Related Articles from the News
‘How Was Your Day?’: Getting Your Kids to Answer this Simple Question
It's a simple question, but sometimes it's hard to get your children to answer it. Here's what I discovered works when asking my son about his day at school. "How was school?" "Good." "What did you get up to?" Silence. "Who did you play with?" Silence. My life has come to this. After years of begging my child to be ...
You Won’t Believe What Love and Nurture Does to Your Child’s Brain
Some parents worry that too much nurture can make children co-dependent. But the risk of too little is worse. You won't believe what love and nurture does to your child's brain. "I wish I hadn't cuddled my babies so much," said no mother, ever! It's probably one piece of parenting advice I'm glad I didn't take. Amongst the dozens and ...
Every Mother’s Worst Fear
What is your worst fear as a mother? Mine is losing one of my children -- and that's exactly what happened to me recently! I lost Magdalene at the shops on Monday, and it scared me like nothing else. One moment, she was standing with other children her age watching a playdough show. The next, she was nowhere to be ...
On Having the Perfect Plan for Your Children
God's wisdom and plans are greater than ours. It is tempting to chart our children's lives for them, but even better is when we let God take the wheel – directing our lives and our children's lives too. Do you already have the “perfect” plan designed for your children’s lives? As parents, I believe this is a particularly difficult area ...
Where Your Treasure Is, There Your Heart Will Be Also
What do your children value? Reflecting on the way children treasure the simplest things can teach us important lessons in life about what we treasure. My girls are obsessed with little bits and pieces. Their bits and pieces might be a compilation of parts from toys, Barbie accessories, bracelets or plastic jewellery. They love anything little. It’s the kind of ...
International Men’s Day is a Defence for Men and Women
International Men's Day is more relevant than ever. Celebrating this important day is the key, not just to defending men – but women, children and families as well. In two weeks we will mark International Men's Day, on Friday 19th November. So why should we celebrate International Men's Day? The Revolution is Here Ten years ago, its celebration was an ...
Finding the Sweet Spot in Parenting
Parenting comes with so many challenges. But the biggest challenge of all is stopping to enjoy the joys – the 'sweet spots' – of parenting. This year has been one of the most challenging years of parenting for me. In some ways, I assumed this year would be easier because Esther would be at kindy, and I’d only have Maggie ...
An Open Letter to Kids Church Leaders
An open letter to kids church leaders: you are doing more for our children than you realise. Praise God for your ministry! For 15 years, I’ve served in kids church or children's ministry at different churches and denominations. During that time, I worked almost solely with 2-4 year olds. Through those years, I wondered about the impact it had on ...
How to Make a Chocolate Nativity Scene
It’s November, which means next month is Christmas. It will come sooner than you think. Here’s a Christmas recipe to tuck away, ready for the silly season. Recently, I had a crazy idea of creating a Christmas nativity scene out of chocolate. If I’m honest, I’m no food blogger. I have previously shared a photo of my Christmas shortbread: it ...
Involved Fathers Are Indispensable
The role that involved fathers play is vital. The opposite is also true: uninvolved fathers can cause significant wounds. But even these wounds can be redeemed to help others. “An engaged and loving father is the most powerful man-making force on the planet,” writes Earl Hipp in his perceptive article titled Healing the Absent Father Wound. He goes on: The opposite ...
