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The Character Corner

Purposeful Parenting. Building Godly Character.

  • The Character Corner
  • Building Godly Character in Your Kids
  • Purposeful Parenting
    • How to Handle Mom Anger
    • Help With a Rebellious Child
    • Encouragement for Mom
      • How to Be a Godly Mother
      • Large Family Living
      • Purposeful Marriage
    • How to Win Your Child’s Heart
    • Bible Verses and Reading Plans
    • Lads & Ladies of Wisdom
    • How to Have a Godly Dating Relationship
    • What the Bible Says About Purity
  • Homeschooling Encouragement
    • 30 Days of the Best Encouragement for Homeschooling Moms
    • 14 Days of Homeschool Encouragement and Inspiration
    • 30 Days of Homeschool Encouragement & Inspiration

Search Results for: prayer

Praying Scripture For Your Husband – 30 Day Prayer Challenge

October 31, 2016 By Kathie 7 Comments

Introducing our  30 Day Prayer Challenge:

PRAYING SCRIPTURE FOR YOUR HUSBAND

Marriage is under attack today, and as Christian wives, we need to go to war and fight for our marriages. The best way that we defeat the enemy is by using the Word of God as our weapon, and daily praying Scripture over our husbands. God’s Word is powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, and as we pray Scriptural prayers for our husbands, we are praying God’s power right into their lives.

There is no better gift you can give to your husband, than the gift of faithfully bringing him before the Lord daily in prayer, claiming the power of God’s Word in his life. Praying for your husband will help you to see him as the Christian man that God wants him to be.

I have found that when I pray for my husband, any negative feelings that I have had towards him, or any focus on things I feel he needs to change, just kind of disappear from my mind. It’s hard to hold grudges or stay angry at someone when you pray for them regularly!

Prayer will turn your heart toward your husband as you ask God to bless him and work in his life. Think what a difference that can make in a struggling marriage, and how much stronger it will make a marriage that is already seemingly strong.

Today I’d like to invite you to join us for this prayer challenge:   30 days Of Praying Scripture For Your Husband.

Some  of the things we will be praying about for our husbands during this challenge are:

  • that he will be a man of prayer
  • that he will firmly resist temptation
  • that he will live a life that pleases God
  • that he will be a man of integrity
  • that he will live in obedience to God

This prayer challenge is totally free and will include a daily prayer based on Scripture, as well as additional Scriptures to reflect on and personalize into prayers for your husband.

If you join, I will send you a weekly email with the daily prayer challenges for the week, and then additional weekly emails for the  30 days.

My prayer is that you will join me for this 30 day  challenge to pray  Scripture for your husband, and as a result see God do some wonderful things in his life, and in your marriage.

For those of you who want to make it more personal…

I have created a simple prayer journal to go along with this challenge. I believe it will help you to get more specific, as you journal your own personal thoughts and prayers for your husband,  as God impresses them on your heart through reading the Scriptures given. What a blessing it will be to go back later, and read those prayers you wrote, and see how God answered them and worked in your husband’s heart and life. This is a downloadable journal.

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*Please note:  The journal is an optional part of the challenge.  I put it together to help this challenge be more meaningful to you. The daily prayers will remain FREE with or without purchasing the journal.

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7 CommentsFiled Under: Intentional Prayer in Parenting

Praying Scripture for Your Husband Prayer Journal

October 31, 2016 By

When we pray the living, powerful Word of God for our husbands, we are inviting God’s power into their hearts and lives.  With these Scriptural prayers, we are praying His Word and mind right into our marriages.  Be prepared to watch your husband grow as a man of God, as you boldly pray God’s Word right back to Him. 

Included in the journal are:

  • A prayer for each day that is taken from Scripture
  • Additional Scriptures to reflect on
  • Journal sheets to write your own personal prayers

 

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This journal will guide you and keep you encouraged as you proclaim Scripture promises for your husband, through these powerful prayers. 

If you want to really invest in your marriage, commit to setting time aside to daily pray Scripture for your husband.  Then stand by, and watch God work!

◊◊ Instant Download Digital Copy ◊◊

Please Note: This is not a physical item

 

Thank You – Husband Prayer Challenge

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Kids’ Devotional Prayer Journal – Praying Biblical Virtues

October 3, 2016 By Kathie 1 Comment

I have been so blessed and encouraged by the hundreds of moms who have been going through  our prayer challenge PRAYING BIBLICAL VIRTUES FOR OUR CHILDREN. Many of you have asked about a kids’ devotional prayer journal to go along with our challenge, and I  and am excited to say that it is finally done! 

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(This is a digital product which  you print — save money by only purchasing one download for the entire family, and making copies as needed.)

Why am I excited about this? Because one of the BEST things you can ever do for your kids, is instill in them the habit of daily spending time in God’s Word and prayer.  The only way your children will ever develop that habit is if you, the parent, insist on it. You need to plan it, and enforce it. There is no more important practice that you can ever instill into the lives of your children than the habit of going to the Word of God and spending time in prayer every day.

