It is December 27th, the parties are over, the gifts are unwrapped, and only crumbs remain in the cookie tins. Another Christmas has passed in what one might call a whirlwind of events. As I sit contemplating my next move in the cleanup, I wonder if it is all worth it and what purpose all the busyness serves. I ask myself if I truly enjoy watching December pass in a whirl of events and traditions. What is it that is really important to me and what would I change or eliminate about this crazy month?
I do love Christmas. I love the Christmas hymns that we sing in church and dressing the kids in their Christmas clothes. I love the lights and decorations...and all the yummy goodies to eat. I love the Christmas cards and newsletters from family and friends. But it all passes so quickly. It seems like just yesterday we gathered together to celebrate Thanksgiving and now it is time for the Christmas cleanup. So I ask what is it that I want to keep with me? What is it I want my children to take away from this holiday?
My answer. Jesus. When it comes down to it, He is really all that matters. When the lights are tunrned off and the tree thrown out, he is still here shinning in the lives of those who know Him as Savior. He came as God's gift to this world, He died to save a lost and dying people. We celebrate him in December, let's not forget Him in January.
As I pack up the Christmas decorations I won't be packing away my Jesus. For he lives in me and through me. I had the joy of watching two of my children give their lives to Jesus this season and so I also rejoice that he lives in them. And as we pass from Chistmas into a new year my heart is filled with joy at the knowledge that Jesus is Lord of all in this family. I will look forward to the celebration of next year, but I move forward know that I can celebrate Jesus everyday.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Eating Out With Children
My husband and I share a love of food. We love to eat out and try new types of food. Our favorite is Thai food, especially the dish Phad Thai. When our first child was born we were determined not to give up our "hobby" and continued to eat in restaurants from the time she was born. A recent restaurant outing with our 5 children prompted this post about eating out with children.
Because the cost of eating out with 5 children can be expensive we choose very wisely where and when we choose to do so. My husband says I am too good a cook to waste money on mediocre food outings. But the other night we ate an early dinner at home because we were setting up for VBS at church. It was late when we finished and my husband needed to go back to work when we got home that night( he works out of our home). He was hungry and needed a second wind so we decided to take a trip to our local Chili's. We arrived and asked for a large booth. The kids were given crayons and quickly proceeded to play the games on the menus. Since it was late, about 9:15 pm, and we had already eaten, the kids and I ordered some fries and a dessert to share, while dad ate dinner. When the waitress brought our check she asked us how we were able to get 5 children to behave so well in a restaurant. And we told her. As a reward for their good behavior the manager gave each of them a certificate for a free meal. They were so excited. So I wanted to share our tips for eating out with kids and enjoying it.
1. Never take a hungry child out to eat. A hungry child waiting for food will only become cranky and you will have a hard time keeping their mind off food that seems to be going to every table except yours. So feed your child a snack before you arrive or have a little something to munch on, i.e. raisins, dry cereal, fruit snacks...
2. Have something to occupy their attention. Most restaurants provide crayons and menus to color. But we at times eat at nicer places that do not always cater to children's needs so I always have something for the kids to do while waiting.
3.Let them converse with each other. Eating out is a treat and my husband and I do not want to spend the whole time on child control. We like to be able to talk to each other. So we have a restaurant buddy system, where each child buddys up with another( a big family helps!)to play the games on menus and color.
4.Practice at home. We are fortunate to be able to eat dinner in our home together just about every night. We require them to behave at our home table much the same way we do in restaurants. This helps them to be comfortable with what we require while eating together. And so when we arrive in a restaurant they know the appropriate behavior.
5.Show them who is boss. In our family while eating out my husband and I work as a team, with him as the leader. He is very good at reminding them to keep their voices low and appropriate. They know there will be a consequence to bad behavior and this helps us to enforce our rules.
6.Watch YOUR attitude. Many time we observe parents who do not even try to reign in rowdy children. It makes for a wonderful example of what not to do, but a miserable eating experience for every one else. They act as though they have a special right to ignore their children and allow them to run around or climb over the seats. We have had other children climb in our booth and color with us without the parents even caring. Keep in mind that there are others eating in close proximity. Remove disobedient children when correcting behavior. Many times we have taken a child to the restroom or outside for an "attitude change." Do not allow your child to peer over the seats or booth at other diners. Do not bring noisy toys or handheld electronics for them to play with that will disturb others.
We hope this helps and wish you many happy dining experiences!
