Crossway North Daily Devotional

A Real Life Money Lesson for Kids...

2015-01-07T07:00:00.000+11:00

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iMOM

What money lessons did you learn growing up? My father worked very hard, and my mom stayed home—also working hard—to raise four children. I deeply appreciated everything they bought me because I knew their financial resources were pretty limited. As I try to teach my own children the value of a dollar, I'm so glad a real-life money lesson came up for my daughter.

It started when we sold the bedroom furniture she'd had since she was a toddler. We let her take the money from the sale and use it as a budget to choose new furniture. She set her sights pretty high at first and then came back to the real world.

"Mom, furniture is expensive!" she said, as she scoured websites and Craigslist.

She kept a running total of how much each item cost and what that left for her next purchase. By having to budget, she learned a real-life money lesson. There is no money tree!

You can do the same type of thing with your children. If they get an allowance, use our share, save, spend printable to help them allocate their money. Next, talk to them about how they want to use their "spend" dollars and let them fill out the ask why before you buy printable so that they can really consider their purchase.

In fact, that printable is something lots of adults could use too—me included!

Pillow Talk: When you have extra money, is it tough for you to save it.

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The Secret to Teaching Gratitude During the Holidays

2014-12-21T07:00:00.001+11:00

Posted by iMom

Have you ever noticed that the more we get, the less we tend to appreciate? It's true for children and adults alike. A child working through a pile of presents at his birthday party will often open one and fling it to the floor—with hardly a glance—in the rush to open yet another.

Christmas offers a similar challenge: At family gatherings and on Christmas morning, there are countless gifts to be opened. We enjoy decadent meals and a constant parade of desserts. How can parents teach gratitude in the middle of holiday excess?

There are things you can do! From your own gift-giving plan to the way you choose to share moments of giving and receiving with friends and family, try these 5 strategies for teaching gratitude during the holidays.

Pillow Talk: What’s the best and worst thing about the Internet?

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How to Make Your Husband Feel Like a Man

2014-12-13T07:00:00.000+11:00

Posted by iMOM

You know that feeling you get when you get dressed in something decidedly feminine and you can feel your husband's eyes do a double take? When he responds to your femininity by treating you like someone really special—way more special than all the other women in the world? It can get the butterflies fluttering again! Your husband gets the same charge out of having you recognize and appreciate his masculinity, notice his sex appeal, and tell him about it. You'll both be winners if you learn how to make your husband feel like a man!

In this post-women's lib world, we sometimes forget the value of playing up what makes us different. Sure, we ladies can run the boardroom and the carpool with equal aplomb, but only your man has strong, broad shoulders to put your head on and melts you when he walks through the house in the morning in a sharp suit and smelling all aftershave-y. Or maybe it's the way he looks with a little five o'clock shadow and his rugged, outdoorsy clothes on. All those things that made you want him in the beginning are still there, girl! Here's how to celebrate your manly-man and make your marriage even better.

Pillow Talk: What’s your favorite food at Thanksgiving Dinner?

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Where Does a Bad Attitude Come From?

2014-11-30T08:00:00.000+11:00

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Oh, the horrors of having a child with a bad attitude - especially during the holidays! On Thanksgiving day, Great Aunt Sadie walks in and your son crosses his arms and pouts when she asks him for a hug. Or your teenage daughter rolls her eyes when you ask her to help clear the table. And even when your kids do act respectful on the outside, you can tell that their attitude is out of whack.

So even during the season of holiday cheer, don't overlook a bad attitude in your kids. Dig below the surface and consider these thoughts to answer the question, where does a bad attitude come from in kids?

Pillow Talk: Why do you think some kids have a bad attitude?

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iSpy Fall Game and Fall Coloring Pages

2014-11-20T08:00:00.000+11:00

Posted by iMOM

What do your kids “spy” now that it’s fall? Use our iSpy Fall Printable and send them on a visual treasure hunt! Give them the handout in the car and let them look for the items as you drive through town. Bring it along into the grocery store and let them check off the items on the iSpy list while you shop. What will you spy while they spy? A child having some fall fun!

