5 Helpful Tips To Raising Millennials

When my oldest daughter was probably about nine or ten, she asked a question that startled me. The question made me feel old and made me realize the next generation is here. It dawned on me that she is being raised in a technical, social world. The question she asked me is: “what is a cassette tape?”

I felt so old, lol! Then I started thinking, she will never experience life without a cellphone, discs, iPods or computers. The world is different from when I was a child. My mom would tell me come in when the street lights came on and don’t go in anyone’s house. Besides those two rules, I was free as a bird to roam our neighborhood, walk to the corner store and just enjoy life. The temptations I dealt with were things like smoking and making out with a boy during a game of hide-go-get-it. 

These days our children have a whole lot more to deal with. They have to deal with not just bullying but cyber bullying which is bigger and worse than the bullying we grew up with. They have to deal with their sexuality, period. They don’t just deal with smoking cigarettes but other drugs kids sale as a way to get high. 

How do we protect our kids from these things with out making them feel like they live in a house with nuns? 

1. Build a foundation 

A strong foundation is hard to break. Jesus said when you build a house on a rocky foundation the house won't sink and this is how having faith in Him does our lives. Teach your children to always trust in Jesus. The best way to teach them this, is to live by example. You can't tell your kids not to do the things you're doing. It leads them to confusion and pushes them to be more inquisitive about what you are trying to keep them away from. Practice what you preach.

2. Spend quality time
There is a difference between spending time and quality time. Quality time is actually having a conversation with your children, not just being in the same room.

3. Get to know their friends
Don't always send your kids over someone else's home but allow them to invite kids into your home. When their friends are over, don't just send them to a room by themselves but find an activity to do with them.

4. Honesty
Be honest with your kids. This generation has so much access to so much information. If you don't tell them the truth, they are going to find out from somewhere. It is better for them to hear the truth from you so they will trust you and build a relationship with them. There's no more sugar coating things about topics like sex, drugs, drinking and other things they deal with. Take a deep breath and tell them straight forward.

5. Love
Last but not least, love your kids. I know this seems to be obvious but go deeper. We all have needs also know as love languages that helps us to feel loved. Our children have those needs too. Find out what fills your child/children's love tank and do it. For example, your child might need a hug every day to feel loved, well give your child a hug every day for as long as they need you too. It is better for you to do it then strangers. Another example is gift giving. It doesn't have to be a major gifts but buy their favorite snacks or food. If your child needs words of affirmation, send them text just show them how much you care. No one should be loving your children more than you, until they are ready to be married. 

I hope these tips help. No parent is perfect however, we should try to do the best we can to teach our children the way should go. God blessed us with them and the most important thing you can do to help you as a parent is to have a relationship with your heavenly Father.

How To Have A Balanced Life As A Single Mother

Everyone on earth knows how tough it is to be a single mom. The women have to be the head of the house, the home, provide and be there for the children in every way. The single mothers barely have time to care for themselves, or at least the good ones do.

As a single mother it is so easy to get focused on the wrong things, I know because I was not only raised by a single mother but I was also a single mother. A women who works 40 hours a week or more, fights traffic morning and night, rushes home to pick the kids up from childcare, cooks dinner, makes sure the kids do the homework and have everything they need. Let's include the kids who play organized sports, there goes any free time the single mother has. Oh my goodness, it can be over whelming, lonely and down right depressing because the single mother just needs a break.
Does the single mother deserve a break? Does she deserve to think of herself?  Yes, of course she does. Everyone needs a break, an out, something to release from the hustle and bustle of life. However the down fall is not keeping the right priorities. The down fall is when the single mother lets loneliness and the "me" factor settle in their hearts. This is dangerous because it effects the children and soon they start raising themselves.

The single mother has to balance taking care of herself and children. If she neglects one over the other then life can be difficult. An example is a single mother who focuses on finding a man to help her taking care of her children instead of her taking care of them herself and letting the man find her. The result could be getting stuck in a bad relationship out of desperation while the kids behave out of control.

The only way for single mothers to keep a balance is stay in God's presence and listen. Pray without stopping then wait for an answer from God. If He doesn't respond keep praying. Throw on your favorite gospel song. Don't be ashamed to talk to God about anything. When I was single I used to pray all the time about being lonely and dating. He already knows our hearts so why not talk to Him about it? As a result, He directed my paths and now I'm married to my husband for 11 years. He will do the same for you if you are obedient to Him.

A Prayer For Mothers

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you Lord for blessing women with the privilege of motherhood. Keep all mothers healthy physically. The need for physical strength is to spend time with their beloved children. The mothers need to be able to be there for all the children's events. The children need the strength in their mother's arms for a comforting hug.
Please give all the mothers wisdom to guide their children as they prepare for adulthood. Allow the mothers to pour in the children the wisdom that is inside of them.
Please give mothers a peace of mind as the children grow and do more things on there own. Mothers tend to worry about the children but remove the spirit of worry and put in them peace.
Please fill all mothers with joy, love and laughter.
Please allow mothers to have a quiet moment for themselves everyday. Every mother needs a time to reflect, meditate and pray.
Please allow all mothers the space to do that.
Please bless mothers to know that the work they do for their families is not in vain. I pray a financial blessing on all mothers.
They will be blessed for turning their house into a home.

