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Spring – 15 Homeschooling Freebies
Do you love spring as much as I do? It just feels like a fresh start, don’t you think? Here are some fun ideas for you to do with your kids.
Things to do this Spring:
- Make a tree house for dolls.
- Make a Strand of Flower Lights for your daughter’s room or the patio or the sunroom.
- Discover the Forest
- Fingerprint Rainy Day Craft
- Bottle-cap Caterpillar
- Spring Worksheets for school.
- Garden Lamp-scapes for bedroom.
- Baby Blue Bird Craft – too cute!
- Make LifeSaver Flower Lollipops
- Pretzel Bunnies and Chicks
- Painted Bunny Art Lesson
- Paper Daffodils – make a bouquet
- Still Life Vases to Paint
- Spring Nature Walk Worksheet
- Spring Writing Prompt
Host a Gingerbread Party for Kids
Looking for ways to make this year’s Christmas celebration memorable for your kids? Why not host a gingerbread party? I bet this would be fun for moms, too! HGTV has some great ideas. Check them out! Not to mention the adorable invitations and recipe cards you can print for free! Plus! More printables: a red and green banner, gingerbread party circles, fancy food labels, and more!
A Thanksgiving Moment
Ever felt like this?
Child Training
From Chaos to Calm: Day Twenty
Child Training
Scripture Memory: “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
Photo Credit: Susan Parrish
Download the .pdf version of this article.
I remember holding my son for the very first time and gazing with wonder that he was mine. What would he become? The answer to that question was found not in a book, but in my willingness to patiently teach him day by day.
James was my first and I had prepared myself as best I could for the job of being a mom. I read every book I could get my hands on. I wanted to know the best ways to do everything from feeding him to disciplining him.
That was nearly twenty years ago. One thing I have learned is that on the job training never ends. There is always more to learn. As a baby grows into a child and then into a teenager the problems a mother is faced with grow and change and only get more complex.
I now have five beautiful children of my own and through the years have learned that children require a great deal of patience and teaching. With each child I have learned better ways and new ways of dealing with the same problems. In all honesty, there are things I wish I could go back and change, but, unfortunately, any mistakes we make as moms cannot be undone.
How can a mother raise a child who loves the Lord, works hard, and is kind to others when this world encourages immorality?
Begin as soon as possible. Whether you have a newborn baby or teen, begin setting an example for Godly living today. It will be easier to change bad habits in a very young child than an older child, but it is possible to teach children at any age.
Be consistent. One of the biggest mistakes moms make is being inconsistent. When you tell your child the rules, follow through. If little Johnny knows he is not supposed to jump on the sofa, do not ignore the bad behavior because you don’t feel like dealing with a fuss or because you are busy.
Be patient. Being a mom is not always easy. You will have to teach your child the same principles over and over… and over again. Sometimes these teaching moments will be painful. When your child tests your resolve by mouthing off, it pains your heart. Patience will help you to deal with the disobedience without losing your cool. Patience will also help you to enjoy those many teachable moments. For instance, my children crowd around me in the kitchen to help. Often when cooking supper, I am rushed and wanting to get supper on the table fast. However, if I take the time to let the children stir the batter, tear the salad, or flip the patties, I have taught them how to love by my willingness to be patient.
Be firm. Children need to know their limits. If you allow your child complete freedom without setting specific limits, you will raise children who are out of control and rude. Parents who set reasonable rules for their children have children who are secure in their love and who are able to respect authority on a greater leave, i.e. teachers, employers, the government. Remember – if you say NO, do not give in and say YES. Whining, badgering, and complaining should never be a reason to change your mind. You will teach your children that if they beg long enough you will eventually wear down.
Be an example. If it is important to you that your children are well mannered, respect others, and work hard set the standard by your own behavior. Children learn more by watching you that they do by listening to you. Always remember to say please and thank you. If your child brings you a flower or helps to clean up, tell him thank you. When you are thoughtful of the needy in your church or community, you are setting a good example. If you want your child to learn to be neat, make sure you keep your own things picked up.
Be fun. Motherhood will pass by faster than you could ever imagine. I am still in shock that my son is almost 16! I wish I had realized years ago how much I wanted to hang onto the precious times we had together. Read to your child daily. Play games with your child. Laugh with your child. Explore the world together. Find the magic in the everyday moments. Snuggle as much as possible.
