30 Seconds for Hope:
Caregivers, do you have a Calm-the-Toddler toolbox? That is, do you have some ideas in mind for distracting and calming toddlers when you are watching others’ children? Lots of ideas exist out there, but here’s one you won’t want to miss. Believe it or not, sometimes noise can work to quiet a child. Then add some movement along with that noise, and today’s tip is born. Read on to see how this works…
Continue reading “Today’s Tip from My Calm-the-Toddler Toolbox”
30 Seconds for Hope:
Have you already noticed? Life brings changes. This past year my writing of blog articles entered a new season of slow-down due to changes in my life (though I did write an article for Focus on the Family, addressing shame that parents feel when children misbehave. Check it out here). Thankfully, long ago one of my mentor moms, Mardean, taught me the concept of “seasons of life”—lessons which still help me roll through life’s changes without guilt. You can navigate changes without guilt, too, and in return you’ll be able to weather those many seasons with courage and hope.
Continue reading “Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #6 – Relish the Seasons”
30 Seconds for Hope:
After instructing children, do you tack on a common query of “Okay?” You wonder whether they’ve heard you, but unfortunately, the question “Okay?” also means, “Do you want to do this?” To avoid confusing our children, let’s replace “Okay?” with words that actually mean what we say. I replaced it with two words that worked wonders in my household. What are they? Read on!
Continue reading “A Magic Phrase To Help Children Respond”30 Seconds for Hope: Do your kids act deaf? I mean, do they hear just fine but maybe aren’t motivated to listen and act? Would you like some ideas on how to help them respond—tips that go beyond threats, coins, or candy? Do you hope for a more upbeat tone in your home? Over the years I have learned some outside-the-box ideas for motivating children that I want to pass along to you.
30 Seconds for Hope:
We’re free! Yet often when claiming our freedoms, both kids and adults remain unaware of a coupled factor. Every freedom we demand will be accompanied by… mask debates? Toilet paper shortages? (Stay tuned!) Whether impacting neighbors or ourselves, Continue reading “Unmask Freedom’s Sidekick–or Ouch! (Have You Felt the Kick?)”
30 Seconds for Hope: Last month in our nation’s previous “culture,” your children went to school or daycare—out of the house. But suddenly all has changed. You take care of your children. At home. All day. To help you through these days, many have posted links to websites that entertain or educate kids, and that’s great—but you might desire less screen time for your children. So I’ve created this toolkit of ideas not requiring the screen as you transition into a new “culture.” You can Continue reading “Help! I’m at Home with Kids All Day! Survival Tips Beyond Screen Time.”
30 Seconds for Hope: Everyone is significant. Even though children don’t contribute much to society (except for contributing messes to clean!), every child has intrinsic value. As I watched my first mentor create enjoyable activities Continue reading “Five Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #1 – A Lesson from the Nursery”
30 Seconds for Hope: Do you ever wonder if you are following the right path on how to raise a child? Do you feel mystified by all the conflicting advice? For every question you’ve ever asked, it seems a multitude of answers abound (which can be so confusing). Yet all over the world Continue reading “Five Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #2 – Two Words”
30 Seconds for Hope: Do your children talk almost non-stop? Do your ears get tired? The prattle of children can feel like background noise that’s always there (and readily tuned out). Yet we know that kids express things they consider valuable, so how can we hear their heart? A friend gave me two keys Continue reading “Five Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #3 – Stop and Stoop”
30 Seconds for Hope: I have learned so much from moms who mentored me. One of them, Mardean Martindale, alerted me that children cycle through various stages. It’s a given. If we’re not aware of stages, Continue reading “Five Priceless Gems from My Mentor Moms: #4 – Don’t Be Shocked by Normal”
30 Seconds for Hope 