by LADC on January 30, 2012
Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you upa nd take you to play at the park.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if it comes.
Just for this afternoon, I won’t worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won’t stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald’s and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we both sit on the porch and count all the stars.
Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my fingers through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.
I will think of the mothers and fathers who, for many reasons, are no longer putting their children to bed…
And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day….
- Author Unknown
by LADC on January 29, 2012
A is for Accountability. Hold your child accountable for their behavior.
B is for Boundaries. Set specific limits, and make clear the repercussions if those limits are exceeded.
C is for Consistency. Hold to the same principles and practices.
D is for Discipline. Make the punishment fit the crime. Never discipline in anger.
E is for Example. Children are in greater need of models than critics. Set a good example.
F is for Forgiveness. Practice it, and teach the importance of forgiving.
G is for Giving. Teach the joy of giving, not only to friends and family, but to strangers in need.
H is for Humor. Keep your sense of humor, promote laughter with your children.
I is for Imagination. Be creative and play with your children. Make up stories or songs when you read and sing with them.
J is for Justice. Be fair and insist that they be fair also.
K is for Knowing your children’s friends and their parents, as well as their teachers.
L is for Listening. Listen to your children. It will teach them how to listen to others, and their thoughts will give you insights.
M is for Morals. Be sure your own standard of conduct is sound.
N is for No. Use it, and mean it.
O is for Outdoors. Provide as much outdoor activity as possible. Teach respect for Nature.
P is for Pressure. Reduce the pressure on your children, but insist they maintain high standards.
Q is for Questions. Pay close attention to their questions, and give simple answers unless they demand more.
R is for Respect. Show respect, teach respect and earn respect.
S is for Source of Strength. Share your own faith or beliefs with your children. Faith can be their port in the storms of life later.
T is for Togetherness. Have special, designated times to be together as a family- but know when to let go, too.
U is for Uniqueness. Understand the Uniqueness of each child, and let that child be who he or she is.
V is for Voice. Tone of voice can convey more to a child than the words spoken.
W is for Words. Keep your word. Promises broken destroy trust.
X is for eXamine. Examine constantly, and be aware.
Y is for You. Take care of yourself mentally, physically and spiritually. A happy parent helps a child to be happy.
Z is for Zowie! Who would have thought they would grow up so quickly!
by LADC on January 27, 2012
Wake Up!!
Decide to have a good day. “Today is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” Psalms 118:24
Dress Up!!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7
Hush Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we must be meant to do twice as much listening as talking. “He who guards his lips guards his soul.” Proverbs 13:3
Stand Up!!
Stand for something or you will fall for anything. “Let us not be weary of doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good…” Galatians 6:9-10
Look Up!!
To the Lord… “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Reach Up!!
For something higher… “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Lift Up!!
Your Prayers… “Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.” Philippians 4:6
by LADC on January 25, 2012
One-on-One time is listed as one of the “7 Habits of Highly Effective Families”. These parent/child “dates” can be a special outing or as simple as a run to the store together. If you find yourself running out of “conversation” starters with your child, see some options below for questions that are thought provoking and that promote creative thinking. These would also be great questions to take on a long car trip!
* If something besides rain or snow could fall from the sky, what would you want it to be? (what about jelly beans!)
* If you could be shrunk down to one inch tall for a day, what do you think would be the most exciting place to explore?
* If you had to work on a farm for one week during the summer, what job or chore do you think would be the most fun to do?
* If you could make anything at all twice as big as it already is, what would it be?
* What is one think you are pretty certain you will be good at as an adult?
* What is the silliest thing you have ever done?
* If you could do anything you wanted- anything at all- for your next birthday, what would you do?
* If you could be taken to and from school each day in an unusual vehicle or machinery, what would be your form of transportation? (think tractor, firetruck or rocket!)
* If you won $1,000 as part of a contest, how would you spend the money?
* If a drinking fountain would give you any drink of your choice to spout up, what drink would you choose the most often?
* What is your favorite month of the year? Why?
* If you could be any animal for one day, living in it’s environment and doing it’s thing, what animal would you be?
* What part of a typical day do you look forward to the most?
* In your opinion, what animal makes the funniest or most unusual sounds?
-from Kid Chat by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowire- The Question Guys
by LADC on January 25, 2012
Every day, every week and every month offer multiple opportunities to reenforce your family’s bond. “Synergize” your family with affection, celebration and confidence!
Day-to-Day Rituals:
* Daily Devotions
* Prayer time at meals and bed-times
* After-school snack and “question of the day” time
* “Singing” in the car to favorite songs
* Story time before bed
* Bath-time “play”- water crayons, bubbles, add glow-sticks to bathwater and bath with the lights off!
Weekly Traditions:
* Saturday/Sunday morning breakfast in jammies
* Family Pizza and Game Night!
* Rotating Family Chore Chart (create a spinning wheel!)
* Worshiping weekly as a family
Annual/Special Day Rituals:
* Hanging crepe paper and balloons in child’s bedroom doorway on birthdays
* Make or purchase a “I am Special” plate for family members to use during mealtime on extra-special days
* Take a picture of your child in the same spot every year. ie: first day of school or birthday
* Heart-shaped cookies, sandwiches, candies, cards and signs (heart-shaped EVERYTHING) on Valentine’s Day!
