Christian Parenting Today articles from May 2001

Christian Parenting Today archives from May 2001

Guilt to Go.(parenting)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... It was one of those weeks where I couldn't do anything right. I was late on a couple of deadlines at work. I had a minor fender bender that sent my husband and me off on a two-day argument. To top it off, my daughter's babysitter called one...

Letters From Home.
May 1, 2001... mail that matters To Survive... I was thrilled to open the March/April issue of CHRISTIAN PARENTING TODAY and find the article, "Why We Watched Survivor," by Greg Asimakoupoulos. Our family also watched the series and like Rev....

Planning Fabulous Family-Friendly Vacations.(family vacation suggestions)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Here are some great vacation ideas your kids will love: BABIES AND TODDLERS Traveling with your infant requires lots of gear and planing. Days Inn, Days Hotel, Days Suites, and Days Stops are great and affordable options for children....

COUPLE TIME.(husband and wife: communication)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... On warm evenings, after our kids are asleep, my husband and I will slip out to our garden and weed. We enjoy the peace of this beautiful, quiet place. As we work near each other, doing this necessary chore, we talk more than we would if we were...

Quite the Stress.(early morning devotional time)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... My goal as a mother of 4 children is to wear life like a loose garment. Let's just say until five years ago my wardrobe consisted mostly of Spandex. My stress buster is 45 minutes of quiet time early in the morning before the kids wake up--a...

All Messed Up.(children: humor)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... One day, my 3-year-old son, Jamie, was playing on the floor in our living room surrounded by an array of toys. When he saw me enter the room, he started to tidy up but became panic stricken and pleaded, "Mommy, Mommy, please don't mess up my...

What's in the E-Fridge?(Web site food information)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Mealtime can feel like a rut when you're the chef 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. If you want to put the yum back in yummy, check out www.familyfoodzone.com. Sponsored by the National Dairy Council and written by registered dietitians and health...

"I'm Too Busy, Mom".(child's comment)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... When my youngest son was 3, I remember scolding him for scattering toys all over the living room and dining room. I instructed him to pick up every single toy before he could move on to his next adventure. Do you know what his response was? He...

Have a Nice Trip.(children: humor)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... My parents were spending time with my daughters and decided to take them out for ice cream. The waitress brought their order and started to walk away when my youngest daughter, Sarah,) looked at her grandpa and asked, "Aren't you going to trip...

Good, Clean Fun.(keeping the wading pool clean)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... With summer around the corner, our family has a great way to keep the water in our wading pool clean. We keep a plastic washtub filled with warm water outside the pool so the kids can wash the grass and dirt off their feet before they get in....

Begin a "Grateful Journal" Today.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Find something special to write in such as a store-bought book with blank pages or personalize a spiral notebook by drawing a cover or making a collage cover with special photographs. Either begin or end each day listing three things you are...

Do Unto Dorothy.(children: humor)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... When my 5-year-Old daughter, Emily, started kindergarten, I wanted to alleviate both our fears about the first day of school. Before leaving the house, I knelt down in front of her and said, "Honey, you will meet a lot of new people today and...

Shine On.(Bible reading and discussion)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matt. 5:16) You'll Need: A flashlight and a candle Get Started: Ask each person to mime a helpful activity such as sweeping the...

Snuggle Up Videos.(recommended family videos)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... 5 Movies for the Whole Family BALTO (1995, Universal, G) Based on a true story, an Alaskan dog faces rejection and contempt because of his heritage (half wolf), but when help is desperately needed, he succeeds where others have failed. His...

Get Us Through the Night.(suggestions to reduce a child's crying at night)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Rick wrote: Our baby, 5 months old, has been sleeping with us since birth and our doctor has recommended he starts sleeping in his crib. Our efforts to move him have been painful and he cries for long periods of time. We arc worn out. Do you...

In the Spotlight.(devotional exercises)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... "The heavens tell of the glory of God. "Psalm 19:1 You'll Need: A flashlight, paper, pencils and crayons Get Started: Ask everyone to show or do one thing that represents their personality or a talent or skill they have. For example,...

A New Holiday.(children: humor)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... I was preparing breakfast on Father's Day morning when I told my 3-year-old to go and wish his daddy a "Happy Father's Day." I repeated the phrase several times and we practiced it together so he would remember. By the time he made his way into...

Daddy's Boy.(traditional Father's Day gift)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... As a Father's Day tradition, I give my husband a framed picture of our son, Camden, holding a sign that says, "I Love My Daddy." My husband keeps the pictures at work, so he is always reminded of how much we love him. It's also fun to see how...

