We have 8 weeks worth of Challenges for you ladies.
Each week will have the same format and sections:
The assignment, Motivation (verse), Explanation, Purpose, Final Objective, Additional Information (which will include notes from linkmama or Rivergallery, or verses etc), and Links (which will have websites or book recommendations that might help you complete your assignment).
Each week there will be verses posted as our motivation for the assignment, memorization might be a lot of fun, and putting scripture in our hearts is always a good thing.
Week One
This weeks assignment: Read through the book of Proverbs, and introduce yourself and your child(ren) who are going to be traveling with us.
Motivation -
Now, O women, hear the word of the LORD; open your ears to the words of his mouth. Jeremiah 9:20
Explanation -
Try and read through the whole book of Proverbs, write down what stands out to you. If you can not get through the whole book, do not fret, but try to read as much as you can. It is 31 chapters so averaging 4 1/2 chapters a night we can do it! Post general feelings or ideas or favorite verses. If you are up for it consider memorizing a verse or if really ambitious a whole chapter in Proverbs! If you do not finish reading all of Proverbs this week we encourage you to finish during these coming weeks.
You may be thinking, oh geez, linkmama and Rivergallery got me all excited and now I have to read the Bible. How boring, I thought this was going to be a fun and interactive set of challenges to do with my kids. Well remember our purpose for these Heart String Tying Challenges. It is to establish a relationship with your children that is based on the Word. How will we be able to have a strong relationship that is based in the word if we do not read it, and if we do not know what it says? The Proverbs are full of themes like wisdom, avoiding slothfulness, charity, love, grace, and obedience. We need to raise our children with the wisdom Solomon so willingly passed on to us from the Lord.
One Homeschooling family that Rivergallery knows reads through the Proverbs monthly. It works out very well as there are 31 Proverbs. On shorter months they double up at the end. Consider Challenging your whole family to read one chapter in Proverbs a day, and discussing what you learn not only with us but with them.
Purpose -
Find what God's Word says about discipline, wisdom and tying heart strings.
Final Objective -
Become women of the word.
Additional Information -
There are 31 chapters of Proverbs, and I encourage you to take this journey into the word with us. We are both excited that you all have joined us. One fun activity if you would like is to read the Proverbs to your children and give them crayons or markers and some paper and have them illustrate the Proverbs.
Links -
Bible Online
Raising Godly Tomatoes Mainpage
Article at No Greater Joy
Generations of Light
Week Two
This weeks assignment: Teach your child one new chore.
Motivation-
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. 1 Thess 4:11-12
Explanation -
This does not mean you tell them the chore and walk off. This is a heart tying activity. Show them how to do it and do it well, and make sure they understand your expectations. Make sure your attitude is cheerful and light. Have fun with your child! Post what chore you taught or practiced and how it went. Do you think it will be a regular habit or a one time chore? Did you find it valuable to set time aside to train them to do a chore?
Purpose -
To tie strings of fellowship with your child while teaching them a valuable life long skill. To teach the children to be cheerful while doing what they need to do in their current role in the home now, as well as in the future. In addition, this will make your daily grind easier.
Final Objective -
Raise kids up to strong adults that know how to run an efficient household.
Anecdote -
Rivergallery's sons really love cleaning the floors. She gets out a medium size bowl with soapy water, and hand each boy a rag or sponge and they have a fun time soaping up everything in the kitchen. When it is sufficiently slathered Rivergallery takes a large bath towel and dries it all off. The kids are filled with happiness of doing something together. And also confident as they did a great job, on their "own".
Links -
Chore list
Another Chore List
Chore Chart
Fly Lady
Managers of Their Chores (MOTC)
Managers Of The Home (MOTH)
Motivated Moms
Homekeeping Journal -
Week Three
This weeks assignment: Become a student of your child.
Motivation -
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9 (NIV)
Explanation -
This week, your job is to observe your child's heart. Become a student of your child. WATCH his or her responses and make sure they are cheerful and obedient and he or she has his or her heart turned toward you. Watch for things like eye rolling, sighing, mumbling under his breath, subtle disobedience, slowness, and other passive aggressive behavior. Write it down or post about it and determine to address this subtle behavior and make sure your child's heart is turned toward you. (Now of course we should all be doing this all the time, but this is designed to be training US as moms to be more observant and not so distracted) Please let us know how it goes even if you want to be vague. How did your observation skills improve, post one thing you learned about your child's heart.
Purpose -
Remove hidden rebellion. Be a super aware parent. Get to know your child better, especially his/her heart. Turn your child's heart to you so you can turn it towards God.
Final Objective-
Have a Child who loves God and grows up into a strong Christan adult.
