Year: 2012

Have you listened to your children play lately? Or should I ask, have you listened to how your children play? Children can develop attitudes when they play that can readily be heard by anyone paying attention. When the noise level increases, Mom or Dad will typically say something like, “Settle down,” or “Say something nice or don’t…

Christmas! What a wonderful time of the year! Is it?? Advertising starts so early, children start clamoring for toys before Thanksgiving. Materialism, greed, parties that don’t celebrate anything of value, and performances galore is what our culture has turned Christmas into. How can you turn this around in your family? One way to do this…

We are told in Scripture) to “give thanks in all circumstances…” (I Thessalonians 5:18) Parents start teaching their young children thankfulness when they teach them to say “Thank you” when they get something. What are other ways you can teach your children to be grateful?   Have them write thank you notes when they receive…

We thought we were teaching our children to put the needs of others first, according to the commandment found in Luke 10:27: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.”   When we…

No More Reminders Joey & Carla Link September 2012   “Caleb, have you finished your homework?” asked Mom. “Caleb, dinner’s in an hour, is your homework done?”   “Mandie, I told you to get your toys picked up before lunch. Why are they still on the floor?”   “Evan, it’s almost time to leave for…

“PULLING WEEDS” Joey and Carla Link August 2012, December 2018   I have never heard of anyone talk of time spent pulling weeds in their yard as time they enjoyed. Time well spent perhaps, but certainly not enjoyed, especially as it is usually a chore done under the hot summer sun. Joey is the gardener…

Moms frequently tell us they intend to catch up on the training of their children, which gets away from parents with the busyness of life. When is life going to slow down enough for you to catch up? It is not. You are going to have to slow your life down by saying “No” to…

Summer is a kid’s delight! They look forward to the end of school with anticipation. It is not long however, before many moms are counting the days until school starts again, even if they homeschool. Why? With school comes routine. Let me ask you this – what do your kids do with too much free…

Let Them Know Upfront Joey & Carla Link May 2012   We were at an orthopedic medical facility for an appointment. While we were walking down the long hallway to the department we were headed to, a boy, around six years of age was turning in circles not paying any attention to what he was…

“Pick up your toys.” “Clean your room.” “Be good.” “Stay out of trouble.” “Settle down.” “Be kind to your sister.” “Let your brother go first.” These are common statements made by every parent. As parents, we need to give our children the ‘moral reason why’. Which of the statements above would be ‘moral’ in context?…