Be Our Guest: Tea Time for Toddlers

Be our guest, be our guest. Put our service to the test!

Come on and lift your glass, you've won your own free pass.

To be our guest!

No one's gloomy or complaining, while my little girl is entertaining.

Be our guest! Be our guest! Get your worries off your chest.

With dessert, she'll want tea , and my dear that's fine with me.

Be our guest! Be our guest! Our command is your request,

With your meal, with your ease,

Yes, indeed, we aim to please,

While the candlelight's still glowing

Let us help you, We'll keep going

Course by course, one by one,'Til you shout, "Enough! I'm done!"

Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest

Tonight you'll prop your feet up But for now, let's eat up

Be our guest!Be our guest!Be our guest!Please, be our guest!

Tea time has been a favorite activity lately and I'm just loving my little hostess's skills. Have you had a tea party lately?

This post is linked to Wordless Wednesday and Wordful Wednesday.

And don't forget to comment on this post for a chance to win my giveaway!

Shepherding a Child's Heart: Ch 17 Childhood Training Procedures

Welcome to the open discussion and reading of a wonderful book entitled Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. Feel free to join in!

Chapter 17 in a Nutshell

Living on the island of Guam, we mow our lawn all year round. Yes, we mow the lawn and trim the hedges before we put our Christmas lights up in eighty degree weather. Anyway, there is this one patch of grass better know as weeds that grows twenty times faster than the rest of the lawn. If we would take the extra time, we could uproot the weeds and have to mow less often. However, we always opt for the temporary fix and just mow over them and before you know it they are a foot high waving in the breeze and taunting us with their weedy ugliness.



As we look at character training in the childhood years, we can either handle our child's character by "mowing over" their wrong attitudes or we can seek to shepherd their hearts by getting to the root of the problem. We must protect the fertile ground of their hearts and watch for any roots of bitterness that may be springing up and defile their hearts.

Addressing the Heart

Remember that behavior such as complaining, throwing things, and screaming are all clues to what is going on in the heart of your child, but you must question further to discover the heart attitude behind the wrong behavior. "For out of the overflow of his heart the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45).


Consider When, What, Why

When: describes the circumstances in which the behavior occurred
What: describes the things that were said or done
Why: describes the internal heart issues that pushed or pulled the specific behavior


Appeal to the Conscience

Your child needs heart change and that begins with conviction of sin. We can help them see their sin by appealing to their conscience and force them to judge their motives.


Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan to appeal to the conscience of a lawyer who was trying to narrow down who his neighbor was. He wanted a concrete definition for who he was supposed to love as his neighbor. Instead Christ told him the story of the Good Samaritan and illustrated to the lawyer that we should be a neighbor to those in need and not set limits on who we must love or help because they are outside the definition of "neighbor."


Developing Character

It is impossible to instill right character in your child without reference God. We must hold our children accountable to complete the jobs given to them. This is where our own character is tested as we learn to patiently instruct and rehearse with our children right character and motives. Molding a child's character is a process.



Delivering the newspaper on a rainy day may not be easy for your son to do. But if he has made a promise to deliver the paper, than you need to encourage him that the job is within his capacity, he must be faithful to his commitment, and that God will help him through this difficult task.


Working to remove a responsibility from your child simply because it will be hard or unpleasant is unwise and robs them of an opportunity to let their character blossom.


How do you see it?


Greed:
1. Idolatry of the heart or
2. Something that will be outgrown


Lesson to be learned- "Life does not consist in the abundance or possessions."


Possible Activity- List things that were at one time new to your child that have now lost their luster. Thank God for the list of things, but realize that things will never ultimately satisfy our heart like God can.

What aspect of behavior (when, what or why) is most significant to you?


Click here to read the Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8 , Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12 , Chapter 14 , Chapter 15 or Chapter 16 post or go to the categories section and select book reviews. Please join us next week as we conclude the book with chapter 18 and 19 on TEENAGERS.

$3 + Felt + Shoebox = Learning Fun & MY FIRST GIVEAWAY!

I love it when frogs and butterflies come out to play in the starry night sky by the light of a crescent moon.

I love it when a boy goes sailing in the ocean blue and spots green and orange fish flopping around his red sailboat and he never gets sunburned.

I love it when a boy walks his dog with brown spots and sees a cute girl driving by in a tangerine car on a grassy green hill.

But what I really love is how this little girl can make scenes of her own with the pieces I've cut out and hot glued for her. Her imagination can create a hundred more scenes.

Basic Directions:

1. Take a nice looking shoe box, and hot glue a light blue felt to the top. (I got my felt 4 for a $1 at Hobby Lobby)
2. Use your imagination and create a scene and cut out the characters for it. Or buy printed felt like I did for the frogs, butterflies and dogs and save some time. (2 for a $1) I focused on a land scene and water scene. I sketched the objects on paper and then cut them out and used them as my pattern for cutting the felt.
3. Store the pieces inside the box and play in the car, at home or at a friend's house.

Additional Tips:

• I would recommend this activity for ages 2 1/2 to 6 years old.
• You can also teach colors, shapes, number, letters, sorting, take away and much more with your inexpensive felt box.
• Here is a link to a snowman song and scene that you can use on your box as well from the Frugal Family Fun Blog.
  

