Children
"Her children rise up and call her blessed," Proverbs31:28
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Kids and Chores
"Train up a child in the way he should go. And when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6
" I am one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do." Helen Keller
Kids and chores, oh my. Sometimes we feel like we are nagging at your kids to do their chores everyday. Some of us just give up and do it for them. First thing to remember is to let go of your unreasonable expectations of the kids when doing their chores. Remember their skill level and forgetfulness. I have made chore charts for the kids. I printed them out, laminated them and put them on the side of their fridge and on their bathroom mirror. Instead of nagging them to do their chores, I kindly ask if they have done their chores. It prompts them to go check their chart for the days chores. Some may need a little more reminding than others. They aren't expected to do it perfectly, only to do it as well as they are able.
Leading your Children Spiritually
" These commandments I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them upon your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
1. Have family devotion at breakfast.
2. Memorize a bible verse a week with the kids. Write bible verses on index cards, put them on the kitchen table, study every day.
3. At dinner study weekly verse, read a family devotional book, talk about what God taught you today.
4. Have a "Family Bible Time" everyday. Read a chapter of the Bible a day. A good place to start is Proverbs.
5. Teach the kids the Fruit Of the Spirit, and how to incorporate in their lives daily.
6. Give each child their own Bible. You could even purchase a cover, notepad, pencil, and highlighter. Encourage them to follow the pastor on Sunday and take notes.
7. Make a spot on their bedroom shelving for their bible, devotional, and prayer journal. Encourage them to take 30 minutes every night to read the bible and write in their prayer journal.
8. Give them a devotional book, to read every night.
9. When filling their Easter baskets, only fill with Christian books, toys, bibles, devotionals,etc...
10. At Christmas time, put up a "Jesus Tree". Everyday put on a new ornament that represents Christ.
For a list click: jesus-tree-list
11. Do a bible study in your home with your children or even with your children and their friends. I highly suggest Firm Foundations
12. Model Chirstian behavior in your home daily. Display the fruit of the Spirit in yourself, do something kind for someone in need, volunteer at your church, donate to Christian charities,etc...
12. On car trip listen to "Adventures In Odyssey" radio series on CD. They even have videos. Watch other Christian videos.
13. At home watch Christian educational and entertainment videos. Steve Greene's "Hide'm in Your Heart", Veggie Tales, BibleMan, Kids Ten Commandments form Tyndale Entertainment, Praise baby videos,etc... for the older kids get the lastest Christian artist CD
14. While kids are playing in their rooms play Christian Music. Praise Baby, Kids Praise, Cedarmont Worship for Kids, Shout Praises! Kids,"My First Bible" on CD.
15. Check out Christian books, CD's, and DVD's from your local library or church to save money.
16. Subscribe to devotional magazines, Christian magazines,etc.. or go to your local Church library to read them. There are many good ones for children, teens, and adults. They also have magazines about movie, book, and CD reviews.
17. Watch faith-based movies as a family night.
18. Teach character qualities. Click on this link to print out a copy of all. I suggest to laminate, put a magnet on the back and keep on your fridge. Go over one quality each week/month. Help them incorporate it in their lives by modeling and example. Use the worksheet with it. Click on the links below:
resources/49Qualities characters.pdf
resources/FamilyWorksheetcharacter quality.pdf
19. My favorite parenting/discipline books. And they are both by moms. The first is my absolutely favorite book!! Click on the links below:
~ For Instruction in Righteousness by Pam Forster ( Uses the disobedience, gives a curse and a blessing with scripture. It also has stories from the bible and examples you can talk to your kids about)
~ Don't Make Me Count To Three by Ginger Plowman (* don't forget the "Wise Words for Moms", too! Well, worth it!!
20. Pray for your children. Print this out, laminate and put in your prayer binder.
*This is also a Prayer Calendar for the kids to keep and use for their prayer binders.
Children's Binder Prayer Calendar
Getting your children to LISTEN during Church Service:
The kids will not have children's church this summer. I have very active boys and needed a way to keep their minds focused while in service. I came across a blog Raising Arrows about teaching kids to listen during service. I truly believe we are in church to worship the Lord and learn the truth of the bible. Kids, too.
I have printed off a a few pages for each child.
for the readers
for the non readers and early readers.
And I put them on cute clipboards. I made clipboards for the boys to hold their schoolwork on and always have something hard to write on. (My camera, yes, all of them, are broken or I would show you ours) They look something like this:
Mine are kind of like this(above) except without dinosaurs. I used scrapbook paper I had and put their names on them. I also made a colored pencil case(below). An idea I found on Pinterest!