Personal Touch.(defeating monotony)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Don't be too hard on yourself if you're having a "sigh" day. Even if it's for no apparent reason. We are human. But let us be thankful that we have the power of God to help us overcome these attitudes of discontentment, restlessness, and...

Autism Check-up.(earlier diagnosis of autism possible)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... your guide to the ages and stages of development growing up While at your next routine well-baby visit, be sure to ask your pediatrician to screen your baby for developmental problems such as autism. Until recently, autism and related...

Hearing Loss Warning Signs.(signs that indicate children should have hearing tests)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Halfway through a school district hearing test, my 4-year-old daughter began fidgeting instead of raising her hand. The audiologist shook her head; she'd been unable to get a response while screening Kelsey's right ear. Many tests later, my...

The Testosterone Surge.(may be experienced by 4-year-old boys)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... My four-year-old son leaped from one chair to another yelling to his imaginary foe, "Bang, bang! M You're dead!" I winced as he jumped onto the floor with a tremendous thud rocking the security of my most precious breakables. I thought my home...

Home Alone.(leaving elementary-aged children home alone is risky)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Dear Abby, the letter begins. My almost 10-year-old daughter, "Amber," "stays home one or two hours by herself after school until I return home from work. She has rules to go by; however, she has been known to break them. The letter-writer goes...

Preparing for Early Puberty.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Courtney was 11, active, athletic, and loved soccer. Slightly overweight, Courtney dreaded having to dress and undress for gym class in the girl's locker room. Courtney looked more like a 16-year-old than her actual age, and she couldn't stand...

A New Drug Alert.(inhalant abuse)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... By sixth grade over 91 percent of parents have talked to their kids about the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs like marijuana. But fewer than half have mentioned the newest trend in drug use: inhalant abuse. Sniffing inhalants-- such as...

Get SMART with ARTS.
May 1, 2001... Stretch your child's mind and soul through music, art, and drama " i DIDN'T GROW UP WITH THE ARTS," my friend Shelley complained over coffee recently. "I wish I had. I'd like to give my kids some exposure to art and music, but I'm not...

ARMY SECRETS TO GOOD DISCIPLINE.
May 1, 2001... 5 principles parents can use We all want our kids to be the best that they can be. But finding the balance between Major Dad and June Cleaver isn't easy. Since the Armed Forces is known for converting undisciplined individuals into...

Ditch the Beach, Hit the Mission Field.
May 1, 2001... Turn your summer vacation into a short-term missionary adventure What in the world were we doing in Nome, Alaska? Wendy and I both wondered the same thing as we stepped off the plane and set foot on the arctic tundra. It was a rainy day in...

The depressed child.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... in one month, 11-year-old Sally changed from being a happy, easy-going child to being irritable, anxious, and unable to eat or sleep. "Her personality suddenly and completely changed," says her mother, Dee Brestin, a best-selling author. ...

Parenting Teens & Toddlers -- at the same time!
May 1, 2001... Our young daughter struggled excitedly to open the package that had come in the mail for her fifth birthday. Tavia pulled out a cuddly stuffed gorilla that read, "Somebody at PSU Loves You." The gift was from her brother, Tarl, away at college....

Fatherly Duties.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... And why I love them IT WAS ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS WHEN I LOVE BEING A DAD. There I was, staring into the black night blinded by the headlights of the oncoming traffic. I refused to blink, tightened my grip on the steering wheel, and resolved...

Shot Trauma.(child terrified of shots and needles)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... On the Family Front Q. My son is 10 and is terrified of shots and needles. When he knows he has an upcoming doctor's appointment, he starts to ask incessantly, "Will I have to get a shot, Mommy? What if they give me a shot?". He often gets...

Is "Yes" God's Best?(accepting the right job offer)
May 1, 2001... Why accepting a great job offer isn't always the right choice With all the Monster.com ads, headhunting firms and job ups and downs, thousands of dads are making important decisions right now about their next career move. Be it up the...

A Family That Plans Together.(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... How to stop being the family social secretary "Serena, I didn't forget! I didn't know about your pom performance!" My daughter stomped her foot, and her voice escalated. "Yes, you did. I told you the other day. As usual, you weren't...

Baby & Toddler.(Review)
May 1, 2001... 125 Brain Games for Toddlers and Twos By Jackie Silberg (Gryphon House) $14.95 You probably know about the recent research that says the first three years of a child's life are a time of intense brain development and that children need...

Mine!(Review)
May 1, 2001... By Kevin Luthardt (Simon & Schuster) $14.99 When your baby first utters the word "mine," you'll know he has entered the tumultuous toddler era. Sharing is a challenge for a toddler and every ounce of support will help his frustration....

