Christ-centered Christmas ideas

Here is the family night lesson Summer talked about: http://www.latter-dayhomeschooling.com/2010/12/symbols-of-christmas.html 

Here is the Scripture chain: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ANPqKyxRzpcHt-sLVwim2tQ5f-avP637jAPRoNn4IFM/edit

Here is a great opportunity to do service in our community:

Summer Davis and Jaime Thompson make about 30-40 lunches every Monday and take them downtown to hand out to those in need. (Mondays are the only days that nobody comes to feed the homeless and they are starving.) They keep the lunches simple: PB&J sandwiches, a piece of fruit, a baggie with some chips, a snack, and a water bottle. So if you can donate any of the items used to make the lunches, they would greatly appreciate it. Also, the people who can't make it into the shelter at night (and even those who do sleep in the shelter because they don't have heat in there) are FREEEEZING.  They have been asking for any spare socks or jackets (they even put the socks on their hands, just anything to keep warm). They are also in need of toilet paper. Any donations can be brought to Heather Thompson’s house either at our monthly meetings or any time you just happen to be in the area.  Or you can drop it off to Summer anytime, also.

Merry Christmas!

White House Petition to Make Porn An "Opt In" Feature Only with Internet Providers

Our Aunt sent us this link to a petition requiring pornography to be an "Opt In" only feature with all internet providers, in order to better protect our children and families through their internet use.  If you agree with the petition, please sign it and pass on the information to your friends!

https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/require-porn-be-opt-feature-internet-service-providers-rather-standard-feature/GF1RkqpJ

Teaching Children To Be Independent

At our October meeting we discussed "The Plan" based on Merrilee Browne Boyack's book The Parenting Breakthrough.

1--"The Plan" is to introduce the child to the task you want them to gain independence on far in advance.  Ideally, use the summer to teach these skills.  Select the "trainer." This could be you but could also be a cub scout leader, or an older sibling.  Hold several "training sessions" then follow up with "practice sessions."  Use a 5x7 card to write out specifics.  For instance, cleaning your room includes: make your bed, clear your dresser off, dust, empty garbage can, vacuum, etc.

In introducing "the plan" she suggests to start during the summer, remember BALANCE, tie the passing off of training of items as privileges (great for teens--example, babysitting).  In her family, they paid allowance until age 12 and then the children were responsible for making their own money.  She also suggest using rewards...points to earn something as a family, marbles in a jar (or removed when things aren't done).   She points out that although the children are capable of completing the task on their own, it does not necessarily mean they always do it.  Example: they can make their own lunch but you do it for them occasionally. 

2--Allowance
--For chores or not???  Chores are a responsibility of being part of a family
--Money chores--outside stuff.  Pinterest has a board where all the available money chores are posted with the money then can earn
--How much to pay them and when?? Ms. Boyack suggests $1/per month of each year of age (6 year old gets $6 per month) paid on the first Saturday of the month so concepts like give (10%), save (20%), spend (70%) can be taught.
--Spending allowance--Amber shared her joy when she watched her son get in line for smoothie only to return empty handed.  When asked why, her son said "that was too much money to spend on that."  Some of us have kids who burn through whatever money they get but we have to let them experience in on their own.

We discussed how allowance/chores varies for every individual family.  Christina's kids are not given allowance but earned marbles for doing chores and could pick something out of the treasure box once they got to 10 marbles.  When asked what to about kids wanting things and they don't have allowance, she said she would have the kids write their requests for birthday or Christmas and that is when they got those things.  A great idea Marci shared was to take a picture of your kid in the store with the toy they want.  Then you have a reminder of what they want for birthday/Christmas and it satisfies their desire for gratification.  I've used this idea already with my youngest greedy child and IT WORKS!  

