Who Grew Up with Mr. Rogers? Won't you be my neighbor?

Love this article in RELEVANT magazine today...

10 Mr. Rogers Quotes You Need to Read

A gentle man everyone loved and admired.

Gal 5:14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”

Here's Looking At You, Kid

I was shopping with my aunt on Saturday and ran across these cute kids shoes. Ha!

Holiday Art Contest

Just in case you don't receive our local newspaper, there is a Holiday Art Contest coming up for children in kindergarten through 5th grade.  My own children entered this and received awards when they were younger.  For homeschoolers, it's a nice incentive to create some special Christmas artwork and share your faith at the same time.

Holiday Art Contest

The deadline for entries is Monday, December 3.

More details HERE.

Helping New Moms Just Home from the Hospital or Birthing Center

I am simply amazed how quickly young mothers come home from the hospital these days.  A friend had her baby two weeks ago at a birthing center in the mid-morning and was home that afternoon.  I suppose if you have had children (she already had two), you know what to expect, but where's the rest and care after "trauma" to the body?  I saw her yesterday when I took over a meal for the family. She looked fabulous! Baby was healthy...I was amazed.  If I didn't know she had just had  baby, I would not have known.   Her mother had just left from helping; her mother-in-law had just arrived for two weeks.

I had both of our sons in a hospital (I was an "older" mom) via C-section and an ectopic pregnancy in between with the same surgical area reopened for that.   Each time I was in the hospital for five days.  The doctors and  nurses took great care of me and I really felt rested when I left.  We had good insurance and did not need to stress out about the cost, but regardless, it was nice to be waited on  and really trained with a new baby each time.  For baby #1 (see photo above), I literally knew "nothing about birthing babies" or what comes with them.  Most people can hardly believe that I had never even changed a diaper.  I babysat children all through high school but never for  babies.  The nurses  in the hospital taught me everything, from diapering to breast-feeding to bathing, etc. They even sent visitors away when the room got too noisy and/or crowded.  All I had to do was "give the signal".   I was SO thankful for them all.

I encourage women of all ages who have already experienced childbirth  to reach out to a new mom who has just had her first child.    Even those with other young children appreciate  a phone call, a brief visit, a hot meal for the family...something that enables you to communicate with her in case she has questions, fears or  concerns or is just lonely.  Husbands often take a few days or even a week off from work but after that, the new mom is on her own with a little one to care for 24/7.    Many young mothers are separated from their own mothers by distance and even if their mom comes to visit, it's usually only for a week or two to help out at the beginning.   An experienced mom called me regularly for the first month or so after my first son was born for that very reason and was SUCH an encouragement to me.  I have never forgotten it.  Thank you, Sandy.

Reach out to new moms in your circle of women friends, i.e. your neighbors, church, club,  and offer a listening ear or a helping hand.  You will both be blessed.

Titus 2 Moms Talk: Your Child's First Friends in the Books They Hear and Read

This is my talk from our first Titus 2 Moms gathering of the year last night.

Your Child's First Friends:

The Books They HEAR  and  READ

You may have tangible wealth untold,

Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold;

Richer than I you can never be

I had parents who read to me.

     Strickland Gilliland  (1869-1954 from The Reading Mother

===========================================

This  talk is primarily about books other than the Bible.  I read the Bible to our kids before they were even born, and often read scripture out loud when I was nursing, or just holding them so they could hear it. When they were  younger, we would read together in the evenings.   I will assume that you either are or will be reading the Bible to your children as they grow and making Bible characters come alive to them.  Children's story Bibles are fine, but as soon as they are able, a real translation should be their very own to have, hold and read.

Allegories that teach biblical truths such as The Chronicles of Narnia series and Tales of the Kingdom are also excellent to read to and with children.

=========================================== 

The world of books... I love them.  Reading a book, especially with great characters is such a treat.  It's like making new friends.  How often have you shared thoughts about a book with a friend? Lately, I'm on #4 of the Mitford series (Jan Karon) and I read Redeeming Love (Francine Rivers) about a month ago. I'll read The Help sometime this fall especially after having enjoyed the movie so much. I love talking about good books with friends.  It is such a joy to do the same with your children.   

