For mom’s with strong-willed, over-emotional, or otherwise challenging kids

Isn’t that all of us at some time in our parenting?  I’ve talked with so many mom’s over the years.  Mom’s that are questioning their parenting.  Mom’s that are second guessing their hard decisions.  Mom’s that are weary of the day to day “work” of parenting their “spirited” or challenging (in some way) children.

To all those moms I say. . . .

You’re a good mom too!

You are a mom in the trenches of tantrums.  You are a mom dealing with sensory issues and finding socks that “feel right” each morning.  You are the mom encouraging the very reserved child to try something new.  You are the mom that leaves in tears after dropping your child off because he is crying AGAIN.  You are the mom that faces endless decisions for what is best for your child.

Today is a busy day – another special parent day in one of our classes.  I’m stopping though, to write this, because it is so important.  Diana Markel, one of our previous staff, posted this on her facebook wall.  It spoke to me deeply.  You see I, too, was one of those moms.  One of those moms that wondered what people thought, as my child threw herself on the floor in the middle of Target.  One of those moms that had to leave a full cart of groceries to take home a child that was just out of control.  One of those moms that wondered if her middle child was drawing on the walls (mulitple times) because she wasn’t getting enough attention.  I was one of those moms that wondered what people thought of me as a, well, . .  a mom.

I’m sure that is why this article spoke to me so profoundly.  I hope this speaks to many of you as well.

He is risen

Happy Easter! 

Did you know it is this Sunday?  The kids are very excited!  Yesterday we had a Devotion Worship and talked about Easter and the real reason we celebrate this day.

 

  

 

We began, as we always do with some songs.

“If You’re Happy Cause God Loves You,” “My God is So Big” and our “Rhyming Easter Egg song.”

I love singing with the kids.

I had some items that helped us talk about this special day.

  a stick off a bush with new leaves – we think about the new life that Jesus gave us

a cross – we think about Jesus dying on the cross (it was a very sad day)

a

rock – we think about Jesus’ body in the tomb for three days

And then, surprise – Jesus’ body wasn’t there.

Jesus was alive!  

He walked on earth again and told about the special gift that God gives; life after death.  We know we can live again in heaven!

 

The older kids had lots to say about all of this.

(I also explained that only God and Jesus can live again on earth.  After we die we live again in heaven.)

But then I had an Easter bunny and an Easter egg.

We remembered having talked about Santa Claus at Christmas time, Jesus’ birthday.  Santa Claus is a special fun way to celebrate the special gift of Jesus birth.

The Easter Bunny and Easter eggs are the same thing; a special way to celebrate the special gift of new life!  Eggs also helps us think about new life such as baby chicks.

I showed them that at our house we hid a few empty eggs.  We remember the empty tomb and celebrate!

To end our time together, I lit a candle and talked about celebrating Jesus’ new life – kind of like a new birthday.  I also talked about the Bible saying that Jesus is the light of the world.

Then I blew it out.  We talked some more and WOW, the candle re-lit all by itself.  As you can imagine the kids wanted me to do this a few times.  Jesus is alive – again!

We closed with prayer.

He is risen!