Morning helps:
Have a list with a check off of what they need to accomplist (buy cheap frame and use dry erase for the checks on the glass

or 
set a time so kids can watch it and know how much time they have left

What happens if your kids refuse to get ready?  Take them to school in their pajamas (let the office know why)...that will only happen once:) 

Great idea from Heather to encourage saving money.  When her kids get money for birthdays or Christmas, etc. whatever amount they save she matches and then at age 18 she will match everything in the account once again.  

The link once again by Ms. Boyack for about what your child should be accomplishing at various ages: http://www.boyacks.com/Merrilee/The%20PLAN.pdf

To help children become independent in making school lunches, Heather posted this list in her pantry to help guide their packing.

Drink
Capri Sun
Juice
Gatorade
Water 

Protein
Meat/cheese sandwich
PB sandwich
string cheese or cheese stick
pistachios or almonds
beef jerky
hard boiled egg

Fruit/Veggie
Fruit cup or applesauce
Fresh fruit (orange/apple/grapes)
Carrots/celery
Banana

Treat/Carb
Chips
Treat
Pudding cup
Ritz or graham crackers

I love this!!

Finally, we discussed the following quote
"Self-sufficiency is the yard stick to self-esteem.  The road to self sufficiency is paved with frustration, disappointment, failure, falling flat on one's face, and other equally 'unhappy' experiences.  We cannot afford to deny children with these things." --John Rosemond

How true that is!  It is difficult to watch our children struggle but if we want them to have self-esteem they must feel capable!  

Dear Parents with Young Children in Church

This doesn't touch too much on our topic for October, but a friend of mine sent it to me, and I was really grateful!  So here's the link to anyone who needs a pick-me-up after the Sunday morning wrestling match. :)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jamie-bruesehoff/parents-kids-church_b_3909085.html

Teaching Children Responsibility

A big THANK YOU to Lillian who shared her wealth of knowledge for all things technological at our last meeting and for all of the great insights and discussion points.  I always leave feeling ready to take on motherhood with more purpose!!

Our October 3rd meeting will be focused on Teaching Children Responsibility.  If you see any great ideas or articles on that subject post them so we can all get our gears turning.  Here is the link to a website that has a Plan to help your children reach independence.  Amber J. forwarded it to me and I've got some work to do at our house!!  Here is the conundrum we currently find ourselves in as well: do we pay them based on the work they do, including things like making their beds, brushing teeth, etc. teaching them that if you work, you get paid or do we have expectations that are part of living in this family for instance taking out the trash when mother ask and then they get paid for "extra work?"  I'm really looking forward to hearing all your good ideas!! 

Also, since school is in full swing, if you're up to it bring a family favorite after-school snack to share and be prepared to create some "lunchbox love" to stick in your kids lunch boxes. 

One more food-for-thought article sent on by Anna here .

Happy (almost) Fall! 

This goes perfectly with our upcoming meeting

Enjoy!!!

http://givenbreath.com/2013/09/03/fyi-if-youre-a-teenage-girl/

The day I stopped saying "hurry up"

I am sure a lot of you Mama's out there have seen this blog post going around, but I thought it would be an appropriate link from our blog! It's a great read if you haven't seen it yet. Especially as we are starting the first week of school!

http://www.handsfreemama.com/2013/07/16/the-day-i-stopped-saying-hurry-up/

Excellent article

We're all at least half-through the summer and, honestly, it's been harder than I imagined it to be!

This article is inspiring and a great reminder that children will be children. 

http://powerofmoms.com/2013/07/reality-check/

Super Summer (with lots of ideas and links)

We had a truly fantastic meeting this week and I am very grateful for all the good ideas that were shared.  We even came up with a few topics for our future meetings.  Thank you for the links and recipes that have already been put up (just scroll past this post) and here are more.  

I asked about end-of-school year celebrations/traditions and Heather shared that she has turned hers into a "First Day of Summer" Celebration.  There are no rules, no chores and everyone stays in pajamas all day.  She buys gifts that the kids would need anyway for the summer (goggles, flipflops and art supplies, for example) and has them wrapped with a cake stand full of doughnuts for when the kids wake up.  She also does a "break through banner" (paper the kids run through) that says "Welcome Summer (or something like that;)".  