Additional Information -
We are all growing together on this journey, the message-board is full of anecdotes, and ideas for this week. So for EXTRA CREDIT take a look around and post a link to something that helped you with your child this week.
Links/Book Recommendations -
Raising Godly Tomatoes Main Page
Child Training Tips by Reb Bradley
Week Four
This weeks assignment: Teach your child to make something in the Kitchen
Motivation-
Deuteronomy 11:13, 19 ...love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. --- Teach these to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Explanation -
If we are to teach them all day long, then they must be with us. Both boys and girls should have proficiency in the Kitchen. Teach your child one recipe, it can be as simple as making a PB&J sandwich for the 4 year olds, to baking a pumpkin pie, complete with a crust. Post the recipe that you use, and any history behind it. Also of course post how it goes, and photos if possible.
Purpose -
To have children that can complete a task, enjoy cooking, baking and other kitchen tasks.
Final Objective -
To give the kids a set of staple recipes that they can recreate on their own.
Additional Information -
One thing Rivergallery's mom taught her to do in the kitchen is to can peaches and pears. They would go to the valley and bring home boxes of fresh fruit. Pull out the canning jars, lids and rings. Rivergallery was in charge of peeling and peeling and peeling. Then was taught how to layer them in the jars. They would put up a good couple dozen jars every year. So involve your kids in the kitchen, have fun, create healthier food, and pass on a cherished skill.
Resources -
Recipes
Pretend Soup and other real recipes by Mollie Katzen and Ann Henderson
Week Five
This weeks assignment: Play a game or do a fun activity with your child.
Motivation -
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
Explanation -
Find a new game or activity to do with your child. It can be something simple like hide and seek..or have a pillow fight! We are not suggesting you go BUY anything here. Laugh and relax and do not think about your "to do list" while playing! Is there something your child is often asking you to do or play, and you say, "not now?" Does your child love crafts and you dislike them and keep putting your child off? Now is the week to change that and do something that your child enjoys. Plan to do this activity or game, or a variety of games or activities at least 2-3 times this week if you can. Post and tell all what you played and how fun it was, and how much fun it was to actually do stuff with your kiddos.
Purpose -
Tying heart strings to your child. To enjoy spending time with your child, and for your child to enjoy fellowshipping with you as well. This will actually help with FTO!
Final Objective -
Have a great relationship with you child(ren). Have children that can come to you with their worries and concerns, and enjoy spending time with their family more than their friends. To model and practice selflessness and fellowship.
Anecdote-
When Rivergallery was young, on rainy days when everyone was home they would pull out board games. Not just board games. Each family member picked 1-2 games, and they would hold a competition. A carnival of sorts as one game inevitably was fishing for prizes over the back of Daddy's easy chair. Who ever won the most games got to pick their reward. Before the contest they would write down what they wanted, Rivergallery always put have everyone clean her room for a week. Her dad would put help him in the garage, and Mom always put help in the kitchen. Dad usually won so after the contest they all headed into the garage. Even that work for "loosing" was fun, as they were together.
Links -
Tracy's Book Nook
1001 ways to connect with our kids by James R Lucas
100 Fun things to do with your Family
20 Fun things to do with your Kids
Cheap craft projects
Motivation -
And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
Explanation -
Find a new game or activity to do with your child. It can be something simple like hide and seek..or have a pillow fight! We are not suggesting you go BUY anything here. Laugh and relax and do not think about your "to do list" while playing! Is there something your child is often asking you to do or play, and you say, "not now?" Does your child love crafts and you dislike them and keep putting your child off? Now is the week to change that and do something that your child enjoys. Plan to do this activity or game, or a variety of games or activities at least 2-3 times this week if you can. Post and tell all what you played and how fun it was, and how much fun it was to actually do stuff with your kiddos.
Purpose -
Tying heart strings to your child. To enjoy spending time with your child, and for your child to enjoy fellowshipping with you as well. This will actually help with FTO!
Final Objective -
Have a great relationship with you child(ren). Have children that can come to you with their worries and concerns, and enjoy spending time with their family more than their friends. To model and practice selflessness and fellowship.
Anecdote-
When Rivergallery was young, on rainy days when everyone was home they would pull out board games. Not just board games. Each family member picked 1-2 games, and they would hold a competition. A carnival of sorts as one game inevitably was fishing for prizes over the back of Daddy's easy chair. Who ever won the most games got to pick their reward. Before the contest they would write down what they wanted, Rivergallery always put have everyone clean her room for a week. Her dad would put help him in the garage, and Mom always put help in the kitchen. Dad usually won so after the contest they all headed into the garage. Even that work for "loosing" was fun, as they were together.