Because the cost of eating out with 5 children can be expensive we choose very wisely where and when we choose to do so. My husband says I am too good a cook to waste money on mediocre food outings. But the other night we ate an early dinner at home because we were setting up for VBS at church. It was late when we finished and my husband needed to go back to work when we got home that night( he works out of our home). He was hungry and needed a second wind so we decided to take a trip to our local Chili's. We arrived and asked for a large booth. The kids were given crayons and quickly proceeded to play the games on the menus. Since it was late, about 9:15 pm, and we had already eaten, the kids and I ordered some fries and a dessert to share, while dad ate dinner. When the waitress brought our check she asked us how we were able to get 5 children to behave so well in a restaurant. And we told her. As a reward for their good behavior the manager gave each of them a certificate for a free meal. They were so excited. So I wanted to share our tips for eating out with kids and enjoying it.
1. Never take a hungry child out to eat. A hungry child waiting for food will only become cranky and you will have a hard time keeping their mind off food that seems to be going to every table except yours. So feed your child a snack before you arrive or have a little something to munch on, i.e. raisins, dry cereal, fruit snacks...
2. Have something to occupy their attention. Most restaurants provide crayons and menus to color. But we at times eat at nicer places that do not always cater to children's needs so I always have something for the kids to do while waiting.
3.Let them converse with each other. Eating out is a treat and my husband and I do not want to spend the whole time on child control. We like to be able to talk to each other. So we have a restaurant buddy system, where each child buddys up with another( a big family helps!)to play the games on menus and color.
4.Practice at home. We are fortunate to be able to eat dinner in our home together just about every night. We require them to behave at our home table much the same way we do in restaurants. This helps them to be comfortable with what we require while eating together. And so when we arrive in a restaurant they know the appropriate behavior.
5.Show them who is boss. In our family while eating out my husband and I work as a team, with him as the leader. He is very good at reminding them to keep their voices low and appropriate. They know there will be a consequence to bad behavior and this helps us to enforce our rules.
6.Watch YOUR attitude. Many time we observe parents who do not even try to reign in rowdy children. It makes for a wonderful example of what not to do, but a miserable eating experience for every one else. They act as though they have a special right to ignore their children and allow them to run around or climb over the seats. We have had other children climb in our booth and color with us without the parents even caring. Keep in mind that there are others eating in close proximity. Remove disobedient children when correcting behavior. Many times we have taken a child to the restroom or outside for an "attitude change." Do not allow your child to peer over the seats or booth at other diners. Do not bring noisy toys or handheld electronics for them to play with that will disturb others.
We hope this helps and wish you many happy dining experiences!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Over Committing
As you may well know it is easy to over commit ourselves. Stay at home moms tend to be viewed as those who have more time on their hands than working moms. I don't know what makes people think this, but I can tell you it is not true. As I fall exhausted into bed each evening I wonder at God's plan of having only 24 hours in the day, and think that a bonus day every now and then would be greatly welcomed.
I decided years ago that I was way too busy, and although I enjoyed many of the activities I was involved in, there were just too many. I have since cut down our family commitments to those things we truly want to do, and we work hard to not let that get out of control.
So it is with great surprise that I have found myself in the car everyday for the past week and a half, shuttling my family to summer activities. I am not quite sure how it got out of hand so quickly. I have signed my children up for bowling with www.kidsbowlfree.com, and we are bowling three times a week. The older two are taking skating lessons on Saturday mornings, and my oldest, started tennis lessons today. Not to mention our trips to the farmers market, trips to the beach, Cub Scouts, and the local parks and zoos, we have become way too busy.
While this schedule is temporary it can still be overwhelming, so here are a few tips to keeping the peace in the family while out and about.
~ Many of these activities are for my older children, so I allow the younger ones to pack their own bag of toys to bring along. I limit it to 5-10 items or books that fit in their own little backpack, that they are responsible to carry.
~ Bring snacks!
~ Involve the kids in each errand or stop. We play math games and spelling games while shopping or waiting for food to arrive in a restaurant.
~ My children love to spend their own money and so they are rewarded with stops to the Dollar Store or thrift store to shop. These stops occur near the end of the outings and only if behavior was good.
~ Most of all, know your limitations. I know that if this schedule was to last into the fall I would not be happy. Knowing there is an end in sight and that we are enjoying this brief busyness seems worthwhile.
~ Lastly, evaluate your activity level often. It can easily become overcrowded without your realizing it has happened. This often leads to a cranky family. When this happens choose which activities you want to keep and which you need to cut from the schedule. Make a plan to spend more time together as a family at home.
I decided years ago that I was way too busy, and although I enjoyed many of the activities I was involved in, there were just too many. I have since cut down our family commitments to those things we truly want to do, and we work hard to not let that get out of control.