Christian parents insist that their children brush their teeth regularly, even multiple times a day. They will make their children do their schoolwork, and require that they properly bathe. They will plan meals so that they eat as they ought, but why will they not see to it that their children adopt a spiritual practice that will have a positive impact for the rest of their lives?  ~David Sorenson 

This new journal for kids is for K- 6th grade, with application questions that are open ended enough to allow for a variety of ages. Parental guidance would be needed for the younger ones who aren’t readers yet, or  who  need a little bit of discussion to help with understanding the Scripture and the questions.

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Each day of the devotional contains:

  • The definition for the character trait
  • Related Scriptures to read
  • Questions to make them think
  • A prayer based on Scripture
  • A practical way to apply the truths

For a double burst of God’s power in your family, here’s a suggestion:

Parent(s) goes through the Praying Biblical Virtues for Our Children Journal at the same time as the kids are going through their devotional prayer journal. Afterwards, sit down together and discuss the trait and Scripture for the day;  maybe give the kids time to share what God showed them,  or tell how God is answering their prayers. With younger ones, you can simply do it out loud with them, and guide them in a little discussion about it.

Keep in mind that the whole idea of this is to get your kids not only READING God’s Word daily, but also PRAYING daily, using God’s Word and praying it back to Him.  God’s Word is powerful, and when we are praying it back to God for our kids at the same time that they are praying it for themselves, you are going to see God work!

Amazing things will happen, because God promises that His Word won’t return unto Him void, but will accomplish what it is supposed to AND prosper. What a promise, and what an encouragement to get our families praying, and seeking God’s help as they strive to become more like Him and grow in Godly character.

This is a PDF download, so you only need to buy ONE and make copies for each of your children. I would suggest having them go through this once every year!

 

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Buy now and get our launch BONUS package of 30 coloring pictures to go along with the devotional.

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1 CommentFiled Under: Building Godly Character in Your Kids, Intentional Prayer in Parenting, Purposeful Parenting

Devotional Prayer Journal For Kids: Praying Biblical Virtues

October 3, 2016 By

Help your kids develop the important habit of daily reading God’s Word, as they go through this 30-day devotional prayer journal.   While learning the meaning of 30 character traits and reading Scriptures that relate, they will also pray a Scripture-based prayer asking God to help them develop that virtue in their lives.

Parents can work through this with younger kids, while those in 3rd -6th grade can do each daily devotional on their own.
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Each daily devotional includes:

  • Character trait definition
  • Bible verses to look up and read
  • Questions to encourage thinking
  • A prayer which is based on Scripture
  • Practical step of application

This kids’ devotional goes along with our Praying Biblical Virtues For Your Children Journal. After the parent(s), and the kids have spent time going through the Scriptures and prayer in the devotional, they can then discuss it together, or even pray together. What a great way to open the power of God in your family! Praying Scripture back to God brings amazing results.

Be prepared to see your kids grow as they work through this journal, and seek God’s power in their lives through consistent Bible reading and prayer.

◊◊ Instant Download Digital Copy ◊◊

Please Note: This is not a physical item

A Mama’s Tears and Prayers

October 19, 2014 By Kathie 10 Comments

This mama's tears and prayers were real after leaving my daughter in the care of her husband, hundreds of miles from where we lived.

Does a mom ever get over the tears that come with saying goodbye to one of their children, as they move on in life? I don’t think so!! Today has been an emotional day for me, as I said goodbye to yet another daughter, and left her in the care of her new husband.

the kiss

Anna and Mike actually got married back in July when he had a short  leave from his training in the Navy. After a nine-day honeymoon, he had to go back to his training in Texas. She returned back to our home to wait till he finished his training and was stationed. 

Yes, I cried happy tears that day, but I didn’t really have to say goodbye to her at the time, nor did I need to wonder how she was getting along in her role as a wife.

A few months later he got his orders, and found he would be moving to Virginia, where Anna could finally join him. He had gotten there the week before,and found housing for them.

When he got things settled, we loaded my van loaded with all her belongings, and I drove her to their new home. We had a good time on the drive, and I was glad that we were able to enjoy chatting, laughing, and listening to Christmas music as we drove.

Oh, I almost forget to mention the snacks that we definitely enjoyed. All trips with daughters require chocolate snacks!

When we got there, Mike unloaded the van, and I helped Anna get most of her kitchen things put away. It was fun to see her getting her new kitchen organized, and start to get things settled in their new home.

She had been waiting for this day for awhile!

Finally together!

Finally together!

The next morning I said  goodbye to Mike and Anna, then got in the empty van and headed towards home. As I hugged them, I told Mike to take good care of her. You see, with that goodbye came the realization that she is now in his care. It is now his job to protect her, cherish her, and lead her.

As I drove away, this mama’s tears and prayers began!

I asked God to:

*Protect them

*Provide for them

*Give them His power to love as they should

*Grow then through the hard times that they will inevitably face at one time or another

*Help Mike to have the wisdom He needs to lovingly lead Anna, and to love her as He should

*Help Anna to be the wife that Mike needs her to be, and to be his biggest encourager

*Help ME to remember that they are in HIS care, and to trust Him.

*Help me encourage and support them, but never interfere.

*Enable me to let go of my concerns about whether I did everything I should/could to prepare Anna to be the wife that God wants her to be.

It was so easy for me to look back and think maybe I didn’t prepare her in certain areas like I should have.