Links -
Tracy's Book Nook
1001 ways to connect with our kids by James R Lucas
100 Fun things to do with your Family
20 Fun things to do with your Kids
Cheap craft projects
Week Six
This weeks assignment: Introduce your child to a new hobby.
Motivation -
Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. Ecclesiastes 11:6
Explanation -
Teach your child something new. Many of us have the "Dangerous Book for Boys"--if you have it, look through it and plan to teach your son a new skill. If you have a daughter, think of something you would like to teach her. This is something that can be worked on all YEAR, so don't think you have to choose something small. It could be scrapbooking, sewing, knitting, knot tying, model building, woodcrafts...the sky is the limit! Post and tell us what hobby you started your child on, if they enjoyed it or thought of something they would enjoy better, also please tell us some of your hobbies.
Purpose -
To give your child(ren) activities that are purposeful, meaningful and of the Lord.
Final Objective-
Have children busy with positive things, that are busy making creating and growing in the Lord. That grow into adults who occupy their time in Godly pursuits.
Additional Information -
Linkmama's boys LOVE to draw, color and trace (esp my 7 year old). They are collecting the 50 state quarters. They do a nature study once a week that they all enjoy. She has the Contenders book for boys and her husband and her have done quite a few projects in there with them Her 9 year old DS has badges in library, jacknife, fire safety, rocketry, tools, woodworking, first aid and small engine repair. Her family finds time in the evenings or weekends to work on these with the boys.
Links -
Dangerous Book for Boys
Daring Book for Girls
Keepers of the Faith
Scrapbooking
Sewing
Knitting
Knot Tying
Model building
Wood crafts
Week Seven
This weeks assignment: Go somewhere new!
Motivation-
Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14
Explanation -
Take your child or children somewhere they have not been. Or at least not for a long time. Somewhere fun for them and special for you both. It could be a museum, local historical site or restaurant.. even McD's if you don't frequent there. This is only for kids who you have FTO with. Watch your child and live a bit vicariously.
Purpose -
Introduce your child to a new environment. Experience something new together.
Final Objective -
Have well trained children in public. Enjoy what your local area has to offer.
Anecdote -
Rivergallery loves to take her boys to new restaurants in her area. Since she enjoys trying new places she takes one or both of her boys with her when they are hungry and in town, instead of the typical fast food place all the time. One of the favorite things they found was a Children's Museum, it is had a lot of hand-on activities. Perfect for her location as there is only two other places that offer things for kids to do that are inside. She is looking forward to winter time and having a fun place to take the boys.
Links -
Chamber of Commerce
Trip ideas/ reviews and forum
Week Eight
Final Week - Double Assignment
Assignment #1: Create a new tradition or teach your child about an old one.
Motivation-
Exodus 12 (NIV) - reason for traditions.
Explanation -
Traditions are important. They help us remember what God has done for us, who he is and what he plans to do. Just think of something you can do to remember God at this time, it doesn't have to be a yearly tradition it can be a monthly one, or even daily one. Post what new tradition you established and how it went over with the kids.
Purpose -
Remembering the past, and looking toward the future. Also, creating great memories for our children.
Final Objective -
Creating strong family ties, a binding together.
Anecdote -
Link and her boys did the Jesse tree last year. We also have a Christmas devotional book that is wonderful. Consider an Advent calendar with something to open each day (littles love this!) Or perhaps baking a special Christmas cake or cookies.
Word of warning-
You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men. Make sure the traditions you are setting are in line with the commands of God. Mark 7:8
Links-
Jesse Tree
Jesse Tree Devotional
Christmas Traditions
Have yourself a Very Simple Christmas
Biblical Holidays
Jewish Holidays
Why are Traditions Important
*************************************
Assignment #2: Teach your child to give to others.
Motivation-
The Sheep and the Goats
31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' 41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matt 25 (NIV)
Explanation -
Look around you and help your child to look around them. Find someone that needs help, or that you and your child(ren) could give things too, whether cookies, a card etc. Someone that is NOT someone expecting a gift during this time. One idea is that children may benefit greatly by visiting the elderly.
Purpose -
Teach the children that Christmas and birthdays are not about getting, it is about giving.
Final Objective -
To have children who think of others first. Who grow into adults and give to others, and their community more than they take. Have adults that shine the light of Jesus out into the world.
Additional Information-
Helpful warning:
1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4 (NIV)
One easy way to do this and not even let the needy person know, if you have monetary means is mail well hidden cash or a giftcard to them.. make sure to put their address as the return address. The gift does NOT have to be monetary, it can be your time also. Rivergallery enjoys sharing food and holidays with her neighbors. It has fostered a great relationship of mutual love and giving between their two families.
Links -
Goodwill
Foodbank
Operation Christmas Child
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