As a young mom, I held completely distorted expectations of family dinners. I imagined a picture-perfect scene: everyone sharing sweet stories from their day, laughing together, and saying heartfelt prayers. The reality? Spilled drinks, endless behavioral reminders, wiggly bodies, interrupted words, and moments where I genuinely wondered if a ...
Impressing on Children
Helping Children Understand Social Cues
I still remember it like it was yesterday. Bubs was about 9 years old, lying on the floor beside me while watching a friend’s baby kick, wiggle, and make little noises. He watched every movement closely. You could almost see the wheels turning in his mind. Then, with a puzzled look, he asked, “What does this mean?” as he circled his finger ...
Teaching Obedience Through a Game
Updated from Jul 8, 2011. It was one of those moments when I felt so proud of my child. Little Man (age 2) obeyed immediately, and for once, I was not the only person who noticed. Let me provide some background before I continue. Teaching Toddler Obedience Through Play Little Man and I play impromptu games of “Red Light, Green ...
Helping Kids Handle Fear
Read an updated blog post from May 24, 2010. Last night, while I was laying in bed reading a book, Bubs walked into my room with a worried look on his face. You could tell something was bothering him deeply. He climbed up beside me and said, “I can’t get [the movie] out of my mind.” This was a movie we had chosen not to let him watch ...
10 Tips to Help a Child Through Meltdowns
If you are parenting a child who has meltdowns, I see you. They can be exhausting, frustrating, embarrassing, and heartbreaking all at the same time. Whether it happens in the grocery store, at church, at bedtime, or in the middle of the living room floor, meltdowns or fits have a way of making us feel helpless. And a failure. I know because we ...
Understanding the Fruit of the Spirit with Preschoolers
As a child, I remember feeling confused by the phrase fruit of the Spirit. Why fruit? Apples and bananas made sense. Patience and kindness? Not so much. If you have ever tried to explain this to a preschooler and found yourself stumbling a bit, you are not alone. What Is the Fruit of the Spirit? When the Bible talks about the Fruit of the ...
How to Teach a Child Not to Interrupt
There was a season in our home when every conversation with my husband or a friend seemed to happen in fragments. We would start talking, and within seconds someone needed a drink, had an urgent story to tell, or absolutely had to ask a question that could not wait another minute. Can you relate? Over time, I learned something important: ...
Ultimate Summer Reading List for Adults and Kids
There is something special about summer reading. Whether you are relaxing by the pool, traveling with family, or enjoying a quiet evening on the porch, a good book can make the season even better. I recently asked the ABCJesusLovesMe Family to share the books they loved and could not stop talking about. Combined with several books I have ...
Why Sensory Play Matters for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Sensory play is one of those things that kids really enjoy —water tables, bins of rice, finger paint, play dough. Adults, on the other hand, tend to dread. Why? Because they are often messy, leading to sticky kids, wet clothes, and messy floors. Maybe if we could see all of the learning, calming, and development happening below the surface, it ...
Easy Visual Chore Schedule for Teaching Kids Responsibility
When my kids were young, I tried multiple chore charts and posters, but nothing seemed to stick. I found that my kids (especially those with ADHD) needed something more hands-on—something visible, movable, and easy to carry from room to room to help focus and remind them of their daily responsibilities and routines. Just in time for summer, I ...