As I thought about that, God reminded me that I had been obedient to Him as I raised the kids, and had stayed faithful in teaching them and training them in His Word. I did everything I could. The rest was now up to HIM.

I LOVE that! God loves them so much more than I ever could, and wants to bless them. They are SAFE in HIS care.

Moms, it’s okay to cry when our kids go through seasons of change, whether it’s moving away to college, or getting married. In fact, it’s NORMAL!

However, the best thing you can do is cry out to God for your kids, through your tears! My desire is to never stop praying diligently for my children, no matter what season of life they are in.

I’d love to have you join me in one of these free prayer challenges for your children:

Praying Biblical Virtues For Your Children 1 (30 day challenge_

Praying Biblical Virtues For Your Children 2 (30 day challenge)

Praying Biblical Blessings For Your Children (10 day challenge)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 CommentsFiled Under: Intentional Prayer in Parenting, Purposeful Parenting

Specific and Practical Ways to Teach Obedience

February 23, 2021 By Guest Blogger 3 Comments

Today we are looking at Specific and Practical Ways to Teach Obedience, one of the most foundational character traits to teach our kids!

Specific and Practical Ways to Teach Obedience

Enter Our Strong-willed Show Stopper. “ARIA STOOOOPPP!!” I scream at my daughter.

She had let go of my hand and was running full speed ahead toward the pool fully clothed and without floaties. Even while running at a dead sprint, I wasn’t going to catch her in time. As I rush to the poolside I see the horrific sight of her tiny little body completely submerged. Without pause, I drop onto my belly and lift her towards the air.

As I pull her out, she is cracking up. Seriously laughing in my face. No fear, not startled at all, just belly laughing like almost drowning is the funniest joke she has ever heard. “Don’t you ever do that again!” I bellow as I pull my sopping wet 16 month old to my chest. I have never been filled with more gratefulness and sheer, utter anger at her behavior all at once before. As I hold her and calm my 3 years old whom I left on the sidelines to rescue his sister, I know something has to give. I have never, EVER seen a child as willfully defiant as this tiny daughter the Lord has given me. And I have no clue what to do about it.

Why should we teach obedience?

Kids being obedient text on image reads: Specific and Practical Ways to Teach Obedience

After much crying, prayer, late-night internet searches, and throwing my hands up in the air the Lord showed me that even a strong-willed child can be trained in obedience. It just takes more diligence, grit, and guts than the children who love to please their parents. No matter what your child’s personality is like sweet mama, we are called to teach them obedience.

If you love me, you will obey my commandments. John 14:15

Jesus told his disciples that if they love him, they will obey his commandments. We can’t be truly following Jesus unless we are obeying what He calls us to do. The utmost desire of my heart is to see my children walking in truth and knowing Jesus as their Savior and friend. This relationship begins with first learning to submit to the authority of your parents. Children are commanded to be obedient to their parents.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land. Ephesians 6:1-3

Obedience is something that must be trained and practiced. 

Train up a child in the way he should go even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:16

We train our children to listen to their bodies when they feel the urge to go and respond immediately to that feeling. If they are too busy to listen, accidents happen. In the same way, a child needs to learn to be attentive to your voice and to immediately respond. If not, they could wind up at the bottom of the pool or in the middle of a car coming scenario.

How to teach obedience to a child

But how does a parent instill immediate responsiveness in even the littlest toddler, or strongest-willed elementary student, or crankiest teenager? Is that even possible?

Yes, it is possible. But, however, it isn’t easy. It takes a steadfastness that doesn’t budge even when mama is tired or lost all of her patience.

It starts with prayer and active seeking of the only one who knows your child better than you do. Ask for help from the one who knows exactly how your child is wired, and exactly what their little hearts need.

Specific and Practical Tools for Teaching Obedience

Here are some resources that have helped me tremendously while being consistent in training obedience in my children.

The If-Then Chart

The If-Then Chart has been a WONDERFUL tool that we have used with our children for years. Because I struggle with being consistent regularly, this gives me something to refer to in the heat of the moment.

You decide what consequence common behavior issues will have (such as disobedience). Then if your child is disobedient, you can refer to the chart for the consequence that will follow. This allows you to determine the consequence actions will have prior to being in the thick of the moment and allows you to leave out any negative emotions from your parenting (anger, frustration, etc.).

My favorite part of this chart is that every issue refers to a Bible verse explaining why we don’t want to behave this way. It is so very important to point their little hearts toward Christ and the sacrifice He made to cover our sins every chance we get and having this on the wall is so helpful!

The Strong-Willed Child (By Dr. James Dobson)

This book, The New Strong-Willed Child by Dr. James Dobson, has been a God-send to a mother who was a compliant child. I wanted nothing more than my parents to be pleased with me, and this book has opened my eyes to the way a strong-willed child is wired.

The book is very careful to point out that God has specially crafted and created these tendencies in your child for a reason. (See a letter to my strong-willed daughter, HERE!) They are going to be the people who stand up for righteousness, even when no one stands with them. God has an amazing purpose for their lives, and this book gives the parent information, tips, and tools to be able to parent and spiritually mentor a strong-willed child effectively because sometimes they are a whole new ball game ;).