And for more fall fun, here are 3 new fall coloring pages, drawn by iMOM’s own in-house artist! True originals!

Pillow Talk: If you could make the sky any color, which would you choose?

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Parenting Humor from Around the Web

2014-11-15T08:00:00.000+11:00

Posted by iMOM

Remember when we told you that sometimes as a parent you have two choices: laugh or cry? It's true. Oh sister, is it true!

So today, we want to help you laugh! We've assembled some of our fav humorous parenting tweets and pins from the wide world of the Internet. You'll know they were authored by real parents, because you can't make this stuff up...

Maybe today you'll laugh UNTIL you cry. Enjoy!

Pillow Talk: Do you know any funny jokes? Tell me one!

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The Secret to Protecting Your Marriage From Infidelity

2014-11-07T08:00:00.000+11:00

Posted by iMOM

The real tragedy of infidelity is that many marriages end in divorce. In the blink of an eye, the trust and security that was the foundation for a healthy marriage is destroyed. Sadly, it takes years of dedicated work to rebuild lost trust and security ripped away by an affair. The reason is simple. After an ice storm, have you ever attempted to walk down a frozen sidewalk? Although it's possible, there's always anxiety that a horrible fall might be right around the corner. What many couples fail to realize is that an absence of trust and security in a marriage is like condemning a person to live on that ice-covered sidewalk. Your mate is never truly free to relax because he or she is continually fighting to keep his or her footing.

To protect our marriages, we need to make a daily decision to have an affair-proof relationship. This protection builds trust and security, which in turn, melts the ice. Security from marital fidelity is built when we do four important things.

Pillow Talk: If you had a treasure of gold and jewels, where would you hide it?

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The Truth About 5 Marriage Myths

2014-11-02T08:00:00.000+11:00

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If you believe most of the marriage myths and bad news about marriage, you can get discouraged. But today, we have some good news about marriage. Author and researcher Shaunti Feldhahn studied 5 marriage myths and proved them wrong!

In her new book, The Good News About Marriage, Shaunti says that these marriage myths aren't just inaccurate, they're dangerous! Here's how she puts it:

Essentially, the subconscious bad news beliefs about marriage and divorce are like a slow-acting poison. It is not that a couple starts out halfway expecting to fail (although that might be the case for some). Most start out believing—truly believing—that they will beat the statistics. "We’re going to be in the 50 percent that make it," they think on their glorious wedding day. But the first time they have a major string of arguments, some start worrying. Somewhere down deep, they start thinking that they might be in the wrong half, after all.

Here's the truth about 5 marriage myths...

Pillow Talk: What do you think people argue about the most in families?

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My Parenting Fail and My Pinterest Fail

2014-10-28T08:00:00.000+11:00

The latest Pinterest fail I actually witnessed happened to my daughter. She found a pin that showed, what looked like, a great way to make hair shiny—add cinnamon to your conditioner. So she tried it. The next thing I knew she was calling me frantically from her room because her skin was turning red and burning after the cinnamon had washed over her in the shower. Pinterest fail.

Now for my parenting fail, which is far more serious than a Pinterest fail: I let one of my children get in the habit of speaking to me disrespectfully. I let my emotions (my love for my child) cloud my good judgement. So when this child spoke to me in a disrespectful tone or with a sassy attitude, I really didn't hear it. I've tried to rectify my mistake, but it's been a whole lot harder correcting a parenting fail than a Pinterest fail!

Here are 4 ways to fix your parenting fails.

Pillow Talk: How do you feel about the saying, “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again?”