Preschool.(Review)
May 1, 2001... Uncle Andy's Bible Stories to Cut and Glue Uncle Andy's Bible Stories to Say and Do Uncle Andy's Bible Stories to See and Draw Uncle Andy's Bible Stories to Touch and Taste Written and illustrated by Andy Holmes (Baker) $6.99...

Snug as a Bug?(Review)
May 1, 2001... By Amy Imbody; illustrated by Mike Gordon (Zonderkidz) $7.99 After a family vacation, most children look forward to the comfort of their own beds. Snug as a Bug will generate that same feeling of coziness. A perfect read while snuggled next...

Early Elementary.(Review)
May 1, 2001... Mud Pie Annie By Sue Bachanan and Dana Shafer; illustrated by Joy Allen (Zonderkidz) $12.99 Annie has a passion. She loves to cook. Annie's ingredients come from God's green earth and her kitchen is her own back yard. She has a...

Rock Steady: A Story of Noah's Ark.(Review)
May 1, 2001... By Sting; illustrated by Hugh Whyte (HarperCollins) $16.95 I didn't know that the song "Rock Steady," sung by Sting, was about Noah's Ark until I picked up the book with the same name. "Volunteers wanted for a very special trip, To commune...

Invader Zim.(a couple of unsuitable television programs for children)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Fridays, 9.00 PM, ET On these pages, we usually feature our favorites and discard the rest, but when a questionable television program debuts on a popular all-kids network, I feel it's important as a parent to know the reel deal. In March,...

Lizzie McGuire.(television program for children)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Disney channel, Fridays, 5:00 PM, ET There are two ways kids respond to television. One is passive, where the child stares blankly at the screen without even a twinge of emotion. The other type of viewing evokes vitality and expression:...

Adventures in Odyssey "Escape from the Forbidden Matrix".(video game for good christian boys)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... (Focus on the Family/Tyndale) $14.99 For those who want to scare their kids into cutting back on their time playing video games, Focus on the Family's new Adventures in Odyssey episode is for you. It seems Dylan and Sal are spending too...

Late Elementary & Middle School.(Review)
May 1, 2001... It's a God Thing By Karen Hill; illustrated by Dan Brawner (Tommy Nelson) $14.99 Karen Hill gathered a gaggle of middle school girls to find out what makes tweens tick and to help plan this all-about-me-and-God journal. She asked the...

In the Beginning: From the Creation to the Commandments.(Review)
May 1, 2001... (Hallmark Entertainment) $39.98 I got a little suspicious when the press release announced this Bible-pic is "from the creators of Arabian Nights and Merlin." Was Moses to become a sorcerer? Originally a television miniseries, In the...

The Big Book of Home Learning, Fourth Ed., 3 Volumes.(Review)
May 1, 2001... By Mary Pride (Alpha Omega Publications), $25 each; $69 set This is the homeschool classic. It began as one volume, but as the homeschool movement grew, the work has grown into three volumes packed with the latest information. Volume one is...

The Home Education Copybook & Planning Guide.(Review)
May 1, 2001... By Kathy Von Duyke (Konos Helps) $27.50 New planning help for homeschoolers hits the market every year, but this one stands apart. Von Duyke's guide includes detailed articles that cover planning, establishing habits, setting objectives and...

Homeschooling by Heart.(book)(Review)
May 1, 2001... By Kristina Sabalis Krulikas (Solomon's Secrets) $19.95 Subtitled "A Mom's Road Map for Making It All Work," this book is part pep talk, part curriculum guide, part organizational manual, and part planner. The author emphasizes simplifying...

Discover Your Child's Learning Style.(book)(Review)
May 1, 2001... By Mariaemma Willis, M.S. & Victoria Kindle-Hodson, M.A. (Prima) $18.95 Finding your child's learning style is imperative to successful homeschooling. Use these well thought-out questionnaires to help determine your child's strengths and...

Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide.(Review)
May 1, 2001... By Dr. James Dobson (Tyndale) $14.99 When America's well-known parenting expert answers 491 questions on parenting and marriage, you know you're bound to find advice you can really use. Organized under 26 categories, the topics range from...

The Healthy Baby Meal Planner.(Review)
May 1, 2001... By Annabel Karmel; illustrations by Nadine Wickenden (Simon & Schuster,) $1600 This is the perfect resource for those moms and dads who want to shelve the jars filled with so-called "fortified" baby food and offer their babies something...

What I Learned from Bee-Bee (the Hamster).(pet hampster proves to be a perfect mother)
May 1, 2001... Mothers come in all sizes--but the task remains the same. Eva was finishing her bedtime preparations. Washing her face, plucking any stray eyebrows, thinking about the next day's outfit for high school, and feeding her new hamster, BeeBee....