Mary shared the cute idea of taking a photo of their child in the same outfit on the first day of school, mid year and the end of the year to see the growth.  She also interviews her kids at the end of the school year and on birthdays with questions like "Who is your best friend?" "What do you want to do when you grow up?"  

We discussed summer routines and several moms found ideas online similar to this:

 
Heather has her family's morning routine posted in the bathroom.  The kids must stay in their rooms until 7 am and then 

breakfast
brush teeth
get dressed
make beds
straighten rooms (deep cleaning saved for Saturdays)
piano practice
HW workbooks (such as Scholastic Summer Express  available at C & M school supply or online)
computer time (she bought software for typing and math but there are free typing sites such as http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/ available)--the teachers in the group brought up that there is an education app for everything you want your kids to learn over the summer 

The routine doesn't have to be done before they can do other daily activities but it will have be finished when they get home if it isn't done in the morning.  She also has a "Summer School Binder" that has tabs for the recipes the kids learn to make, the games and activities they've learned and most importantly their families Boredom Busters.  The kids cannot say they are bored, they will either have to start cleaning or go to their binders.  Read all the fun ideas below.

Summer reading was brought up and this fun book was suggested:
Every chapter has a recipe so if you are having a cooking day, it is the perfect book!  Our family is going to reread Charlotte's Web before we see it at the Summer Movies .

In case your chore charts needs revamping here is a new one: http://www.leahremilletblog.com/printable-chore-chart/.  It's been working for Bethany's family to assign 5 cents per chore and pay the girls Saturday night.  She is really letting the girl's be accountable and if they don't do the work, they don't get paid!  Great idea!

Another idea with technology is to use screen time to create something and to teach your kids how to use the internet wisely (thanks, Lillian!)

Some families work for a family reward with chores/responsibilities and the positive reinforcement of letting kids stay up later (earning bedtime) for good behavior has had good results.  

Adrienne works with children on the autism spectrum and shared about the Picture Exchange Program.  The job/chore is a picture pasted to a magnet and is moved from a "need to do" section of a board to "done."  Each time they are all completed, the kids earn a letter that then spells a trip or activity for their family.  

Her family also uses summer to do a lot of geocaching.  Read more about what it is and where one is right in our neighborhood here:  My kids will love going on a geocaching adventure this summer.  

Another great idea: pick a family "Clean up" song to motivate your kids when they are supposed to be picking up.  Put the song on and see if everyone can be done by the time the song is over. 

A fun list of things to do in the summer time:
http://blog.landofnod.com/honest-to-nod/2011/07/ambition.html

Every family is different and the needs/interests/wants will change but we can all agree that our time as mothers with children in our home is truly a small amount of time.  May we treasure our children this summer (and remember how quickly they grown when we are ready to pull our hair out:)).

Happy Summer!  

PS-We are meeting July 11th at 8 pm for frozen yogurt and to catch up at the Sweet Frog.  

Summer Schedule

Hi Ladies!
Thanks so much for all the AMAZING ideas at last nights discussion. Here are some links as requested!

http://powerofmoms.com/2012/05/do-it-yourself-summer-camp/

http://www.remarkablehome.net/2012/06/super-summer-schedule-free-printable.html

 Have a great weekend!!!!

Black Bean Cookies

Here's the recipe from last night's meeting, in case anyone wanted it!

1 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained

2 T oil

2 T peanut butter 

2 T milk (I used whole)

1/4 cup honey

1/4 cup cocoa

3 T brown rice flour

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup chocolate chips, and more to put on top

Place beans, oil, peanut butter, milk and honey in food processor and puree until smooth.  Add all but chocolate chips and mix well.  Stir in chocolate chips by hand.  Drop heaping teaspoonfuls on baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silpat (or you could grease it) and bake at 375 for 6-8 minutes--cookies should look soft, not dry.  Cool at room temperature and refrigerate after cooling.

