Do you ever have trouble making sure each sibling gets a fair share of first turns and special attention? Use this idea from Family Fun Magazine; name a Kid of the Day (KOD).

 Each day, on a rotating basis, one child is awarded this prestigious title and all the privileges that go with it. They decide what TV show to watch and are the first to play with a coveted toy. If the group cannot agree on which game to play, let the Kid of the Day come to the rescue.

The Kid of the Day is designed to maintain peace but can also be used to make each child feel special. The privilege of serving as the dinner helper or picking out which vegetables to eat is an added plus. As kids grow older they can be the first one to share about their day at the dinner table or run an errand with Mom or Dad.

KOD is a fun way to keep sanity for parents and make kids feel unique!

For My Mom, Rosemary Warden

When I read Proverbs 31, my Mom comes very close to fitting all the criteria. At different times in her life she may have accomplished all the things listed! There is no one who can cook, clean, do more with less, provide for her family or be more willing to sacrifice for others than my Mother. One of the funniest stories I remember is when my children were young and my son had a button that came off his shirt. He said, “Mom, we need to go to Mimi’s house so she can sew this button on my shirt.” Now, before you think my mother didn’t teach me anything, I can sew on a button!

My dad (Deda to the grandkids) is an outside person and is just as energetic about the yard as my mom is about the house, so as you can imagine Mimi and Deda’s home is the special gathering place for every holiday and event. Everyone feels comfortable there; we are always adding an extra place at the dinner table for friends. The kids, grandkids and great-grandkids have their memories in every corner of the house and Mom is the best hostess.

Although I live out of town, my Mom and I get to have alone time too. I treasure our lunches out and the talks we have. Many times people come up to hug her or say hello and I find out she has ministered to them in some way. I know they are drawn to her because of her strength, dignity and wisdom. She is a good listener and really cares about people.

My Mom is a great wife, mother, and friend, but most of all she is a woman who fears the Lord. She has always taught me about God and His ways and I am very thankful. I love my Mom more than I can imagine and pray that I will be just like her one day!

During the month of May maybe you need to say thank you to someone special in your life. Or maybe as Mother’s Day approaches, as I do every year—ask God to give you the strength and wisdom to be the mother He has called you to be!

“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”  Proverbs 31:28-30

“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of the sand” (Psalm 139:17). Newsletter #1 If you want to know something about parents, just ask their child. Children are so innocent and honest. They haven’t been taught to hide their feelings; they just tell it like it is! What do you think they would tell us about the way we live our lives today? Here are some thoughts:

• We are too busy.

Rushing from one thing to the next is not ideal for a child. If your child is saying, “I’m bored,” it is probably because they have been programmed to go constantly. Children as well as adults need to know how to “be still and know I am God.”

• My ball games and school programs are very important to me.

Because of work schedules or other activities, parents are not as faithful in attending their child’s regular events. Kids need a “cheering section,” support and encouragement. This is a detail that sometimes goes unnoticed but makes a huge difference.

• I want to be just like my parents.

What kind of example are you? Your children watch everything you do and hear everything you say. Their moral values are formed by the time they are nine years old. Does your home life match what you display in public? Do you say you love God and obey His Word, but never read the Bible, pray or talk about God at home? Remember, your child will one day be teaching your grandchild the same way you taught him!

• I wish we could have more fun!

When is the last time you laughed? Life is hard and troubles come, kids need to  know that home is a safe place where laughter is common. When the home is tense, the child can become stressed and begin all kinds of physical and emotional problems. Tell silly jokes, laugh at each other, watch funny movies together and just play! God created a wonderful world for us to enjoy and the sound of laughter can make any day better! Above all else, children need to see parents who love God, love each other and love them.