Commercialism has reduced Easter to candies and bunnies. Now, I am not against having some Peeps, I love those marshmallow treats once a year. But I think we should teach our children that Easter, just like Christmas, has a greater meaning besides the presents and food. It is traditional for Christians to fast around Easter [...]
When I taught the children Sunday School class about what Good Friday meant – that it was the day that Jesus died on the cross, a five-year-old in the class asked, with a crestfallen face, “Is Jesus dead now?” Explaining Easter to children can be tricky. We don’t often talk about death, and death is [...]
Dennis Rainey of Family Life tells this cute story: As Grandpa Bob drove into the driveway he could see his 4-year-old granddaughter, Julie, and a couple of her friends playing in the backyard. It was almost Easter and he wanted to know how much these children knew about the Easter story. Approaching the three little [...]
Before I leave off for the year 2009 to enjoy Christmas vacation with my family, I want to leave you with a quick recommendation that I believe will benefit your family. Each year I read this book to my children at Christmas time. The Tale of the Three Trees is a moving story with a [...]
I happened to come across the Shrek Christmas show on TV last week. I am not a fan of Shrek movies. I think some of the humor and themes are not appropriate for kids while making itself out to be a children’s movie. Anyway, back to the point, this Christmas show had Shrek trying to [...]
A reader asks, “What do I do with my kids when they complain that they’re bored?” Does it irk you when kids say, “I’m bored!”? While substituting a 4th grade class, a girl came up to me during recess and said, “I’m bored!” I looked at her and said, “And your point is…?” My sarcasm [...]
I am so excited! Tomorrow my daughter will be coming home from college for 3 weeks of Christmas vacation! Christmas holidays gives many natural opportunities to spend time together with our children. My younger daughter and I went Christmas shopping for her friends today. We wrapped Christmas presents together with Christmas music in the background. [...]
How do you help your children budget for Christmas gifts for their friends? What do you do when your children want to buy an expensive gift for a friend they don’t know that well? Is it ok to say, “You can’t spend that much on someone you don’t know that well.”? Does it sound like [...]
“The economy is tough this year, please don’t worry about spending much; I am telling my kids not to expect much from people, it is the thought that counts.” That email from my sister-in-law reminded me to have that talk with my own kids this year. How about you? Have you prepared your children yet? Here [...]
I’m going out to buy the turkey today…and getting ready to feed 20+ people at my house on Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It’s not a huge ado with presents and all that, but it’s enough of an excuse to bake pecan pies and pumpkin bread, get the house cleaned up, and [...]
Can you imagine not being busy for the holidays? It’s almost sacrilegious. But this year, I am determined to take it easy. 1. Easy gifts. I am giving everyone Kiva gift cards. It’s good for me and good for the world. 2. Easy decorations. Hang up strands of of lights, everywhere, indoor and out. Lights [...]
In Southern California, we are really feeling “winter” fast approaching…with high of 83 degrees today. For the rest of those in the Northern Hemisphere, here is an inexpensive cool item to get for the holidays. Set up and clean up is easy. This makes a great family night for the holidays. Make a crockpot of [...]
It’s not just turkey and pumpkin pie. Celebrating the holidays provides a natural avenue to pass on our beliefs to our children. I highly recommend reading this book together as a family – Thanksgiving – A Time To Remember by Barbara Rainey This book tells not only the historical story of the Pilgrims, but it [...]
Beginning of November marks for me the beginning of the holiday season! What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Thanksgiving and Christmas? Food? Shopping? Stress? Celebrating the holidays is not merely for the food and fun even though we certainly look forward to those. Holidays are also an [...]
