Christian Parenting Thread

[Theresa]

I thought it would be nice for all of us who are trying to raise our children as Christians to have our own thread as a support for each other. We can ask questions, share funny stories or prayer requests, or just cry on each other's shoulders.

Feel free to introduce yourself (and your kid(s) ) and share anything about yourself.

Hope to see lots of familiar and new faces! :)

[Jayne]

Hi ..I guess I will go first.

My name is Jayne and DH is Dan. We have an 8 1/2 year old Tylor who will be 9 on May 27th and a daughter Alyssa who turned 2 on December 11th. We are members of the First Presbyterian church of Salem and have been since I was a baby. DH joined just 3 weeks before we were married as a surprise wedding gift to me (prior to that he was Catholic) We have had both children baptised in the church and Tylor attends sunday school and our youth group (called Presbee's) I am involved in the church choir and handbell choir and I also direct the youth choir. Tylor is a member of the youth choir. Alyssa right now just attends fellowship functions and stays in the nursery but she loves going to church every sunday.

I am not sure what else to say..But :wavey: Hello everyone.

Jayne

[Cecily]

Hi, Theresa, Thanks for starting this thread.

We have been teaching Lily the little saying "Here is the church, here is the steeple, open the door, and see all the people." Now, when we tell Lily we are going to church, she makes the sign for all the people. I just think that is the cutest thing!

Just a quick note about us: I am Cecily, 29, dh is Steve, 32, and dd is Lily, almost 2. We go to a Baptist Church that is just a few blocks from our house. Lily really loves Sunday School, and we enjoy our Sunday School class as well, but we really have a hard time getting to "big church" :lol: My mom broke her ankle, and wants me to go with her to her SS (which she teaches), then go to our SS, and then church, and I hate leaving Lily in the nursery for that long.

I am looking forward to seeing some more faces in here!

[Theresa]

:yippee: Visitors!

I guess I should introduce myself, too! :doh:

My name is Theresa. DH is Keith. We'll be married 6 years next Sunday! :eek: We have 2 children, Elizabeth Claire, age 2, and Ian David, age 4 months. We just recently joined a new Baptist church in our area. I love it! It just feels like home and I totally know this is where God wants us to be right now.

A question: How do you incorporate God into your daily life with your children?

[Jayne]

That is one that is hard for us. I used to be so good at prayers before bed and well I slipped on it and stopped doing it. (note to self ..need to do this again) for the most part I don't push a lot on the kids and or DH about God. I pray myself pretty often. The kids attend church 2 times a week (with Presbee's and sunday) And Tylor is getting more involved in church sponsered things like boyscouts..these things all incorporate God so that helps.

And actually I love to sing and I have been trying to teach the kids a few of my favorite all time Hymns so that also is fun.

Jayne

[mcox]

:wavey: Hello everyone!!!

I think everone that has posted so far already knows me. Hi Theresa, Jayne and Cecily. It is so nice to see familiar faces. For those that may join that don't know me, I'll introduce myself....

I'm Michelle and Dh is George. We have been married for 8 1/2 yrs and we have a daughter, Olivia, who is 2yrs old. We attend a Pentecostal church that is just 2 doors away from where we live. Dh was born and raise in that church and I've been going for almost 12 yrs. We had Olivia dedicated when she was just a month old, on Easter. We are very involved in our church. We attend Bible Study every Wednesday and we go to Sunday School/Church every Sunday. Dh is the service leader, we both sing in the choir and I have taught Sunday School. I'm getting ready to take the nursery class back over again. We are in the process of getting the nursery renovated and then I'll be teaching it again. My pastor asked me to do it again since we don't have a nursery class right now and he knows I will do it for Olivia.

The way we incorporate God in our everyday life is by praying often. We always pray before meals and before bed. Olivia is used to seeing us pray and will often do it on her own. Whenever we are at church and it is time to pray she will say pray, bow her head and put her little hands together. :love: She loves to sing "If you're happy and you know it" She will also say, "Amen" alot when the preacher is preaching. :lol: We are also very faithful with attending church. I feel that that is another way we are incorporating God into our every day lives. She knows that if it is church night, we will be going.

[Tara]

:wavey: Hi everyone! It is nice to have this here! I am Tara and DH is Rod. We have one son Tyler who is almost 16 months and we will be TTC #2 starting in April.
We are very active members of a fairly small Lutheran church. I grew up Lutheran and Rod Catholic. We were married almost 6 years ago in a Lutheran church and that is when Rod "converted". We didn't attend anywhere reguraly until my parents found out current church home. When Tyler was born we started going and now we are VERY active! I teach 1st/2nd grade Sunday School and Rod teaches the High School class. We are currently praying about a part-time job opportunity that was thrown out to us. We would share a part-time salary to be the youth leaders (I am currently a SAHM). We have never had that postion at our church and I don't know how much time it involves yet, still looking into that.
Anyway, it is noce to meet you all!

We incorporate God into our lives through prayer and attending church. Right now we are just being role models to Tyler until he can understand more. He does pray though! We say.."time to pray" and he puts his little hands together!! So sweet! :heart:

[Theresa]

Welcome, Michele and Tara! :welcome:

Michele, I didn't realize you'd been married so long! Sometimes, I feel like I'm the only one who didn't have kids right away when she got married. :blush1:

[mcox]

Michelle, I didn't realize you'd been married so long! Sometimes, I feel like I'm the only one who didn't have kids right away when she got married. :blush1:



We waited 6 yrs before having Olivia. We just wasn't ready before that. I really like that we waited. We had plenty of time together and now we can devote most of our time to Olivia.

Thanks for the welcome.

[jenr812]

:wavey: everyone! I just have a moment but wanted to be sure and subscribe. I'll be back later with an intro and to chat :) THanks for starting this Theresa :bighug: Love ya :akiss:

[Theresa]

Jen's here!! :banana: I've been missing you! :hug99:

[Stacy]

I am Stacy (29). Dh is Rick (33) and DS, Dylan, will be 2 in 2 weeks. :bawl:


I grew up and spent a very active 19 years in a Baptist Church. I switched to a Pentecostal church 10 years ago. Rick joined the church 6 years ago. I met him there. We had Dylan dedicated when he was about 3 1/2 months old.
I used to be in the choir but due to some anxiety issues I have had to take a break. I was also involved with the youth when I first started attending.
Rick and I taught Sunday School before Dylan was born. We now help in the nursery. Rick helps on the bus that picks up inner city children and is starting to help with ushering in two weeks.
We are also on the schedule for standing at the sanctuary doors and greeting people as they come in.

One way we keep God real on a day to day basis is prayer. We don't do it enough but I try to pray before bed. I found a couple prayers in this Nursery Rhyme Prayer book. I put the two together.

Dear Lord for all the happy times with mom and dad today. I thank you for the memories that I can tuck away.
Dear God this is little prayer for I am little too. I love you because you first loved me. Thank you now I'm through.
AMEN.

Dylan cuddles right in when we pray.

I also try to have praise and worship music on in the car or at home once in a while.