Mine do not look as fabulous because I only used what I had on hand. Scrapbook paper and tape. I turned the movie cover around to the white side and decorated with scrapbook stickers I had on hand.
It's not fancy but the kids loved it! It was a hit the first Sunday they all sat in service with us.
By the way, I have accumulated about 4 scrapbook paper books I purchased at Walmart for $5.00 each over the course of 2 years that I am still using.
Fun with Kids
Everday Fun with Kids
One thing many know about me is that I hate being bored. I joke that God knows I hate being bored thats why he gave me 5 boys! They are never boring! And I learned early with boys, keep them busy and they will stay out of trouble. I love having fun and I love having fun with my kids. Over the years I have found fun ways to make traditions in our family.
New Years Eve Party:
When the kids were young we still wanted to stay home and have a news years aprty with them. Being young and they couldn't stay up til midnight, so this party started at 6:00. As they have gotten older I have waited til later to start.
After we eat pizza and hot wings here is what I do:
New Years Party: Each hour open a bag and do the activity inside, then it's outside for fireworks. We have 4 bags to open.
~1st hour/1st bag: Watch and glowsticks(lots). Put on our watches for the countdown. Make the glowsticks into a limbo bar. and play in the dark.(then go outside for a few fireworks til next hour)
~2nd hour/2nd bag: Pipe cleaners (or construction paper)- make the new years # glasses. ex: 2009 shape out of pipe cleaners. New years game* (then go outdside for fireworks til next hour)
~3rd hour/3rd bag: Napkin and spoon- Make confetti hats out of sugar ice cream cones, icing, and sprinkles, m&ms,etc. (then go outside for fireworks til next hour)
~4th hour/4th bag: Balloons and noisemakers. Play balloon volleyball and other balloon games like keeping it up with your nose,etc. Then let them pop the balloon and read the Blessing.(already written on piece of paper my 2 prayers for them for the next year).(Then go outside for fireworks and the big bang at "midnight")
I had every white lunch sack pre-made and filled before the party. When prepared then it only takes about 15-30 minutes. I don't let the kids help b/c I want them to be surprised. I keep all the new years activities in a plastic shoe box in the attic until the next year.
***New Year Game: 1st one: Write down a year on an index card. On the back write what happened in your family on that year. Shuffle and put cards year side up. take turms drawing a card from the pile and the family has to remember or guess what happend on the year they picked. Great for building memories.
2nd one: same game but with history facts. Great for the older ones.
I love parties And I love my kids . So I made this party. And we have so much fun and they are worn out by the end of the night!
I hope you use this and have fun next year....or the end of this year!
The Month before Christmas:
Everyday after Thanksgiving we write on a calendar a craft or activity relating to Christmas. We bake goodies for families, make crafts to display around the house, we read and put up the 12 Names of Jesus ornaments, watch home Christmas movies, watch other Christmas movies,read a Christmas book, go ice skating, look at Christmas lights. Not everyday had to be busy or difficult. The idea is to keep the the focus on Jesus for the special Christmas season.
Flag Day:
Have kids design a family flag. Sew the design on outdoor fabric and display outside your home.
Quilt Day:
For more ideas and coloring pages visit: http://www.apples4theteacher.com/coloring-pages/interactive-alphabet/
Monthly Wacky Holidays
Here is a list of monthly holidays. I found some of these wacky holidays in a book years ago. I started celebrating a few each month. It was so much fun to learn and do new things with the kids. Please use this list however you want. I would suggest only doing a few each month. And when you pick what you will do for the week, study it or check out books from the library on the subject. Whatever you choose, have fun!
January February March
1- New Years Day 1- G.I.Joe Day, Robinson Crusoe Day 1- Pig Day
2-55 MPH speed Day 2-Groundhog Day 2-Namesake Day
3- National Choclate Covered Cherry Day 6- Bubble Gum Day 3- National Anthem Day
4- Trivia Day 7-Ballet Day 4- March forth-do something!
