Learning to listen to your children is one of the most important things you can do to strengthen your relationship. Your children need you, no matter their age, and will continue to need you even as they reach adulthood and begin their own families. One of the ways you can be there for them is to listen to them. Truly listen.
This is difficult, I know. There are a lot of people and activities competing for our time that create a number of hindrances to really listening. Here are a few I’ve noticed in my own life: (more…)
In a world full of devices and non-stop connecting…They still call Mom.
One day you are wrapping your arms around your child to comfort them for a skinned elbow, or making them a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or putting on a colorful Band-Aid that fixes anything. Now, you are receiving late night texts from your young adult child asking for prayer about a heart-breaking relationship. It appears our older, wiser mentors were right when they said, “Challenges of parenting do not go away when the kids get older; they just get more complex.”
This is what I was told many times.
Now that my children are older I find myself echoing similar statements.
In my early years of parenting, when I passed up opportunities to be more involved outside the home, I questioned my decisions.
Invitations to sit on boards in the community or serve on committees at church were carefully considered so that I could have the time, and energy to avail myself to training the hearts of my children and cultivating our relationships. The early morning time readings, conversations and prayers, the talk-time in the cars on the way to co-ops and sporting events, the hanging out on the couch in the very late evenings because that’s when they liked to open up and share their deepest thoughts—all these cumulative moments and hours helped cultivate a heart in my children to maintain a relationship with me even now.
When they were younger, the focus was on teaching worldviews, Biblical truths, and basic life disciplines. That focus continues but now with more emphasis on listening, encouraging and supporting. It is a rich blessing, a high calling and a beautiful ministry.
Why do we pray for the Lord to lead and then doubt when He does?
Do you struggle with this? I’d like to think of myself as a faithful daughter of the King, but I discover time and time again that I question His providence. I have to give myself the proverbial slap to refocus my proper perspective. Here are His promises:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave your nor forsake.” Deuteronomy 31:8
“For we are God’s Masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Eph 2:10
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11
He promises to go before us (and our children). He planned good things for us (and our children) long ago. He promises prosperity, safety, hope and a future for us (and our children). Yes, I believe this Lord. Help me in my unbelief! (more…)
When you see your child struggle with learning, you may not know what to do or where to go.
I remember the day I realized I needed help for one of my children. The fear of my own inadequacy flooded my mind: was it me, did I use the wrong curriculum, was I to pushy or not pushy enough? Once I began researching, I discovered there were people who could help.
One place I found is Learn To Learn in Ocoee, FL. After a visit to their center for a personal tour, I quickly knew this was a place to point parents seeking help, without going through the public school system. This company has the credentials needed to assist parents as they homeschool their children.
Learn To Learn is not a tutoring service. They are brain development experts, with a focus on “wiring up” the brain so it is ready to learn. Understanding the brain and the circuitry needed to learn, coupled with knowledge of why some children struggle with learning is what Dr. James Fadigan, founder of Learn To Learn, has spent decades researching.
The focus during your child’s teen years needs to be helping them find their strengths, gifts, and passion. Thankfully, homeschooling allows time for this. After all, real homeschooling is all about seizing the teachable moments with your child.
My daughter had a love for cooking and plate presentation. So, I had an idea during her senior year of high school. We gave a portion of the family food budget to her so she could plan a menu of her choice and prepare the meals she desired. It was never a forced requirement; I didn’t want to kill the passion she was developing.
