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Courting vs. Dating

Though I can’t speak too much for generations before my time, there does appear to be more negative types of peer pressure on teens nowadays. There are pressures to have a boyfriend or a girlfriend, to party, have sex, try illegal substances, dress in ways that bring unsafe attention to them… What are some things we can do to help our children to grow up safe and pure? Though I won’t claim to have all the answers, I’ve talked with some teens in the past and gathered some perspective in how to do this. Every teen is an individual. It … Continue reading →

Lance Armstrong Strikes Again

I was wondering what Lance Armstrong was doing with his free time these days… Now I know! He’s courting Kate Hudson. If there was any way to snuff out rumors that she was getting ready to walk down the aisle with her on-again, off-again boyfriend Owen Wilson, showing up on Armstrong’s arm three nights in a row would be it. It is the headline of the weekend: “Armstrong and Hudson More than Just Friends!” I’m not sure I’m buying this one. Yes, it’s hard to deny that the seven-time Tour de France winner and the actress have been getting chummy … Continue reading →

Ready, Set… Wed!

It yet another startling chapter (oh wait, nothing in Hollywood surprises me anymore) in the ongoing saga between actor Charlie Sheen, his ex-wife, Denise Richards and his current girlfriend Brooke Mueller it seems a wedding is in the offing… for Sheen and Mueller. According to TV’s “Extra,” after a year of dating, Sheen popped the question to his real estate investor girlfriend on a Costa Rican beach. He reportedly sealed the deal with a $500,000 engagement ring. Good gravy! Do you think he thought she would say no if the ring was worth less than a house, two cars, and … Continue reading →

Teaching Our Children Self-Respect

This is a continuation of Teaching Our Children Modesty. In addition to modesty, it’s important for our children to understand self-respect. In the same way we’ve shared modesty with our older son (our younger son is still very young), we plan to further elaborate on self-respect and respect for others. My hope is that we will be able to teach our boys how to be respectful toward their young lady peers so they are less likely to find a girlfriend who will be of too much temptation to sin by her influence of provocative actions and appearance. One way to … Continue reading →

Honoring Your Mother and Father

I was fortunate enough to be raised in a loving home with both my mom and my dad. It’s not difficult to find ways to honor and respect them today because they were good to us. I know not everyone can say this about their parents. When asked how one honors a mother or father they don’t respect, I had to sit and really think about this one. Commandment number five of the Ten Commandments given by God states in Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother…” In Ephesians 6:2 furthers the point, “’Honor your father and mother.’ Which … Continue reading →

Discipline for Children

We are all born into this world with a sinful nature. You can see it in the demanding toddler, the mouthy preschooler, the mischievous grade-schooler… This nature needs to be tamed in us by discipline. Discipline and punishment are a bit different. In looking to the American Heritage Dictionary, the first definition of discipline is, “Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.” When we look at the definition of punish, it says, “To subject to a penalty for an offense, sin, or fault.” So what should our objective … Continue reading →

Getting into Your Kid’s Business

Each family has their own way of handling their children. I’m not suggesting my way is the only right one. I don’t know your children, but I know many other people’s children and have shaped my views around experiences shared by them. My husband and I see our home as ours. We are the parents, we hold the mortgage and we make the rules. Our children’s rooms are theirs as long as they should live under our roof. They are welcome to have input in how it’s decorated, and to enjoy their own space, but they are not to be … Continue reading →

Dedicating Children

Within the Christian denominations, there are some churches that believe in baptizing a baby and others that provide an opportunity for dedication. Perhaps there are churches that do both, but I’ve never attended one. When I was told of my own dedication, I was under the impression the purpose of it was to give the baby to God by recognizing them as His child. Though I think that is part of it, I realized when it was time to dedicate my own sons, it was so much more. With my first son, my husband, me, my mom and aunt all … Continue reading →

We Are Our Kids’ Role Models

Perhaps, no one may have more influence in your child’s life than you! If you have children in your home, I believe God has entrusted them into your care for a reason. He has a purpose for them through you. While they are very young we have much influence over them as to how they will perceive their world, what they may generally believe about other people, and very importantly, how they see Christ. Even if your children are older, there is still so much you can teach them. I believe the biggest way our children learn from us is … Continue reading →

What to Pray For Our Children

I believe one of our jobs as believers and parents is to seek Christ and ask Him what He wants for our children and how we are to help achieve those things through Him. When our children are very young, they will not always know in which direction to pray for their life. Certainly we can teach them. It is so important that we intercede for them just as Jesus Christ intercedes for us. I stepped away from this blog for a minute to ask my 5 year old son what I should pray for to God for him. His … Continue reading →