* Purchase favorite -flavor of ice-cream or cereal on school report days
* Ring the Salvation Army bell at Christmastime as a family
* Go Shopping and donate the bags of food to the local food shelf once every three months
Visit with friends to discover ways other families build ritual and tradition into their homes.
by LADC on January 21, 2012
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my special cake just for me, and I knew that little things are very special.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you saw a prayer, and I believed there is a God I could always talk to.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I felt you kiss me goodnight, and I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learend that sometimes things hurt, but it’s alright to cry.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked… and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.
- Author Unknown
by LADC on January 21, 2012
Author Stephen R. Covey listed the “7 Habits of Highly Effective Families”. He notes that even healthy families are “off track” 90% of the time! The difference is that healthy families have a goal, they know where they are going and they have a plan to get there.
1. BE PROACTIVE- Become an “agent of change” in your family, using self-awareness, conscience, imagination and independent will to teach family members the freedom to choose how they respond to potentially stressful situations. It is helpful for family members to know their gifts and strengths. Love is a verb… an action we choose.
2. BEGIN WITH THE END IN MIND- Earlier this week, a guide for creating a Family Mission Statement was shared. Mission Statements help give us a clear, shared vision of the destination where we as a family want to go. Because it is developed together, there is a sense of “We”; this is our decision, our determination. Writing the Mission Statement is only the beginning… translating that mission into the very fabric of our family life, into the moments of our day-to-day living.
3. PUT FIRST THINGS FIRST- In the ever-increasing “business” and turbulence of our lives, it is important to make family a priority. Schedule “Weekly Family Time”, get it on the calendar! Listen to your children, talk, plan, play games, tell stories. Prayer and devotion time is precious time.
4. THINK “WIN-WIN”- Move from a “me” mentality, to a “we”. Make choices everyday that “fill each others’ cups”. What will help the family?
5. SEEK TO UNDERSTAND…THEN TO BE UNDERSTOOD- Focus on solving family problems through empathetic communication. Communicate one-on-one, setting time aside frequently to communicate, both with your children and your spouse. Let children talk, let them know they are important. As parents, listen first and given advice only when asked for.
6. SYNERGIZE- Build up your family’s energy by celebrating differences, up-lifting gifts. Find opportunities for letting each family member be their own person and shine with their own light!
7. SHARPEN THE SAW- Stephane R. Covey, the author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families” uses this term to define renewing Family Spirit through Traditions and Rituals. There were many holiday tradition and rituals shared in last month’s blog. This month will also highlight some year-round traditions and rituals that may help your family “sharpen the saw”.
by LADC on January 19, 2012
Use the questions listed below to create a Family Mission Statement with your family. Spend time together after dinner or during a family fun day to brain-storm the answers. Assign a family member to take notes. Turn the activity in to a fun scrap-booking or craft session by providing paper, stickers and markers to turn the Mission Statement into a picture to display with pride in your home.
* What is the purpose of our family?
* What kind of family do we want to be?
* What kinds of things do we want to do?
* What kind of feeling do we want to have in our home?
* What kind of relationships do we want to have with one another?
* How do we want to treat one another and speak with one another?
* What things are truly important to us as a family?
* What are our family’s highest priority goals?
* What are the unique talents, gifts and abilities of family members?
* What are the principles and guidelines we want our family to follow?
* Who are our heroes? What is it about them that we like and would like to emulate?
* What families inspire us and why do we admire them?
* How can we contribute to society as a family and become more service-oriented?
Have fun together as you lay the ground-work for your healthy family!
by LADC on January 17, 2012
As we begin a new year, some of you may have already decided on making resolutions. Many times resolutions are centered around eating healthier, exercising more, etc. Consider focusing on another kind of “healthy”. Explore what goes into fostering healthy relationships within your family.
The following are “Signs of a Healthy Family”:
* The ability to negotiate with other members of the family without using “put-downs”.
* The ability to say “yes” or “no” without the price tag of rejection.
* The ability to ask with out demanding.
* Confidence in the stability of the relationship
* The ability to show feelings of all kinds, without fear of losing the relationship
* The ability to have specific relationships with individuals in the family.
* Confidence in the honesty of the family members, and in feeling trusted by others.
* The ability to celebrate, have fun and play together!
A family growing together is made up of whole people. Growth toward wholeness does not just happen to someone. Some try to keep a family together through outside incentives, like affluence, restrictive rules or sometimes by force. But a family grows from within.
Parents provide models for healthy living and healthy relationships for their children. Our lives are living exhibits of how to love, how to fight, how to decide and how to socialize, all in healthy ways.
This month’s blogs will focus on what you can do as a family to acquire the traits that are present in healthy families. Watch for more to come!
by LADC on December 24, 2011
Believing in the true spirit of Christmas, we commit ourselves to:
* Remember those people who truly need our gifts
* Express our love in more direct ways than gifts
* Examine our holiday activities int he light of our deepest values
* Rededicate ourselves to our spiritual growth
Christmas Prayer- “May the spirit of giving go on through the year, bringing love, laughter, hope and good cheer. Gifts wrapped with charity, joy, peace and grace, ribboned with happiness, a tender embrace.” – Norma Woodbridge