Be a witness. Giving a solid foundation of Biblical teaching is the greatest gift you can give your child. Pray with your child every morning and every night. Read the Bible together. Study together. Talk about the Scriptures and how the Bible applies to today. Show your child what it means to live a Godly life.
There will be times when you feel that all your hard work is not working! But you can trust God when he says, “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Summer Fun – To Do List
Are you excited about summer? Do you hope to have a lot fun making great memories with your family and friends? The last few years we have been on the road for much of the summer. This year I am looking forward to a quiet summer at home. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have plans for some local fun! A few things on my “Must Do this Summer List:”
- build a teepee
- catch fireflies
- explore Bad Branch Falls
- go swimming at the lake
- grow a watermelon from seed
Have you made a list? If not, feel free to download my Summer Fun To Do List (in multiple colors) and get busy!
Owl Valentine
I found this adorable Owl Valentine your children can make. Looks super easy and totally cute!
A Heart White as Snow
During our morning worship this morning we again read from our devotional book for the year, God’s Amazing Creation by Vicki Redden, Dee Litten Reed, and Joelle Reed Yamada.I particularly love this book because every devotion has an illustration taken from nature. My children and I are nature enthusiasts to say the least! Today’s story was about how Jesus makes our heart white as snow, the Snowy Owl and white Sand Dollars. It is yet another reminder that God’s love is found all around us. We just need eyes and hearts open to spy it.
In this morning’s devotion titled “I Spy,” Dee Reed says, “When you were in beginners and kindergarten in Sabbath school, you sang a song that said no matter how dirty your heart is with sin, “Jesus makes it white when He comes in.” It’s true. When we ask Jesus to forgive us, he will make our sins whiter than snow. And when Jesus is looking for a child with a clean loving heart, He’ll look at you and say, “I spy!”
“Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; they they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18
Isn’t that a beautiful promise? Our children need to be reminded daily that Jesus can make them clean.
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Each Wednesday, we will add a new post for A Year of Family Worship and you can do the same. Share your goals, experiences, and ideas for family worship with the rest of us!
If you don’t have a blog, you can add your comments in the comment section! You can join A Year of Family Worship here. And you can see the 52 Weeks of Family Worship here.
If you do not have a blog… you can either post your ideas here in the comments or even join our Proverbs 31 Sisters Network and get a free blog that way!
Family Keepsake Plate
Only a few more days until Christmas! I can hardly believe it myself. We’ve had a crazy month – two weeks of traveling in Florida followed by a week of the flu. So, I’m trying to get in the mood!
This plate is just too cute to pass up. Looks easy and cheap to make! What’s not to love? And the penguins are just too sweet!
Check out the instructions over at Craft Jr and have some Christmas fun! Oh, and while you’re at it, you could make several to give to grandparents, aunts and uncles…
Sonbeams Chore Charts: Product Review
Sonbeams Chore Charts
Start the new year off right with your children. Teaching your children to be diligent with their chores on a daily basis is never an easy task. However, with the right motivation and the right tools, it can be made easier.
Sonbeams Chore Charts come in two styles – boy or girl. Each dry erase chore chart has magnets. I have two of them hanging on the refrigerator at eye level for my two youngest daughters. Each day, as they complete their chores, its fun and easy for them to check off their accomplishments. Another idea would be to use these charts for your homeschool, listing each subject to be completed.
What I especially loved about these chore charts is the verse written right on the board: “And whatever you do, do it heartily as unto the Lord.” Colossians 3:23
If you are looking for a new way to encourage diligence in your own children why not try the Sonbeam Chore Charts. You won’t be disappointed!
Fabulous Zipper Strap Lunch Bag
Okay, so, I wish I had more time to sew. I can think of so many reason why I should have one of these for each my kiddos – maybe even for myself…
- nature walks
- picnics
- go to town day
- backyard picnics
- snacks on the go
This darling bag would make a great gift for kids of ages! I am also thinking that if you have some sweet ladies in your life that go to work each day, this little bag would be great – you could even leave off the ever so cool zipper strap – and the fabric possibilities are endless! Be sure to check out the tutorial!