[Shel]

I'm here! :wavey:

I'm Shel. David and I have been married 5 years. I have 2 boys from my first marriage, Kaleb who is 11 and Jake who is 8. Together, David and I have our daughter Riley who was 2 in November. We attend a Church of God of Anderson church (not the snake handler Church of God :) ) Because of a lot of health problems, I've had to drop out of choir and worship team and stop going to the women's Bible study group. I'm also supposed to help start up the spiritual gifts/plug in ministry, but I haven't really felt up to doing anything with it yet. We are moving into our new worship center this Sunday :yippee: and I'm supposed to start the dance ministry up. Hopefully an upcoming surgery on April 9 will help me get back to normal again!

I am so fortunate as Kaleb and Jacob's dad pay their tuition to a wonderful Christian school. That helps so much in daily walk just because I know they get Bible incorporated into everything they do there. Plus, they are surrounded by kids with parents who share my goal of raising them to be Christ-like. It's so tough having older kids with all the pressures and bad influences anymore. We are trying to monitor what they do, what the listen to and what they read without making them feel like we are controlling or suffocating. It's so hard sometimes!

Anyhow, that's us in a nutshell :)

[Theresa]

Stacy, :welcome:

Shel, :wavey: Good to see you! :)

[Brandi]

Hi! I'm Brandi, DH is Jason. We attend the First Presbyterian Church. I help out with the youth club on Wednesday night and I also participate in the bell choir and sing in the choir. We definitely don't do enough at home with Carter (oops - forgot to introduce him - age 2 and I'm pg - due in August). I always thought that he was too little to understand prayers and such. I guess, he's grown up a LOT and I really need to start the prayers before meals. DH is not really into any of that, so we just haven't done it. My family never said prayers before meals either so I am not used to it. I really enjoy it though and NEED to start. I know a few that would work but does anyone have any really good ones?

"God is great. God is good. Let us thank him for our food. Amen"
"Come Lord Jesus, be our guest. Let this food to us be blessed."

I think we really need to add bedtime prayers to our routine also. I've always planned to do this with him since I always pray by myself. Time just got away from me! OH MY - He's almost two! WOW!

It's nice to meet everyone here!

[Cortney]

:wavey: Hey there! I'm Cortney, dh is Josh- we've been married nearly 3 years. Dd is Morgan (she's 2). At church I'm the secretary for the women's organization - making newsletters, etc. Josh is the coordinator for all organized service in the church- people moving, our Adopt-a-Highway program, etc. Morgan LOVES nursery and loves her friends there.

QOTD (from several days ago): We try to incorporate God into our daily lives with just about everything we do. We have a family prayer every morning before Josh leaves, we pray before all of our meals, and we try to read some scripture as a family every night before bed then say goodnight prayers. Monday nights are strictly family nights at our house. Either Josh or I give a short little lesson, and someone is in charge of a family activity or treat. Also, the TV doesn't come on until Morgan is in the bed on Mondays- if even then. We also try to incorporate God by using situations that come up in our daily lives. For example, if something bad has happened and we need comfort we'll teach Morgan how to tak time out of the day to pray when she needs it. Christian music is usually always playing as well.

[Jayne]

The prayer our children have been taught before meals is

"God is Great, God is Good, And we thank him for our food, By his hands we all are fed, give us Lord our daily bread, Amen"

Bed time is always:

Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, and if I Die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to Take, Amen. (Then we do) God Bless. mommy and daddy, Alyssa and Tylor..(nd then we let the kids take over) So it turns into the grandparents..maybe the cat..and so on..but it is important that they pray for whom every they feel they need to pray for.

Jayne

[Theresa]

:welcome: Brandi and Cortney! :wavey:

Brandi, My Ellie is 2 and we just bow our heads and I pray, "Dear Jesus, Thank you for this food. May it make us strong and healthy. Amen." Short and sweet is good at this age. At bed time, we thank God for the day and I always mention something specific we did during the day (like going outside to play, going to the store, etc) and we end by thanking God for Mommy, Daddy, Baby Brother, and the kitties. :)

Cortney, I think your once a week family time is an awesome idea! :up: I think I'm going to talk to DH about incorporating something like that into our week!

:1pound: Happy St Patrick's Day, Everyone! :1pound:

[Cortney]

Cortney, I think your once a week family time is an awesome idea! :up: I think I'm going to talk to DH about incorporating something like that into our week!

It's really nice to have that one night a week that we KNOW everyone will be together. With life being SO crazy, we may get to spend other nights together,etc but it's nice to have it scheduled in.

[Jayne]

I wish that was even a posibility. We have something going on every single night of the week. Between my church responsibilities, boy scouts, Soccer, Piano Lessons, presbee's youth group and DH's tech support days..there isn't a single night we can all get together and make it a set time..Everything is ever changing. I think it is great that your able to do that Cortney
Jayne

[Eleanor]

Hi! :wavey:

Thought I'd pop in and introduce myself :) I'm Eleanor, and DH is Andrew. We've been married almost 5 years (in June), and have 2 DD's, Isabelle (2 1/2) and Rebecca (1 mo old!). As far as religion goes, we're sort of in transition. I grew up in the Church of the Nazarene, became a Methodist in college. Met and married DH (who's family is EXTREMELY Catholic). Our wedding was in his home church, and that's where Isabelle was baptised (and Rebecca will be too). We attended separate churches for a while, until we had Isabelle, then decided we needed to attend as a family. So we've compromised on an Episcopal church, which we both really like. (I could be a really happy Episcopalian...but he's still a conflicted Catholic). Our main family religious activities are mealtime prayer, and bedtime blessing for Isabelle. We attend church on a mostly weekly basis...Isabelle's favorite part is the music- she loves to look up at the choir while they're singing, and has figured out that you hold up a piece of paper to sing from (she was "singing" a lot during the non-singing part of church last week...the couple behind us told her she should join the youth choir...and I suspect that's in her future when she's older). She already knows "Kum-by-ah" (or however that's spelled- funny, because neither DH nor I really like that song- but it's her favorite one out of her book of Children's hymns).

[Theresa]

:wavey: Eleanor!

I'm so excited to see so many people here! :jump2:

[Kara]

Thanks for telling me about this Jayne!


I am Kara 28 married to dh Jason for 8 years. We have an almost 6 year old ds Josh and 2 year old Austin. I belong to the same church as Jayne(Presbyterian), and both boys were baptized there. Up until last spring, I worked as youth club co-director and then decided with austin being sick so much, I needed to keep him home and out of the germ environment as much as possible...it has worked for the most part...but we hope this summer to be better attenders again. Dh..well sometimes he goes to his home church (First Friends) and sometimes he goes to mine...I hope when our church finds a new pastor that it will be someone he likes and connect with and learn from, right now he just doesn't get that at my church. Once we get healthy and stay that way, they will be more involved with weekly activities...and I will be able to volunteer more.
I really do need to pray myself more...we do prayers with the boys every night...Sometimes I feel uneducated in religion so maybe I can learn from you here...

[AahRee]

I'm Anne, and my DH is Phil, and our DD is Katie. She'll be two :eek: on May 8th. The day before her second birthday is our fourth anniversary. :) We just found a church that we all LOVE!!! (Finally!) However, it's a good 40 minute drive from our house, so it's hard to commit to it as a home church. We're still looking around to see if we can find a church we love that is closer to home, but in the meantime, we're getting some awesome teaching at this church (Northshore Baptist). I was going to MOPS at a church a little closer to home (Snohomish Foursquare), but I'm sick and I haven't been able to get there much lately. We have a Bible study group that meets every other week, made up of several other couples we're good friends with. We have dinner and fellowship time, and then we watch a video, and discuss it. (We're doing a marriage series right now that is really good.)

