New Life Steward

7 Ways to Play Outside with Your Toddler When It’s Rainy and Muddy

MB@NewLifeSteward — Wed, 08 May 2013 03:00:39 +0000

I feel like it’s been raining all year. Seriously. The weather is acting like I live in the Pacific Northwest when in actuality I reside in the Deep South where we are usually in full blown summer by now. I’m not gonna complain about the pleasant temperatures, but the rain. Oh the rain. All winter I’ve been waiting to get out in our newly fenced in backyard to turn Thomas loose, but it’s been nearly constant rain or totally muddy. I finally decided to just give up and go for it–rain or shine; wet or dry.

Since the rain wouldn’t go away, we had to find a way to turn the rain and muddy mess it leaves behind into some fun!

7 Ways to Play Outside in the Rain and Mud with your Toddler

The Point: Get Outside and PLAY!

I know these were a little bit silly, but I have yet to meet a two year old (or any kid for that matter) that wouldn’t love them! These activities just require a little clean-up on mom’s part after the fun! In their book Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys, Stephen James and David Thomas write that a boy ages 2-4 (and really all of them) need open space to explore safely and be active. What better space than the great outdoors? They suggest sending our boys out to play every day–rain or shine–for two hours if possible!

If you are looking for more great outdoor adventure ideas, especially for kids a wee bit older than Thomas, Kidventures is the resource for you! In this eBook, Jen Murray (AKA QuatroMama) packs in 50 activities for exploring the outdoors. Some are simple, timeless classics while others are new and exciting ideas. You are sure to create lots of memores with your kids if you use this eBook as your guide this summer! I’m so glad to have this gem to give me ideas this year and especially next year as Thomas gets older! Click here for more info and to purchase your copy today! You can also purchase on Amazon: KidVentures: 50 Outdoor Experiences of Wonder, Discovery, & Childhood Memories

What are some of your favorite outdoor memories from childhood? What do you enjoy doing most outside with your own kiddos?

Need some fresh ideas for entertaining the kids outdoors this summer? Check out Kidventures, an eBook from boy mom of 6 year old quadruplet boys, Jen Murray! She will have you outside in the sun for some great adventures in no time! Only $4.99! Click here for details! You can also purchase the Kindle edition on Amazon:KidVentures: 50 Outdoor Experiences of Wonder, Discovery, & Childhood Memories

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Chasing Dreams

MB@NewLifeSteward — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:54:46 +0000

I have a dream.

Actually, I have a lot of dreams. That seems to be the problem. Some are big big. Some are small. Some seem impossible. Some I’m living out every day. Some I’m scared to even say out loud.

But I do have dreams.

I dreamed for years of being a mother and even now dream of mothering more biological children and even adopting.

I dream of teaching my children at home and raising them into godly men and women who serve the Lord wholeheartedly and are well prepared to meet the demands of life outside our home.

I dream of having a thriving marriage with Michael–even after 50 years–and celebrating that milestone together in some faraway place.

I dream of consistently writing in this space in addition to writing eBooks and hopefully traditional books and ministering to others through the written word.

I dream of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a Certified Play Therapist and helping adults and children alike heal and grow emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually.

I dream that one day we are able to give away at least half of our income.

Chasing Dreams

Slowly over the past year, I began to feel like there was no way to bring all of my dreams into reality. Such craziness just wasn’t humanly possible. I simply must choose, and so I did. I laid aside some dreams to focus on others. I think that’s necessary sometimes. But here is what I’m coming to realize: If God has planted these dreams in my heart, then He will be faithful to bring them to fruition. (<—Click to Tweet!) Today. Tomorrow. Next year. 10 years from now. Maybe 50 years from now. Maybe even after I’m dead and gone. But He will do it.

You see, on my own, it is impossible for me to achieve all of my dreams. But with God…with God ALL things are possible!

“Is anything too hard for the LORD?” Genesis 18:14a

Hard Work and Trust

During my trip the the Allume Conference in October, I had the opportunity to hear Sally Clarkson speak to a small group of us who gathered for breakfast. I hope I never forget what she told us. She said that once she surrendered to the fact that she must work hard and trust in the Lord to bring things about, she was simply amazed at what God had done in her life.

I’m no stranger to working hard, but for some reason that statement rang true for me. I think it’s because for a long time, I trusted in my own efforts and abilities to achieve my goas. In the last year, I’ve realized that I simply can’t do everything that I truly want to do. So I must be willing to put in the hard work–even if it’s just a tiny bit here and there–and then trust God with my meager offering.

Over the next few weeks I hope to share some of the baby steps I’m taking to chase my dreams just one step at a time. I hope you’ll join me!

What are your dreams? (feel free to share in the comments or write a post and share the link on our Facebook page!)
How can you relate to the feeling that it’s impossible to achieve your dreams? What are you doing today to chase your dreams?