Thank you again for mothers, Lord, without them the world would not be the same.

Lessons From Our Kids

I have talked about this before in blogs about when observing my kids I learn about myself. Today I learned another lesson, from my son. He is two in a half, full of joy and energy. He is also very curious and adventurous. He can also be very destructive. He loves trains and has a book about them that he loves so much. Today he was looking at the pictures but I guess he wanted to see what would happen if he tore the page. I saw that he was getting ready to start tearing it and of course I tried to stop him. My trying to stop him did not do its job. His curiosity out weighed my warning.
After the page was torn into two, he realized what he had done. His facial expression was so heartbreaking, he looked like he had lost his best friend. He cried and got mad at me! I told him I tried to tell you not to do it but you did it anyway. He wanted me to fix it but I could not, why, because I have no clear tape. So now he is going to have to wait until I get some more tape.

How many of us have done that?
We made a wrong choice out of disobedience and when we saw the damage we had done blamed it on something else. I have done that many times. Instead of blaming someone else it is better to take a moment and evaluate yourself. Once I realized it was me I was able to repent and wait patiently for the problem to be fixed. I put the problem in God's hands. He is such a loving God, He forgave me so I faithfully trusted and waited on Him then He fixed it. He will also do the same for you.
That was a great observation I learned from watching my child. Take the time to observe your children today to see what lesson God shows you.

Shopping Tips For New Expecting Moms

Finding out the news of having a new baby on the way is very exciting. It is so much fun searching for the perfect items for the new life entering the world. There is so much to decide on and so many baby gadgets that are cool but some are unnecessary. Here are some helpful tips to help the new mom to be get started.
Tip #1: Is a bassinet really necessary?
It depends on the size of the house your baby will live in. If the new born baby's room is too far from the parents' room then it may be necessary.
Tip#2: What kind of crib should be purchased?
It should be a crib that is suitable for your needs. If you planning on having many children then a strong long lasting crib that can be passed down for each baby will be good. If you are a mom that is planning on having one possibly two children, then a crib that converts to a toddler bed might be better fit your needs.
Tip#3: Is a changing table important?
Like tip #1 it depends on the space. It is great to have because they are elevated so it is easier to change the babies diaper. They are also great because the changing table provides extra storage to help keep the baby's room organized.
Also don't forget decorations. Picking bright colors with lots a shapes helps to stimulate the baby's brain cells. The decorations will also keep baby occupied as they start to mature and discover their surroundings. The baby will stare at the decorations for a while as they figure out what it is.
There are two gadgets that I suggest every parent purchase a monitor system and diaper pail. The monitor system is great to listen to the baby if you are in the room preoccupied by something else. The parents will always be able to hear the baby and some have a small video camera to watch the baby as well. A diaper pail like the Baby Genie for example that keeps the smell under control is a great investment. They really help lock in the odor that the parents do not want the whole house smelling like.
Of course do not forget the grooming products that the baby needs like a bath tub. Investing in a couple of entertaining products is a good idea but not necessary for a new born. When the baby turns about 4 to 6 months of age that is when more toys and swings come in handy. Getting an in house carrier is helpful, especially if stairs are in the home and the living space is large.
Do not worry about the cost because seek the first the kingdom of God and everything else will be added. There are many of bargain places to shop online, like the one below, and in stores. Just seek God for wisdom on what, when and where and he will guide you.

Kids and Summer Time

What are your kids doing this summer? 

Many working parents ponder this every year before school gets out for summer break.  Many parents would love to send their kids to something educational with many activities but many of those programs are costly. Majority of children are sent to a relative house or if they are old enough to stay home by themselves then that is the easiest option. There are things parents can do so that the child is not soaking up hours of television and video games.

1. Assign the child a project.

An example is if the child is of middle school age they can do a couple of book reports.

2. Extra Work for Money

Assigning the kids chores that have to be done everyday before the parents get home. It does not have to be anything like cleaning the carpet but they can vacuum and wash dishes if they are older.

3. Give to Others

Don't just wait until Christmas to teach kids about giving, the summer time is a great time for them to do charity work also. If the kids are younger and a relative is keeping them the parents can send crafts for the kids to do. The relative can make sure the kids get time away from the television and do some creative playing time.

4. Fun Education 

Take the kids to museums and other things around town on the weekends. Many museums have specials like kids 12 and under are free. Museums are fun for the whole family, as well as educational.

Parents just have to be creative and find ways to continually stimulate the child's mind in the summer. A balance of fun and learning can be created to give the child an exciting summer.