I would not have survived those early, run-to-the-pool-to-your-imminent-death years without this book!!

Bible Study for Kids Targeting Obedience

“Because I Said So!” Ever yelled that at your children? No? Yeah, …um…. me either 😉

Because I Said So Bible Study for Kids actually helps train children (and parents to!) to WANT to be obedient.

This Bible study has been designed for children to complete either with a parent or on their own (depending on the age level you purchase). My oldest children did this when they were 4 and 6, and again when they needed a reminder at ages 5 and 7. And you know what!? They loved it!!

It has been a very helpful resource in our quest to know God in a deeper way and training our children to do the same.

RELATED:  10 Tips For First Time Obedience

What resources have you found to train your child in obedience?

Tiffany is an outmatched mama to three crazy amazing kiddoes, Jesus follower, homeschooler, and blogger. Her goal is to encourage and equip mamas like you to be the women God created them to be, even when life’s circumstances leave you completely outmatched. Check out her FREE two week Bible Study for busy mamas – get into the Word even in your busiest season of life!

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3 CommentsFiled Under: 30 Days of Building Godly Character, Building Godly Character in Your Kids, Parenting Series and Challenges

Six Tips for Teaching Kindness to Your Children

February 20, 2021 By Guest Blogger 3 Comments

Teaching kindness to your children doesn’t have to be difficult, and can even be fun with these tips! Kindness. Something we as Christians are called to “clothe” ourselves with (Colossians 3:12); one of the greatest things we can receive; one of the most difficult things to learn to give. And yet, teach it we must, for we are all very familiar with the fact that God has charged us in His Word to “Train up a child in the way he should go“. And we desire to spend time training our children in the ways of the Lord so that, as He has said, “when (they are) old, (they) will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

The question is how. How do we practically implement training in kindness?

First, the Oxford dictionary defines the process of training as teaching a skill or behavior through “sustained practice and instruction”. Did you catch that? “Sustained practice and instruction.” No matter which character trait you’re trying to teach, write this on the bathroom mirror or some wall where you will see it every morning and evening. Don’t think that changes are going to happen overnight. Training in any character trait will take time, practice, and patience, and more time, practice, and patience. Do not become discouraged.

Second, one of my favorite quotes by George Herbert says that “prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night”. Not only is this excellent advice on an individual faith level, but it is also completely applicable to our task as parents.

How to teach kindness to a child

Bathe the training of your children in prayer. Bring them, their strengths and failures, as well as your own as parents, before the Lord daily. Do not begin the day until you have asked for the Lord’s assistance, and do not close your eyes in sleep until you have praised Him for the successes and laid the trials at His feet.

Six Tips for Teaching Kindness to Your Children

Mom snuggling with daughter and showing how to teach kindness and empathy text on image reads six tips for teaching kindness to your children

1. Memorize Scripture about Kindness

Since the Bible tells us plainly that “I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11), we must trust the fact that having our children hide God’s Word in their heart will make a difference in their actions. The Word of God has power, so allow it to work in the heart of your children.

Consider memorizing verses as a family and displaying them somewhere visible in the house. A chalkboard, bulletin board, etc. would be a great idea for displaying the character trait and verses you currently have as your focus.

Be sure to refer to the verses you are memorizing when you are correcting or applauding your children’s behavior. Here are some good ones to start with:

  • Mathew 7:12 – “So in everything, do to others as you would have them do to you, for this sums up  the Law and the Prophets.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:15 – “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”
  • 1 John 3:18 – “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.”

2. Read Stories For Teaching Kindness

There’s a reason Jesus chose to teach in parables. Stories can teach a lesson in a very powerful way.

Here are a few stories about kindness to look at:

  • “Chrysanthemum” by Keven Henkes
  • “The Berenstain Bears Kindness Counts” by Jan and Mike Berenstain
  • “If You Plant a Seed” by Kadir Nelson
  • “Ordinary Mary’s Extraordinary Deed” by Emily Pearson
  • “Buzzle Billy” by Michael P. Waite

One important thing to add is that when books do not specifically mention God or our Christian faith, then bring it in yourself!

A story is a great tool to clearly demonstrate kindness. We also want our children to understand that we love and treat people with kindness because God first loved us and has called us to love others. Get to the heart!

(Here’s a freebie to get you started! Click here to download the read-aloud Kindness story from my ebook of short character stories, “The Way I Should Go”.)

 3. Perform Kindness Object Lessons

Just as stories can be excellent teaching illustrations, there are some really great visual lessons that you can do as well!

Here are two that I’ve found very helpful:

The Wrinkled Heart Object Lesson to Teach Kindness

Begin by cutting a large heart out of red art paper (the bigger the better!). In the center of the heart, write the poem “Before you speak, think and be smart. It’s hard to fix a broken heart”. Read the story of “Chrysanthemum” by Kevin Henkes. Take out the heart and point out that at the beginning of the story, Chrysanthemum’s heart was like the paper one – unharmed. Discuss how she felt when the kids at school made fun of her name. Quickly crumple the heart into a ball. Carefully unroll the heart to show the paper covered in wrinkles. Ask your kids if you can take the wrinkles away and make the heart as smooth as before. Our words can have a powerful impact on people. And when we hurt someone with our words, it actually damages their heart and how they feel. And that is hard to fix.