In terms of incorporating God into our daily lives with Katie, we listen to Christian music in the car and we sing songs like Jesus Loves Me when we're at home. And she prays every night before bed. She's even started asking to pray before her naps! :biggrin: She has a couple of board books that she likes that are about Jesus, so we read those, too. (One is a Christmas book, which refers to Jesus as Baby Jesus, so she now calls Jesus *Baby G*) :lol:

[Theresa]

:welcome: Kara and Anne!

[Theresa]

I need some suggestions: I'm looking for a verse to put on the cake for Ian's dedication. I was thinking of 2 Timothy 3:15, "That from a child that hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise". What do you all think? Any other suggestions?

[Stacy]

What about ..
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.( Psalms 127:3, NIV)

[Shel]

I used this verse on all 3 kids' scrapbooks for their dedication pages.

I Samuel 1:27-28
27 I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the LORD . For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD ."


Or my favorite version
I asked the Lord to give me this child, and he has given me my request. Now I am giving him back to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.

[Brandi]

I like those Shel! How nice!

[Theresa]

I like both of those! :) I realized last night, though, I'm not sure how big the cake is going to be. My sister is making it so I'll have to ask her how much we can fit on it.

[Mandy]

Hi, I'm Mandy (23) & DH is Traver (23) and we've been married 5 years this May. We have a 16 month old DD, Emma, and a 6 week old son, Jacob. We just started going to a new church that's about 30 minutes from our house. It's a Baptist church and is just starting out and meets in a school gym. We've only been once but really felt comfortable and plan on going back. We hope to become very actively involved. I've been saved since I was 6 years old and DH since he was in high school. I grew up in a Christian home my whole life but DH did not.

Emma loves to pray, she's always putting her hands together and saying something that sounds like "Dear Jesus"! It's the cutest thing. I sing Bible songs to her before her naps and bedtime. She has board books with Bible stories that we read to her often, and of course we have some Veggie Tales cartoons that I've started playing for her. I also have Bible song tapes that I try to turn on while she's playing. She's still pretty young but I think that exposing her to all of this will be a good beginning and as she gets older, she'll be in Sunday School and we'll start doing family devotions together. I'm planning on homeschooling our children using Abeka-which is a Bible based curriculm.

I have a question: What are your views on birth control? Are you leaving it up to God as to when and how many children you have and not using any BC? Someone once told me that pills don't stop conception, just implamentation so that in a sense they are almost like abortion since life begins at conception...not sure if that is true, though.

We're trying to make a descision about this right now.

One more question that DH is struggling with: When you pray for or about something you want or a decision you have to make, how do you know you're hearing God's answer? Or how do you know you're not just talking yourself into what you want and think it's what He wants for you? Does that make sense? Basically Dh wants to buy a truck and trade in his car but he's not sure how he'll know whether we should do that or not. He can come up with enough cons of doing so but he's not sure whether it's the right thing to do or not.

[Brandi]

WOW! You ask hard questions!

From what I understood about the pill is that there are types that are just like you said. They stop implantation, but not fertilization. Then there are others that I thought were supposed to stop either ovulation or fertilization. OH, I don't know. This is a good question. I'm sure someone knows the answer out there.

As far as knowing when I hear God or when it's just my own thoughts - THAT IS TOUGH! I don't know really what to tell you. Sometimes, I just feel a peace about certain things. Then other times, I just feel as if I've been trying to justify things too hard. So, I don't know what to say. I would ask the same question. It's just so hard to know sometimes. Maybe we need some more input on this!

Oh, btw - welcome!

[Theresa]

:welcome: Mandy! So glad to see you here! About BCP's, they work 2 ways. They stop ovulation, so there's no egg to fertilize and they thicken cervical mucus so sperm have a harder time getting into the uterus. Hope that helps.

As far as knowing God's will, that's so hard sometimes. Like Brandi said, sometimes I just have a peace about things. Or if I'm not sure, I keep praying and seek the advice of other Christians. When it comes to something like buying a truck, I would think that you and your DH have to be in agreement. If either of you has misgivings, I would wait and continue to pray. Let us know how it all works out! :hug99:

[Brandi]

Hey Thanks Theresa for clearing up the BCP thingy!

[Shannon]

I'm here :) My husband and I were raised catholic, but now we are looking into other christian denominations to raise our son. Not sure exactly what yet...but we are looking around. We have not found a church yet that we feel comfortable in...It is so hard to do :)

[Stacy]

When you pray for or about something you want or a decision you have to make, how do you know you're hearing God's answer? Or how do you know you're not just talking yourself into what you want and think it's what He wants for you? Does that make sense? Basically Dh wants to buy a truck and trade in his car but he's not sure how he'll know whether we should do that or not. He can come up with enough cons of doing so but he's not sure whether it's the right thing to do or not.



When it comes to something as big as buying a truck you won't have any doubts about it. I would pray for wisdom to make the right decision and for peace to come after. I also ask for a comfirmation of some type. It could be as simple as someone else offering to pray for me and praying the same things. It could also be something where you and DH have prayed and discussed certain issues about the truck, like make, model, finances. I would seriously pray again for God for those things as well. If you find yourself suddeny thinking about a certain car/truck, right it down, time of day and such. As DH to do the same. You may find similarities.
The comfirmation could even be a simple as you prayed for certain conditions and the next commercial you hear fulfills those conditions.
There does have to be complete agreement on the issue of changing vehicles.
When my dh was deciding what to do with his car, I told him that I would support whatever decision he made. It was his car, his $$. I helped research it but I told him that as the head of the household it was him who had to make the ultimate decision.

Sorry for all the babble.
There will always be peace.

[Theresa]

:welcome: Shannon! :)

[Theresa]

Hi, Everyone! :wavey:

I get devotionals in my e-mail every day and I thought this one was great! I know most of our kids are little right now, but it's something to remember for the future.



April 5


BIBLE MEDITATION: “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all Thy works.” Psalm 73:28


DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: We can be so protective of our reputations, can’t we? I know of preachers who have lost their children because they were more concerned about what people thought than what God taught. Maybe some of you are raising teenagers and they dress in a way that isn’t your style. Maybe your church friends are saying some unpleasant things. Let them criticize! God knows your heart. Those children are yours, not theirs. You need to love them with everything that God gives you. Stand by their sides. Never sacrifice your son or daughter on the altar of your reputation. Trust your children to the Lord.


ACTION POINT: Are you a parent? Ask God to give you His wisdom so you can see how He is fulfilling His promise of Romans 8:28 in every situation.

[Theresa]

Question: What's everyone's Easter plans? Anyone traveling? Having friends/family over?

I'm doing a dinner here on Saturday with my parents, my sister, in-laws, and BIL. It should be nice. On Sunday after church, we're going to one of my uncle's houses for a big Easter dinner. That should be nice too. I don't get to see that side of the family very often.

[Karly]

I'm Karly, and I've been married to Josh for 4 years. We have two kids - Tyrus (26 months) and Alexis (5 weeks).

As a family, we attend Cornerstone Pentecostal church. We actually live right next door to the church, in the parsonage. My IL's are renting the house from the church currently, and we are living with them right now. We are very active in the church. I am part of the worship singing team, Josh is an usher, we both teach KIDS church, we lead a youth home friendship group on Wednesdays, and we also lead a Bible quizzing team for young people.

