Tips for sitting on Santa's lap

Do you have a precious but tender hearted child that seems to be afraid of meeting new people?  Is grandma already asking for a picture of your little one with Santa and you know it's not going to go well?

Try these tips to help your pre-schooler or toddler have a pleasant time with Santa.

Before taking your child to see Santa, purchase a fake beard.  Most children haven't seen a mass of white hair or cotton on an adult.  Some of their fear may be because they aren't sure if you are putting them on a person's lap or if this is actually some kind of mean animal.   Wear the beard while laughing and playing with your child.  Have Daddy, grandpa and maybe even your best friend try the beard on and laugh.  Allow your child to touch and investigate the beard.  Let him put it on and look in the mirror. 

Allow your child to make friends with several "safe" people at church or a play group.  Try to pick out someone that is a little overweight or someone that has a gruff voice. 

Watch movies of Santa and get excited about wanting to see him.  Have fun teaching your child how to "ho-ho-ho." 

Purchase some red velvet (doesn't have to be more than a small block) so he can feel the texture and become familiar with the bright color. 

Arrive a little early for your session and point out other children that are having fun with Santa.  Be sure and point out how close "mommies" stand and how fun it will be to wave at mommy.

To save money, you can pass your purchases on to other mommies in your playgroup.  You might even go so far as to find someone that has a Santa suit and will let the children practice by sitting in his lap. 

While these tips may not take all your child's fears away, they will help.  Remember, children are usually afraid of what they don't understand.  Helping them to be familiar with the surroundings will help your child relax with Santa.

Seeking His Wisdom,

Debbie

Did you know that your child will see God's face first - by looking at your face? You are the face of God to your child. Learning about your authority and your leadership will ultimately lead your child to the face of God - or away from God.

How many times have we listened to liberals spout lies about faith and about God - only to find out seconds later in the interview that they were abused as a child or hurt by their parents? If a child only sees pain and sorrow in the small world of the home, he won't have the necessary components to look outward and imagine that there is something better. It will take another traumatic experience to shake them into seeing that their parent or friend or guardian is not representative of God's love or purpose for this life.

Remember this formula : Child to parent - parent to family unit - family unit to community - Community to state - state to federal - federal to country - country to world.

That formula is the way the ripples of our lives are felt. What happens in our homes on an individual level will ultimately effect what is happening the world. You may feel isolated....but you aren't. Collectively what we do does effect our country. Still don't see it? Where does a movement start? With one individual standing up and asking others to share his point of view. One individual, one family, one child, one home.

Our first goal in Powerful Parenting is to make sure that our own lives are in line with God's love and purpose. Once we are on board with God's will for our lives then we have to look at our children and the way we deal with them in the same manner that God looks at us.

For example, If we know that God forgives - every time we mess up - then we must be willing to forgive our children. If you believe that God doesn't hold a grudge or wouldn't scream at us - then we shouldn't hold a grudge with our children or scream at them. If you believe that God will look at every piece of evidence before judging your life, then you must consider everything when judging your children.

By the same token, if you believe that God gently guides you into making the best decisions and that he has rules that can't be compromised - then we must lead and guide our children in the same way.

Think about this little scene.....

A mother was very busy and it seemed that little Luke was very clingy. Everywhere she went during the day her 5 year old followed close behind. When she turned quickly in the Kitchen she almost fell over him. She knelt down and fussed...."What is wrong with you today? Why don't you go play? Why are you following me so close - I almost fell on top of you."

Little Luke looked puzzled. He scratched his head and replied. "Well....my sunday school teacher told me to follow in Jesus footsteps, but I can't see him so I was following you!"

Moms....in order to have a better America we must always remember who is watching everything you do!

Seeking His Wisdom,


Debbie

Santa won't give gift of Swine flu!

This is both a fun article and a practical one. Cat Lincoln posted an article on Holidash.com titled Mall Santas fear Swine Flu http://tinyurl.com/yknhhr3
With thousands of moms and dads lining up with their children to see Santa, it's the perfect breading ground for germs. It's not that mall Santas want to make it difficult for children but they are asking to be approved to receive the early H1N1 vaccine.

Mall Santas are some of the most compassionate and kind people on the planet. They deal with frustrated tired parents, children who spill, spit up, scream and wet on their uniforms. Tired children wiggle and squirm while curious children pull Santa's beard and rub a candy filled hand up and down their suit. Most of these exciteable children aren't concerned about hygiene and all poor Santa has to protect himself is a bottle of hand sanitizer and the hope that the really sick ones stay home.

When you take your children to see Santa this year, be sure you have administered protection. Above all, don't forget to give Santa a big smile and a bigger thank you for his work!

Seeking His Wisdom,
 
Debbie

Holiday gatherings begin in July

This is one of my favorite pictures.  Every year my parents are with us during the holidays.  My children have always loved to be around family and watching my two sons tickle their grandmother is a real joy.

Unfortunately, many mother's dread all the family gatherings during the Holidays.  They worry about their toddler screaming if Uncle Gerald comes near.  They wonder if their 5 year old will tell Aunt Martha her stuffing stinks.  They fret over the fact that 9 year old Billy hates his cousin and another fight is sure to happen.  And what mom hasn't stressed over a teenager who simply refuses to attend.

Holidays can bring us together with people we haven't seen all year and with personalities so different disaster isn't far behind. 

There are solutions.  In my booklet, How to have a goof proof Holiday, I give examples of ways you can prepare your children for holiday bliss. 

Prepare as soon as you can for the event by talking about family members.  Tell wonderful stories about how grandpa Jones was a conductor on the train.  If your toddler loves Thomas the Train, he won't mind sitting in the conductor's lap.  If that still doesn't solve the problem.  Give grandpa several pieces of small candy - like M & M's.  Instruct him to give your toddler one if he sits in his lap.  If your child can't do candy, perhaps a special toy or a gift from grandpa that they can play together.  Toddlers need to concentrate on something fun in order to be open to the stranger sitting in the chair.

Most teens have issues with family gatherings because they are left in the corner and out of the limelight.  Ask family members to start talking with all the teens in the room.  Build conversational skills around topics like "Guess which one of your relatives met Amelia Airheart?" or "Ray, since you love hot rods, guess who made his first car into a hot rod?"  Find common ground for everyone in the room to open up and share their talents and interests.  Just make sure you are having fun.  This is not a college class.  Laugh as much as possible and interject jokes and silly stories whenever you can. 

By teaching your children how to have fun with relatives you will be giving them a gift that will last a lifetime.  You will give them a heritage to be proud of and a family that will provide support and love.

Seeking His Wisdom,

Debbie

Get involved!!!

I love children.  I love watching them play and watching them grow.  I am committed to helping parents give their children wonderful childhood memories.  That's why I'm so concerned about what is happening in Washington. 

While my main blog deals with many political issues, I won't do that to moms that are already struggling with issues within the home.  This blog is specifically for the purpose of dealing with childhood and young adult issues.  Although I've waited to respond to your questions, I am planning several new series that hopefully will help you through these troubled times. 

I do want to encourage you to get involved in a new site.  The 9-12 moms network is the best of all the mommy patriot sites.  The director Mary will pray with you and wants to have a personal relationship with those at her site.  I hope you will sign up and get involved.  If for no other reason than to have friends to pray with and to gain encouragement for the problems we face. 

Seeking His Wisdom,

Debbie