5- Bird Day 12- Abe Lincoln's Birthday 6- Sherlock Holmes Day
6- Three Kings Day 14-Valentine's Day 9- Barbie Day
7- Harlem Globtrotters Day 15-Susan B. Anthony Day 10- Salvation Army Day
12- Organize You Home Day 16-Presidents Day 11-Johnny Appleseed Day
16- Bald Eagle Appreciation Day 22-George Washington's Birthday 17- St.Patrick's Day
18-Winnie the Pooh Day 24-International Pancak:e Day 19-National Chocolate Caramel Day
19-Martin Luther King Day 26- National Chili Day 21-Maple Syrup Day, Nat'l Quilting Day,
23-National Pie Day 29-Leap Year Day Corn Dog Day
24- National Compliment Day 25-Pecan Day
26-Chinese New Year
April May June
1- April Fools 1- Mother Goose Day, Lei Day 5-Donut Day
3-Pony Express Day 2-Astronomy Day 7-Daniel Boone Day
9-Winston Churchill Day 5-Cinco de Mayo 13-Raggedy Ann & Andy Day
13-Thomas Jefferson Day 6-Nurse's Day 3rd Sunday-Fathers Day
15-McDonalds Day 7-National Day of Prayer 14- Flag Day
21-National Teach your Children *every 2nd Sunday- Mothers Day 16-Fudge Day
to Save Day 12-Nat'l Nutty Fudge Day 20-World Juggling Day
22-Earth Day,Jelly Bean Day 15-Nat'l Chocolate Chip Day *4th Saturday- Great American Campout
24-Arbor Day 20-Eliza Dolittle Day
29-Natioanl Dance Day 23-International Jazz Day, Nat'l Taffy Day
*last Monday- Memorial Day
July August September
1-Canada Day 1-Sweet Corn Day, Mustard Day 1-Emma M. Nutt Day
4-Independence Day 2-Friendship Day 4-Oatmeal Day
7-Chocolate Day 4-Coast Guard Day 6-Salami Day
9-Hot Dog Day 8-Eleanor Roosevelt Day *1st Monday- Labor Day
15-Gummi Worm Day 14-Kool-Aid Day 12-Popcorn Day
19-Nat'l Ice Cream Day 19-Aviation Day *2nd Sunday- Grandparents Day
20-Hug your Kid Day 22-Be an Angel Day 17-Constitution Day
23-All American Soap-box Derby Day 24-Nat'l Waffle Day 22-Elephant Appreciation Day,
25-Cow Appreciation 30-Nat'l Toasted Marshmallow Day Nat'l White Chocolate Day
30-Cheesecake Day
October November December
1-World Vegetarian Day 1-All Saints Day 7-Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ,Cotton Candy
2-World Farm Animal Day 2-Cookie Monster Day Day
3-World Card Making Day 3-Sandwich Day 17-Wright Brothers Day
7-Balloons Around the World 6-Pumpkin Chunkin' Day 25-Christmas Day
8-Alvin C. York Day 9-World Orphans Day 26-National Thank You Note Day
31-New Years Eve Day
9-Leif Erickson Day 11-Veterans Day
12-Columbus Day 15-America Recycles Day
28-St.Jude's Day 17-Homemade Bread Day
31-Halloween, Nat'l Caramel Apple Day 18-Mickey Mouse Day
Nat'l Magic Day *Last Thursday- Thanksgving Day
!!! Kids Eat Free !!!
For listings in your area check out KidsMealDeals.com
(Memphis Area)
Mondays
Abner's Famous Chicken Tenders
1100 North Germantown Parkway, Memphis One free kid's meal with each adult meal purchased on Mondays.
Bruster's Real Ice Cream
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.
Buffalo Wild Wings
3448 Poplar Avenue, Memphis: Kids eat from the kids' menu for $0.99 on Monday and Wednesday nights. 324-9225. No discount for kids at the Wolfchase area Buffalo Wild Wings
Incredible Pizza Company
1245 Germantown Parkway, Memphis Kids 12 and under eat at the buffet (includes drink) for $0.99 with an adult buffet and drink purchase on Mondays.
Logan's Roadhouse
All Memphis area locations which include: 2710 N. Germantown Pkwy (Wolfchase), 381-5254, 7755 Winchester Road (Riverdale), 759-1430, and in Southaven at 6685 Airways Blvd., 662-772-5015 Kids eat from the kids' menu for $2 on Mondays-Wednesdays. Some adult meals are 2 for $13.99 on these same days.
Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM. Olive Branch Catfish Company 9659 Highway 178, Olive Branch, 662-895-9494. Kids eat free on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Pig-N-Whistle
BBQ 2740 Bartlett Road, Bartlett, 386-3300 Two kids eat free with each adult meal purchased on Mondays.
Tuesdays
Bruster's Real Ice Cream
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.
Danver's
All Memphis area locations Kids (12 and under) eat free on Tuesdays from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., up to 2 kids' meals with each adult meal purchased.
Fazoli's
3587 Riverdale Road, Memphis,794-9121 215 E. Goodman Road in Southaven, MS, 662-536-2426 Kids eat for $0.99 on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with purchase of adult meal.