It's very neat, because Tyrus is getting old enough to begin to understand some of the things we do in church. He gets very excited when it's time, and all day on Saturday, I use "tomorrow is Sunday School" as an incentive for him to behave! :lol: It works well, too. He's recently begun participating in worship services by clapping his hands and "singing". It's very cute.

We always pray before meals "Thank you Jesus for this food, bless it in Jesus' name, Amen." and at nap/bedtime. Usually he will cooperate with us, but sometimes he gets annoyed. I think that's mostly because he's tired at that point. :)

I also attempt to have on Christian music if we listen to music. A lot of times, I listen to talk radio during the days, but if it's music most of the time it is Christian.

I'm happy to be part of this thread!

[Theresa]

:welcome: Karly! :)

[AahRee]

I've sort of been MIA for a few weeks, but I'm back now. :)

About the BC question, we don't use the pill (my body doesn't like it, and I'm iffy about whether or not it actually stops conception, so we avoid the issue by not using it), but we are done having children, due to health issues. I've been told, by Christian sisters on another site, that our decision not to have any more children means that we're not trusting God with our fertility. I think that's a pretty shallow definition of faith. God gave us the ability to recognize our fertility signs, and He gave us the mind to create other ways of preventing pregnancy (condoms, etc.) If it shows a lack of faith to use the tools He allowed us to create to prevent pregnancy, then it must also show a lack of faith when we use medicine to heal our sickness, right? We're not trusting in God alone to heal us. I think there are some instances where God chooses to heal us miraculously, but in a great many other instances, He uses the tools we created (with the mind HE gave us) to heal us. And the same thing goes for fertility. If God really wants my DH and I to have another child, our decision to use condoms, or even have a vasectomy, won't prevent that. However, God allows us to make a choice and to live with the consequences of our choices. And He asks us to be good stewards of the resources He gave us. I don't think you can ignore all of that and just say that you're not making any decisions about having more children, and are just leaving it up to God. Most of us (women) know when we're fertile, so we know that we aren't TRULY leaving it up to God. Besides, He gave us minds and spirits and wills, and if you (or I) are doing our best to listen to His guidance in our lives, we'll know whether or not a decision to have another child is the right one. But choosing not to decide IS making a decison.

Whew! I'm a little passionate about that subject. :lol:

As far as Easter goes, we're in one state and DH is in another, so we aren't going to have the family Easter I'd like to have, but Katie and I will go to church. And since we're staying with my parents right now, we'll be having Easter dinner with them, my sister and BIL, and my aunt, uncle and cousin. Katie has a little Easter basket, and we'll decorate eggs for her to hunt for. And I'm going to get her a little board book of the Easter story to read to her. Nothing too out of the ordinary. :)

Has anyone read *The Journey Home* by Bill Bright (founder of Campus Crusade)? I'm thinking of buying it, and wondering what others thought of it.

[Jayne]

Easter here is a bit hectic..but fun never the less..

Our easter plans start Thursday night

We have a maunde thursday service..It is a beautiful service that I love. I know it is something that draws me in but durring our service, we have one of my fellow choir people go up to the balcony of the church, Ally the lights go out in the church and she sings a song called "Were you There" At the end of the song someone in the back slams a door, symbolizing the tome being shut. It is very passionate and emotional.

Friday we are having our Easter egg hunt at a friends house (if it doesn't rain :rolleyes: ) Then we are having a big dinner, The kids are all going to their grandparents and we are all going to hear a band.

Saturday my friend is coming to town from NJ. I havn't seen her since Christmas and we are going to go and have Lunch and then hang out for a bit. Later that evening we might go and see our friend race his quad. Tylor has wanted to go for a while and we might take him if he is well and the weather is nice.

Sunday I go to both services. I have to be at church at 7:30 and I stay throught he choir singing their anthem and then run home, We wake the kids and have them come down and collect their easter baskets and see what wonders there are for them and then we all get ready for church. We are back at church by 10 and service is over at 11:30. After church we head to my IL's for lunch. She usually has a really nice spread! Around 2 we will come home so Alyssa can have her nap and then at 4 we head to my Grandparents for dinner. It too is a wonderful meal and there are so many cousins and aunts and uncles there. I swear there are usually more then 50 people there and it is amazing. Around 7 we leave there and head to DH's Grandparents down on the farm. It is nice. We visit and have deserts. We usually make it home about 9:30 exhausted but happy that we had a wonderful family day and shared it with so many.

Jayne

[Shel]

Easter is going to stink this year for us. I'm having surgery on Good Friday, so I'll probably be drugged up and sleeping on Easter. Although, our Sunday School class said that if I did come to church, it would be like I rose on the third day :rolleyes:

The kids will all be gone, so Easter is going to be very quiet!

[Theresa]

Anne, I got reamed on another "Christian" site for even admitting that I use birth control! :rolleyes: Who is ANYONE to say that I'm not trusting God just because I chose to use bc? I think what you said was great and I agree 100%!

Shel, I'll say a prayer for you Friday! :hug99:

[Stacy]

Good Morning!

I hope everyone has a blessed day.

My thoughts on the whole BC issue are the same as Anne's. She worded it perfectly.

I am not sure what we are doing for Easter. Last year I was in the middle of horrible anxiety and panic attacks and couldn't leave the house. Praise God I am doing much better now. :woo:
We will probably have Easter dinner here or at the ILs.
2 years ago I was giving birth on Easter weekend.

Shel, I will be praying for you Friday.

[AahRee]

Stacy, I'm SO glad you're doing better this Easter! :bighug:

Shel, I'll pray for you for Friday. :bighug:

I don't know if this question has been asked yet or not (in the OUH thread, that is... I'm pretty sure it hasn't been asked in here yet!), but...
How do you plan to incorporate your faith into your child's education? (Formally - like through a Christian homeschool or private school situation, or informally, through AWANA, or something like that?)

[Jayne]

Well the only schools around here religion based are the Catholic schools and DH went to it and it was a really bad experience for him. Plus we are not Catholic. We are Presbyterian. So..Both children will or have attended our Presbyterian Preschool and Then they will or are both attending Public schools. Tylor and Alyssa will and do attend Presbee's youth club on wednesday nights and they both go to sunday school.

Jayne

[Shel]

Kaleb and Jacob go to a Christian School (thanks to their dad) We will do everything we can to make sure Riley goes to the same school. We LOVE the school, and after listening to our neighbors talk, we wouldn't want them to go to public school. We are so lucky to have such a great Christian school in our area.

[Cortney]

I would love a good Christian school around here. We're still contemplating homeschooling. :) Otherwise, I'm not sure what we'll do. It depends on where we move.

[Theresa]

There are 2 Christian schools that I know of in this area. One of them, I wouldn't send my kids to EVER! Last year, one of the teachers was found out to be having sex with a 14 year old girl and the school had covered it up for over a year! :eek:

The other one I don't know much about, but I have heard some good things.

It will probably be a non-issue for us since I don't think we'll be able to afford it anyway. :( I will send them to a Christian pre-school and them probably to public school. I just am not disciplined enough to homeschool.

[Eleanor]

Easter- no big plans here, except for church. Our church had a tenebrae service last night but I had to miss it :( I was alone with the kids, and somehow didn't think a toddler and an infant would add much to the solemnity of the service (no childcare).

