From a young age, my dream was to have the "Walton" family. The icon of the perfect American family shown on a popular TV series in the 1970's. I dreamed of fun family devotions. Going camping. Serving neighbors and those in need. I envisioned our family of six sitting down to meals while everyone talked about their day and laughed over the ...
Parenting
How to Train a Child
Ask parents for a Bible verse about parenting and many will quote Proverbs 22:6. Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. With focus on the last part of the verse, Proverbs 22:6 brings great comfort to parents raising challenging children. But I wonder if we put so much emphasis on the end that we ...
Are Constant Interruptions Frustrating You?
How many times has this happened? You fill the sink full of hot soapy water and dirty dishes. You get four dishes cleaned, rinsed, and placed in the drainer only to hear, "MOOOOMMMMM!" You step away to take care of the issue. After multiple interruptions you remember the original task at hand - the dishes. Entering the kitchen you drain the cold, ...
Best Parenting Advice from Experienced Parents
Am I doing enough to train my children to be responsible adults? Do you have questions like this keeping you up at night, too? Parenting is hard, confusing, and humbling. Which battles do I fight? Which do I let go? A few weeks ago, I headed to Facebook to talk to parents who have gone through the trenches and lived to tell ...
How Much Technology Use is the Right Amount?
A few days ago a question was asked on the ABCJLM Facebook Group about the amount of media use allowed each day. Great question. It was interesting to read the range of answers... from no media use to no limits. Risk of Technology Use The research is unanimous. It doesn't matter if it is educational or not...it is media. Use of and watching ...
What Gospel Parenting Looks Like {Giveaway}
Between personal readings and reviews, I have read a plethora of parenting books. So many that I rarely read new publications. Yet one grabbed my attention. And I am very thankful that I agreed to review it. Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family is the newest release by author and speaker Paul Tripp. Unlike ...
How to Change a Child’s Heart
It has been a very difficult three months with Little Man. Completely absorbed in himself, he battles lies, lacks self-control, and struggles with defiance. He wants what he wants and no consequence is going to cause him to think twice. Every time Little Man bows up, my demeanor falls as I know it will be yet another battle that I have to win. ...
Parenting Help for You: New Love and Logic Resources
When I was a teenager, my life changed. Suddenly discipline changed. The change occurred because my mom attended a Love and Logic conference and she learned the magic of giving choices and removing anger from parenting. I guess you could say that I am a Love and Logic child. Because it was modeled to me, much of it became ...
How to Handle Hurtful Comments from Your Children
I remember the first time that one of my children shouted at me, "I hate you!" Like a knife, I felt the blow right to the heart. How could this child say such a thing? I must be doing something wrong! Panic. Fear. Currently our Sweet Pea (age 9) is throwing out the statement, "You don't like me...that's why you ____." She gets mad and ...
Understanding What God Has Called Parents to Do {Parenting “V” Printables}
UPDATE: This information has been completely updated for simplicity and clarity. I invite you to learn more on the Biblical Parenting Video Series. I'll be honest, many of the sermons and talks that I hear go in...and then they get lost. It doesn't mean that the information shared wasn't meaningful. It just didn't stick. And, I am sure I am ...