Giveaway!!!

Leave a comment about why you would like a felt box with characters included or a reason why you like my blog by January 2nd, and I will randomly select a winner and mail you your very own set. I will be sure to send you an email as well as announce it on the blog. You may also link to this post on your blog and leave an additional comment for a second entry to win.

This is my first giveaway so let's make it a success!

This post has been linked to DIY Tuesday at A Soft Place to Land.

Christmas in 1855: Simple and Symbolic

Last weekend, I was able to stroll a village of Christmas past. This quaint place called Missouri Town came alive with adults and children dressed in period costumes. The giddy children were running from the old school house to the Mercantile General Store as there warm breath left little clouds of moisture behind them in the winter air.

After going to the Tavern for some Christmas tea and shortbread cookies, we decided to get our hearts right and visit the church building. As we stepped into the church, heated by the black wood burning stove in the middle of the room, the music of a banjo, and fiddle played "O Little Town of Bethlehem." We stayed and sang along to "The First Noel" with the other chilly visitors before going over to visit the settler's house.


The settler's house was decorated to reflect a German Christmas. New to America, the German family kept their homeland traditions in their humble cabin home. The settler's wife explained to us how in Germany it was illegal to cut down a tree and bring it into your home. Instead, they took clippings from a tree and placed them on an "A" frame with three shelves for celebrating advent.

The first shelf had two apples to represent Adam and Eve's sin in the garden, and a star to represent the star that guided the wisemen to the Savior that was born in Bethlehem. The second shelf had sheep on it to represent both the sheep at the stable where Christ was born and that we are all like sheep going astray in need of a Shepherd.


The third shelf held a round loaf of bread to remind them that Christ is the bread of life, and encircling the bread pan was a wreath or "crown" of thorny holly berry to represent the thorns that tore the Savior's brow as He died on the cross for all of mankind.



The only other decoration in the cabin was some greenery along the mantle where she was cooking a homemade pumpkin pie by placing hot coals from the fire above it and below it. She showed us her whisk of thin birch sticks that she had bound to beat her batter for her gingerbread cookies she was starting, and then we went back out onto the snowy carpet and walked up to the Squire's house.


The Squire was Swedish and considerably wealthier than the settler's family, but they too made the effort to decorate with the symbols of Christmas. As you entered the home, apples hung from a candle chandelier to represent man's original sin. The candlelight represented Christ as the light of the world, the red ribbons signified his blood that was shed and the wafers reminded of his body that was broken. The evergreen that wrapped around it represented the everlasting life available through Christ to all who call on His name and believe.

The decorations of the day were modest as were the people. The Christmas of 1855 was simple and symbolic. It was beautiful, and my heart longed to have this kind of Christmas in my own home.



If we asked people in 2009 what the symbols of Christmas are, do you think they would talk about apples, bread, and thorns? Unfortunately, I'm afraid the cartoon characters have crowded them out.


However, you and I can choose to display and remember the true symbols and meaning of Christmas and help restore the amazing beauty and TRUTH of the holiday. Be simple and be symbolic this Christmas because "Behold unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ the Lord!" (Luke 2)


What do you do at your house to keep Christ in Christmas?

This post has been linked to the The Inspired Room Home Tour, Nesting Place and Frugal Friday.

Shepherding a Child's Heart: Ch 16 Childhood: Training Objectives

Welcome to the open discussion and reading of a wonderful book entitled Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp. Feel free to join in!

Chapter 16 in a Nutshell

First off, we are nearing the end of Shepherding a Child's Heart. There are a total of 19 chapters and I may double up one week so that we can finish by 2010. Now if only finishing the book were as easy as living out the book. I'm considering other books I would like to review on the blog, but if you have a suggestion please feel free to email me or leave a comment with the title of the book.

Stage One

Thus far, the book has focused mainly on the zero to five-year-old category or as Tedd calls it, "stage one." The main issue in stage one was teaching and establishing in your child's heart that he is under God's authority and that you are an extension of that authority. He was learning to honor and obey. (Ephesians 6:1-3)

Stage Two

Stage two is the time known as childhood, which is generally defined as ages five to twelve. It is the time when they are spending more and more time away from you because of school and other activities. The one big issue in stage two is character. Although you may have a child who is willing to obey right away, have they developed the character to share their bicycle with others without being asked, or share their Christmas candy with those around them?

Character Development

How do you teach a child to be considerate, honest, or dependable? Well, some parents choose to make rules. Here's an example he uses.

A family has four girls and only one bathroom to share between them and hair pulling, crying, and lockouts become a real problem. (I added that part:) Anyway, Dad says, "Girls from now on you will each have 20 minutes in the bathroom to get ready."

Is the problem solved?

Or do you think the most inventive people on earth (children) could find loophole after loophole in this 20 minute rule?

What should they do? While a rule may give a good framework for the girls to abide by, it is also a matter of character. The girls need to consider the needs of each other, communicate their needs and learn ways of accommodating those needs so that they can learn to "esteem others better than themselves."

