Category Archives: Children

Sneak Peek #28

Posted on by

Excerpt from THRIVE AND SURVIVE, ZERO TO FIVE

I (Margaret) used to be burdened by one particular verse in the Bible. As a young mother with no free time, it hung over me like a daily threat, and I felt I could never do what God was asking. Luke 12:48 says, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return.” I knew I’d been given many blessings, so I also knew God required me to give much back. But I didn’t know how I could with the minimal time I had.

The children He’d given me—who were indeed great blessings—subtracted the time I thought I needed to have a healthy devotional life with God. But the exciting insight He provided was that since I hadn’t been “given much” in the way of extra time, God was not requiring much of my time in return. Understanding the verse in that flipped way released me from self-imposed pressure and evaporated the threat. Since I didn’t have much time during those busy days, He promised to take what little I offered and turn it into something powerful.

All the Lord wants from you is a small amount of daily movement toward Him. In return, He’ll share His wise counsel and meet your every need with fresh ideas and unexpected provisions. Complicated devotional times never work for young moms. But if you’re eager to communicate with Him, He’ll make a way. And as you take advantage of the bits of time you do have, remind yourself of the old adage that little becomes much when God is in it.

SIDEBAR: WHAT MAKES FOR GOOD DEVOTIONS?

  • A bit of time
  • An open Bible
  • A tender heart
  • A ready mind
  • A willing spirit
  • A reliance on God

Sneak Peek #27

Posted on by

Excerpt from THRIVE AND SURVIVE, ZERO TO FIVE

I (Mary) knew that as a mom it was my responsibility to “train up my child in the way he should go” as the old King James Version puts it (Proverbs 22:6). So I got busy with my kids, preschoolers included, teaching them to make their beds. I knew once they mastered that, they’d feel good about themselves, and I’d feel good about giving them a valuable habit they could use the rest of their lives.

Knowing young children can’t be expected to do well at chores beyond their capabilities, I simplified the process to include only a fitted sheet, a blanket, and a pillow, never expecting them to change the sheets, just to make the beds.

I gathered the children and said, “I’m going to show you how to make your own beds.”

They responded with enthusiasm. “I wanna try!”

But day after day the beds remained unmade, so I thought I’d sweeten the deal. “Who wants a candy treat?”

Again, enthusiasm prevailed.

“When I see your beds made, I’ll put a candy on your pillow.”

They all agreed.

I thought bed-making could be learned after just one lesson, but even with the candy, most of the kids worked at it for weeks before faithfully doing it, sometimes taxing my patience. In the end, only Andrew adopted it as a regular habit. His room was often in shambles, but his bed was always made.

SIDEBAR: TRAINING TOOLS TO USE

  • A fun challenge
  • Complimentary words
  • Rewards
  • Punishment
  • Gentle reprimand

Sneak Peek #26

Posted on by

Excerpt from THRIVE AND SURVIVE, ZERO TO FIVE

We learn from Scripture what patient parental teaching looks like. In Genesis 2, the Lord lets Adam, the first human being, name all the animals God had formed from the ground. These animals belonged to God. He shaped them and established their characteristics, and certainly He could have named them Himself, probably with more creativity than Adam used. But He let Adam “help” with this important task.

Verse 19 says, “He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.” God didn’t make suggestions during the process or redo any of the names when Adam was finished. He didn’t interfere in any way. Instead He gave Adam complete freedom to do the job in whatever way he chose. And afterward, He let it stand.

This challenges today’s mothers to let their children participate in important jobs. They should give them the freedom to do it the way they believe is best, even if that way might turn out poorly. In the end, the greater value might not have been in the task accomplished but in the lessons learned along the way.

Have you ever wondered how long it took for Adam to give unique names to “all the livestock, the birds in the sky, and all the wild animals” (Genesis 2:20)? God’s patience is a wonderful model for mothers as they teach their children. The Creator had several important things for Adam to learn when He invited him to name the animals, just as you have multiple things for your children to learn in any given life experience. Patient waiting is always one of the hallmarks of a good teacher.

SIDEBAR: CHARACTER TRAITS TO ENCOURAGE

  • Honesty
  • Kindness
  • Cheerfulness
  • Cooperation
  • Sharing
  • Patience
  • Generosity