STAGES OF CHILDREN AND BOOKS

•       When my children were little (babies-age 2), their only knowledge of books was what I selected and read to them.  
•      When they got a little older (age 2-4) we went just about every week to the library and they would help choose books that I would read to them.
•      A little older (ages 5-10) and we would take turns reading [One son hesitated when I was teaching him to read because he thought I wouldn't read to him anymore.  I let him choose when that time came.] 
•       Then came the stage of reading books at the same time and discussing them (ages 11-now).  

In all of these scenarios, their book  "friends" became my friends, too.  We could refer to book memories and know exactly what we were "really" saying.  Sometimes sharing books enables us to share life even better by making it easier and less threatening to identify  our fears, emotions,  hopes and dreams.

Things I remember my kids saying after having read / heard a book:

•   He's a friend like Sam [Lord of the Rings]
•   I want to have a horse and ride  like Billy [Billy and Blaze boy & horse series]
•   I want to have adventures like  Fritz and Ernst.  [Swiss Family Robinson]
•   Look at all this beautiful food [A Christmas Carol]
•  How can a pig and a spider be friends / different types of people...? [Charlotte's Web]
•  His mommy always came after him. [The Runaway Bunny]
•   I don't know if I could do what Travis did.  [Old Yeller]

For homeschooling, in general, I made it a point to have read a literature book previously or read it at the same time they are (using 2 bookmarks) so I would know what they were reading.  From time to time, even now, my sons will still recommend a good book that they have heard of or read and I  have not.   I am so glad that they both love to read. Their language, writing and spelling are all excellent by having done so throughout their lives.  This summer my older son had a goal of reading 20 classics that he had never read before. I think he got through about 16 before college resumed about a month ago.

Audiobooks may give you the story, often abridged, and iPads / Nooks can hold thousands of books and certainly have their benefits.   Personally, I prefer holding a book in my hands.  I hope the digital age we’re currently in does not cause our society to eliminate paper books entirely for this next generation.  There’s something about holding a book in your hands and seeing the story unfold on paper.

==========================================

Babies and preschoolers:

 You read to them, of course.  

• So many choices, many of them not very good-- Sarah has Two Mommies, Daddy's Doesn't Live Here Anymore... “relevant books” are not what they need at young ages.
• Kids prefer colorful pictures, board books, books with children that look like them, animals, nature
•  Sing-song reading like good poetry [A Child's Garden of Verses], Mother Goose (NOT the politically correct one)
•  Some of my favorite little children's authors:  Margaret Wise Brown, Jan Brett, Richard Scarry, Robert McCloskey, Beatrix Potter, Peggy Parish...

Toddler-hood and up:

         P. 37  --10 Ways to raise a reader from Honey for a Child’s Heart  by Gladys Hunt.  I highly recommend this book and others  by Gladys:

•  Honey for a Teen’s Heart
•  Honey for a Woman’s Heart

I used her reading lists consistently for our children from babyhood until about age 12.  We were never disappointed in her selections.

Pretend or purely truth?  

         We all love the world of make-believe.   I think it's fine for children to be read classic fairy tales or fantasy stories.  Most children can tell the difference between pretend and make-believe  just as we can and fantasy can enliven their imagination and take them places they would never be able to visit.  Hence, the popularity of books like Cinderella, Mary Poppins, Chronicles of Narnia,  Harry Potter...  Books help our imagination in ways that television or movies cannot.

        

***Choosing a story book

• What is the theme? does it challenge the heart? bravery, kindness, doing the right thing...noble thoughts and words
•  What is the plot? the why of the story, the "agenda"
• What are the CHARACTERS like?  This to me, is the most important element.   It's OK to have good and bad characters but to talk about the differences.  Is he/she doing what God would want?  Would you want to be like him/ her? And Why?

PARTICIPATION

1.   Let's  share some of the books you brought.

Many brought 1-2 of their or their children’s favorite books and shared them. Others shared memories of favorite books.

