Your Child's Journey

wisdom for the big steps little children take

A Fresh Start

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Here we are at the beginning of a brand new year. Last year’s triumphs and trials are history. This is a chance for us to start with a clean slate. For most of us, it will be life as usual. For some, it will mean big changes. Maybe you have a new baby or are pregnant. Maybe you or your husband have a new job. Maybe one of your children starts preschool or school this year. Whatever changes or stays the same, remember to trust it all to the Lord. Over and over again this holiday season I have been hearing how important it is to trust God when things are going well and when things don’t go well. Remember that our God is the God of the valleys as well as the God of the mountains. He didn’t take many of the saints of God out of their troubles, but rather was glorified in how they walked through the valley of weeping. I don’t mean this to be a downer, but I do want you to grow in your trust of your Heavenly Father, your Comforter, your Friend.

We want to face 2011 with a smile on our faces. Every so often someone sends me some recent ‘tricks’ or ‘stories’ from their toddlers. I thought I’d share a few I’ve seen or heard recently. [Read more…]

Poop Goop for Constipation

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Does your child have problems with constipation? Do you want a solution other than laxatives or stool softeners? Tiffany Jensen shared two great recipes called Poop Goop.

Poop Goop 1
1 cup raisins
1 cup prunes
1/4 cup dates
8 ounces prune juice
~Mix together in a blender or food processor. Store in the refrigerator.
Use 1-2 tablespoons per day.

Poop Goop 2
1 orange
1 apple (with skin)
1 cup raisins
1 cup prunes
1/2 cup prune juice
1/2 cup orange juice
~Mix together in a blender or food processor. Store in the refrigerator.
Use 1-2 tablespoons per day.

Lonely Husband

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A nicely dressed husband and wife walked into our condo one afternoon. They were in their mid-forties, have two teenagers, and good jobs. They looked successful and like they should have everything necessary for a good life.

After some chit-chat, we asked what they would like to talk about; how we could help them. The wife started by saying, “He has been cheating on me.”

The husband sat with his head down, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. He admitted he had been unfaithful. When we asked, “Why?” He said, “I’ve been so lonely in our marriage.  The girl at work took time to talk to me and showed me she thought I was special.”
[Read more…]

Being Spontaneous

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I received the following article from a Malaysian friend, Lai. She has a keen interest in children and helping parents in their challenging task of child rearing. I think it is encouraging to hear about how others raised good, successful children.

Maybe it is because we are so busy these days or maybe it is just out of fear, we do too much for our children. They are capable of so much more. When we teach them skills and then expect them to do them, we are teaching them to be the capable, diligent people we want them to be as adults. See how Lai did it. [Read more…]

Find Your Happy Parent Place

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Editor’s Note:  This is a wonderful article with good ideas on how to keep your sanity and your marriage in the midst of parenting. Pick one and start doing it today. You’ll be happy you did!
Diane

Admit it: Parenting can be a real grind sometimes. But if you follow these six simple mantras, you’ll have a lot more fun — and so will your kids.
By Scott Westcott

How to Be Happier, Now

Welcome to a typical mom morning. It begins when your toddler dive-bombs into your bed at 5 a.m. You stumble through the dark for an eyes-half-open diaper change. Next comes breakfast. The daily recipe: spilled milk and fistfuls of Cheerios dumped on the floor. Then you do the dishes and get your child dressed, all before you drink your morning coffee. Are we having fun yet? The answer is not so simple.

Being a parent is inspiring and rewarding, but it’s also demanding and thankless. A recent Princeton University survey found that typical childcare tasks are roughly as pleasurable as housework — in other words, not very. But the fact is that our kids are our pride and joy. How can this be, when they’re also a drag on our quality of life?

[Read more…]