Twenty minutes solves a very temporary problem while getting to the heart of the matter addresses an eternal matter.

A Measuring Chart for Character Growth

Did you ever make marks on your wall to chart your growth as a child? Well as parents we need to stop and evaluate our child's character growth as well. Mr. Tripp recommends looking at these three areas in your child's life every six months.

1. The Child's Relationship to God
2. The Child's Relationship to Himself
3. The Child's Relationship to Others

To God:

We are not so much evaluating here whether the child has accepted Christ as Savior, but more so if he is concerned to know and love God and seek Him for help. Here are a few of the questions Tedd gives to help you evaluate your child in this area.

• Is God a source of strength, comfort, and help to him?
• Does he make choices that reflect knowing God?
• Is he moved by God's ways and truth?
• Is there evidence that he has an independent (apart from you as a parent) relationship with God?
• What are the things that control his happiness?
• What things other than God motivate him?

To Himself:

Suggested questions.

• How does your child think about himself?
• How well does he understand himself?
• Is he aware of his strengths and weaknesses?
• Does he understand his personality?

We should help them learn about their personality because this drives their responses to things. We want them to understand their strengths and weaknesses and ultimately to be content with themselves the way God made them.

To Others:

• What are your child's relationships?
• How does he interact with others?
• What does he bring out in others?
• Are his relationships even or is he always in control or being controlled?
• How does he respond to being sinned against?

Taking Action:

1. List your concerns in each category.
2. List the things you are pleased with in each category.
3. Develop a strategy for dealing with areas of concern.

Chapter 17 is supposed to give procedures for addressing character so I hope to see you next week!

Discussion/Application

How do you encourage right character in your home?

Click here to read the Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8 , Chapter 9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11, Chapter 12 , Chapter 14 , or Chapter 15 post or go to the categories section and select book reviews. A big welcome to anyone hopping over here from we are THAT family for Works for Me Wednesday. Please join us next week for chapter 17!

19 Reasons I'm Thankful for the Duggars

On Thursday December 10th, the Duggar family of TLC's "18 Kids and Counting" welcomed Josie Brooklyn Duggar into their family. She was born three months early and weighs only 1 pound 6 ounces. After Michelle was determined to have a gallstone infection and preeclampsia, the doctor's decided to perform an emergency C-section to deliver the newest Duggar daughter.

Although some joke about and criticize the Duggars for their family that equals about five average American families, I for one am thankful for their example. Here are my 19 reasons and counting of why I'm thankful for the Duggars in honor of the newest little Duggar.

1. They have a tunnel slide from the second floor to the first floor of their house!

2. Jim Bob and Michelle are dedicated to God, each other, and their children.

3. They are financially wise and responsible and do not depend on the government to support their large family. In fact they promote a financial freedom seminar.

4. They are open and willing to talk about God and His love wherever they go.

5. They are doing a better job with their 19 children than most are doing with their 2.5 children.

6. They are willing to go as family on a missions trip to El Salvador and teach their children about other people groups in need.

7. As Michelle says, "“Parenting brings some of the greatest joys in life, but it will also keep you on your knees in prayer.” They pray for their children.

8. They like to laugh and have good clean fun as a family.

9. They drive a bus everywhere!

10. They sing and play as a family.

11. I have never heard a negative word or complaint come out of Michelle Duggar's mouth.

12. Michelle and Jim Bob are constantly praising their children for right character and actions.

13. They built their current home as a family project!

14. I enjoy visiting their family website.

15. You can go here to read a message to mothers from Michelle and also find a link to order their book "The Duggars: 20 and Counting."

16. They have a daughter named Jana (I'm also a Janna but I use 2 "n" s).

17. If they can do all these things with the Lord's help, I can rear my 1 daughter with the Lord's help as well.

18. They are committed to the traditional family.

19. They want everyone to know that a relationship with God is the most important thing in life and encourage those who are seeking to read the gospel of John.

Thank you Duggars for you example of a Christ-centered home to me and the watching world!

Why are you thankful for the Duggars?

Is Spanking in Scripture?

After this post on the when, how, and why of spanking a reader requested that I share where in Scripture God commands spanking. I appreciated her response because as Christians we do need to examine things by what God's Word teaches. I decided to share my response with the rest of you as well.

God commands that we discipline our children by two means - communication and the rod.

Proverbs 19:18 Discipline your son, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to his death.

Here are some verses from the book of Proverbs often called "the book of wisdom" concerning the rod.

Proverbs 13:24 He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Proverbs 22:15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13,14 Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish
him with the rod, he will not die. Punish him with the rod, and save his soul from death.

Proverbs 29:15,17 The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.

In the New Testament God sets the example of how He as our heavenly also disciplines us as His sons and daughters.

Hebrews 12:5-11 My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines
those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For
what son is not disciplined by his father?

If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline),
then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

A Girl of Many Names

Sometimes we call her "Fingers"...

Sometimes we call her "Destructo"...

Other times we call her "Busy Body"...

But mostly we just call her "Adorable"...

Mommy loves you sweet girl!

This post is part of Wordful Wednesday and Wordless Wednesday.

What nicknames have your children earned?