(I do not have an original source for this activity. I saw it several places when I was teaching kindergarten.)

Kindness Ripples Object Lesson to Teach Kindness

This is a great illustration for showing the power of kindness, no matter how big or small. Fill a sink with water. Drop an object like a medium-size rock in the water. Point out the way the water ripples when it hits the water. If the rock were an act of kindness, think of the ripples as the things that kindness produces. Kindness can make people feel good, want them to be kind too, etc. It makes a difference. Next, task your children with testing whether there is an object too small to make a ripple (i.e., whether there is an act of kindness that is too small to matter or make a difference). See what they come up with (find some things as small as paper clips, toothpicks, or even a sprinkle as well). Drop each object they find one-by-one and take note of the ripples. Describe the larger objects as “bigger” acts of kindness (like helping a neighbor water their flowers). As you get to the smaller objects, ask if they think they’re getting too small to make ripples. Point out that every act of kindness, no matter how small (like holding open a door or letting someone have a turn before you), is important and has an impact on others.

(This activity was originally found at Pennies of Time.)

4. Practice Kindness

It might sound obvious, but often it’s the simplest ideas that need to be practiced the most in order to become learned.

Here are some “small” for teaching kindness to your children:

  •  Turn arguments and inappropriate responses into opportunities to demonstrate kindness. Give examples in those moments of what kindness would look like.
  •  Challenge your kids to find unique ways each day to be kind to someone in the family.
  •  Use family time around the dinner table as an opportunity to reflect on ways kindness was seen or not seen that day, whether by family members or those you encountered during the day. The more your kids are asked to reflect on their behavior choices, the easier it will become to consider their choices in the moment they are tested.
  •  Pray over the character growth of each family member together, perhaps at the dinner table. Rejoice over the growth together, and encourage each other where each member may have failed. Not only will this model for your kids how they can pray individually, but it lets them see that we do not accomplish such growth on our own.
  •  Take your family to volunteer at a food pantry, visit at a nursing home, etc. Get your kids used to the idea of serving others and giving up their time to do a kindness for someone else.

5. Make a “Kindness Counts” Graph

To get your kids really thinking about the concept of kindness, start a graph to track all the ways they see examples of kindness throughout the days or weeks that you’re focusing on kindness. They can even find examples in books they’re reading, movies they watch, interactions with others, etc.

Each time they notice an act of kindness, they can grab a square, write the next number that you’re up to, and hang it up. You could try to get the squares to wrap in a line around the room, or do a tower and see how close to the ceiling you can get.

If they’re excited about noticing kindness, they will also start to get excited about showing kindness themselves.

(Freebie – Grab this “Kindness Counts” Graph to start counting the acts of kindness you see. The squares of the first pages have the numbers started for you; print/copy the last as needed to continue the squares. Consider printing on colored paper as well for a better visual effect!)

6. Show Christ to the World Through Kindness

Make sure your children understand that kindness is about more than “feeling good”. We show Christ to the world when we are kind to others.

The Bible tells us to be like “lights” in a dark world. When we show kindness, we let light shine in darkness. You can even demonstrate the effect by going into a room, turning out the lights, and seeing what a candle, flashlight, etc. does to the darkness. When we are kind, people see it, and it’s like they’re seeing Jesus and how He loves us.

Can kindness be learned?

As Parents Teaching Kindness to Your Children Requires:

1. Us to remember that progress in character growth takes time, practice, and patience!
2. We need to begin and end the day in prayer over the triumphs and successes.

Teaching Kindness to Your Children

1. Memorize Scripture about kindness – display and use them when you discuss kindness with your children.
2. Read stories to show powerful lessons about kindness.
3. Perform object lessons about kindness
4. Practice kindness in small ways. Talk through what kindness would look like in different situations, look for ways to be kind to family members, pray together, find ways to volunteer and serve others.
5. Count the kindness that you see around you by making a kindness graph.
6. Let your light shine in the darkness and show Christ to the world.

I pray you were encouraged by what you read here! Let’s lift each other up in prayer even now as we undertake the important task of training our children in Godly character!

Michelle Jansma is one half of the mother-daughter team at Keepsake Curriculum. She and her mom, Cindy, desire to help parents raise up a faithful generation. Children are a keepsake entrusted by God, and if we are to “keep” the next generation, we need intentional parenting. It’s the goal of Keepsake Curriculum to have academic and spiritual training come together in that task. Michelle taught kindergarten at a Christian school for five years before having the blessing of becoming a mother. When her son was born, she joined Cindy at Keepsake Curriculum. She is currently expecting her second child. Cindy homeschooled her five children over a span of fifteen years and is the proud grandmother of four (soon to be 6!) grandchildren. Cindy now has the privilege of helping to homeschool her grandchildren!

Mom showing son how she teaches kindness Image on text reads 6 tips for teaching kindness to your kids

3 CommentsFiled Under: 30 Days of Building Godly Character, Building Godly Character in Your Kids, Parenting Series and Challenges

6 Ways to Build Godly Character in Your Tween

February 10, 2021 By Guest Blogger 8 Comments

Scroll down to view the Building Godly Character in Your Kids Sponsor!