2.   Pass around grab bag of books (free books for all, purchased from the library bookstore)

3.   Drawing for a gift book (Karen P. won a copy of Honey for a Child’s Heart )

Great Resources for you:

• Five in a Row [Curriculum that Pam M. shared for homeschool, with excellent reading lists and activities to do with each book] 
•  Gladys Hunt blog
• Reading Rainbow [PBS television program]
•  Storynory  [free audio stories for children/ recommended by Kathy's daughter Toni]

June Y. also shared about reading chapter books aloud while her children played with Legos, colored and drew.  What a great family activity. I have always admired Cindy P. for doing this with her children even through high school!  Engage Dad in reading aloud to the children as well.

Enjoy reading and learning with your children as they grow up.  They will be blessed as well as you.

Boutique for A Week September 21-23, 2011 Metro Life Church Casselberry

Mark your calendars:  Boutique for a Week consignment sale for children's items is coming soon! 

 Open to the Public on September 21-23, 2011 

 Metro Life Church, Casselberry

Registration is now open!  You can consign items, volunteer to work the sale and of course, shop for  what you need.  Expecting moms can even register to shop early.

For more information, go to:  www.boutiqueforaweek.net or check out their blog.

Boutique For A Week is a week long kids’s consignment sale.  We are endeavoring to maintain the highest possible standards to bring you the most affordable prices to help you meet the needs of your children during their growing years...

UPDATE 9.24.11:
Here is a photo from the September Boutique... I bought LOTS of gift items there, most of them were new with tags attached. We're having a boom of babies in our church!

Mark your calendars now.  They hold these 2x each year and the next one is March 18-24, 2012.

What To Expect When Getting Wisdom Teeth (or other teeth) Pulled / Braces

Braces--they have been a rite of passage of childhood since I was a teenager.  Kids are getting them on these days earlier and earlier though.     My husband and I both had them--we both have large teeth; both of our children have them as well.  We all got braces in our teens.  My children and I only wore them for about 14 months.   I personally think those "phases" that some orthodontists do are not necessary but just waiting until a child is a teenager is more appropriate.  Ours did not recommend that.  We are thankful for dental insurance from my husband's job that covers a large portion of the costs and we also have a flexible health spending account  (FSA) to set aside $$ when dental, eye or other medical expenses are anticipated.  

When you have had braces, it is almost always necessary for step 2 which is to have wisdom teeth extracted a few years later.  Last year our dentist informed us that younger son needed to have his wisdom teeth removed as they were coming in sideways and would probably become impacted and/or misalign his teeth that had already been straightened. [He is the last in the family to have had this procedure done.]  I checked with our oral surgeon as to the estimated expense after our insurance.  His father pulled MY wisdom teeth; even at the same office which has been updated which was a bit of déja vu for me!  Since our son only had three wisdom teeth, insurance paid all but about $500 and there was enough in our FSA to cover that (since I had planned that the year before).  Our oral surgeon used IV sedation which we consider absolutely necessary for such a procedure.  If you can afford this, it removes most of the trauma which can be extreme depending on the person.  

I stocked up on soft foods a few days before the surgery--applesauce, soups, pasta, yogurt, Gatorade, Vitamin C (which promotes healing)... Another mom was in the waiting room with me and she still had to go do that afterwards so I was glad I was prepared.  A friend who is trained in holistic medicine recommended taking injury pellets 3 days before the surgery and 3-5 days afterwards which we have also been doing.

We were in and out of the procedure in about an hour and a half.  Then the nurse  care (me)--changing the gauze every 45 minutes for 4-5x, changing the ice pack they gave us every hour [pretty neat with pockets to replace melted ice packets with frozen ones], soft foods and water/Gatorade, milkshakes,  pain meds every 4-6 hours and plenty of rest.  [Don't tell him I have this photo.]

My son only needed the heavy-duty pain meds the day of the surgery; he used Motrin the day after when the swelling was more noticeable.  You are supposed to drink lots of water which means you may swallow a bit of blood. We think that's what made him throw up 2x that first day.  We stopped the water until the bleeding was very minimal (about 6 hours after the surgery).  He was able to drink plenty of water without incident after that.  He has complained more of a headache than of his mouth hurting so much and thankfully, the pain has been manageable.  He likes the ice pack since it's nice and cool on his head and face.