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6 Ways to Help Your Teen Arrive Alive

2014-10-23T08:00:00.000+11:00

Posted by iMOM

Teen driving issues are a legitimate cause for concern; motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among U.S. adolescents. But sometimes parental rules can unintentionally set your child up for an unsafe driving situation. For instance, many parents insist on "if your dad and I call or text--you'd better answer!" The problem? New statistics show that more than half of teens report answering calls from their parents while driving to avoid parental trouble. While the desire to obey is great, we parents need to make sure our instructions are clear and safe: no call--including one from us--should be answered while behind the wheel. Your teen driver should wait until pulling over safely or reaching his or her destination to call back.

We parents sometimes blow it in this department by failing to practice what we preach. Do you answer or initiate calls while driving? Answer texts? Your example behind the wheel is a much greater predictor of what your child's driving behavior will be than the rules you attempt to set up for them. Set a good example, prioritize safety over convenience, and arrive alive!

Consider these ways you can help your child be safe.

Pillow Talk: What kind of car would you like to have when you’re old enough to drive?

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36 Fall Activities for Families

2014-10-18T08:00:00.000+11:00

Posted by iMOM

There really is a change in the air when fall gets here, and it's not just because the weather gets cooler. It's more like a natural change of pace as we draw closer to the end of the year. And even though fall can be busy with school and other activities, there is so much to enjoy. Here are 36 fall activities for your family.

As a bonus, and to give you a head start on the holidays, here's our Thanksgiving tree printable with eight days of awesome Thanksgiving quotes.

Pillow Talk: Which season do you enjoy the most? Why?

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How to Handle Your Child's "Frenemy

2014-10-09T08:00:00.000+11:00

Posted by iMOM

Have you ever had a "frenemy?" That friend who goes through the motions of being a friend and even says that you're good friends, but who routinely does things to hurt your feelings, dash your confidence, or stir up trouble? It can be exhausting to deal with a person like that—trying to decipher the passive-aggressive slights and figure out if she is someone you can trust. Can you imagine how much harder it is for your child? That's why you need to know how to handle your child's frenemies, Mom.

Sometimes kid frenemies just need to go their separate ways. At other times, it's more complicated than that. What if the moms are good friends, or the children are trapped in the same class at school? Disentangling your child from the tentacles of a hurtful "friend" may require a bit of maneuvering on your part.

I have watched my five children experience friendships of all kinds: some positive, some negative. Here's what I've learned about dealing with kid frenemies.

Pillow Talk: Do any of your friends hurt your feelings often?

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Homework Help That Works!

2014-10-04T08:00:00.000+10:00

Posted by iMOM

Do you and your kids need some homework help? Is homework hurting your relationship with your children? Do you have to nag, scream, and threaten to get them started? There is a better way, but it will take some work by you too.

Pillow Talk: What advice would you give kids about doing homework?

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5 Things to Help You Understand Your Mother-in-Law Problems

2014-09-29T08:00:00.000+10:00

Posted by iMOM

Do you have mother-in-law problems? I love my mother-in-law. She’s kind, funny, and she’s a wonderful grandmother to my kids. But even in the best daughter-in-law and mother-in-law relationships, there can be friction—a mother-in-law who comments on her grandchildren’s sleep schedule or a daughter-in-law who gets defensive when her mother-in-law offers to teach her how to make biscuits her way. So if and when friction arises between you and your mother-in-law, remember that her intentions are probably good, and that she wants to have a strong relationship with you.

Look over these 5 things to help you understand your mother-in-law problems.

Pillow Talk: What is something you want to tell me that you never have before?

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Is Your Daughter Boy Crazy?

2014-09-24T08:00:00.000+10:00

Posted by iMOM

The romance bug has bitten my tween daughter. She’s noticing boys. She wants to read books with a hint of romance and she wants to read up on the cute guys in the latest movies and TV shows. Hmmm. This day had to come at some point! So instead of letting it take its course without me, I’m diving into her romance world. Why? If I stay familiar with what’s going on, I can legitimately give input. Like, “So, it’s a little odd that that character would be so heartbroken because that guy didn’t talk to her when she’s only known him for a few days, isn’t it?” Or, “Now that’s the kind of guy who knows how to treat a girl…”

By being a part of the romance world (and sharing the experiences I remember from when I was her age), instead of condemning it, I can help counter the fantasy images that could put my daughter at risk for making bad relationship choices later.