Thriving, Not Just Surviving this Summer

We will be meeting June 6th to share ideas but I know we are already starting to make summer plans.  Please post any good ideas you come across.  This is what Amber J. has planned for the summer.

Summer mornings at our house are just like normal schools day mornings.
Get up, get ready for the day.... (eat breakfast, make beds, get dress, do your chores (dishwasher, room and in the summer they get an extra chore)
They its school time- which means 10-15min of school study and then 10-15min. reading.

We are earlier risers over here and this is usually done at the latest by 10. Then its fun time.

My kids are fish so we spend a lot of our time in the water. We get passes to the Cove, there is a nice splash pad at Rancho Jurupa park for a few dollar a person.

The first tues. of the month is free admission to a few museums.
http://daytrippingmom.com/?s=museums

We are going to do Harkins summer movies this summer too.

Of course the beach and story time at the library.

 

:)

Happy Mother's Day!

I was talking with a dear friend recently about it takes a village to raise a child.  Although, we don't live in villages exactly, I am grateful for people who inspire me to be a better mother.  Mothers who help me to keep fighting the good fight, to be a little more patient when I am wearing thin, to ask for the tenth time for the child to repeat himself in a voice that is not whiny, to get up and battle after being up too many times in the night and to remember that we are all in this together.   This is an empowering video to remind us all how MIGHTY we are because we mother.  

Happy Mother's Day, my friends!

Resolving Sibling Conflicts: The Heart of the Matter

We had a wonderful meeting last Thursday!  We started our discussion about how to help our kids get along better by talking about how it's not really that we want to know how best to break up the fights--we want to know how to avoid them all together.  The principle behind the problem is, we want our children to follow the rules and love each other--so how do we accomplish this?

In their book, Siblings Without Rivalry:  How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too, Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish begin their discussion in a similar manner.  The first chapter talks about how siblings exist in families to teach each other to interact with people within their homes as well as outside their families--both in the present and in the future.  They won't necessarily become best friends, but they will learn how to be a friend and how to make friends.

In more eloquent words than these, Faber and Mazlish arm us with tools to help us and our children love each other better, and more uniquely.  In chapters 2 through 5, we learn:

• to acknowledge children's feelings of unfairness about their situation.  Listen to their concerns and teach them to show love.  Help them understand that life is full of differences, and it's not always fair.
• not to compare our children at all costs.  Try to avoid too much praise of children in front of each other, and discuss personal matters (e.g. report cards) on an individual basis.
• instead of treating children equally, (same amount of food, same amount of time together) treat them individually, and according to their needs.  Help them understand how different phases of life require different things, and that this is okay.
• to avoid sticking children in roles (always the baby, always the smart one, always the bully, etc).  Instead, focus on their current strengths and help them work through their individual weaknesses.  Encourage siblings to help each other without singling anyone out.

Finally, the inevitable:  when kids fight.  Any mom is probably already aware, there are different levels of sibling conflicts.  

1. Normal bickering:  ignore it and allow the children to resolve it themselves.  
2. Situation heats up and adult intervention may be helpful:  acknowledge their anger and both points of view.  Describe the problem respectfully, and express confidence in their ability to solve it, then leave them to it.
3. Situation possibly dangerous:  determine if it's a play fight or a real fight.  Play fights have the consent of both parties (e.g. wrestling/swords) but if it gets too rough, encourage a different activity.
4. Situation definitely dangerous:  describe what you see to the children and separate them.  Give them the opportunity to make restitution after cooling down.