What is Godly character and what does Godly character look like in your tween?

Parenting any age it’s easy to get lost in analyzing our children’s behavior. The tweens are no different.

Parent and child alike find themselves in an awkward stage of “is it too much or not enough?” Throw in “testing limits” and the start of hormones and we begin to see we are in new parenting territory. Soon we have as many questions as they do!

How do I deal with a tween attitude?

How can I communicate with my tween?

Why are tweens so difficult?

Those are all good things to ask, but often, we miss the most important question. How can we win their hearts for life? Hint: These ways of Building Godly Character is a huge part of this!

6 Ways to Build Godly Character in Your Tween

Happy Tween Girl laying on the floor with her cat. Text on image reads:6 Ways to Build Godly Character in Your Tween

As tween parents, we have a great opportunity! Between the ages of 8-12, our children’s hearts are moldable. They generally care what we think. The words we speak and the values we hold dear still have meaning to them (even if they don’t always show it).

Most often we are the main influence in their lives.

But as they grow and peer influence tips the scales we begin to wonder. Is it possible for them to grow in Godly character and hold onto their hearts?

I believe with a lot of prayer, intentional Godly character building and heart strategies it is possible!

1 Tim 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Today we are going to look at Ideas for Building Godly Character in Your Kids

But first, let’s take a minute to focus on Mom (I bet you don’t do that enough!)

Tween Mom Care: Take Care of Your Heart

We can’t effectively build Godly character in our tweens if we don’t first take care of our hearts. Believe me, I’ve tried! We need tons of wisdom, refreshment for our souls, and God’s strength to parent in a way that would honor Him. There is no lasting substitution. The only way to set our parenting on a firm foundation and build Godly character in your tweens is to be in God’s word and prayer.

As a busy Mom, are you worried about fitting it into your schedule? I understand! But I can’t begin to tell you how faithful He has been to lead me in the amount of time I have. If you are intentional in meeting with Him daily you will notice the difference! He is where we will find hope for the hopeless days, strength for the emotional battles and loads of grace to return to!

Find Some Tween Mom Support

Mom, we need all kinds of support! As our kids grow and change, we have to be continually learning as parents. Did you think the constant need to “figure this parenting thing out” would decrease after the baby stage? I really did! I thought at some point I would just “get it”. Yes, I was wrong 😃

It could be true for a time. Maybe you start to feel like you are getting the hang of it and then.. welcome to parenting the tweens! Thankfully we have so many resources to tap into to help us navigate things well. We can read parenting books and blog posts, listen to podcasts and ask for resource ideas in parenting groups.

We also need “been there done that” kind of wisdom! None of us can do this alone. In fact, we shouldn’t. It’s not the way God intended it! We are created for community. Find support in friendships with other Moms in Mom’s Groups and Homeschool Co-ops.

We should continue to learn by talking with each other while we’re in the trenches and praying for one another. We can come together, support and encourage one another and learn! A win-win for us all.

Tween Character Building Tips

Now that you’ve taken good care of your heart. Let’s switch focus to them. We’ll take a look at 6 Ways to Build Godly Character in Your Tween.

Pray For and With Your Tween

I can’t say this enough. Pray often. Pray together or for them when they can hear you. In public and in private. Invite them to pray with you. Just pray! It is an incredibly powerful tool.

You have a direct parenting tip line to the one who created both you and your child! Think about that. Who could know better? Praying in the tween stage is a great way to bring both of your hearts in line with God’s will. He will help you see clearly what steps to take to build His character in our children.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thes 5:16-18

{Want some help in this area? Find out how to encourage your tween child to pray and get a FREE 30 Day Printable Prayer Calendar for them. It has verses pertaining to a lot of the struggles they are dealing with today!}

Embrace Empathy For Your Tween

Come with me for a moment.. think back to your pre-teen years. What comes to mind? Do you remember feeling awkward or unsure of yourself? What about feeling a little bit crazy when experiencing emotions for the first time? Did you ever just want someone to acknowledge your feelings or say “it’s ok?”.

Even though these years can be a roller-coaster of emotions, I want to encourage you to hang on to empathy. When we help them to understand and process their own feelings, they are more likely to show concern for other’s feelings. We can ask good questions to help them handle problems as they arise.

  • How do you think that made them feel?
  • What would you want someone to say to you in that situation?
  • Can you think of a way to help them feel better?

Sibling squabbles and growing friendships are great areas that teach empathy to tweens.

Take Advantage of the Teachable Moments With Your Tween

This is a beautiful gift that God gives us in parenting! It’s incredibly important and often overlooked because of the busyness of life. We can be so focused on getting things done (been there) that we breeze by the opportunity.

There are many times where I have had to pray for the strength to stop and use a situation to help teach them Godly character. But my kids will also be the first to tell you I find many opportunities for teachable moments, I really love this aspect of parenting!

Here are a few things to remember about building Godly character in your tween through teachable moments:

It’s a two-way conversation. These moments aren’t forced and we aren’t preaching at them. Instead, it’s a chance to go back and forth. Take each step intentionally in your conversation. Fight against defaulting to a flurry of parenting instruction.

