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CTC Readers' Poll:
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"One of my favorite stories is about the young girl who was riding in the car one rainy day with her dad and she turns to him and says, 'God is like our windshield wiper.' When her dad asks her why, she says, 'People are like the windshield and sin is like the rain and God is the wiper because every time sin comes into our lives, God is faithful to wipe it away so we can see where we're headed.'" ~ Phyllis "I have five young children under the age of 10 years old. EVERY moment is ateachable moment in our house! I personally think the most effective way to teach your children values is to LIVE those values. Be an example because kids never forget what their parents did and how they handled different situations. Also, I try to take the opportunity in each conversation to reinforce our values. For instance, if my kids tell me about someone who is bullying them at school, first I make sure they understand that it's OK to go to a teacher for help. Then I mention that Jesus told us to pray for people who antagonize us, which I know is an unconventional teaching these days. I think at the very least it give my kids a chance to 're-frame' the situation and not get caught up in being a victim." ~ Rebecca "I love and treasure the teachable moments I had with my kids when they were babies/ toddlers. When my son was 2, every night when I got him out of the bath tub as I had him wrapped up in a towel we would recite the alphabet. I would say the letter then he would repeat it. The funniest part was when we got to the letter 'U'. I would say, 'U' and he would reply with 'Me.' And then we'd get to 'W' and I would say, 'W' with which he replied, 'Double Me.' My children are now 14 and 16. I find that the majority of teachable moments especially with my daughter (the 16-year-old) are the ones that will hopefully guide her to becoming the best person she can be. In the car ride home from school after we have dropped off the various friends she had offered rides home to throughout the day; she will begin to tell me about her day. As 16 year old girls can be sometimes, her conversation sometimes becomes a bit gossipy. After she's done with her story I try to play devil's advocate and get her to put herself in the position of the person she was gossiping about and also throw in the actual act of gossiping. After a few rounds of debating the issue, more often then not I get her to see the point I'm making. It seems to be working because I overheard her telling a friend the other day on the phone, '...you should really try to put yourself in her shoes....' The amount of maternal satisfaction in that one sentence was just absolutely wonderful! Of course, I'll tell her I know she does listen to me ... when she's a few years older and can appreciate the statement. At this age she'd only say, 'Moooooommmmmmmm!' I absolutely love your newsletter. I look forward to it each month.
Thank you so much for the wonderful hints and tidbits. I've used &
shared so many of them." ~ Tauna
"I find that the most valuable and memorable moments for my children are the ones where it is me, not them, who has to learn something! For example, my youngest son vividly remembers the time when a bird flew into the house and I had to be brave - I hate birds - and carry it in my hands and take it outside. We prayed that Jesus would give me courage beforehand - and now when we talk about God helping us, it's the bird he remembers! And then there was the time when I had to eat tomatoes - something else I'm not keen on - at a friend's house. It sounds like a little thing, but seeing Mummy eating something he knew I didn't like, and then afterwards me telling him, yes, it was hard to eat and no, I didn't enjoy it, made a real impact on my eldest son. I think being a parent is all about modeling the behavior I want to see in my children. It's really hard! But bring on the teachable moments - I watch out for them for me, first, and my children, second. I have a long way to go and a lot to learn." ~ Trudi
Editor's Note: Thanks to all these readers who took time to write! |