School- maybe Catholic school- DH went all but 2 years (I went to public school- I'm not Catholic. My religious education came through Sunday school). Still up in the air on that one...

[Stacy]

Dylan will hopefully go to a Christian pre-school in September if he is toilet trained.
After that I'm not sure. There are a few Christain schools around here. He won't be going to any of the schools close to our house now because they are really rough and tough.
We hope to move to a better area before that time.

[Brandi]

Anne - I know what you are saying about all the birth control stuff. You know though, some people really don't take medicines because they think it's a sign of not trusting God - I think it might be Christian Scientists. Or maybe one group of Christian Scientists, but not necesarily all of them. Isn't that weird?

Now, doesn't the Catholic religion say it's not okay to use birth control? If so, why do they teach all about when you ovulate and all that? I mean, isn't that birth control? I think so. Sorry - I am not trying to put down the Catholic religion - I just don't understand how one is okay, but another is not.

For Easter stuff - we have a lot of singing and church going on. But, we are going out of town to celebrate Easter with the in-laws.

Christian education - Hmmmm..... I really want to send my son to a wonderful Montessori preschool here, but it's not faith based at all. They try very hard to recognize all faiths, but not really address any of them outright. I would really like there to be a Montessori Christian school. That would be wonderful. I don't know what we are going to do after that. We do not want to home school, but public schools scare me a bit. There is one Christian school that I have heard good things about. There's also a brand new Catholic high school here, but we are not Catholic and so I don't think we would send our kids there. Private school is just so darned expensive - we will have to see what things are like when we get there. We still have a few years to worry about it I guess.

[~Andrea~]

just subbing, BBL with an intro

[Jayne]

How was everyone's Easter and their church services?

Jayne

[Mandy]

Thanks everyone for explaining about the birth control. It is confusing how to look at it as letting God be in control by not using any, or is it still letting God be in control by using what he has provided us the means to make in order to prevent pregnancy (with BC or NFP, etc). I'm not sure...

As far as the truck situation, it looks like we might be getting Dh's parents old truck if it is road-worthy enough to drive 10 hours! We didn't even realize they were planning on getting rid of it until MIL mentioned it on the phone the other day. We both feel like this may be our answer. We're planning on selling DH's car one he gets the truck home.

As far as incorporating our faith into our children's education, we are planning on homeschooling using ABEKA as long as I can handle it. Also, our church plans on starting up an AWANA program in a few years and I'd like our kids to be involved in that. (I was in it growing up and think it's great) The nearest private school is 1/2 hour away and the local schools aren't that great. I'm really looking forward to homeschooling!

Our Easter church service was great!

[Stacy]

Our service was AWESOME!! our choir and others put on "The Lord's Living Last Supper." All the apostles talked about who they were/are and that they didn't want to be the one to betray Jesus.

[Theresa]

How was everyone's Easter and their church services?

Jayne

The church service was so awesome! The pastor gave a great message about how the fact that Christ is risen and is alive should affect us and the way we live. Also, one of the teen girls sang a beautiful song I had never heard and it just brought me to tears! I didn't even realize this girl could sing, but she had an amazing voice!

Mandy, Is ABEKA the program that's put out by Pensacola Bible College?

[Mandy]

Mandy, Is ABEKA the program that's put out by Pensacola Bible College?
Yes, I believe it is. My mom homeschooled us with ABEKA and I still have a lot of my books that I've been saving to use for my own kids. As the kids get older, they have video lessons to help you out if you want to use them.

[Shel]

The boys use the Abeka curriculum at their school! I LOVE it!

Church was awesome! I wasn't supposed to be able to go because of my surgery, but since "Surprise, we have to cancel your surgery because your pg test came back positive", I ended up being there. It was all the more special knowing we were blessed with a total miracle!

Our sermon series right now is on The Passion of the Christ. This week it was disproving the myths of the resurrection (His body was stolen, they were at the wrong tomb etc)

[Theresa]

Congrats again, Shel! :hug99:

[Theresa]

This is the invitation to Ian's dedication. I finally got them all done. Yes. I made them myself. :crazy:

This is the front:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da29b3127ccebc12336481cd0000001610

Inside left:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da37b3127ccebcba380a5f1e0000001610

Inside right:
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b4da29b3127ccebc1230dc40dc0000001610

What do you all think?

[Eleanor]

:aok: Looks great, Theresa! Can I hire you to do Rebecca's birth announcements? (only 2 months behind!) :lol:

[~Andrea~]

just subbing, BBL with an intro
oops I forgot to come back.

I'm Andrea(29), DH is John(33) and our DD is Gabrielle 15.5 months).

Nice job on the invites Theresa!! I did Gabrielle's myself too. I also just did some for an online friend on another board.

http://www.shutterfly.com/jsp/proceserv.jsp?rostate=67b0de21a9a53e872550&co=-1&js=1082431338593&ps=3&rs=6http://www.shutterfly.com/jsp/proceserv.jsp?rostate=67b0de21902ca7c9d4b5&co=-1&js=1082431392671&ps=2&rs=6

[Jayne]

Those all look great. I did Alyssa's myself also I think I have a picture on UB I will have to find it sometime tomorrow.

Tomorrow I have to sing at a funeral. I am feeling really down about it. Rev. Jim Lathum died on Saturday evening of altzimes (sp) He was well in his 80's. He was an interm minister in our church about 10 years ago and was also a minister in our church about 40 years ago. (before I was born) He loved music and when asked to sing I didn't hesitate. It is just a sad day.

Jayne

[Jayne]

For Alyssa's I used this picture

https://www.searsphotos.com/getimage.asp?ImageArchiveKey=E8AB8845%2D7230%2D415B%2DA4A6%2D275D6C66D83A&format=21&usage=20&Rotation=0 (http://javascript<b></b>:OpenDaughterWindow('https://www.searsphotos.com/view_large_image.asp?tag=25DB475870FC47ADAE1C9A3BCD4A31A5D77D391CD85C45DAB9C6EE325350F3D9&SessImgID=%7B593D7FCC%2D3219%2D4EDC%2D8F88%2DFCC1319A32BB%7D&ImageCount=6&Rotation=0', '2004_04_19_22_43_13', 'resizable,scrollbars,status,height=715,width=530');)
And then put this over it:



This precious gift from heaven above will be welcomed into Chirst's family with love.

Your invited to attend the baptism of our daughter:

Alyssa Jayne Bricker

On: Sunday, September 1, 2002 at 9:30am
At: First Presbyterian Church
East 2nd street
Salem, Ohio

Given by: Parents, Dan and Jayne Bricker
There will be a cookout for those of you who are unable to attend the chruch service.
At: 3:30pm
At the home of grandparents'
Robert and Susan Merry

Salem, Ohio

[~Andrea~]

Nice job :aok: but you might want to delete the actual address and other personal info!!

[Theresa]

Wow! Those are all great!

[Jayne]

oops thanks.

Jayne

[mrskam]

I have to read the rest of the thread but thought I'd post quick while DS is occupied with his mobile!