They often go deeper with a little prompting. Even if I recognize a teachable moment, the depth of it often depends on two things. The questions I ask and the amount of time I devote to the situation. Don’t get me wrong, taking advantage of small teachable moments is key. But if you feel the Holy Spirit lead, don’t hesitate to go further!
 
This brings me to the last point of prayer. As parents, we should pray both for the moments to come and for softened hearts to help us acknowledge them. Also, prayer, while you are in it, is key! A lot of the important and even “tough topic talks” with my kids began with teachable moments.
 
Take advantage of teachable moments. This gives our children real-life examples of attentiveness, patience, and flexibility. Best of all it helps them to learn to acknowledge these moments to keep learning on their own!

Build Godly Character in Your Tween as You Show Interest in Them

This one is easy and tough all in the same! In the tweens, it’s important that our kids know that we value what they value. This helps them to feel secure. It also helps keep us connected to them in these new areas that they are branching out to. They will come to us for our opinion more if we show interest in what they are interested in.

One of the biggest lies Satan loves to beat tweens and teens up with is that the parents don’t care.. or that no one really cares. Then they step out to find someone or something that does “care” about them.

The easy part is when we share interests! Keep noticing any little or big ways you share interests with your child. Try to do little intentional things to encourage it. The hard part is when their interests are not at all the same as yours. The best thing you can do in this case is listening and try to learn. You may not come to know every detail of everything they enjoy but do pay attention to knowing their favorites!

Ask questions about the things they like. Trying to find ways to incorporate it into their homeschool or their regular day is a bonus! Even asking them to share 1 random fact here and there about what they enjoy can go a long way in their hearts. They will know that it may not be an interest of yours. They will see you are showing them, genuine love, because you are choosing the person over the hobby or interest.

When we show them real-life examples of this, they will often reciprocate. They will understand that their friends may not have all the same hobbies or interests. More importantly, they will be able to show God’s love to others by coming up with ways to encourage them despite the difference!

Let Your Tween Branch Out Safely

Does this thought make you a little, nervous? It’s ok, me too! Tweens branching out safely will look different for each family. But it is a part of the tween parenting stage. In the beginning, it will be small things.

Notice when they have been diligent in an area consistently. It’s a great starting point. This can prompt you to encourage them in their progress and hand over more control in another area. This process will not only be different for each family but for each child in the family!

The exciting thing is that Godly character building can already begin to show fruit in the tweens. This is a real encouragement to parents as we know character building is a process we need to continue throughout their childhood. Building Godly character in our children can make branching out an easier process.

Be Flexible in Tween Parenting

If you haven’t already noticed there is a lot of flexibility required in tween parenting! If you try something and it’s not working, it’s ok to try another approach! Prayer is a great tool in this area. God can lead us and guide us down the different paths needed to parent our child for His glory.

Remember that building Godly character in our kids is going to start with our hearts and walk with the Lord. Following His word and His ways will overflow abundantly into your parenting! Your tween child is growing, changing and branching out. This is a beautiful thing! By making building Godly character and winning their hearts a priority, you are setting them up for the best foundation you can offer them!

If you are looking for more Tween Parenting Encouragement, I would love to have your join our FREEBIES Hub of Biblical Resources where you can download your FREE ebook, worksheets, printables, resource kit and more! Click on the picture for more information.

Joining you in the in be”tween”,

Lee

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Headshot of Lee Felix Blogger and Virtual Assistant

Lee Felix is a daily redeemed Christ follower and wife of 20 years who’s called ‘mama’ by five of the BEST kiddos you ever did meet. Transparently sharing her journey through imperfect yet intentional parenting, she has a heart to encourage and equip other like-minded mamas  
 
She’s an experienced Blogger, Content Strategist, Speaker, and Creator of Christian Resources. She’s found her “happy place” in online business and ministry serving others. Being a delightfully awkward introvert and avoider of small talk, she’ll never pass up a one on one conversation or an opportunity to dive into the heart of the issue with you over copious amounts of coffee.
 
Join Lee in the journey through imperfect yet intentional parenting in the Private Imperfect Moms Facebook Community , get access to her FREEBIES Hub of Biblical Resources or connect on Social Media below!
 
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Ways to build Godly character in your tweens

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When You’re Feeling Like a Failure as a Parent

February 9, 2021 By Guest Blogger 7 Comments

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Are you feeling like a failure as a parent? For some of us becoming a mother was natural. As little girls, we dreamed of marriage, kids, white picket fences, visits to the park, and night time snuggles. We had plenty of practice with babysitting on weekends or even watching our younger siblings so our parents could have a weekly date night. We seem to have been born to be a mom, we are nurturers who walked into motherhood effortlessly.

When You’re Feeling Like a Failure as a Parent

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There are plenty of us, however, that battle with feeling like a complete and total failure as a parent. Maybe we had the same dreams but soon found out that reality looked drastically different. Somewhere between, teething, screaming babies, tantrum-throwing toddlers, emotional tweens, and unreachable teens we lost sight of that dream we once held dearly. And when this happens, you begin to feel like a failure as a mom.

Then add in homeschooling, mounds of endless laundry, breakfast, lunch, and dinner meal plan, prep & clean-up, housekeeping, unexpected sickness, lack of money, and all the other demands of life.

