I hear from Mothers often who are feeling a bit overwhelmed and need a bit of instant help. Today's instant help tip is to find a Mommy's helper. This is especially great for moms who are juggling multiple kiddos under the age of 6 or 7 years old. Let me explain.
A Mommy's Helper is usually a young person who comes to assist you on a regular basis. This could be as little as once or twice a month or as much as two or three times a week. What would really help you? Maybe it would be most helpful to have someone play with your little ones on laundry day. Maybe it would be best to have someone reading to your youngsters while you are schooling some older children. Maybe having the ability to get a great workout in the basement twice a week knowing that your precious blessings are entertained and safe, is what you need. What would really help you?
A good mommy's helper is typically between the ages of 10 and 14 years old. They are usually the type of children that gravitate towards the youngest members at any event or gathering. When looking for a candidate for your helper, I recommend looking at who is helping in the nursery or children's ministry at church; watch who comes up to the new babies and wants to make them smile or coo; think about what young ladies connect with your children when you are at an event or activity. Remember, you are going to be home working when they are in your home, so you don't necessarily need to find the MOST responsible or MOST mature helper, you are looking for someone who is good at playing with children.
Before finding a helper consider when you want the helper and what they might be doing. If you are wanting someone in the mornings, look into the homeschool community in your area. If after school works great, then look into those that might not be heavily involved in sports or other after school activities. If you can't really find any youngsters to help, then think about looking at "Grandmas." There are often grandma type ladies who either don't have grandchildren of their own or who live very far away from their grandchildren. Many of them would love to come and play with, rock with, or read with your little ones. You would probably be blessing them as much as they are blessing you!
Our two oldest daughters both have experience as a mommy helper outside our home (all of our kiddos help me inside our home). If you have a daughter who likes helping with little ones, this is a great way for them to get some experience so they will be ready to babysit one day on their own. A mommy's helper is never left alone with the children and is working on developing both babysitting and parenting skills. It is also a great way for them to make a little money that is just their own.
That is right, I said make a little money. I know of a few mommy helpers that help for community service hours, but most are wanting to get paid. Now, don't loose hope already, the helpers I know get paid very little because the mom is still ultimately responsible for their child. The helper is never left alone. The mommy helpers I know get paid between $2 and $3 an hour. There is really no reason to pay more because you are also offering your helpers the experience and help needed to become the best babysitter in town. And with your glowing references, she will be earning a great wage in the near future.
I know that us "supermom's" have the need to act like we have it all together, but let me encourage you to take a look at your home and see if a Mommy Helper is right for you. I know many woman who have been blessed by them and I am sure you will be too. I for one, could not survive my weeks without my helpers!
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Where, In The World, Is The Church?
In the last couple of months there seems to have been an abundance of things happening that make me shake my head and wonder. So many disappointing choices being made in our country and society. How did we get here? Have we as Christians removed ourselves from this world so much that we no longer have any influence?
Don't misunderstand me, I truly see the value in removing ourselves from this world. Our family is NOT your typical American family. We do many things differently and I am sure many people would call us weird or maybe even some different names. We have chosen to live how we do because we feel it is best for our entire family and how we live aligns with how we view scripture. Romans 12:2 tells us to "not conform to the pattern of this world," and 1 Peter 1:14 instructs us to "not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance." There are many more scriptures advising us to be careful with how we choose to live our life and I totally agree, we need to be very careful.
I wonder though if our "being careful" and "not conforming" has actually led to us removing ourselves completely. No, that was an incorrect statement, I don't wonder if we have removed ourselves completely, I know that many of us have. Many of us have turned our focus to our family and our faith and have almost ignored what is going on around us. I am guilty of this also. I have been so immersed in raising a Godly family that I have neglected to stay involved in my local politics, I have neglected to encourage young Christian artists, I have neglected to see the importance of speaking the TRUTH in LOVE. I have chosen to avoid the conflict and focus on my home. In part, I am to blame for where we are today.
Maybe you are wondering what I am talking about....what is wrong with our society and country? I am struggling with new policies: common core curriculum, mandatory abortion insurance, loss of parental rights to government commitees. The entertainment industry is to the point of shocking me on a regular basis, the Grammy's are the latest example where people who call themselves artists are basically having sex right there on your television. I am not really sure how that makes them better singers or write better songs. The medical and science industries working to terminate and manipulate life instead of preserve and treasure it. How did we get this place in time?
I mentioned that I felt one contributing factor was that many of us have removed ourselves from the world's everyday business, but I also feel that there are many in the church that are weakening the Church's influence. When groups of people claiming to be Christ followers are picketing funerals, schools and families; or when cults and extreme religious practices are given television time; or leaders in the church hide abuse or other mistreatments, it sends a mixed message to unbelievers. Many in the world have begun to believe that Christians are some sort of "radicals" and we live our life based on some obscure imaginary reality. The struggles and battles within the church itself is weakening our credibility. It seems to me that there are many in our world that won't even listen to the point of view of a Bible believing Christian because of their personal experiences and media based bias. It is very sad, but it is possible that the Church has become its own worst enemy.
Now what? Well, that is a good question. Is the Christian influence so far removed that there is really nothing we can do? Or, can we as individuals make a difference? Can we start small, in our own communities, and start sharing Christ's love with one another? Can we reach out to the needs we see around us? Can we come along people without judgment, full of compassion and start erasing some of these negative misconceptions? Yes, I think we can. I think that each of us being active disciples of Christ will help us regain some credibility and put the Church back in the world in a positive way. Let's encourage one another to speak the truth in love, reach out with compassion to those near us and reenter the world as a influential voice!