On occasion, kids require help from parents to solve a big problem.  In this case, a family meeting to work out the issue is a helpful suggestion.  In these councils, take the following steps:

1. Explain the purpose of the meeting and the rules.
2. write down each child's feelings and reread them to the group.
3. Allow each child a time for rebuttal.
4. Invite everyone to come up with answers, and write them all down without evaluation.
5. Decide on a solution that suits everyone.
6. Follow-up if needed.

As a group we shared many different examples of how to treat children uniquely and how to resolve issues as a family.  A few ideas were:

• support children in individual interests, and encourage siblings to cheer each other on
• allow for independence when a child needs it
• have regular family councils where problems can be resolved if needed
• have regular family moments to acknowledge one another's strengths (e.g. "two thumbs up"--mom and dad choose one child each night who deserves two thumbs up for something they did that day.  whole family cheers for that child and applauds.  child changes each day, but not necessarily in a particular order.)
• be okay with the fact that siblings can still love each other without being best friends
• don't forget to love your children as unique individuals, acknowledging their personal strengths and needs.

How To Talk To Kids About Real Food - 100 Days of Real Food

A really great way to help our kids understand what foods are best for them! 
How To Talk To Kids About Real Food - 100 Days of Real Food

Thoughts on Rudeness

From Cindy:
I came across a funny little book that I am reading with my children...teenagers included!  I say silly because it is written for kids but it is becoming a guide to raising a well mannered child.  Without giving you to much information, there were SOOOOOO many things I wasn't taught as a child.  I was given a lot of freedom and pretty much did what I wanted when I wanted.  I grew up with desires to do things very differently when I became a mother and I have been successful at being that mother I always wanted.  BUT I haven't done a very good job teaching my kids manners, real manners, the kind that give civility its good name.  So we are having a mini overhaul on the way things are done here and what is allowed in our home. To make it more funny and interesting for the kids, we read sections from the book Dude, That's Rude by Pamela Espeland and Elizabeth Verdick. It has sections on family manners, in the house manners, in public, conversation, body manners, phone, gifting and getting etc.  In all that we do to raise amazing kids, let's not forget the basic things that will make them feel great about who they are because they know how to act in a great way!

One of my favorite bloggers discusses more here 

And, if you only have time for quick read click here.

Happy Spring!

Delicious and nutritious recipes

 

ENERGY BALLS

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (dry) oatmeal (I used old-fashioned oats)
• 1 cup toasted coconut flakes
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup ground flaxseed
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Method:

Stir all ingredients together in a medium bowl until thoroughly mixed. Let chill in the refrigerator for half an hour. Once chilled, roll into balls of whatever size you would like. (Mine were about 1″ in diameter.) Store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.

Makes about 20-25 balls.

 

Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (Makes 30 Cookies) from weelicious.com

Ingredients

• 3 bananas (preferably ripe or spotty bananas)
• 2 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 cup pitted and chopped dried dates
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips, walnuts or raisins
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. 2. Mash bananas in a bowl, and mix in the remaining ingredients.
3. 3. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes.
4. 4. Using a mini ice cream scoop or tablespoon, place the batter onto a Silpat or parchment-lined baking sheet.
5. 4. Bake for 25 Minutes.
6. 5. Cool and serve.
7. ** To make into bars – place dough in a greased 7×11 dish, bake for 35-40 minutes then allow to cool. Cut into bars or squares.
8. To Freeze: allow cookies to cool after baking then place in a Ziploc bag, label and freeze for up to 3 months.

 

The link to Liz's delicious granola bars (and blog if you haven't already seen it) here.

 

We had a great discussion and shared lots of tips for our picky and not-so-picky eaters.  Every family has very different needs and even wants regarding nutrition but it was enlightening and engaging.  Thanks to all who participated!

 

 

Easter Week Ideas (a link)

Thought some of you might enjoy this.  I plan to just copy it because we have been SO busy!

Easter Week Ideas

Healthy kids make happy families

March 7 8 p.m. 

Sarah's house

Health is more than physical.  The psychological - physical - social and spiritual combine to contribute to health. 