So enter your daughter’s romance world and your son’s too, for that matter.

Here’s how to handle a boy crazy girl.

Pillow Talk: How do you think people choose who they’re going to fall in love with?

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5 Reasons You Need to Say No to Year-Round Sports for Your Kids

2014-09-12T08:00:00.000+10:00

Posted by iMOM

Have you succumbed to the pressure of year-round sports for your kids yet? We don’t mean doing baseball in the spring and football in the fall, we mean doing one sport all year, every month. It sounds like a good thing to do—find a sport that your child has a natural inclination for and help them reach their potential by concentrating on it solely. But that approach has more drawbacks than positives.

In fact, our pediatrician told us that doing one sport year round can hurt growing bodies. The experts back him up. Children’s bodies can’t handle the repetitive motion that playing one sport all year brings.

Here are 5 reasons you need to say no to year-round sports for your kids. Read more.

Pillow Talk: What sport would you like to try one day?

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Operation Summer Fun: Back to School Party Ideas for a Family Celebration!

2014-09-07T08:00:00.000+10:00

Posted by iMOM

For our last week of Operation Summer Fun, it’s time to throw a back to school party for your kids, and we have back to school party ideas to make your celebration a blast! We’re not talking a big bash here, just a family gathering where you can launch your children into the new school year with a lot of love and support.

We’ve had a back to school party at our house for several years now, and the kids love it. Our tradition is to let them choose the menu and then I plan a few dinnertime activities. I have them wear silly homemade crowns, their father escorts them into dinner—honored guest style—and I announce their entry with fanfare.

So celebrate the new school year with a back to school party! Here are 5 back to school party ideas for you!

Pillow Talk: What are you most looking forward to this coming school year?

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The Seasons of Marriage: Don’t Give up in the Winter

2014-09-01T08:00:00.000+10:00

Posted by iMOM

Have you ever noticed that certain areas of life go through cycles or seasons? There are seasons in your life as a parent, seasons in your friendships, and most definitely seasons in your marriage. When I see another marriage crumble, I sometimes wonder if they gave up in the midst of a marriage winter, unaware that spring was just around the corner!

All sorts of things in your marriage go through stages of growth and change: your level of empathy for one another, your ability to communicate well, your shared interests and, without a doubt, your sex life. Countless couples can attest to thinking certain areas of their marriage were straight-up dead, only to be pleasantly shocked by a burst of growth in their next marriage “spring.” But how do you survive until then? Here are 5 ways to survive the winter season of marriage.

Pillow Talk: Do you ever notice that the things you like change as you get older?

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Back to School Home Organization Ideas

2014-08-27T08:00:00.000+10:00

Posted by iMOM

If you’ve been through a school year with a house full of kids, you know that organization can be the difference between success and chaos. Whether it’s establishing a great space and routine for homework or study time, keeping smelly sports equipment corralled yet handy, streamlining the lunch-packing process, or managing the onslaught of papers that come home each week—setting up a few systems for doing the school year right will pay off in preserved sanity. Your sanity, Mom. And can you put too high a price on that? We didn’t think so…

Here’s how to dive in and get your home back-to-school ready!

Plus, Back to School Printables to make your life easier and the school year better!

Pillow Talk: Does having all of your homework and other things you need make your school day better? What else makes it good?

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How to Teach Your Son to Handle His Emotions

2014-08-22T08:00:00.000+10:00

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Boys need to remember one thing most of all when it comes to their feelings (especially anger)—they always have a choice for how to respond. So says author and pediatrician Meg Meeker. I hear her loud and clear on this because I have a boy on the cusp of puberty (hello, testosterone)—the entry point to manhood.

