I am hearing a lot of frustration on the ABCJLM Facebook Group about having a strong-willed child. Can I just encourage you for a moment? While there are varying degrees, raising a strong-willed child means that your child is developing...growing...maturing. Showing their desire is part of the process of learning independence and checking to ...
Parenting
Parenting: What to Do When What You Are Doing Isn’t Working
My heart is breaking. I am reading so many posts from mommas sharing frustrations in parenting. They feel like failures. They feel alone. They feel defeated. He ignores what I tell him to do. She is emotional, loud, and demands her own way. He is so strong willed and laughs when I discipline him. Parenting is hard. Blood, sweat, and tears ...
A Parent’s Pray for the School Year
Today we are closing the door on summer. At the crack of dawn tomorrow, I will deliver my children to their appropriate elementary and middle schools to spread their wings. I would like to pretend that this is easy to do, but honestly, like a mother hen, I would much rather keep them in the safety of my nest. It is only by God's strength and ...
Tips to Have Successful Meals with Children
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 ...
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 about it. ...
How Much Media 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 Media Use The research is unanimous. It doesn't matter if it is educational or not...it is media. Use of and watching media ...
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 ...