That’s when we begin to question our abilities to mother and homeschool. We question if we truly have what it takes to successfully raise up and teach these little gifts that God has entrusted to us. 

Why do I feel like a bad mother?

Don’t allow condemnation to take hold when it seems like everything’s falling apart. When our kids don’t grasp a new lesson right away or seem to be behind their peers, it’s ok. If someone quizzes them and they don’t have the answer don’t immediately assume you are failing your kids.

Uncertainty happens when the voices inside our heads scream that we aren’t sufficient. Uncertainty is a cousin to fear. When we try to step out in courage, fear or uncertainty keeps the “what if’s” before us.

  • What if I say I can teach my kids, only to find out I really can’t?
  • What if I let my child down?
  • How do I know if I’m a bad mom?
  • What if they don’t get into college?

If we aren’t diligent in keeping the “what if’s” in check we will find ourselves frozen in fear. 

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy‬ ‭1:7‬ (‭NKJV)‬‬

Certainty in Christ When You’re Feeling Like a Failure as a Parent

What does God say about motherhood? When insecurity keeps us locked up in fear, certainty in our Savior is the ultimate tool to break the chains of fear that binds us. Fear says, “I can’t.” Certainty in Christ says, “I can because God is with me!”

Genuine certainty is truly “God-certainty.” It’s less about trusting ourselves as it is about having faith in what God can do through us. It’s changing the message that is replaying inside our heads from “I can’t” to “God can!”

It’s renewing our minds to His Word. The Bible affirms this in Jeremiah 17:7: “Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord And whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord.” (AMP).

Certainty follows a divine design. You and I are made to do life in relationship and partnership with our Creator. Our imperfections are covered by His Grace. When we start to see ourselves through God’s eyes, we can embrace our imperfections and begin resting wholly in His perfect Love and Grace.

This also happens when we accept who God made us to be, as opposed to regretting our identity. Uncertainty keeps us taking part in the comparison game. We’re left yearning to be like them: more inventive, more creative, more patient, more educated.

The list is endless.

Nonetheless, certainty happens as we learn to embrace our weaknesses right along with our strengths. We grow in faith through our weaknesses as we allow God to be glorified through them. We become content with who we were created to be, not who we weren’t.

Count it All Joy When You’re Feeling Like a Failure as a Parent

Each time our hopes and dreams or lofty expectations of how motherhood and homeschooling is suppose to look doesn’t mirror real life, we have a decision. To push ahead with joy or throw a carnal fit and again feel like you are failing.

How we respond to “expectation derail” is 99 percent of what the outcome will be. These moments are key to growing in Christ ourselves and also building character in our children. Slow down, take a breath and think before you react because our reaction can either make us or break us.

Anger can get set off by the simplest things when they pile up. Child A fusses every time you are working through math together,  child B won’t sit still during the read-aloud time and child C lost his shoe again and we are running late for co-op again.

But, when we are consistent with prayer and time in the Word we start to become aware of the physical and emotional cues before lashing out at our children.

What does God say about motherhood?

Where does our strength as parents come from? The strength to resist the urge comes from the moment we took to read our bible and hide His Word within the innermost parts of our hearts. The anger is a bubbling, steaming, overwhelming fury that wants to detonate accusations against our children. It is the enemy of joy, but God is there with us. His Word rises up and then joy and peace win.

Eventually, we begin to acknowledge that we are deciding how we react in the battle. We have control over the way we see things and that ultimately happiness is a choice. Contentment is a decision. This is tied in with choosing joy when the going gets tough—or when things get hard humbly count it all joy.

It is knowing that we are growing in patience and training our kids’ character when we choose joy. It’s not easy when we try to do this on our own, but with His Word stirring in our heart, it becomes so.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” –James‬ ‭1:2-4‬ (‭NKJV‬‬)

My friend, the Joy of the Lord is yours for the taking! Grab it! Hold on to it! Passionately interlace it with certainty in Christ and all those dreams you once had as a little girl, you may just see some become a reality. At the least, His peace will reign and the feelings of failure will fade.

What do you do when you feel like you’re failing as a parent?

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Forest Rose is a God Loving, Blessed Wife, & Relaxed, Eclectic Homeschooling Mama to 3 girls – 7, 9, & 11 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She blogs at Kingdom First Homeschool and hosts a Homeschooling 101 Community on Facebook. She’s passionate about lifting moms out of the homeschooling trenches that are discouraged, overwhelmed or feeling alone or isolated. Her hope is to point them to Christ and equip them to rise up with a new found hope and joy within that He alone can provide.

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when you feel like you're failing

7 CommentsFiled Under: 30 Days of Building Godly Character, Building Godly Character in Your Kids, Parenting Series and Challenges

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My name is Kathie, and I am glad you stopped by. I am a stay-at-home mom of 8 wonderful kids, and have been homeschooling for 31 years. I hope that my blog will be a blessing and encouragement to you! Read More…

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About Kathie Morrissey

My name is Kathie, and I am glad you stopped by. I am a stay-at-home mom of 8 wonderful kids, and have been homeschooling for 31 years. I hope that my blog will be a blessing and encouragement to you! Read More…

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