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Well, we’re off to bring my 4year-old to get her tonsils out. I am very nervous, not really about the procedure, but the aftermath. If you would, please pray for Princess’s safety during the surgery, and recovery here at home. If we can keep her from getting dehydrated, we should be OK.
Do you have any tips or suggestions?
I may not post for a few days, so if you want, take a look at the archives or these previous posts:
My blog page seems to have stopped working in Internet Explorer. If you try to access it with IE, you get this message:
“Internet Explorer cannot open the Internet Site http://singforhim94.blogspot.com/. Operation aborted.
If you know how to fix this, will you please email me at singforhim94 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Thank you to Jordan (MamaBlogga) for helping me with this problem!!!
It was due to the FeedFlare feature I added from Feedburner.
*Update* I had to revert back to Classic Template to completely fix the problem. If you do this, you must reinstall the tracking codes for your statistics trackers.
I’m a WFMW newbie!! I’ve decided to switch from Wordless Wednesday to Works for Me Wednesday. It’s partly because I have blog ADD, and I’ve been doing WW for about 5-1/2 months. Plus, I just love the originator Shannon’s blog, Rocks in My Dryer. She also has a giveaway site called Bloggy Giveaways. Lots of good stuff over there!
We have recently started back to school. For the first time, I actually have to get up and get my three children ready and out the door by 7:30. I am anything but a morning person, so for me to wake my not-morning-people kids is a bit of a challenge. I’ve found that sticking to a nightly routine is the best way to make sure things go smoothly with a 6, 4 and 2 year-old in the morning.
So my tip for Works-For-Me-Wednesday is how to get toddlers and young children to stick to a nightly routine. I made a checklist for each task they have before bed. These include:
Download this in Microsoft Word! Nightly Routine.doc
The most important aspect of this checklist is that it is in pictures. This way, my pre-schooler can follow along as well as the first grader. They simply love checking these things off, and the best part is that I don’t have to nag about each thing! They can never say “You didn’t tell me to do that!” or “I forgot.” Now, each morning, they have all their clothes out, so I just have to slide them on sleepy bodies.
I use the checklist each week to award allowance. They also have to clean their room on Saturday. If being prepared isn’t a great motivator, money usually does the trick!
So, do you use a nightly routine, and how do you tackle getting ready in the morning?
After you comment, head on over to Rocks in My Dryer to see more great ideas!
While listening to the local radio morning show today, I heard a remarkable story of a British woman who recently turned 100. Her secret to long life? She has smoked five cig*arettes a day since the age of….are you sitting down? SEVEN! Yes, you heard that right. After smoking for 93 years, she lit her 170,000th from the candles on her 100th birthday cake! (Don’t worry, she never inhaled! Hmmm..sounds familiar) The woman, Winnie, says she started smoking shortly after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, at the beginning of WWI. Is anyone else finding their jaw lining the floor? I mean, could you imagine your seven-year-old being the slightest bit concerned with world politics, let alone asking to bum a light? (Source: The Sun Online)
Well, that got me thinking about some funny conversations I have had with my daughter about smoking. It’s hard to warn her about the dangers, and really drive home why not to smoke, without, sort of, demonizing those who do. You see, I come from a family of smokers. In fact, I was the only non-smoker in my immediate family until my mom quit a few years ago. I am monumentally proud of my mom because I believe it is one of the hardest things to overcome. I want to instill a sense that smoking, drugs, binge drinking, etc are bad things, but not that the people are bad. That is a very difficult concept for a “black and white” six-year old to grasp. Here’s an example:
I was at a local sub shop with HipChick at 5 years old, when the employees stepped outside for a smoke. This was not our first conversation about it, but she has to ask over and over to make sure the answer stays the same.
HC: Why are they smoking?
S: Well, when they were younger, they didn’t know how it can make them sick. Once someone starts smoking, they cannot stop. It is very hard to stop.
HC: Why didn’t their mommy tell them it could make them sick?
S: She probably did, but maybe they didn’t believe her.
HC: Why can’t they stop?
S: Well, their bodies get used to it, and now they think they need to smoke.
HC: Oh.