Don't misunderstand me, I truly see the value in removing ourselves from this world. Our family is NOT your typical American family. We do many things differently and I am sure many people would call us weird or maybe even some different names. We have chosen to live how we do because we feel it is best for our entire family and how we live aligns with how we view scripture. Romans 12:2 tells us to "not conform to the pattern of this world," and 1 Peter 1:14 instructs us to "not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance." There are many more scriptures advising us to be careful with how we choose to live our life and I totally agree, we need to be very careful.
I wonder though if our "being careful" and "not conforming" has actually led to us removing ourselves completely. No, that was an incorrect statement, I don't wonder if we have removed ourselves completely, I know that many of us have. Many of us have turned our focus to our family and our faith and have almost ignored what is going on around us. I am guilty of this also. I have been so immersed in raising a Godly family that I have neglected to stay involved in my local politics, I have neglected to encourage young Christian artists, I have neglected to see the importance of speaking the TRUTH in LOVE. I have chosen to avoid the conflict and focus on my home. In part, I am to blame for where we are today.
Maybe you are wondering what I am talking about....what is wrong with our society and country? I am struggling with new policies: common core curriculum, mandatory abortion insurance, loss of parental rights to government commitees. The entertainment industry is to the point of shocking me on a regular basis, the Grammy's are the latest example where people who call themselves artists are basically having sex right there on your television. I am not really sure how that makes them better singers or write better songs. The medical and science industries working to terminate and manipulate life instead of preserve and treasure it. How did we get this place in time?
I mentioned that I felt one contributing factor was that many of us have removed ourselves from the world's everyday business, but I also feel that there are many in the church that are weakening the Church's influence. When groups of people claiming to be Christ followers are picketing funerals, schools and families; or when cults and extreme religious practices are given television time; or leaders in the church hide abuse or other mistreatments, it sends a mixed message to unbelievers. Many in the world have begun to believe that Christians are some sort of "radicals" and we live our life based on some obscure imaginary reality. The struggles and battles within the church itself is weakening our credibility. It seems to me that there are many in our world that won't even listen to the point of view of a Bible believing Christian because of their personal experiences and media based bias. It is very sad, but it is possible that the Church has become its own worst enemy.
Now what? Well, that is a good question. Is the Christian influence so far removed that there is really nothing we can do? Or, can we as individuals make a difference? Can we start small, in our own communities, and start sharing Christ's love with one another? Can we reach out to the needs we see around us? Can we come along people without judgment, full of compassion and start erasing some of these negative misconceptions? Yes, I think we can. I think that each of us being active disciples of Christ will help us regain some credibility and put the Church back in the world in a positive way. Let's encourage one another to speak the truth in love, reach out with compassion to those near us and reenter the world as a influential voice!
Saturday, February 8, 2014
You Are Doing Great!
A debate that has lasted for decades....work in the home mom vs. work outside the home mom. It seems silly to me that we need to debate who is working harder and who is doing the most good for their family. It is just like when our older girls have the "who is smarter" or "who is more talented" argument. Really? They are both smart and both talented, there is no reason to put the other person down and make it a competition.
I have had experience as a mom who worked outside the home full-time, a mom who worked outside the home part-time and a mom who works full-time inside the home. I can tell you from my experience they are all challenging jobs. It is not any easier to work outside the home or inside the home. All aspects of raising a family take a great deal of work, it doesn't need to be a competition.
The one difference I have noticed when working both inside and outside the home, is the need for affirmation. Most people who work outside the home receive affirmation in the shape of a pay check, job reviews, promotions and other incentives. Mom's who work inside the home will often get hugs, thank you's, and smiles. However, these affirmations are not always as gratifying as those from outside the home because these affirmations are often followed by temper tantrums, argumentative teens and a seemingly endless job description.
No matter if you work inside or outside the home, if you are investing in your children, you are doing a great job! Don't allow the view of others to make you feel less than you are. Our children deserve the time and energy we give them, and they deserve a mom who is confident that she is making the best choice for her family. All children deserve this confident mom, so please be generous with affirming words to the moms around you. Being a mom is hard work, let us stop competing and start blessing.
Be confident that God has chosen these children to be in your home because He knew that you were the best mom for them. Let me encourage you to continue to pray for God to lead you as you raise these children. With His love and guidance you can know for sure that you are doing a great job!
I have had experience as a mom who worked outside the home full-time, a mom who worked outside the home part-time and a mom who works full-time inside the home. I can tell you from my experience they are all challenging jobs. It is not any easier to work outside the home or inside the home. All aspects of raising a family take a great deal of work, it doesn't need to be a competition.
The one difference I have noticed when working both inside and outside the home, is the need for affirmation. Most people who work outside the home receive affirmation in the shape of a pay check, job reviews, promotions and other incentives. Mom's who work inside the home will often get hugs, thank you's, and smiles. However, these affirmations are not always as gratifying as those from outside the home because these affirmations are often followed by temper tantrums, argumentative teens and a seemingly endless job description.
No matter if you work inside or outside the home, if you are investing in your children, you are doing a great job! Don't allow the view of others to make you feel less than you are. Our children deserve the time and energy we give them, and they deserve a mom who is confident that she is making the best choice for her family. All children deserve this confident mom, so please be generous with affirming words to the moms around you. Being a mom is hard work, let us stop competing and start blessing.
Be confident that God has chosen these children to be in your home because He knew that you were the best mom for them. Let me encourage you to continue to pray for God to lead you as you raise these children. With His love and guidance you can know for sure that you are doing a great job!
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