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Photo Credit: whologwhy

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TODAY is the LAST day to buy the eBook Bundle

MB@NewLifeSteward — Sat, 04 May 2013 13:25:53 +0000

UPDATE: This sale is now over!

Just wanted to drop in a quick reminder that TODAY (Saturday, May 4th) is the LAST day to buy the Ultimate Homemaking eBook Bundle. You can purchase 97 eBooks and eCourses for $29.97 and get over $140 worth of FREE Bonuses with it! You have until 11:59 PM EASTERN (That’s 10:59 Central!) to purchase! You can click here to view more details or click here to buy NOW!

I purchased mine last night and can’t wait to start diving into all these great resources! I have several friends that purchased earlier in the week and have already been raving about the wonderful eBooks included!!

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How to Start Tot School from Scratch

MB@NewLifeSteward — Fri, 03 May 2013 14:35:10 +0000

Last year I set a goal to be more intentional in teaching Thomas. We had a slow start as I wasn’t exactly sure what I was doing, but we’ve fallen into somewhat of a rhythm since he turned 2 in February. Several folks have asked what we do, so I thought I’d share.

Our Three-Part Plan for Tot School:

1. Tot School Printables from 1+1+1=1: Carissa shares this program for FREE on her site. Note that the printables are found on her “.com” site while the explanatory posts are found here on her “.net” site. This took me a bit to figure out! Her program covers one letter of the alphabet for each week. You simply download the packet, print, and go. There are a few supplies you will want to acquire if possible to use the program as Carissa does. I will talk more about that below.

2. Intentional Floor Time: During this time, I simply take some sort of learning toy and get in the floor and play with Thomas until he is bored with it. Sometimes this lasts 5 minutes, and sometimes it’s 20 or more. I got this basic idea from Carissa as well. Basically, you just follow the child’s lead in playing and talk about what you are doing as you do it. Labeling colors and shapes. Counting objects. For example, one week we played with a box of wooden lacing beads. As Thomas picked up each bead, I would comment about the “green” bead he had. We stacked beads and counted how many were in the stack. Sorted them into colors (really I did this while he watched and then messed up my stacks!). The key is to simply play with your child.

3. Before Five in a Row: This is a very simple and sweet reading program. Basically, one book is chosen for each week, and you read it every day with your child. The curriculum provides simple ideas for extending or examining the story a little further each day. For example, this week we are reading The Big Green Pocketbook. We’ve talked about the different places the girl and her mom went on their errands; how the girl felt when she lost her pocketbook; we will color with various shades of green today. This usually takes from 5-20 minutes depending on the length of the book and the extent of the activity.

Tot School Schedule:

We *try* to do all three activities on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, we only do Five in a Row. Thomas has been going to Mother’s Day Out on those days, but this summer he will be at home with me all week, so the schedule will likely change a bit. Simply due to life, it usually takes us about 2 weeks to get through 1 week’s worth of plans. This summer, I aim to “do school” (as Thomas calls it!) on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, so hopefully we will be able to stay on track with the extra day in there.

Here is a super simple schedule:

9:00 AM: Start table time (Tot school printables); continue until he says he’s done or we run out of material.
9:20 AM: Start intentional floor time and play until he’s “done”.
*1:30 PM: Read FIAR book and complete activity before nap time.

Tot School Materials

We have exactly $0 budgeted for Tot School materials. Exciting huh? I think this is why it took me awhile to get started. I felt like I didn’t have anything to work with, but you may be surprised at what you can find for free online and in your area.

Tot School Printables: FREE
Before Five in a Row curriculum: found a copy in the homeschool section of my local library = FREE
Books for BFIAR: library (If they don’t have a copy, we just skip that story!)
Learning toys for floor play: you’d be surprised what you already have that is excellent for this purpose; also we have two grant funded Family Centers in town that allow you to check out learning materials, so be sure to check out your area for similar options.

Materials we purchased:

Scotch Thermal Laminator
Scotch Thermal Pouches
Do A Dot Art Marker Brilliant 6-pack
Do A Dot Art Marker Rainbow 6-pack
Melissa & Doug Magnetic Wooden Alphabet
Avery Diamond Clear Heavyweight Sheet Protectors
Crayola 12ct Washable Dry Erase Markers
Crayola Dry Erase Crayons Bright (to use on our Melissa & Doug Easel
that we already had.)
Crayons (I know! I can’t believe I didn’t have crayons either!)

I’m not gonna lie to you. I used Thomas’ birthday money to buy this stuff. A mama’s gotta do what a mama’s gotta do–he has used all of these materials either directly or indirectly at least as much if not more than any other gift he received…so I’m not feeling guilty!)