The day of surgery he did not really want food other than a little applesauce.   Day 1 after the surgery we began the frequent gentle rinsing with salt water and he was able to  eat these foods:

• Breakfast -- applesauce, lots of water
• Lunch --soup (3 bowls of it), creamy peanut butter, milkshake
• Dinner -- creamy peanut butter, garlic mashed potatoes (2 bowls), strawberry jello, milkshake

So far, no complications and we do not expect any.  Lots of tender loving care helps the healing process.  If you have a child about to go through this, be sure you are available for 2-3 days.  I did not need to "sit" with him but I did need to be close by when he needed something.  That is always comforting to someone who is in pain or has had an injury.  Another blessing of being a homeschool mom at home. :)

Introducing a New Blog / Joyful Parenting in the Early Years / Marjorie Nelsen

Since so many young mothers are now in my circle of friends, from church, our neighborhood, Titus 2 Moms group, etc., I'd like to introduce you to a new blog, Colored With a  Positive Crayon, by a friend of mine, Marjorie Nelsen.  My husband and I have known Marge and her family for about three decades.  She is a Christian wife, mother and grandmother and former child educator.  I would definitely consider her a Titus 2 Mom.  :)  She has authored several books which can be found at THIS LINK.  

An excerpt from her profile:

I am a National Christa McAuliffe Fellow in Education, an early childhood teacher, parent educator, and author for 39 rewarding years. I am so passionate about joyful parenting in the early years that I founded and directed a nonprofit organization for parent education. I love being a mother of four and grandmother of 14, each child delightfully different. God does indeed color outside the box! And so do I. My absolute joy of teaching children and their parents for almost four decades spills over in this blog. 

I remember when I was a young mom with toddlers soaking in every word from Marge while attending a small class where she spoke about quality books for children.  For those with young children, avail yourself of her godly wisdom as your raise your own children.  You will be greatly encouraged and blessed.

To access her blog, go to THIS LINK.  Be sure to read her very first blog post which explains her title Colored With a Positive Crayon.  :)

Titus 2: 3-4

Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, 

nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 

that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children... 

Gregg Harris Seminar: Raising Kids to Do Hard Things / Dec. 3-4, 2010

Also, in our school newsletter this morning...

Raising Kids to Do Hard Things

December 3-4, 2010

Metro Church

Winter Springs, FL

SPEAKER:  Gregg Harris

For clarification: 

This is a FAMILY event for parents and children ages 10 and up. 

Friday night's session is FREE. 

Registration is being handled online. If families can pay the registration fee they would be supporting his family ministry, but he does not want cost to keep families away. He has instituted a "Pay as You are Able" option.

More Info at THIS LINK.

==================================================

Gregg Harris was the speaker that God used to speak to my husband's and my hearts about homeschooling many years ago.  Whether or not you decide the same, his presentation is excellent.  We have always tried to train our children to be able to stand alone from a very early age.  The topic of this seminar appears to be along those same lines.  

If A Child Lives with ______ / Parenthood / Motherhood

Most of you have probably seen this famous quote.  It's good to be reminded every now and then...

If A Child Lives With. . .

by Dorothy Law Nolte

If a child lives with criticism. . . . . . . .he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility. . . . . . . . he learns to fight.

If a child lives with fear. . . . . . . .he learns to be apprehensive.

If a child lives with jealousy. . . . . . . .he learns to feel guilt.

If a child lives with tolerance. . . . . . . .he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement . . . . . . . .he learns to be confident.

If a child lives with praise. . . . . . . .he learns to be appreciative.

If a child lives with acceptance. . . . . . . .he learns to love.

If a child lives with approval. . . . . . . .he learns to like himself.

If a child lives with recognition . . . . . . . .he learns that it is good to have a goal.

If a child lives with honesty. . . . . . . .he learns what truth is.

If a child lives with fairness. . . . . . . .he learns justice.

If a child lives with security. . . . . . . .he learns to trust in himself and others .

If a child lives with friendliness. . . . . . . .he learns the world is a nice place in which to live.

With what does your child live?

Although there are several different versions of this poem, they all generally say the same thing.  What would you add?

Matthew 18:3-6 ... “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me;  but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Proverbs 22:6 
Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Back to or First Day of School and/or College

Jeremiah 29:11

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope..."