Come ready to discuss how we can help our kids be healthy!   We will write any questions/topics we would like to cover and then discuss them as a group.  Please bring your favorite recipes/books/ideas for feeding your kids (you are welcome to bring a small sample if you feel inclined).

Healthy Eating on a Budget: This Week's Menu Plan

With our upcoming meeting as motivation, I wanted to share some brief thoughts about our family's philosophy on healthy eating and how we do it.  Included below is a peek into the kinds of things we eat, using this week's menu as an example.

The most important thing guiding our family's eating habits is very simply this:  we believe God created and provided the foods we need for sustenance and proper nutrition, and we try to stick as closely to His divine design as possible.  Some people call this a real food diet.  There are lots of resources online for this kind of eating.  Some of my favorites are Heavenly Homemakers, 100 Days of Real Food, and for including the kiddos, Weelicious.  Otherwise, we try to follow our hearts when it comes to eating what feels right.  

Our family is also on a tight budget, since my husband is in grad school.  As a point of perspective, the allotment on the USDA recommended "thrifty" plan for a family our size (2 adults, 4 children 5 and under) is a little over $700/month for food alone.  We spend, on average, about $500/month.  We accomplish this by making a lot of things homemade, making inexpensive food choices, and otherwise sacrificing what we can't afford.  Sometimes this means omitting things or substituting things I'd rather not, (for example, not much real butter since margarine is cheaper) but we weigh our priorities and do what we can. 

One of our best weapons is making healthy substitutions, especially in baked goods (whole grains, fat substitutions, less sugar).  Another is including kids in the cooking and selection process, since they're more likely to eat what they chose.  And finally, homemade versions of kid favorites.  You'll notice we don't do completely without "unreal" food (hot dogs), nor do we omit sugar completely.  To that I say, to each his own--do what feels right for your family!

Sunday, February 24

breakfast:  instant oatmeal, bread

lunch:  peanut butter and honey sandwiches, apples

dinner:  Sunday chicken & rice, green beans

Monday, February 25

breakfast:  oatmeal 

lunch:  quesadillas, orange slices

dinner:  spinach quiche, roasted cauliflower

family night treat:  no bake cookies

Tuesday, February 26

breakfast:  blackberry breakfast cake

lunch:  beans & weanies, biscuits

dinner:  broccoli cheese soup, leftover biscuits

*mix up tomorrow's breakfast and put batter in fridge

Wednesday, February 27

breakfast:  belgian waffles, orange juice

lunch:  PB&J, canned pears

dinner:  calzones, cucumber & tomato salad

Thursday, February 28

breakfast:  peach oatmeal

lunch:  grilled cheese & tomato soup

dinner:  sweet & sour chicken, rice

*make extra rice for tomorrow's breakfast

Friday, March 1

breakfast:  rice pudding, grapefruit

lunch:  macaroni & cheese w/ spinach

dinner:  grilled chicken sandwiches, sweet potato fries

dessert:  hot fudge sundaes

Saturday, March 2

breakfast:  pancakes, orange juice
lunch:  leftovers
dinner:  salmon cakes & broccoli salad

snacks:
vanilla soother
zucchini bread
oatmeal cups
apples
oranges
berries
yogurt
pretzels
raisins/cranberries
baby carrots

Showing Kids Love

 

We had a great discussion on the 5 Love Languages last week!  For anyone interested in giving yourself or your spouse the quiz, follow this link. 
 
Also, information on A Perfect Pet for Peyton, the children's book that correlates with the 5 Love Languages found here.  

Here is a great article on ways to show love here. 

I appreciate that she said be mindful of small opportunities to be tender toward your kids.  I find that if I do slow down as I am going about my day, I am able to more fully express my love.

And, some fun ideas to incorporate into Valentine's Day celebrations here.

Happy Valentine's Day! :)

 

Drops of Awesome

Here is the article we mentioned about gaining perspective.  (click below to go to article)