Does it matter when you pray with your child? Soon after my son started middle school, I stopped praying with him when I tucked him in at night. Actually, I had stopped tucking him in altogether, opting instead to just give him a hug after he'd changed into pajamas and reminding him to say a prayer before he fell asleep. As parents begin to pull back to allow more independence, it's sometimes hard to know where to draw the lines. I had decided my middle schooler no longer needed my presence when he went to bed, but I desperately missed that bonding time with him. Was there another way I could connect with him on a more grown-up level? When he told me about the boy at church who prayed each morning with his mother, I admit I got worried. I was afraid he was going to think it was babyish and cheesy, that a big kid didn't need such mushy stuff. He had entered the age where cool was the rule, and I was certain daily prayer with mom wasn't cool. I was wrong. My son thought … [Read more...]
When Your Child Gets Hurt – Practical Tips for Handling injuries
I don't do blood. I don't do anything gory at all. Skin is supposed to be on the outside; bones, muscles and organs belong on the inside. When that law of science is broken, a hurricane builds in my stomach and I have to turn away fast. Emergencies and me don't mix well. Thank God I have a husband who is great at taking charge when things go wrong! Taking care of boo-boos is part of a mother's job description. Here are some practical tips I've learned for handling injuries over the years: 1) Be prepared. Accidents will happen. Some children rarely get themselves into compromising situations, but others attract them - like kids to an ice cream truck. So be sure you have plenty of medical supplies tucked away. Keep a first aid kit in your car/stroller/diaper bag/purse at all times. That way when the time comes, you're ready to tackle it head on. 2) Stay calm. Our children look to us immediately following an accident. We're their first source of comfort and aid. How you … [Read more...]
A Little Lesson in Letting Go
We parked in front of the school, where a group of students he had never met awaited. I walked him to the double doors, resisting the urge to slip my arm around him. I stopped to speak to a staff person to get details on when and where to pick him up. Then I forced myself to walk away, get into my black kia, and drive out of the parking lot without him. My heart was heavy with worry but I refused to let the tears sting the back of my eyes. I had to trust that he'd be fine. This was just another rung on the ladder to manhood. But it felt like the first day of kindergarten all over again. I left my son alone at the gym of a new school where the entire high school football team had gathered for their first practice. He was surrounded by a hundred students, a couple familiar faces, and no friends. And I was home breathing into a paper bag. One of the hardest things for a mom is letting go, and learn to step back and trust God with her children. I always thought … [Read more...]
Reader Comments