So it is with great surprise that I have found myself in the car everyday for the past week and a half, shuttling my family to summer activities. I am not quite sure how it got out of hand so quickly. I have signed my children up for bowling with www.kidsbowlfree.com, and we are bowling three times a week. The older two are taking skating lessons on Saturday mornings, and my oldest, started tennis lessons today. Not to mention our trips to the farmers market, trips to the beach, Cub Scouts, and the local parks and zoos, we have become way too busy.
While this schedule is temporary it can still be overwhelming, so here are a few tips to keeping the peace in the family while out and about.
~ Many of these activities are for my older children, so I allow the younger ones to pack their own bag of toys to bring along. I limit it to 5-10 items or books that fit in their own little backpack, that they are responsible to carry.
~ Bring snacks!
~ Involve the kids in each errand or stop. We play math games and spelling games while shopping or waiting for food to arrive in a restaurant.
~ My children love to spend their own money and so they are rewarded with stops to the Dollar Store or thrift store to shop. These stops occur near the end of the outings and only if behavior was good.
~ Most of all, know your limitations. I know that if this schedule was to last into the fall I would not be happy. Knowing there is an end in sight and that we are enjoying this brief busyness seems worthwhile.
~ Lastly, evaluate your activity level often. It can easily become overcrowded without your realizing it has happened. This often leads to a cranky family. When this happens choose which activities you want to keep and which you need to cut from the schedule. Make a plan to spend more time together as a family at home.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Friday's Funny
On Friday I'll post a funny story about motherhood, this week's is about my oldest daughter who is now nine.
When she was two her room was decorated in Pooh Bear and we had many Pooh toys, as well as bath toys and shampoo. I love Winnie the Pooh and had found Pooh Bear honey at the grocery store one day. It was in a small bottle with a cute picture of Pooh and his friends on the front.
I walked into the kitchen one day to find that my daughter had found this bottle of honey and had poured it in her hair. She thought it was shampoo and when I found her she had most of the bottle dripping down her head and onto her face. "I'm washing" she said. It was an adorable mess!
Lesson I learned: Do not buy food that looks like a toy or soap!
When she was two her room was decorated in Pooh Bear and we had many Pooh toys, as well as bath toys and shampoo. I love Winnie the Pooh and had found Pooh Bear honey at the grocery store one day. It was in a small bottle with a cute picture of Pooh and his friends on the front.
I walked into the kitchen one day to find that my daughter had found this bottle of honey and had poured it in her hair. She thought it was shampoo and when I found her she had most of the bottle dripping down her head and onto her face. "I'm washing" she said. It was an adorable mess!
Lesson I learned: Do not buy food that looks like a toy or soap!
Laundry
I Thes. 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks..."
Those words came to me this evening as I was in the laundry room on my sixth load of laundry for the day. I don't like laundry, in fact I practically loathe it. But the fact that I have five children means that I also have a ton of laundry. I am always trying to figure out ways of making my laundry life easier. I have tried to hire someone to come in once a week to help, I have looked into wash and fold, and a laundry delivery service, but it either didn't work out or was too expensive.
So tonight as I was washing, drying and folding, the words "give thanks" came to mind. Give thanks that you have a family to wear the clothes. Be thankful for the fun that caused them to get dirty. Be thankful for the quiet time of folding laundry at 11pm and the opportunity to pray and thank the Lord for each of my children as I fold their little shirts and shorts.
We can choose to just get through a chore that we don't enjoy or we can look for joy in it and opportunity. Tonight my laundry taught me about thankfulness.
Dear Father,
Thank you for the small gifts in our lives that You use to show us how to be thankful for what You have given us. This evening I lift up my family. I thank you for the reminders of the fun we have and the love we share. May I continue to see the blessings that surround me each and everyday.
Those words came to me this evening as I was in the laundry room on my sixth load of laundry for the day. I don't like laundry, in fact I practically loathe it. But the fact that I have five children means that I also have a ton of laundry. I am always trying to figure out ways of making my laundry life easier. I have tried to hire someone to come in once a week to help, I have looked into wash and fold, and a laundry delivery service, but it either didn't work out or was too expensive.
So tonight as I was washing, drying and folding, the words "give thanks" came to mind. Give thanks that you have a family to wear the clothes. Be thankful for the fun that caused them to get dirty. Be thankful for the quiet time of folding laundry at 11pm and the opportunity to pray and thank the Lord for each of my children as I fold their little shirts and shorts.
We can choose to just get through a chore that we don't enjoy or we can look for joy in it and opportunity. Tonight my laundry taught me about thankfulness.
Dear Father,
Thank you for the small gifts in our lives that You use to show us how to be thankful for what You have given us. This evening I lift up my family. I thank you for the reminders of the fun we have and the love we share. May I continue to see the blessings that surround me each and everyday.
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