Mothers, Don't be Afraid to Make Your Kids Work: It's Good For Them

Moms, I do not feel guilty for asking my wonderful children to help me around the house.
Why don't I? Because it's good for them, and because I need the help. Kids may balk at the idea of helping, and even scowl a bit, but when they grow up they will thank you. I don't know what I'd do without these wonderful helpers. Another thing that I keep in mind is that I should praise them for a job well done, and let them know I value them. All the kids help and some jobs are done for pay. Many jobs are done just because, "We live here and we all contribute to the mess, so we all help!
I work along side my children and help them with their chores just like they help me with mine.
The kids are happy to help me and in trade I take them and their friends places like youth group. This is a typical Wednesday night me driving my three older kids and their friends home. Look how tired I am, but it's so worth it.
I enjoy talking with the kids as we drive home. They are usually excited and have lots to say.
I get to hear what happened during church, and we laugh a lot. I'm going to miss them when they begin driving themselves.
I think balancing work, chores and duities with FUN, is VERY important. Here are Victoria in the blue and some girls from church. All the girls in youth group made a meal together and ate it.
Here are Jessica in the brown, and two friends.
I stayed to participate and enjoyed meeting new girls at youth group and spending time with them. As you can see the work I make my own two girls do hasn't hurt them a bit. Jessica is on the fair left in brown, and Victoria is wearing the baby blue dotted shirt. Here they are jumping for joy with their youth leader. Keep in mind moms that you should take care of yourself and get a little help from your children. Take time to give yourself a facial. At my age it takes more effort to look good. Put your feet up and have that cup of tea, or soak in the tub. Spend time with the Lord and give Him all your cares. Have a blessed day ~ Kathi

Tip For Young Mothers: Allow Little Ones to Try

This is two year-old Garrett cracking the eggs for French toast. I have to admit I was was worried that raw egg would go sliding down the side of the cabinet. And that egg shells would be mixed into the batter. But, I just pressed ahead and allowed this little guy to try.
That smile was worth every little drop of egg on the floor and every little bit of shell in the batter. Garrett learned to crack eggs perfectly by the age of three. He loves making French toast. He is now seven and still cracks the eggs for me without making a mess. I believe a person can become good at anything, just by doing. Have a wonderful day dear Moms. I will be posting about the women's retreat tomorrow. "Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of God?" Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them..."Therefore if anyone humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of God." Matt. 18: 1,2 and 4

Wisdom for Mothers ~ Go to the Lord For the Answer

Mothers do you feel discouraged? Does fear sometimes over-take you? Does the enemy bring doubt and frustration into your mind, to keep you feeling like a failure as a mother?
The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, is in us to help us. That power from the Holy Spirit is in Christians to enable us to live godly lives to help us live for Jesus, and be those confident good wives and mothers. "THE LORD IS MY HELPER." Psalm 30:10 Is confidence at being a good mother what our goal should be? I think NOT. There are mothers out there who had all kinds of confidence. They thought they were being good mothers. Joan Crawford thought she was an excellent mother and wanted the whole world to think so also. From Christina, her adopted daughter, we heard a very different side of the story.
Confidence is only part of what I want. What I want is to BE a good mother and for God to HELP me to be that GOOD mother. I want WISDOM from HIM. Satan would like for me to feel discouraged, and to remind me of my failures. Sometimes I actually feel like I am like the picture above. Satan preys upon our minds..."The devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." 1Peter 5:8 It's a lie from the enemy. I am, by God's grace, and by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, able to be the kind of good mother, the Lord wants me to be. QUOTING SCRIPTURE IS QUOTING THE TRUTH. I AM CAPABLE THROUGH JESUS, TO BE WHO JESUS WANTS ME TO BE. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God , which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 The Lord wants us to ask for WISDOM, and He promises to give it. I have been realizing my great need for the Lord's help in being the good mother I'd like to be. He has helped me think of ideas for blessing my children and family, as well as creative discipline. I praise God for this. At times I have failed to see a problem, or an area needing correction in my child. I am blinded and see that child as A Little Angel. I've asked the Lord to give me discernment and wisdom to see those areas that need correction. Here is a sample of a small thing, but it was huge to me. I got the idea and then realized it must have come from God, as I'd been asking specifically for WISDOM in my mothering. I'm TOO nice, at times. Which can be used by the enemy as weakness. One of my daughters was unwrapping an ice cream sandwich, and at the same time scowling and saying mean words to her little brother. I said, "You are not being SWEET. Put the ice cream sandwich away. You may not have anymore sweets for the day. Your disposition does not match the sweetness of that dessert."
A second daughter did the same thing and there were no sweets for her either. By the next day I had two very sweeter daughters. Only God could have given me that instant wisdom to act in such a way. Believe me the respect for Mom went up quite a bit!! Praise God. I don't want to compare myself to other mothers, but I do think it's okay to have role models. I love Ma from Little House on the Prairie. Instead of comparing myself I want to ask the Lord to just let me be who He wants me to be. Mothers, do not hesitate to ask the Lord Jesus Christ for wisdom in your mothering. He wants us to ask and He is faithful to give us the exact answer we need. I'm so thankful for this. "If any of you lasks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives liberally and without reproach." James 1:5