Conversation over, right? Well, after the employees were done, they came back in. (Don’t worry, I made sure they washed their hands) HipChick leans far over the table with a worried look on her face. In an urgent whisper, she asks,
“Mommy! Why did they stop?!”
I guess this is a good problem to have. My daughter takes everything I say at face value. To this day, she will not touch any drink except water, juice or milk. Why? Because when she was three, we told her she couldn’t have soft drinks. Why would it be OK now, when it wasn’t then, right? Not even Sprite at a birthday party.
Part of me wonders whether she’ll give me lip service, but not really internalize warnings we give about harmful habits. Although I suspect this will be more of a problem with the second and third-born. I only pray her parental trust will continue through the te*en years, and trickle down to our other daughters! So how do you approach these kinds of subjects with your kids? Or do you just avoid them altogether?
One friend of mine caught his te*en son smoking. What did he do? He made the son eat an entire pack of cig*arettes. I think he almost got through it before he threw up. Hows that for classical conditioning? Any time he thinks about doing it again, he will be reminded of how they taste coming back up! (ew-I’m grossing myself out!)
So, what are your stories?
It’s finally here! The first edition of the Mothers and Daughters Blog Carnival, and it is a smashing success! I imagined that a few of my faithful blogging friends would participate, to humor me, but the response has been fantastic! I am so blessed to feature all of you here, and I know you are in for a treat when you read these great articles! (OK, enough with the exclamation points, I know!!!) If you would, announce on your blog that you’re participating and link to this post, so all your readers can be as blessed as I have been by your writing. So without further ado, click and read.
A Mother’s Dream, by Melody at HipMomma’s Journal
That Day a poem by Linda at Smurfy Days
Promises, Promises… by Michelle from In the Life of a Child
My Daughters… by Carrie from Chocolate, the Other White Meat
An Open Letter to My Daughter by Lynnae From Under the Clutter
Women’s Retreat Inspired by SARK by Barbra Sundquist at Women’s Retreat Ideas.
Teen Style Tuesday: Mother-Daughter Style by Rebecca from The Space Between My Peers
The Woman Entrepreneurs Toolbox: 100 Networking Resources, Guides and Links by Sagar Satapathy at Bootstrapper.
Cesarean Scar Pain by Kendra Dahlstrom at vbacadventure.com.
Fathers and daughters by Deb from Mom Of 3 Girls.
Russia 1997 by Donetta at A Life Uncommon
Morning Rush and My Daughter, by Liza at Liza’s Eyeview
Mothers and Daughters, by Marie at Marie’s Musings
Vines of Love by Melody at Slurping Life
Just Like Me? by Jen E at Sunny With a Chance of Clouds
The Answers God Gives by Julie from The Surrendered Scribe
Happy 13th B-day Shy by Kim at The Bitter Ball
Sons and Daughters by Jordan from MamaBlogga
In My Daughter’s Eyes by SingForHim at Real Life
I Hope You Dance by Honorary Indian at Three Little Indians
Daughters of My Heart by Kathy in WA at Duckabush Blog.
GWIT: Godly Women in Training Part 4, by Sandy at Jesus and Dark Chocolate
The Joys and the Challenges, by my dear friend and guest blogger, Heather
A Box in the Attic, by Wendy of One Day at a Time…
The Mothers and Daughters Carnival will be an every-other-week affair, so the next edition comes out on Sept 10. Please use the Submission form from now on, because BlogCarnival.com just makes it so easy!
Please let me know if you would like to host this carnival. I would like to share the linky love, and it is really very easy. Also, please let me know if I have made an error or overlooked anyone, because sometimes I can be scatterbrained.
If you missed entering a post in this edition, add a link in the comments or submit to the next edition.
Being a mother of two girls is an amazing thing! I find in it such a broad spectrum of joys and challenges. It is an awesome responsibility to know that God has given me these two girls that I am to raise to become Godly women, wonderful wives, mothers and friends. I love that in their youth they are a challenge to me to be that very thing. They push me to be a better wife, mom, friend and woman because I know that they are watching me and learning from both my mistakes and my triumphs.