I am Rhonda, 23, will be 24 next monday!:) DH is Tom and he is 24. I am a an Oncolgoy and hospice RN, and DH is a highschool choir teacher, currently at an all girls Catholic Highschool, but will be a SAHD starting in June! We have a 5 and a half week old son Alexander (Alex), and I am so glad to find this thread! We are Lutheran. We currently go to a church that we love! Tom is the choir director, and that is how we found the church, when he got hired for the job, but we immediatly fit in. DH actually was Presbytirian but turned Lutheran. I sing in the choir, or did before Alex was born, its really hard right now to go to practice, since Tom directs there is no one to watch Alex, so for now Im taking a break.

Alex was just baptised on Easter, and I will have to upload some of the pics. We are so happy to have our good friends and my brother as his sponsors.

I went to a Lutheran school for grades k-8, with only 42 kids. I do not think we will send our Alex to a parochial school tho.....unless it is bigger than the one I attended. When I went to public highschool, we were pretty behind, altho I caught up fast, my brother didn't, and it was a hard transistion.

Did you go to a religious school, what was it like, and will you send your child to one?

Rhonda
Alex's MOM!!!

[~Andrea~]

I went to a christian school (Baptist I believe) from 2-6th grade then public school for junior high/high school. I'd like my child(ren) to have a christian education of some sort, but I am not sure about in what capacity (formal schooling, AWANA, pioner club etc.).

We are Methodist, not sure I mentioned that before.

[AmyJ]

:wavey:

I am Amy (turning 35 in 5 days :mope: ) and have been married to Kevin (38) for 9.5 years!! :wow: We are both teachers. I teach 3rd grade and he is a substitute at my school.

We have 2 AMAZING children...Nathaniel(Nate) just turned 8 and Sarah is 5.5. We currenty attend High Desert Church in Victorville, CA and have since January of 2003. It is a non-denominational church. We absolutley LOVE it!! Our children love the children's programs and our pastors are incredie teachers.

I was raised Catholic and even attended a Catholic college. I still have a deep respect for the Catholic religion, but it just wasn't the right fit for me, siritually, any longer. My DH was raised in a Christian home, but has the strongest faith and commitment of his family. He has awesome faith!! In fact, we were married in the church (in Denver) where he chose to be baptized at 11.

As far as incorporating faith into our daily lives...we pray before every meal and do daily devotionals that are geared for kids and are handed out at the end of each Sunday school class. We were also blessed with really spiritual kids!! :)

Our children will attend public elementary school...well they do already!! :lol: They are at my school and it is an incredible environment for them. They are exposed to a great deal of Christianity there. In fact, Nate's drama class is doing a play (he's the lead!!!) based on Max Lucado's book, You Are Special. Max is a pastor in Texas and has written many Christian books. This story is INCREDIBLE and I reccomend it HIGHLY. It is totally about having a personal relationship with God. And, although God is not mentioned perse, every child that has ever heard/read it, know immediately what they are talking about.

Ok, that I've written a novel.....

Looking forward to getting to know you all better...

[Theresa]

:welcome: Rhonda & Amy!

[Mandy]

?: How are you guys involved in your churches (not sure if this has already been discussed or not)? Example-teach Sunday School, make meals for people who are sick/pregnant, sing/choir, nursury, visit/call or write letters to visitors etc.

Our church if very new and there's lots of areas to be involved, though I'm not really sure what they are yet or what I would be good at doing. So I thought I'd get some ideas of what you guys do or have done in the past. :) Even little things-I need some ideas-I think I'd prefer something behind-the-scenes...

[Theresa]

?: How are you guys involved in your churches (not sure if this has already been discussed or not)? Example-teach Sunday School, make meals for people who are sick/pregnant, sing/choir, nursury, visit/call or write letters to visitors etc.


Currently, I work in our church's AWANA program and next month I'm starting to work in the nursery one Sunday a month. Also, this summer, I'm going to be a "team leader" in our VBS program for one week. Basically, I'll lead a group of kids around and make sure they're all where they're supposed to be.

Our church has an awesome women's ministry that I'd love to get involved with at some point in the future.

[Theresa]

I just thought of something else! This would be great for someone who didn't have a lot of time. My sister used to send anniversary cards to everyone in the church. Every month, she would write and send them out. It was really a blessing to everyone.

[Tara]

?: How are you guys involved in your churches (not sure if this has already been discussed or not)? Example-teach Sunday School, make meals for people who are sick/pregnant, sing/choir, nursury, visit/call or write letters to visitors etc.

Man! I forgot about this thread!!!! SOrry!
I am a Sunday Schoo, teacher and I run VBS in the summer. I am also on the Fellowship commitee. Bascially, I make cookies once a month and bring them for the congregation to enjoy after the services!

[Kara]

I haven't posted since my intro!
I don't know if Jayne has gotten into our church description for what is going on so a brief summary is that our pastor left in Oct and we are in the LONG process of finding another..OUr church is going through the process very slowly...finding out what members desire and what God desires for us as a whole right now..
Well today I filled in for Jayne with her choir for Youth Sunday...and we had a forum meeting where the Mission Study team spoke to us about their meetings so far..then we had a group worship team from a local church camp come to lead the service..
I have to tell someone..it was awesome..I have never felt this way in my church before. I was in tears by the end. It was so different than our normal Presbyterian traditions. the music was modern..theone girl sang a Point of Grace song for the offertory and I love them...at the end 2 girls did sign lauguage to Michael W. Smiths Above All..that is the one that choked me up...they did skits for the sermon and they were very appropriate for what is going on in our church right now...
It was awesome..
and it made me realize more of what I want in our church..and if ours is not willing to change to do any of these things..I may look for another that does..cause I think that is where I am meant to be.

[Kara]

?: How are you guys involved in your churches (not sure if this has already been discussed or not)? Example-teach Sunday School, make meals for people who are sick/pregnant, sing/choir, nursury, visit/call or write letters to visitors etc.

Our church if very new and there's lots of areas to be involved, though I'm not really sure what they are yet or what I would be good at doing. So I thought I'd get some ideas of what you guys do or have done in the past. :) Even little things-I need some ideas-I think I'd prefer something behind-the-scenes...
For right now..My answer is basically nothing..
I was employed by our church for a couple years as youth club co director and director of childrens music..this was also when my youngest was sick so often..so I quit...I just felt I wasn't pulling my weight.
And then we are not there alot as to keep him out of the nursery/germs. I pray that God knows why...and understands..is that a lame excuse?
Sometimes dh and I will take turns..and he will go to his church while I stay with the boys and I will go to mine..His has two services so sometimes it works out.

[Kara]

I have to say I will be helping out with VBS this summer....and I do fill in when needed...whether it be the nursery..music...bells..etc..

[Stacy]

I will post more tomorrow but today was the best day I have had in a long time.

Church was awesome!!
GOD IS AWESOME!!!

[abpmills]

I need to introduce myself here. My name is Angela and I am a mostly SAHM. My husband is Chad and is a youth minister at our church. I work one day a week at the place I worked prior to having Hayden. Speaking of Hayden, he is 18 months old and tons of fun. We are expecting another son, Parker Reed, in September.

Thanks for having me :)!

Angela

[Theresa]

:welcome: Angela!!

Question: Is anyone here involved in MOPS? What's it like? Do you enjoy it? I'm thinking of joining a group and was wondering what it's like.

[Stacy]

I still have to come here and talk about my amazing day last week but that will have to wait.

Welcome Angela!

As for MOPS, I get the emails and the magazine but there aren't any groups around here to join.

