Readers,
This month has been dedicated to enlightenment. Forward thinking in a sense.How to handle possible conflicts with teachers, realizing kids (and parents) are not perfect, and hanging onto good memories while moving ahead in life. We understand kids aren't perfect- at home or in school. And life still goes on..perfectly imperfect.
Next month we will look at Spiritual Warfare and how that relates to parenting.
For today I'm sharing a short prayer written by my dad. His birthday is at the beginning of October and it seems fitting to close out September with some of his words.

Dear Jesus:

Thank you for giving us the gift of people who have...

...reflected your light,

...influenced our lives, and

... helped us in our journey.

Please grant us your grace so that we may walk in your way and be a witness for Thee.

Amen

******

......Rockman 

Miss you, Pops.

Have a Seat

This old couch has seen some good days. It was one of our first purchases after moving out of our newlywed town home and into our first single family house in Golden Valley, Minnesota. All four kids have been nursed and cuddled on this couch. It has endured spills and spit up. Its cushions have been used for sitting and for building forts.This sofa has moved with us from Minnesota to San Diego to Minnesota and finally to Colorado. 

Twenty-eight years of memories are wrapped up in this couch.

 But it is time. Today we are getting a new one! It feels like Christmas. I even sat on the stairs waiting for the delivery guys. The new couch has taken the old one's place. I have to say- I'm TOTALLY good with trading in the old with the new but I'll definitely hold on to the memories. Tom is having a little more trouble. I think it has more to do with, "Replacing a perfectly good piece of furniture" than sentiment. 

But of course we haven't completely let go. We are saving it- just in case one of our kids needs it. Who knows... maybe it will see another round of babies grow up. And why not..it is a perfectly good piece of furniture!

"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast?" Isaiah 49:15a

What piece of furniture hold fond memories for you? Do you still have it? 

Parenting Lies

Friends,  First off, sorry to send this twice. I've been experiencing some technical difficulties. I noticed the white lettering that worked well on the site doesn't work too well in the e-mail! Now rather than getting an e-mail without the text....here you are! I really didn't want you to miss what Laura had to say. Today's posting is a guest blog from Laura Crosby. Laura loves the Lord and loves people. She writes in a straight forward, honest way. She's wife to John and mom to two young adult daughters. Be blessed!-Lori

There are two primary lies when it comes to parenting.

1.  You can get it right.

2.  You are in control.

I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but both, as my daughter Maggie would say, are "lies from the pit of hell."

If you've been a parent for more than like, 38 minutes you already know these are lies.

Or you're on drugs or in denial.

We have two adult daughters (Katy, 26, and Maggie, 24) who we're incredibly proud of.  They are in great jobs, following Jesus, and they haven't been arrested for a felony and haven't been in drug rehab.  Yet.  It could still happen.

We've made mistakes.  A lot of them.

Like the time we accidentally forgot one child at church. (We only HAVE two kids.  You'd think it would be obvious if half our brood was missing in the car.)

Or the time John accidentally gave Maggie vomit inducing Ipecac in the middle of the night, thinking it was cough syrup.

Katy might point out how in grade school she was scarred for life when she was home sick and I let her watch "Wait Until Dark" while I ran to the grocery store.

Maggie, freezing and wet and traumatized, would remind you of the time John promised over and over that he would catch her sledding down the hill before she careened into the slushy pond.  And didn't.

These we can laugh at now (Except maybe Maggie on that last one), but there have been many other mistakes with more lasting consequences that have sent me to my knees.

You can add your own confessions.  I know you can!

So the bad news is you're gonna make mistakes and you're not in control.  But there's good news too.

1.  There's grace.

When the girls were in grade school once we were coming home from a vacation in Florida at a time we had had to pull them out of school.

They're both really good students but keeping up with homework when there's a beach beckoning is tough.  In spite of our reminders, Katy had not done the work she was supposed to do.  John, frustrated, said, "Katy!  Give me one good reason why I shouldn't punish you!"

She didn't miss a beat.  "Because you're always telling us it's all about Grace, Grace and more GRACE!!"

I think of all the ways I've messed up and, I think of my heavenly parent.  I'm His reckless, well-meaning toddler, crashing into things and tripping over my toes.  I'm overwhelmed by a God who picks me up and dusts me off, and sets me back on my feet with the power to redeem my mistakes, turn me around and point me in the right direction.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9

2.  There's Someone better than you in control.

I think the go-to prayer for parents of kids at any age  is basically "Helpmehelpmehelpme!"  But it was during the college years when I felt particularly helpless and out-of-control as a parent that I developed this breath prayer:

Breathe in a name for God: "Abba Father"

Breathe out the cry of your heart: "Do what only You can do..."

"Protect, guide, encourage, convict, woo..."

It's a practice that reminds me that God is sovereign and amazingly, loves my kids even more than I can.

What lies are you tempted to buy into as a parent?  What practices are helpful for you?

  Laura Crosby, is a follower of Jesus who says she gets it wrong a lot.  She attempts to pay attention to the work of God in, through, and around her, but admits it's definitely a sloooooow process! Laura loves creating all kinds of things, including a welcoming place in her home where there’s good food and lively conversation. She's a friend to twenty-somethings journeying with Jesus, a walker, and a Starbuck's groupie. Laura's blog Awake My Soul Blog is about paying attention to the relationships, experiences, and practices God uses to form us...taking Him seriously, but ourselves not so much. 

Moms Transition Time

                                           
                                                 School is a transition time for moms, too.

Signs Your Child May be a Victim of Bullying

Click to watch video about signs a child may be a victim of bullying.

5 Steps to Resolving Parent-Teacher Conflicts

Okay...so you have an issue with your child's teacher. What are you going to do?

I've been on both sides of the desk. Most parents are reasonable and so are most teachers. Usually issues can be resolved amicably. 

One mom told me her daughter said she was going to have to go to summer school because she wasn't reading out of a particular book. The child was so distraught she didn't want to go to school. Thankfully the mom spoke with the instructor. As it turned out, the child completely misunderstood what the teacher had said. Thankfully the issue was cleared up fairly quickly and the child's fears were put to rest. 

Sometimes the problem is only a misunderstanding. It's wise not to draw a conclusion only from what your child tells you. 

Take the time to investigate the concern. Get all the facts.

If you have an issue with your child's teacher here are some ways to get to the solution side of the problem.

1. Pray. Ask God to give you clarity, calm, and grace in the situation.

2. Set up a meeting time as soon as possible. Don't make an angry call or send an emotional e-mail or note. Give yourself enough time to cool down but try to deal with the issue as soon as possible.

3. Remember most teachers are in the education business because they care about kids-including yours. Starting at the place of agreement is the very best place to begin. 

4. Be respectful. Describe your point of view using an even tone and in a reasonable, mature, and calm manner. Then listen to the educator's response.

5.  Ask what has been done so far and how you can be part of the solution. This shows a willingness and commitment on your part to help resolve whatever the concern may be.

By acting as if you are on the same team as your child's teacher you will be more likely to resolve the problem. Parents love their kids fiercely but kids aren't perfect. The teacher just may have some valuable insight. 

 A fool gives full vent to his anger.

 Proverbs 29:11

What types of challenging situations have you  faced? What advice would offer another parent? 

Friends! 

I just found out my friend and fellow M.O.M. Initiative team member, Rachel Wojnarowski,

is offering a free e-book on prayer called, The Sensational Scent of Prayer. You can get it on Amazon Monday, September 3rd and Tuesday, Sept. 4th! You will be blessed. -Lori