Tag Archives: teaching kids

Funny Friday: 10 Things All Moms Say All Summer Long

10 things all moms say all summer long

Funny Friday: 10 Things All Moms Say All Summer Long

Since we are officially into summer now, I thought I’d share a relatable post that I ran across online a few years ago about 10 things all moms say all summer long. My kids are older now, so I don’t say all of these things anymore, but several of them are most definitely still relevant!

“Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” Deuteronomy 6:7 (NLT)

Hey Mom, Are You and Dad Santa?

Hey Mom, Are You and Dad Santa?

Hey Mom, Are You and Dad Santa?

A 2020 Update (original post from 11/7/2017 below)

My daughter and I were sitting together watching some Hallmark Christmas movies this past weekend. In the shows the subject of the authenticity of Santa Claus was brought up. My daughter is 13 now, but we’ve never actually had a conversation about if Santa Claus was real or not. Honestly, I expected her to ask the question a few years ago because that’s when she started doing the eye rolling and saying a long drawn out “Moooommm” when I’d say anything about Santa.

While we were sitting there I asked her, “Why haven’t you ever asked me about Santa? Your brother did.” She mentioned something along the lines that she knew he wasn’t real, but she like playing along. I assured her that a conversation wouldn’t change anything. Then I proceeded to tell her about my previous conversation several years ago with her brother. I remembered this post that I had written back then, and I pulled it up. Some of the similarities of then to now were pretty strange!

That conversation ALSO took place while watching Hallmark Christmas movies in early November. At that time I was in bed recovering from some vertigo. Similarly, this weekend I’ve unfortunately also been recovering—this time from COVID-19. Again, this conversation was not a very Hallmark or Pinterest worthy moment either!

I ended up reading her the post below, and we had a pretty good conversation about it. She reassured me that she didn’t feel betrayed, and she wasn’t upset (something I was apparently unduly concerned about before according to my original post). Thus, we still had a pretty good little teachable moment.

I thought you guys might like to revisit this post too! …If nothing more than for entertainment value! 😉

Hey Mom, Are You and Dad Santa? (Original Post from 11/7/2017)

Well, I had the Santa conversation this past weekend. Honestly I expected it some time ago, but somehow we’ve been able to avert it. This past week I’ve been recovering from a bout of vertigo. I decided to take the weekend to just completely rest and veg out because lying down seems to help significantly. Thankfully Hallmark has already started their Christmas movie bonanza so I had that to help with the boredom. You know how I’m a sucker for Hallmark Christmas movies! 🙂

So there I was just lying there in and out of sleep, relishing my Christmas movies, when my son comes in and lays across my bed. Then the question came…

Hey Mom, are you and dad Santa?

I knew this question would come. 

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Funny Friday: Kids are like boats…

Kids are like boats...they go in the right direction when paddled from the rear.

Funny Friday: Kids are like boats…

Another funny courtesy of my sister: Kids are like boats…they go in the right direction when paddled from the rear. 🙂

“A child’s heart has a tendency to do wrong, but the rod of discipline removes it far away from him.” Proverbs 22:15 (ISV)

How to Teach Your Kids (or others) to Have Relationship With God

Learn How to Teach Your Kids (or others) to Have Relationship With God

How to Teach Your Kids (or others) to Have Relationship With God

It’s so important to me to teach my kids to have a real relationship with God, beyond salvation.  In fact, I’d say that’s part of my life’s mission and calling.  I want not only to help my kids learn how to have relationship with God but to teach others this as well.  It’s a part of why I started this blog.  Today I was reading through the Jen Hatmaker Bible plan “For the Love“.  She was discussing how kids are ultimately going to make their own decisions especially spiritually.  We can’t control or guarantee the outcome as parents.  She said “the best we can do is give them Jesus”. He is unchanging (Hebrews 13:8).

Jen shared how when we don’t know what to do, when we are grasping as a spiritual mentor, or when right words and answers fail us, Jesus can deliver.  Kids may  doubt us, but they can’t doubt Jesus because he is unfailing and dependable.  He always endures.  Jesus can lead and guide our kids during those times when we can’t and even after our job of raising them is done.  We need to remember that our children belong to God.

Raising good, godly, world-altering kids who have a relationship with God

I kind of had a vulnerable moment with God during reading this because one of my heart’s greatest desires is to raise good, godly, world-altering kids who love God faithfully with their whole heart and have a genuine relationship with God.  My kids are still young, but sometimes I worry about their relationship with God (not their salvation because I personally prayed the believer’s prayer with both of them).  I especially worry about my 12-year-old son at times.  He doesn’t seem too terribly interested in spiritual things or in true relationship with God.  That hurts my heart because I don’t know how to fix that. You hear stories of kids being raised in good Christian homes and then turning away from God.  I don’t want that.  So reading this devotional helped a little…I just need to give them Jesus.

I stopped my reading and prayed an earnest and heartfelt prayer (James 5:16) telling Jesus my concerns and desires for my kids.  I told him that right answers have failed me.  I told him that I’m concerned that I can’t guarantee their “spiritual success”.  I asked him for help.  I asked him to show me what I could do (what steps I could take) to do my part in “giving them Jesus”.  After pouring my heart out for a minute or two, I continued reading my Bible.  This verse was part of the plan and the last phrase comforted me…

“For the Lord is good, His unfailing love continues forever, and His faithfulness continues to each generation.” Psalm 100:5 (NLT)

Each generation… That means He will be just as faithful to my kids as He’s been to me. 😀 

Moses told stories to help people develop relationship with God Continue reading