[AmyJ]

No MOPS around here...... Sorry :(

[Brandi]

Stacy - can't wait to hear about your day at church - GOD IS AWESOME, isn't HE?!

Okay, for the question - I'm not much of a behind the scenes person, but I do get involved. I play in the adult bell choir, I sing in the adult choir, I help out with the youth bell choir, I was a confirmation sponsor this year, and I help out with VBS in the summer. I was in a Presbyterian Women's group for a little while, but quit because it was only older women. They are starting a new women's group with women who have young children - I can't wait! I was asked to serve as a Deacon, but couldn't because of the new baby coming in August - I would love to do that too.

If you are looking for some behind the scenes stuff - our church has women cook meals and store them in the freezer at the church and then anytime someone needs one (new baby, illness, etc.) they just ask the church for one. It's awesome. I like the card idea too. There's always flowers needed for the altar. OH - our church has a prayer team. You could do that. You just get a list of all the things that need to be prayed about - that's easy enough to do at home, and very important too.

[iluvhewy]

Hi! I am so glad I found this thread! It's so refreshing to find a place where Christianity is not only accepted, but LIVED!

Ok, that being said....I am Kristi. Husband, Matthew. Daughter, Amara (8.5 months). We belong to Appleton Alliance Church (one of many Christian and Missionary Alliance-c&ma churches). I love our church. We attended services there for about 4 weeks and decided this was where we belonged. We joined a "mini church" a few months after that. Through that we have met so many wonderful Christian people.

As far as being involved....we both volunteer in the nursery at least once per month. Matthew co-leads a 19-30somethings group that meets on Sat. evenings. He feels very fulfilled doing that. He is a born leader. Whereas I'm totally not...I'd rather be behind the scenes.

I have never heard of MOPS. Sorry.

[Theresa]

:welcome: Christi!

[iluvhewy]

Actually, it's Kristi, with a K...but thanks for the welcome!

[sabrina]

Theresa,

I have been involved in MOPS for two years. It is a wonderful program. I was not involved this year except for making the baby gifts. I would strongly suggest try it out and see if you like the group. Each group is a little different in how they function. You could always call and get some information and make a decision from there. Maybe attend a meeting or two and see if you even like it. It is a great way to meet other women.

[Theresa]

Actually, it's Kristi, with a K...but thanks for the welcome!

Sorry. :blush: I should know better. The "h" gets left out of my name all the time. Drives me nuts.

Sabrina, Thanks for the input. I'm going to attend a meeting on May 21 to see how I like it. :)

[Mandy]

Well, I've found some things to get involved in. I"m going to do the card/postcard writing for visitors every week or members who weren't at church. I'm also helping out in the nursery (b/c of my two kids I"m in there for almost every service every week). Our church just ordered the Awana program and DH & I are hoping to be a big part of that-him leading, me getting everything he needs to do the lessons, etc. Our church only has about 10 kids (between 2 and 12) but big plans for growth :)

[Jayne]

I am involved a bit in our church.

I am the 1-6th grade music teacher, I sing in the choir, I ring in the Bell choir, I sub for the nursery, I work in the Kitchen for our presbee's youth group, I sub as a creative time teacher and I also direct the music for our Vacation Bible school.

I like being involved but sometimes it is to much. I tried not ringing in the bell choir this past year but after christmas I was pretty much begged to come back and I am not good at saying NO. So there I was..involved again. IT is ok. I like ringing..I just don't have the time for it all sometimes.

Jayne

[Theresa]

That's great, Mandy! :aok: We have AWANA at our church and I love it! It's a great program! :)

[Karly]

Our church doesn't have AWANA. What is it?

[Theresa]

Our church doesn't have AWANA. What is it?

It's sort of like Sunday school, but there's a specific cirriculum that is followed. Each child has a book with Scripture (and other things) to memorize and they get points, badges, pins, etc for doing that. There's also a story time and a game time for each group.

BTW, AWANA stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed from 2 Timothy 2:15. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

Their website is www.awana.org.

[Jayne]

IT's funny. I always guessed it was a catholic thing seeings that our Catholic church followed it. DH went threw Awana..I however didn't, Being presbyterian..Funny how you learn something new every day.

Jayne

[Brandi]

So, this may have already been covered, but I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on good books for raising your children! They don't HAVE to be Christian authors, but I thought this would be a good thread to ask this question in. I am mainly interested in raising children and boys specifically!

THANKS!

[Theresa]

So, this may have already been covered, but I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions on good books for raising your children! They don't HAVE to be Christian authors, but I thought this would be a good thread to ask this question in. I am mainly interested in raising children and boys specifically!

THANKS!

I've heard awesome things about the book Bringing Up Boys by Dr James Dobson. I plan on getting a copy at some point. Now, finding the time to read it will be another thing! :lol:

[Pigglystix]

I have Creative Correction that is a Christian-based discipline book. It's by oh I forget her name but the woman that played Blaire on Facts of Life. It's been a long time since I looked at it but what I remember reading seemed good.

I don't know if I'll get to post here once OUAL goes paid subscription but I wanted to introduce myself anyway!

I'm Michelle, 26, married to Chris 28, and we have almost 4 month old boy/girl twins. We currently attend a small Baptist church. My husband wasn't a christian nor did he attend church until we got engaged and we were required by the pastor that was marrying us to take a class through his church. I made my Dh attend service as well and he did but begrudgingly. We moved far from that church and after a few months we found a new church that we attended off and on. It wasn't until we moved again and attended our current church that my DH really felt at home and wanted to not only attend but become involved. That was a year ago Easter...he's since been baptized, ran the sound equipment until he started working on Sundays and attends bible studies.

I worked in our church's children's class until I was hospitalized during my pregnancy. I'm just now starting back once a month. Otherwise I help run the power point one week a month, and I coordinate our prayer chain and serve on the benevolence committee.

My kids are too young to do much integrating into our daily lives but I do sing to them things including Jesus Loves Me, Whole World in His Hands - the basics. The church gave us a Praise Kids video when they were dedicated that is a lot like the Baby Einstein concept but with worship songs - they LOVE that. BE videos hold their attention maybe 10 minutes then they scream but they'll sit and smile and watch the Praise Kids video all the way through. I know it's ending when they start fussing as the credits roll :lol: We have a lot of work to do before they get older because neither of us are good about praying before meals, etc. So we'll have to work in those routines as they get old enough to even notice those things are occurring.

[Kara]

I love Dr. Dobson..I have Bringing Up Boys but haven't read the whole thing yet..:disbelief

I also have the Creative Correction one by Lisa Welchel..it is VERY good...I also have 1-2-3 Magic but it is more discipline oriented..I have Parenting with Love and Logic too...
I'll have to look through the rest..LOL

I LOVE BOOKS!

[Eleanor]

I like the 5 Love Languages Books by Gary Chapman- he has one out for children. (Same basic stuff in that and the other books, I think, just different emphasis). It's more for older children (he says you can start identifying primary love language around age 5), but I thought it was good reading even now.

[Theresa]

:welcome: Michelle! Glad to have you! Your twins are so cute! :)

[Brandi]

Thanks guys - keep the ideas coming. I'm definitely going to get the Bringing Up Boys by Dobson and those others sound awesome too!

[Karly]

I've read Dr. Dobson's Bringing up Boys, and it was very good. I'd highly recommend it for any parent of a boy!

