A reader asked... Any good ideas for dealing with lying? That's a tough one. Lying is a common issue with most preschoolers. Some even believe it is an important part of their development. Here are several reasons why preschoolers lie according to this source at BabyCenter: • Forgetfulness. • Wishful thinking. • An active ...
Parenting
The Parenting Lie: Are You Believing It? {Giveaway}
I went to bed with a heavy heart. Sleep didn't ease the burden. My heart hurts because society has fed us a big lie which we are biting, chewing, and swallowing. Friends…if your child over the age of 2 is hitting, yelling, disrespectful, demanding, and disobedient it is NOT okay. This is NOT age-appropriate. You deserve better. Your ...
The Perfect Amount of Time to Spend with Your Child Each Day
How much quality time should I spend with my kids each day? I remember asking this question to a more experienced mom. Being a high school math teacher, she immediately gave me a mathematical formula. She explained, "Take the child's age and divide it by the number of children that you have. Add to that the ...
Let It Go…
My friend Cyndi shared this quote from Louie Giglio on Facebook. Every day we hold on to something with a clenched fist is a day we miss the possibility of God putting something amazing in our hands. When you let go, you don't lose out. I've tried to control everything from my marriage, my children, to each speck of dirt in my home. Desperate to ...
Help! My Child is Gifted
Periodically on the ABCJLM Facebook Group, a mom will comment that her child is gifted. Her 18-month-old knows his ABC's. Another will share that her 3-year-old is reading or her son is advanced and needs a harder curriculum or he will get bored. It is very exciting to be raising a child who excels in a specific area. Friends are amazed and ...
We Need Answers
Five years ago we were in the middle of a valley. Bubs (8) was failing the 2nd Grade, Little Man (4) was in a defiant rut, and ABCJLM was demanding focused attention. I felt alone, exhausted, and helpless. See if you can relate to this post I shared in 2013. I just finished writing a long note to Bubs' speech therapist. We are between a ...
Praying Scriptures When Your Children Have Tests
This popular post has been updated. I invite you to read and listen to the corresponding podcast episode as well!Tests are an understood part of our children's lives. Whether it is a spelling test in the 1st Grade, the ACT/SAT in high school, or the GRE to get into graduate school, our children are frequently taking exams to test their ...
Is Keeping Your Children Busy the Answer?
A few weeks ago I asked the following question as a poll on Facebook. True or False: It is best to keep toddlers and preschoolers busy so they stay out of trouble. While it wasn't my ambition to create a tricky question, it was my hope that the question would cause each reader to stop and think. And, I hope that it will start a constructive ...
When Your Child’s Behavior is an Embarrassment
I just received a call from my child's school. It was not a he's-doing-such-a-great-job call, but instead a he-made-a-very-poor-choice phone call. Everything inside of me wants to listen to the lies of the enemy. - You are a horrible mom. - You don't pay enough attention to him. - And you speak at conferences on the topic of parenting? - ...
When Your Children Don’t Match Your Parenting Dreams
For several months in my life, I had a severe "pity party." I was angry toward God because He refused to match my self-prophesied life plans. Ridiculous. I know... But in talking to other parents I find that I am not alone in my bitterness struggle. Parenting is not what we expect. The days are long. The work is brutal. Of course, there are ...