Dr Meeker explains that, when boys are still young, they need to learn that while their feelings can be intense, they do not need to be ruled by them. In fact, she says that moms can put it this way to her sons, “Are you going to allow your feelings to dominate your decisions, or are you going to take charge of them?”

Here’s how to teach your son to handle his emotions in a constructive way.

Pillow Talk: What is something that’s okay to do when you’re really mad about something?

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How to Keep First Things First in Your Family

2014-08-04T08:00:00.000+10:00

Posted by iMOM

The pace of life can make every day seem like a blur of going here, going there, and trying to get a million things done in the time you do have. Add a mom’s daily to-do list to that pace and you can easily forget to keep first things first.

That’s why moms need to really think about what’s most important to their family. Once we’ve done that—and I’m speaking to myself too, here!—we can make an effort to shape our lives around those most important things.

So here are five steps to figure out how to keep first things first in your family’s life. Read more.

Pillow Talk: What’s the most important thing in your life?

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Operation Summer Fun: How to Make Paint for Kids

2014-07-30T08:00:00.000+10:00

Posted by iMOM

Operation Summer Fun can help make your summer colorful! We’ve found four ways to make paint—bathtub paint, window paint, mess-free finger paint, and outdoor paint. All of these paint recipes are non-toxic, easy to make, and inexpensive to whip up too. So bring out the inner artist in your children this weekend, and be sure to check back next Friday for more Operation Summer Fun! Get your paint recipes here!

Pillow Talk: I have four ways we can make paint. Which one would you like to try?

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Home Organization 101: Family Room

2014-07-18T08:00:00.000+10:00

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A great family room is the epicenter of lots of fun: family game nights, sleepovers, movie marathons with popcorn, and the list goes on. But since it’s also the room where you frequently welcome guests into your home, you want it to look nice and be easy to tidy up! That's where a little good organization comes in.

Check out our tips and tricks for keeping all the essentials for family fun at your fingertips, while establishing a “home” for everything. It makes pick-up a breeze, even for the kids. We’ll show you practical, attractive ways to store games, electronics and other essentials so that your family room can put on its grown-up persona in a flash when needed. Read more.

Pillow Talk: What’s your favorite kind of family night?

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The Secret to Really Listening

2014-07-12T08:00:00.000+10:00

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I come from a family of talkers. Gather our crew in a room, and there’s no chance of an awkward silence falling. That’s a good thing. The bad part? We’re also a family of WORLD CLASS interrupters. If you want to finish your thought, you’d better spit it out fast and get a little loud at the end for insurance because somebody is sure to be responding before you’re even done.

That’s because we lack some serious listening skills. My people tend to listen specifically to formulate a response, rather than to understand what’s being said. And as soon as that response comes together in our brains we get so excited, we have to blurt it out. Immediately.

Kids—fairly or unfairly—often accuse their parents of simply not listening. It’s true that if you’re preparing to give the parental response the entire time your child is trying to explain her feelings, you’re going to miss some important things. So what does listening to understand your child look like? Read more.

Pillow Talk: Does it make you mad when someone interrupts you? Do you ever catch yourself interrupting other people when they talk?

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Why You Need to Let Your Kids Teach You

2014-06-28T08:00:00.000+10:00

Posted by iMOM

Who knew my son could be such a good teacher? I sure didn’t. I spend so much time instructing him that I never let him do the teaching. So when he hung up his new miniature indoor basketball net last week, I asked him for a tip or two. “Here, Mom,” he said in a patient tone. “Why don’t you try pulling your arm back like this and spin the ball underhanded?” It worked! I complimented him on his teaching and made a note to let him take that role more often.

Of course, I know that parents are the main teachers in a family, but it’s good to let our children hone their teaching skills too. They’ll need them one day at work, in friendships, and even in their own parenting days. So add these phrases to your conversations with your kids: “How do you do that? What’s the best way…?” and “What are your ideas for getting this done?”

Here are 15 phrases you should say to let your children teach you.

Pillow Talk: What’s one thing you can teach me how to do better?

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