[Mandy]

Has anyone ever heard of "Growing Kids God's Way"? I think that's the title. It's by Gary Ezzo-the same person who wrote Baby Wise. My SIL mentioned it the other day and I was reading a fiction book and they mentioned it within the story also.

[AmyJ]

Has anyone ever heard of "Growing Kids God's Way"? I think that's the title. It's by Gary Ezzo-the same person who wrote Baby Wise. My SIL mentioned it the other day and I was reading a fiction book and they mentioned it within the story also.I went through their classes through my church. I'd be happy to share my experiences with anyone that wants to know, but am a little apprehensive, as last time I talked about GKGW, (on UB) things got a little harsh. Let me know if you want more details, about the program---I'd be happy to share. I even have all of the tapes.

Bottom line is, with anything, you take everything with a grain of salt. I use what I like and not what I don't.

I LOVE Dr. Dobson's 'Strongwilled Child', it is our Bible for raising Sarah!!! :biggrin:

[Mandy]

Let me know if you want more details, about the program---I'd be happy to share. I even have all of the tapes.
Can you PM me what you thought of it if you don't want to post it? I'm interested in hearing about it and what you liked & didn't like. Thanks!

[Theresa]

Has anyone ever heard of "Growing Kids God's Way"? I think that's the title. It's by Gary Ezzo-the same person who wrote Baby Wise. My SIL mentioned it the other day and I was reading a fiction book and they mentioned it within the story also.

I looked into this when I was pg with Ellie. I just didn't agree with most of what he said at all! There was no way I could follow that plan. The part that bothered me in the tapes is that he implied that this was the only, biblical way to raise children and that's just not true. JMHO

[AmyJ]

Okay...Here is my take on GKGW. This is based ONLY on the video tape series taken through my former church with several other couples. I have never read any of the Ezzo's other books. Also, the wife of the couple leading our classes was raised with the Ezzo's so we kind of got to see a personal side of them.

My basic approach to Everything, is take what works for my family and leave the rest behind. This was certainly was the case with GKGW.

CONS: (According to our family)

Too much emphasis on physical discipline for us
Often felt like it was a "my way or the high-way" approach (as Theresa mentioned)
Too much emphasis on a very a rigid schedule
Heavily frowned upon co-sleeping
Felt it could be really dicouraging to new parents or parents who aren't very confident
General feeling of rigidity (I think I just made up a new word :lol: ) and that is SOOOOOO not us!
Other stuff that I can't remember......
PROS: (Again, for our family)


Strong, Christian foundation
Biblical references
Support from other family teachers
Holds marriage as #1 foundation for a healthy family
Supports love languages for parents and children
Encourages individual, spouse, family and sibling time
Encourages the use of sign language with babies
Encourages breast feeding (but this can be a con, if you choose not too or can't, because it is a HUGE focus)
Accountability in children for their actions, especially morally.
High expectations for sibling relationships. By that, I mean, this program seemed to encourage and even expect siblings to get along well. We had been hearing alot of negativity about how siblings always fight and while that does happen and ours certainly do, GKGW, taught us some valuable lessons to strenghten their relationship as well.
Hope this helps. If anyone has any questions, please just ask. We do not follow the GKGW program. We do not follow ANY program accept, Prayer, Love and good 'ol fashioned common sense. :lol: We have taken bits and pieces from every seminar (we've been to lots since we are both teachers), book, website, class, etc... and compiled them into what works. And then LOTS of fine tweaking!!!!:updown:

[AmyJ]

The part that bothered me in the tapes is that he implied that this was the only, biblical way to raise children and that's just not true. JMHO
ITA, Theresa!

[jenr812]

Amy, I have always been amazed and in awe of your kids' relationship with each other. My kids get along sometimes, but more often than not it seems they are bickering about EVERYTHING :tearhair:

[jenr812]

Hit submit too fast. Anyway, I'd love any advice as to how to strengthen that relationship. I stress empathy a lot in our family, and respect. It seems like they get it but it doesn't show :lol:

[Mandy]

Thanks Amy!

[AmyJ]

Hit submit too fast. Anyway, I'd love any advice as to how to strengthen that relationship. I stress empathy a lot in our family, and respect. It seems like they get it but it doesn't show :lol:
Thanks for the compliments Jen!

Here's some things we do...

This is an idea that we got from GKGW and have expanded on. Every month each of our kids plans a day for their sibling. They plan the entire day with their brother or sister in mind. They choose activites, food, etc.... they get really into it and are really ellaborate.

The other thing is that we allow them to have their own moments. For example. Tonight is Nate's class play and he has the lead. He has the lead and we wanted to bring him something for after the play, like a presentation. So in stead of getting Sarah something so she wouldn't feel left out, we asked her to choose the presentation. She chose a teddybear and a baloon bouquet. We also ask that people don't bring the other child presents for for a particular child's b-day party. This really helps our kids feel special and make others feel special.

[Theresa]

Could you all pray for my DH? He's been out of work for almost 2 months and he's really starting to get depressed. Little things are just driving him over the edge. Things that wouldn't have bothered him before. :( I'm sure a lot of it has to do with being out of work. Any prayers for a job soon would be appreciated. Thanks!

[AmyJ]

I just said a little prayer for him!

I am so sorry Theresa. I know whata hard time that can be in a marriage. We have gone through that several times.

We will keep him on our prayer list.

[AmyJ]

Thanks Amy!
You are very welcome!

[~Andrea~]

Could you all pray for my DH? He's been out of work for almost 2 months and he's really starting to get depressed. Little things are just driving him over the edge. Things that wouldn't have bothered him before. :( I'm sure a lot of it has to do with being out of work. Any prayers for a job soon would be appreciated. Thanks!
I understand ALL too well what you are going through :sadhug: John was laid off for 4 months (Nov-Dec-Jan-Feb) and it was really tough on him. He even went to his PCP and got put on Effexor for it. It was pretty rough on our marriage as we drifted apart. It was stay away from each other or fight for a while. Things are much better now, but could always be better.

[Brandi]

Prayers for your dh Theresa!

Amy - thanks for posting your thoughts. Even though the cons would be on my list of cons also, the pros sound really awesome. It might be worth looking into. I'd never heard of that!

[AmyJ]

Amy - thanks for posting your thoughts. Even though the cons would be on my list of cons also, the pros sound really awesome. It might be worth looking into. I'd never heard of that!Thanks, Brandi!

I think the thing that REALLY made it such a postive, for us, was the interaction with other families. Honestly, we probably learned more from talking with, praying for, and fellowshipping with each other than we did from the tapes. :nod: I would reccomend any class/ video series/ book talk at a church as the community time with toher couples/families is what will be of most benefit.

[Theresa]

Thanks for the prayers, Everyone!

Something I wanted to share: On Wednesday nights, I work with the kids AWANA program at my church. Tonight, the kids did 181 sections in their books!! That's the most EVER!! :banana: Our group alone did 71!! :rahrah: Just so you get an idea, each section has 1-3 Bible verses the child has to memorize or a craft they have to do. I'm so proud of all of them!! It really makes me feel good to knwo that these kids are learning the Bible at such an early age. I can't wait until Ellie is old enough to start! Only 6 more months! :yippee:

[Mandy]

Does anyone have any experience with the Heritage Builders Family Nights Tool Chest Series by Jim Weidman and from Focus on the Family?

They look really neat!