My oldest daughter has a matter of fact way about her. She is a lot like me. She loves to know what to expect, how things are going to play out, making lists and piles for even the smallest things. She loves shopping (I am not sure where she gets this from…not me!). She will put things in piles based on her varying degrees of how much she likes them. She also has a soft heart towards people. I love this about her. She loves to search out a friend. Her goal any time we go to the park is to make a friend. This at times can bring her sadness as she gets her heart broken easily. My hope is that God will show me how to mold this aspect of her personality in a way that will allow her to remain soft towards people, but keep her dependency in the Lord and not man. Her soft heart challenges me to not harden myself towards people and to keep an attitude of hospitality and friendship.
In my youngest daughter, I see a fierce determination in everything she does. She has a way of going from zero to sixty in one minute flat. Her intensity is something that if harnessed properly can make her a strong woman ready to face life’s challenges. She has a carefree spirit that makes you stop and enjoy the small things in life. She loves to stop and look at every flower and rock when we go on a walk. She wants for people to enjoy the things she enjoys. Her simplistic outlook on life is a reminder to stop from time to time and enjoy even the smallest things that God has given us.
I have an amazing mother. She raised six kids and did it without going totally crazy. As I go about the day to day routine of being a mom of three small children, I daily gain a new respect for my mom. When we were kids, she made life fun while at the same time teaching us the importance of Godliness. She taught me what it is to be a good woman, wife and mom. My hope and prayer is that I will be the same to my girls. That when they become moms, that they will say the same thing about me. For me, it seems something that is far reaching, but I pray that God will give me the wisdom to train my girls in a fun, loving and Godly way so that they may carry on the same legacy for their daughters.
I love the idea of this blog carnival. It really makes you stop and appreciate the blessing of being a mother. It reminds me of what my purpose is as a mom and to appreciate it even on the hard days when I just want to hide. It is an encouragement to be the best woman that I can be because my daughters are watching. Thanks, Sarah, for letting me guest blog and for the wonderful idea that reminds me of how precious a thing a mother daughter relationship is!
Heather is a young pastor’s wife, mother of three, and all-around great person. Growing up as a pastor’s daughter, and the oldest of six children, she has a unique insight that always inspires me.
It’s time for another edition of ROTW!
If you’re a mother or a daughter, here’s one more reminder to enter your new or old post in the Mothers and Daughters Blog Carnival! We already have some great entries, but it won’t be complete without you! Email the link to your article, or click the link or the button for more information!
If you would like to host an edition of this carnival, let me know. It’s actually pretty easy!
I found this Eb*ay Item through ClassicMama’s Thoughts. You have to read this if you have ever taken all of your children to the grocery store! This is the funniest thing I have ever seen being auctioned off on Eb*ay. It’s becoming quite a web phenomenon. Scroll down to the description.
Today, I had to go to the local courthouse. Don’t get all excited, I did not get arrested, nor get a speeding ticket, thankfully. I just had to pick up some official documents. I stood in line, wondering if my children were being a little too loud, when I over heard the clerk talking to the trio in front of me. “And do you certify that you give consent to the bride, being 17….”
A middle aged mother
A tee*nage b*oy
A tee*nage gi*rl, soon to be a tee*nage mother
She looked like she was about 6-7 months pregnant, and as she glanced at me, her face belied several emotions at once.
She looked at my energetic kids, and wondered if she could really do this.
She awkwardly stood next to her boyf*riend, and wondered if getting married was the right thing.
She looked in my eyes, and wondered if she would receive judgment from this married 30-something mom with two happy g*irls.
I prayed that she would only see love in my eyes – God’s love for her. You see, she made a mistake, but God did not. She chose to honor the life that God had created inside her. For that, she should be proud.
As they waited on the bench beside me, I smiled widely at the gi*rl and her mother. I asked whether the baby was a b*oy or a gi*rl, and I said “bless you” as they left. I prayed that they would truly be blessed, and that they would come to know Jesus’ redeeming love if they didn’t already.
Now, I am not convinced that getting married and raising the baby is always the right thing in these situations. I do know that choosing life is always the right thing.
I also know that God has restoration for those who didn’t choose life. He will not cast you out if you run to Him!! Jesus has grace for you, not judgment.
Luke 15:3-7
Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.Luke 15:20
“But while he [the prodigal son] was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.[b]‘“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Please keep comments grace and compassion filled, for the sake of God’s precious daughters who need to be restored. Thank you.
