the user will increase dramatictcally.

It comes in history, math, social studies, english, geography, science, chemistry and a Bible version is currently in development. Walker adds that, ” The Continental Whiz can be customized to each individual state school curriculum.“  I was especially impressed with the Black History version of The Continental Whiz, Jr.  I haven’t seen anything quite like it.  What an awesome way for my children to learn about their heritage.

For more information about Robin Walker and The Continental Whiz visit Bright Horizon, Inc. or call (910) 470-9168.   Turn the Globe with Knowledge with the Continental Whiz!

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Don’t Forget to Remember

As I watch the inauguration of the 44th President of these United States, I sit in awe gazing at the sea of over two million people gathered on the mall for this historic occasion.  I can’t help but contrast it with the exodus of the  millions of people among the children of Israel.  It took a sovereign God to coordinate such an event as well as obedient people.  Just as millions of Americans waited today to hear something, anything from their new, God appointed leader, (Romans 13:1) the children of Israel hung onto every word that both Moses and Joshua gave to them.

God had previously parted the Red Sea for His people and ushered them safely out of Egypt.  (Exodus 14)  Later, He stopped the flow of the Jordan when it was at its highest point, during flood season.  It was a perfect opportunity for God not only show that He was with His people but, that He would move mightily on their behalf.  (Joshua 3)

Many of the people that flocked to Washington for a taste of history will take back souvenirs of all types to share with their children and their children’s children.  They will place these momentos in special places in their homes and take great care to preserve the memories.  Similarly, God told Joshua to instruct 12 men (one from each tribe) to pick up a stone from the bed of the Jordan.  The stones were placed at Gilgal.  Joshua 4:21-24 reads, “…In the future when your descendants ask their fathers, “What do these stones mean?” tell them, Israel crossed the Jordan on dry ground.  For the Lord your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over…He did this so that all that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the Lord is powerful and so that you might always fear the Lord your God.”  God wanted them to remember what He had done for them.  He wanted the memories to be preserved for all generations.

All too often we forget to document and commemorate the great and mighty ways God works in our lives.  As if Jesus’ cleansing blood wasn’t enough, God still moves on our behalf.   Unfortunately, we behave just like the Israelites.  Our memories grow dim and we return to our doubtful and disobedient ways as if we have no God.  Save your Obama pins, buttons, pictures and plaques.  Tell the stories to your children and grandchildren but, not before sharing how God has moved in your life.

Many African-Americans shed tears of joy and victory in celebration of a once seemingly unattainable goal today.   I can imagine the tears that were shed once the Israelites crossed over into the promised land, the joy they must have felt with every victory.  We must not forget to remember where our blessings come from.  I pray that God uses President Obama to turn the hearts of the people back to Him.  Moreover, I pray that we all continually cover President Obama with our prayers that he continually seeks the Lord.

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