Ah, the first week of college classes. And the first week for school to begin in our area.  For my younger son who is homeschooled (with three group class sessions a week), we began 11th grade last Monday.  For my older son, Monday was the beginning of his senior year in college.   We have other young friends who have their very first day of college life today, some via dual-enrollment while still in high school. I remember when I began. It was bittersweet leaving high school although my college (as well as my son's) is in our hometown.  Lots of changes in college, both fun, exciting and a bit scary, too...

• New responsibilities--no one to remind you to do your homework or projects, choosing your own classes and making sure that two don't occur at the same time, budgeting your money, working part-time, paying bills on time, taking charge of your bank account
• New friends--many of them several years older and most do not live in your neighborhood
• New instructors who are called professors, not teachers
• New course requirements--blue-book essay tests, online classes, one test can sometimes determine   your grade, and their strange letter/number format (AR101)
• New grading system--it is more difficult to get an A (93-100)
• Finding your way around campus and getting to classes on time

Every large group (student enrollment) needs its share of smaller groups so students can really feel a part and make solid friendships to encourage you during this stage of life. Some choose fraternities or sororities as I did (I was not a Christian during my college years); some choose athletics / intramurals; some choose clubs based on personal interests and others choose religious non-profit groups i.e. Campus Crusade for Christ which my son and many of his friends participate in. Whichever group you and/or your students find themselves a part of, be careful of the company you keep. If you make a mistake and choose a group that later you discover is not for you, by all means, be bold and leave that group. Make decisions ahead of time as to what you will do when the temptations come--going along with the crowd, drinking, skipping classes, taking drugs, having premarital sex--to name a few.

Nowhere is it more apparent than in college, that bad company corrupts good morals, so do not be deceived. 1Corinthians 15:33

My thoughts and prayers are with all who are beginning this initiation into adulthood and time of testing called college life. It can be a wonderful adventure as long as you make wise choices. More than likely, loving parents are on their knees constantly during this time in their child's life.  Often this is a time when children/young adults begin to appreciate home more than they may have in the past.  For parents, let them go, struggle and learn; for students, no one loves you quite like your parents do and they are always there to help when needed or asked.   :)   THIS SONG says it all. 

Shepherding a Child's Heart FREE Seminar / Orlando Area / August 27-28, 2010

I've been publishing this in our church newsletter for weeks but forgot to post it here as well...Tedd Tripp's books are excellent in helping parents train up their children.  I have read two of his books and highly recommend this seminar if you are in the Orlando area.  Here are some of those that he has authored or co-authored:

• Shepherding a Child's Heart
• Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens
• Instructing a Child's Heart

*Free Seminar—Shepherding a Child’s Heart.   Tedd Tripp is presenting a seminar on Shepherding a Child’s Heart. It will be held at the Rolling Hills Community Church [4407 West Orange Blossom Trail, Zellwood, FL 32798]. This two-day seminar begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 27. The Friday evening sessions will end at 9:15 p.m. The Saturday sessions begin at 9:15 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. The seminar is free but a love offering will be taken.

MORE INFO: http://www.wix.com/Liberty1/TeddTripp

TO REGISTER: Susanne Love 407-880-4321.

Sending Children Off or Back to College

Today I hosted a baby shower for a friend.  This was so much fun and a great distraction for me since...

...also today, my 21-year-old moved out to a house with three other young men near his college.  

Home

Packing up

New home away from home

Yes, I cried. But only  for about 5 minutes which is amazing since this time last year I was a wreck for weeks (it was the first time).  See previous blog #1 and #2.   For us, thank the Lord, our son's college is in our area and he lives only about 25 minutes from our home.   Even so, the good-byes are still hard as we are close and I just simply enjoy the company of our son.  We are blessed that he also enjoys time with us as well.  

For all you parents out there sending your "child" off for the first time, especially those whose students are moving far away or out of state, you'll get through this and next year will be better.  I promise.  We raise them to be out on their own one day and this is good training for them to begin that stage of life--making choices, paying bills, making new friends, etc.   It's also good for us moms to begin releasing the young arrows one at a time.  They cannot stay in the quiver forever...but we will always welcome them home no matter how long or brief a time that may be.  :)

Psalm 127:3-5 

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, 

The fruit of the womb is a reward. 

Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,

So are the children of one’s youth. 

How blessed is the (wo)man whose quiver is full of them...