Having a "Gratitude" Attitude . . .

I remember when I was growing up my parents taught me the  importance of writing a Thank-You note after receiving any kind of gift. To them, it wasn't enough to simply say thanks in person, but to write that note! I always found this to be a bit redundant, but as I became an adult with my own children, I feel different.

Maybe, just maybe, it's not just about writing that note . . . .

Maybe it's more about cultivating a life of gratitude! 

Taking the time to give thanks for daily life, interactions and relationships is vital to living a life of gratitude. Looking for things we are thankful for EVERYDAY is a great way to put gratitude into practice until it becomes a way of life.

Thank-You!

A Safe Place in a Busy World

A good friend of mine has always said that the special bond between mother and daughter is the one place in all the world where hearts can be sure of each other.  It's understandable that moms get this, but conveying it to a teenager is quite another thing.
It's natural for teens to assert their independence by pulling away from their parents and creating an almost secret life, but there is no one in the world who has their back more than a parent.
We need to make sure we create a safe environment for our kids to tell us anything and to let them know that we are there for them.  We can accomplish this by simply being available . . . be ready to talk and/or listen at any given moment. When we make ourselves available, we convey their importance to us and our love for them.

Kind Words Have the Power to Heal

Oh how powerful words can be . . . for good or bad!  In a split second we can empower and help others through our words, but if we aren't careful, we can hurt them as well.

An easy way we can guard our words is to THINK before we speak by asking these simple questions:  

Is it . . . Truthful? Helpful? Inspiring? Necessary? Kind?

  And, of course, that old saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."

The Crowning Joy for You . . .

When it comes to parenting, what would be the crowning joy for you in your old age? Consider the expectations you have for your children and think of one word or short phrase for each of
the following areas:
Morally . . .
Relationally with Friends and Family . . .
Relationship with God . . .
Educationally . . .
Achievements . . .
Behavior Toward You . . .

And so the journey begins!  If you have kids, you'll need a guide book, so why not use the greatest book ever written? The Bible. It has all you need to know to help guide you through life. As parents, there is a tremendous amount of things to consider when raising our kids, but what it really comes down to is ONE focus . . . And that's on God.

These commandments that I give to you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie  down and when you get up.                                                                           -Deuteronomy 6:6-8

                          1 . . . 2 . . . 3 . . . Say "Cheese!"

A Special Kind of Love . . .

Love for your family is a special love that should stive to create a safe place to try new things and to talk over ideas with each other.  The unique mother-daughter relationship is a special love for each other and when we practice patience, kindness, and trust with each other, we create a closer bond through faith.

Take time to explore the Bible together, consider what God says about what love is.  What do you want your mother-daughter relationship to reflect… patience, kindness, trust? 

When we get together in His name and intentionally work on our relationships, we honor each other and in doing so, we honor God!

Mothers and Daughters Share a Unique Relationship . . .

It is crucial for moms to establish a relationship with their daughter/daughters early on . . .

As confidantes, best friends, parent-child, and at times contentious, so when it’s founded in a love for Christ, this relationship has the power to excel beyond imagination!

The transitioning period between elementary and high school comes with a unique set of challenges.  Those challenges need to be addressed from a Christian perspective, so mothers and daughters can explore their faith together and pursue an open dialogue in a safe and honest environment. 

Dear Moms, 

Grab hold of your daughters, before the world grabs hold of them!