Holiday Deli and Ham At 3 Memphis area locations, 585 Erin Drive, 683-0245, 2087 Union Ave in Midtown, 881-6436 and at 7652 Poplar Ave in Germantown, 869-6654 (NOT AVAILABLE AT THE HACKS CROSS LOCATION) Kids eat free from the kids' menu on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with an adult meal purchase.
Logan's Roadhouse
All Memphis area locations which include: 2710 N. Germantown Pkwy (Wolfchase), 381-5254, 7755 Winchester Road (Riverdale), 759-1430, and in Southaven at 6685 Airways Blvd., 662-772-5015 Kids eat from the kids' menu for $2 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Some adult meals are 2 for $13.99 on these same days.
LoneStar Steakhouse
6365 Airways Boulevard, Southaven, 662-349-6882 Kids eat free from the kid's menu on all day on Tuesdays with purchase of adult entree, up to two kids per adult.
McAlister's Deli
Has an email club! Kids eat free from the kids' menu on Tuesday evenings with an adult meal purchase.
Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM.
Olive Branch Catfish Company
9659 Highway 178, Olive Branch, 662-895-9494 Kids eat free on Mondays and Tuesdays
Perkins
Also has a kids birthday club, sign up online! 1571 Sycamore View Road, Memphis, 382-5905 960 West Poplar Avenue, Collierville, 850-0499 8472 North Highway 51, Millington, 873-4555 Kids eat free from the kids menu on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4:00-10:00 p.m.at these locations only.
Wednesdays
Bruster's Real Ice Cream
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.
Buffalo Wild Wings
3448 Poplar Avenue, Memphis: Kids eat from the kids' menu for $0.99 on Monday and Wednesday nights. 324-9225 7188 Airways Boulevard, Southaven: Kids eat from the kids' menu for $0.99 on Wednesday nights. 662-349-7776. No discount for kids at the Wolfchase area Buffalo Wild Wings *
IHOP
Most Memphis area locations--call your preferred location for confirmation. Kids eat free all day on Wednesdays from the kids' menu with the purchase of an adult meal.
Logan's Roadhouse
All Memphis area locations which include: 2710 N. Germantown Pkwy (Wolfchase), 381-5254, 7755 Winchester Road (Riverdale), 759-1430, and in Southaven at 6685 Airways Blvd., 662-772-5015 Kids eat from the kids' menu for $2 on Mondays-Wednesdays. Some adult meals are 2 for $13.99 on these same days.
Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM. Thursdays
Bruster's Real Ice Cream
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.
Buffalo Wild Wings
7995 Craft-Goodman Frontage Road, Olive Branch: Kids eat from the kids' menu for $0.99 on Thursday nights.662-890-7285. No discount for kids at the Wolfchase area Buffalo Wild Wings
Captain D's
Most Memphis area locations--call your preferred location for confirmation. Up to two kids eat free with each adult meal purchase on Thursdays.
Holiday Deli and Ham
At 3 Memphis area locations, 585 Erin Drive, 683-0245, 2087 Union Ave in Midtown, 881-6436 and at 7652 Poplar Ave in Germantown, 869-6654 (NOT AVAILABLE AT THE HACKS CROSS LOCATION) Kids eat free from the kids' menu on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with an adult meal purchase.
Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM.
Piccadilly Cafeteria
Sign up online for their kids club! 2055 Exeter in Germantown, 755-5603; 4996 Stage Road, 377-2961. Kids eat for $0.99 all day on Thursdays and from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays, up to 2 kids' meals w/ each adult meal purchased.
Fridays
Bruster's Real Ice Cream
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.
Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM.
Saturday
Bruster's Real Ice Cream
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.
Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM.
Perkins
Kids birthday club, sign up online! 1571 Sycamore View Road, Memphis, 382-5905 960 West Poplar Avenue, Collierville, 850-0499 8472 North Highway 51, Millington, 873-4555 Kids eat free from the kids menu on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4:00-10:00 p.m.at these locations only.
Piccadilly Cafeteria
Sign up online for their kids club! 2055 Exeter in Germantown, 755-5603; 4996 Stage Road, 377-2961. Kids eat for $0.99 all day on Thursdays and from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays, up to 2 kids' meals w/ each adult meal purchased.
Sundays
Bruster's Real Ice Cream
Winchester location. Sign up for an emailed coupon each month and the birthday club! Children who are under 40 inches tall receive a free baby ice cream cone everyday. Dogs get a free doggie treat too.
Buffalo Wild Wings
3770 Hacks Cross Road, Memphis: Kids eat from the kids' menu for $0.99 on Sunday nights.737-9463 No kids discount available at Wolfchase location on any day.
Millington Pig
8412 Highway 51, Millington, 873-1328. Kids eat for only .99 everyday between 5-7 PM.