Tot School Organization

My organization plan is simple: a binder and a box.
The Binder: In the binder, I have page protectors in which I put all the printables for each letter. So everything for the letter “a” is found in one page protector, separated by paper clips into each of the three days we use printables. When we are done each day, I simply clip all the papers back together and put them back in the sheet protector for the future (even if he colored or “dot dotted them!). In the front of the binder, I simply sketch out what we are doing each week on notebook paper, so I can easily refer to it to refresh my memory. I also make notes here of anything I need to do ahead of time to prep. I *try* to plan at least a week ahead so I have plenty of time to prep or find additional materials.

The Box: This is the easy part–I throw ALL of our materials that we use on a weekly basis into a big cavas box that I’ve never known what to do with! It sits in the floor of my closet until we are ready to “do school”. Then I pull it out and have everything I need right there. Easy peasy. This also makes it easy to take with me to my parents when we are there for the day on Wednesdays.

Whew! That was a lot longer than I intended, but I hope it helps give you some ideas of where to start with your own tot school! Feel free to ask me any questions!

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Parenting in Opposite World

MB@NewLifeSteward — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:01:53 +0000

Parenting is hard.

The day was long. The discipline continuous. My son appeared determined to disobey everything I asked of him. In an attempt to train him, I was faithfully disciplining with each act of defiance. The day slipped by slowly, seemingly on repeat of the same events over and over just different details. I grew weary.

In yet another act of defiance, my precious two year old screams out “No, Mommy!”, throws his toy across the room, and runs away from me. As I attempt to catch him, he falls limp in my arms, slipping through, and on the run again. Bone tired from countless days of seeming single parenting while Daddy worked hard during his busy season and 7 months pregnant, I snapped.

The flesh in me reared its ugly head at the flesh acting out in him.

I yelled his name, stomped my foot, and shouted words at him that did not bring life but only hurt.

Parenting is hard work.–exhausting and draining at times mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Parenting in “opposite world” as Courtney from Women Living Well put it, is even harder. To parent children as though we truly believe they are a blessing from the Lord in a culture that says they are a nuisance is hard work–because its so easy to believe the lie on those hard days…in the desperate moments when we feel like we are failing at every turn.

Are children always a blessing to their parents?

You often hear a mother remark that her children are “worth it”. The pure joy a child brings is worth the pain of labor and birth, the sleepless nights, the defiance of the toddler years, and on the list goes as children grow.

When soaking in that newborn smell after a full day of labor…when that tiny toddler voice calls back “I wuv you too mommy!” for the first time…when he hollers “kiss mama” and puckers those sweet, tiny lips up…in those moments and multitudes like them, we easily call our children blessings.

But what about the dark moments? The hard times? The days when the discipline is endless and seemingly ineffective…or the teacher tells you that your son pushed every single child in his class that day…or his chubby little hand reaches out to hit you when you tell him no?

On those days–in those moments and the multitudes like them–are our children blessings from the Lord then? Can the pain and struggle of parenting our children on these days be a blessing?

Our answer must be yes. God has said that children are a blessing, a gift, a reward, a heritage (Psalm 127:3). Period. The truth of this statement is not dependent on our current circumstances with our children. They are indeed a blessing.

Parenting Children is Always a Blessing

But in those moments when parenting in opposite world is most difficult, it’s easy to forget the truth and believe the lies:

Children are a hassle. This is too hard. Parenting is a burden. Having any more children would be awful.

However, James teaches that we must consider those very moments with the same pure joy that we cherish the good moments of parenting.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

In those difficult moments of parenting, we are given the opportunity to lay ourselves down for the good of another (John 15:13). Only in Christ’s strength can we do this. We are forced to turn to Christ to meet our needs as parents–to give us the perseverance we need to stand firm. Each time we set aside our own needs and desire–we give up the weekend with the girls to nurse a sick child, we spend the afternoon playing in the dirt, we continuously discipline even though it seems easier to just ignore poor behavior–we grow in Christ-likeness and model that for our children.

Surely, that is a blessing.

Parenting in Opposite World Changes Our Perspective

Truly believing that children are a blessing to us in each and every circumstance of parenting changes our perspective. Instead of pushing through the hard times simply because the good times make it “worth it”, we are able to look at those hard times and seek how the Lord is using them to mature us in our faith.

We know that one day in the future we will stand and see not only the fruit of our efforts and God’s work in our children but also in our own lives. As we seek to be faithful in raising our children for the Lord, He will be faithful to grow us in Christ-likeness-equipping us for the task. <—-Click here to tweet this

As I shouted those harsh, his face fell and he started crying hard–his little heart crushed by the sudden sharpness in mama’s tone. I immediately regretted my actions and sank to my knees, arms open as he ran to me in a big embrace. I whispered apologies in his ear, “I’m sorry baby, mama shouldn’t yell at you like that.” We continue to hug and in a few moments I ask him again to choose to obey and he complies this time.

And I consider the difficulty of the whole day pure joy and a blessing for the fruit it produces in each of us.

What difficult situation are you facing as a parent? How does this change in perspective that children are always a blessing affect your attitude towards that situation? How has God working in your life through your role as a parent?

Photo Credit: mdanys

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