Day 12 - Creating Margin

Today we are talking about margin! Not the space around that 8x11 piece of paper but creating margin in your life and your tween and teen. What does this look like? How can we do this? I often think that the one good thing I'm passing onto my children is how to be busy. I mean I've probably been the best example of being busy. Parents, we need to create margin in our lives in order to achieve balance. When our tanks are running on reserve we don't have any left over to parent successfully or be generous to others. You can't live your best life in the negative.

I share how my son and I had an opportunity to create margin and make some tough choices about his schedule. There will be times when you will have to say no to even really good opportunities. Fear not parents! God is right beside us guiding us. In addition to the scripture shared in this video, here are some others to encourage you today on your parenting journey!

Matthew 6:34
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Proverbs 11:1 The Lord abhors dishonest scales, but an accurate weight is his delight.

Isaiah 40:12
Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?
Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?

Genesis 2:2-3
And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.


Creating margin






Be Blessed sweet friends as you continue to Parent you Tween and Teen!

Sherry

Day 11 - Creating an Appetite for Discipline

I'm inspired today as I am reading through the book of Deuteronomy. It seems when I'm diving into God's word about parenting, I'm brought right back to this book in the Bible. You might be thinking, "How can a book in the Old Testament really help me today in my parenting journey?" Well, friend it is a book that Jesus quotes many times. This book of final words written by Moses to the Israelite people gives us great insight about parenting and some practical applications as well. If its good enough for Jesus, then its worth checking out!

Moses spoke often of obedience. What kind of obedience? Well, obedience with our heart, our will, our mind, our body, our finances and our future. Doesn't this sound like a playbook for parenting? We are ultimately training up our children to walk in obedience to Christ in all these areas. Its about creating discipline in all these areas!

Deuteronomy 8:3, "He did all of this to teach you that people need more than bread for their life; real life comes by feeding on every word of the Lord." Are you creating an appetite for discipline in your children or do they crave rebellion and utter freedom from any kind of rules? Do they obey you on the first try or do they test you over and over again? Think about the following.

My commentary breaks it down like this:
If we are truly obedient then we must do it with:
Our Hearts - Loving Him more than any relationship, activity, achievement, or possession.
Our Will - By committing ourselves completely to him.
Our Mind - By seeking to know him and his Word; so that it may form the foundation of all we think and do.
Our Body - By recognizing that our strengths, talents, and sexuality are all given to us by God to be used for pleasure and fulfillment according to his rules, not ours.
Our Finances - By deciding that all of our resources we have ultimately come from God, and that we are to be managers of them and not owners.
Our Future - By deciding to make service to God and man the main purpose of our life's work.

Now, I'm going to challenge you. How to you measure up to these? As a parent we do want to instill in our children a love for God's word and his commandments. Teaching obedience begins from a very young age. It is much easier to handle a young child's disobedience than to deal with a teenagers rebellion. Its a tough job, but I know that you are up to the challenge.

God's word is so clear. In Chapter 11, Moses writes about the blessing of obedience. When I think about teaching my children obedience, In the midst of the struggle I remind myself of the end goal. Ultimately when we obey all the commands, and if you Love the Lord with all your heart and soul and if you worship him, he will send the rains in their proper seasons so you can harvest crops of grain, grapes for wine, and olives for oil. (v13)One day, we shall see the harvest in our children. Obedience is nothing more than self-discipline! We have to have cultivate this in our children!

How do we create an appetite for discipline in our children? Here's my top 5.
1. Be the parent - stay engaged at ALL TIMES! This is not the time for a substitution or for sitting the bench, stay in the game.
2. Be praying - Pray constantly for your children and let them know you are praying. I always communicate this to my children
3. Be obedient - The best example for our children is Jesus, closely followed by you, THE PARENT! Practice being obedient in your own life. Own up to your kids when you fail. Let them see JESUS working IN YOU!
4. Be encouraging - It can be easy to focus on the negatives of parenting, and your child's failure. But each day find something to compliment them on. Never let them leave the house without an edifying word (even if your upset with them). I'll often say, "God has a calling on your life...don't miss it! or Look for Jesus as you go through your day today!"
5. Be humble - Show up for parenting each day with a new attitude! Don't give in to the world's definition of terrible teens. It is easy to want to be right as a parent, remember when we humble ourselves to Christ and our children, it is a great way to learn wisdom!

I hope you've enjoyed today's post! God is always working on this momma's heart! I hope your inspired, encouraged and reminded of the top 5 ways you can give your children an appetite for discipline!

Blessings!
Sherry

Day 10 Tips for Dealing with a Picky Eater

You might think I'm talking about a toddler. But I'm actually talking about your teenager! Click on the youtube video below and see my helpful tips for dealing with your picky eater. This is my first video blog or vlog as they call it in the blogging world. Love to hear what you think!





Be blessed sweet friends and continue to check back for more 31 Day Journey of Parenting Tweens & Teens!

Sherry

Getting a Glimpse

I interrupt my 31 Day blogging to bring you a great post by a fellow blogger I've followed for several years. Her 31 Day journey is about being a Mentoring Mom. Today, I totally felt her post! I felt I was being mentored and totally needed to hear this. I just had to share it as my 31 Day Journey of Tweens & Teens is moving right along! Plus, it was right on topic!

This post reminded me that I do want to be FRONT AND CENTER for my son as he moves into manhood. I'm not giving up or giving in and am grateful to watch his heart follow Jesus and become the future makings of a great husband, provider, and father one day. To get a glimpse of his heart along the journey is such a privilege that I won't soon forget! Even the hard days, the wrong choices, and the mistakes all give me a glimpse in how God is shaping and molding him to become a strong and mighty force for the kingdom!


Whether you have a teen right now or just young boys, I hope you pop over to this post and read. It is a great reminder that we are all on a journey! We've been given such an amazing task as a mother! Don't give up, and be the mom they need!


Balancing Beauty and Bedlam Terrible Teens, I beg to differ.

Oh sweet friends, it truly doesn't have to be the terrible teens! God offers us so much more than terrible! Seeking His leading during these transition years is so important. God truly has given you everything you need to fulfill this parenting role. Just trust in His guidance and keep pursuing His wisdom!

Blessings!
Sherry

Continue to follow all the 31 Day post HERE! and at The Nester.