Why I've Stopped Reading Parenting Articles

God has certainly been laying this on my heart for several months now...

...to slow down, stay home, be content. 

It is so hard in this culture, to be content. 

There are people everywhere you look with incredible talents, great looks, and wonderful careers! There is always something or someone to be jealous of! 

I have fought so hard this calling to slow down, stay home and be content. I've been in "survival mode" you see and I haven't "had the energy" to STAY HOME or SLOW DOWN. Makes total sense, doesn't it! Sarcasm there. 

We have recently had many car troubles with our eldest car (made in '91) and it has given me more opportunities to stay at home and be content. It's been in the shop for a few days and today we finally sold it for parts. It wasn't worth fixing up.

Now that we only have one car, I am forced to be obedient to what God has been calling me to. Slow down. Stay home. Be content. 

I was terrified of what would happen. What if we go insane? What if my house looks ten times worse than it already does? What if Hannah can't seem to ever play by herself? What about all our playgroups? What will happen when I have to run errands? What if...

It's only been a week and I can confidently say that 

GOD KNOWS WHAT HE IS DOING.
That's right. GOD knows what HE is doing! He has a plan! 

In my time "stuck at home", things have automatically gotten slower. I've had to be content, otherwise I'm going to make myself sick about what my life is NOT. Anyways...there IS a point to all this and it DOES relate to Parenting Articles! Haha!

God has placed in each one of us, all that we need to live the life that He has called us to (1 Peter 2:3). But here's the kicker!!! We have to SLOW DOWN long enough to listen to what He's telling us to do. We have to SLOW DOWN long enough to listen to our children. Often we lead such busy lives that we don't realize what our children really need or even what our children are capable of! 

Since staying home, my relationship with Hannah has grown sooo much! We understand each other far more than we ever have. It's because I've taken the time, that I can listen to her two year old mumbo jumbo and totally understand what she wants and needs! Even her deepest desires and needs! I'm starting to see them! 

She asked me at least five times this afternoon if she could watch Clifford. I told her no each time. For all you mama's in survival mode...guess what happened! She had MORE FUN playing around the house than she would have watching tv. 

Did you know that tv lowers your discernment? Huh! It makes sense to me!

Mama...Daddy...you know what's best for your little ones! Everyone in the world has an opinion about everything in the world, but only YOU know what's best for your family. My Hannah is different than every other person on the planet. My Charlotte is different than every other person on the planet. My husband is different than every other person on the planet. So am I. So are you. My relationship with my husband is different than every other marriage in the world. Your relationship with your spouse is different than every other marriage in the world. 

So with all these differences in the world, what makes us think that we can pick up a book, google weird questions, or read all the parenting articles in the world and find our "answer"??? We won't. 

So I've stopped reading all the Parenting Articles that come my way. You know the ones! "How I Potty-Trained My One Year Old in Less Than a Week!" "How to Teach Your Children About ____" "Making Your Strong Willed Child Listen" I know them all! TRUST ME! I'm a big "researcher"!

Now that my day-to-day is slowing down, I'm realizing that I had nothing to fear! God blessed me with the ability to understand my daughters. He blessed me with the opportunity to know them more. When I understand and know them, then I can better teach and encourage them as young women for Christ! What an awakening! 

I don't need any of those parenting articles, magazines, and blog posts! Though some are definitely encouraging and informative, God planted within me everything I need to know concerning MY DAUGHTERS. I just need to slow down, stay home, be content...and listen.

Be encouraged, you know what's best for your little ones!

Cleaning with a Toddler

My house is not always clean, but believe it or not I keep it cleaner now

than when my husband and I first got married. I guess having a kid motivates you a little!

Over the past few weeks or maybe even months, I have been noticing how much Hannah loves helping me do chores. She loves learning and has so much fun being able to do whatever it is I am doing at the time! Sounds like just about every kid in the world, right?

Hannah helps me put up clean laundry after it's been folded.
She helps me put clothing on hangers and helps me hang them up.
She puts dishes into the dishwasher, and puts clean ones back where they go.
She sweeps my floors for me and mops, too!
She picks up trash for me, and likes to take the trash outside to the dumpster.
Hannah helps me unload and load the dryer and washer.
She also helps me pour the soap into the washer.
She closes and locks doors for me, like when we get home from somewhere.
She's helped me wrap all the family's Christmas presents.
...and there are so many other things that she helps me with!

Honestly, a huge part of cleaning with your toddler is just talking 

with them about everything you are doing. Explain it to them. 
They're eager to understand, they really are! Start by asking them simple questions 
and do so repeatedly to help them better understand a concept or action. 
Share simple facts with them often. 

I'd love to brag and say that Hannah is this super genius 20 month old
who understands everything, but honestly, I have just come to the realization
that she understands so much because I'm constantly explaining everything
I'm doing. Whether it's cleaning dishes, cooking dinner, vacuuming, or
going to the bathroom, I'm talking to her about it. ...and she loves it!!!

Lately I've been waking up early (conviction right there) to read the Word and maybe sneak
in a chore or two and because of it, I have been able to think a lot clearer throughout the day and
I can see where some things work and some things fail. Our chore method works
 pretty well so I thought I'd share some of the things we do to clean up around the house!



When Doing Laundry

 Teach them how to put hangers in shirts, then how to hang them on stuff.
It's such a challenge and almost a game to Hannah! She loves it!

Ask them often to bring you something that you need during your chore.
Don't forget to say PLEASE! Especially if you want them to say it to you!
Hannah loves to run and grab more hangers for me!

 Let it be fun --- Hannah likes to jump/slide on my pile of folded towels and
blankets while I fold everything else. I just continue to add to her stack as we go.
She doesn't normally make a mess but if she does, it's very easy to re-fold one or two towels.

 When doing a chore that allows you to sit, sit on the floor and let them climb in and out of your lap. It can get tiring, but at least they're not screaming for attention.

Let them put the clothes from the washer into the dryer. One or two pieces at a time.

Let them carry the clothes from the dryer and put them on the bed
(or wherever you fold your clothes at). 

Let them help carry your laundry basket to it's next location.

Show them where to put stuff. Whenever you're doing laundry, ask them to carry
the towels and then show them where they go.


When Cleaning Surfaces

Let them mop or sweep the floors. It's such an easy chore for our little ones!
Sometimes I give Hannah the Swiffer sweep so she can sweep behind
me as I sweep with the broom. It helps grab the little stuff that I miss!

Give them their own towel and a spray bottle (filled with water or vinegar water,
whatever their little hands can handle) and follow you around cleaning
counters and tables and chairs.

Give them a bucket and ask them to put everything in it! Start off by showing them
what you mean. Start throwing everything into the bucket!


When Cleaning Dishes

Show them how to close the soap container, close the dishwasher, and

then turn it on! Hannah loves doing this because she knows that once she
turns it on, that she's completed a task! It makes her feel good!

Let them load the non-breakables and it doesn't hurt to show them exactly where
you want the items. They want to do it the way you do it anyways!

Let them unload the non-breakable dishes and show them where to put them.
If they can't reach, ask them to put them on the counter.

Give them a sponge or a scrub brush and allow them to help you scrub dishes in the sink.

Show them where to put the dishes once they've scrubbed them.

Give them dishes to put in the sink as you as preparing dinner or after you've eaten.


When Cooking

 (This one, of course, depends on your child. Some children can 
handle this better than others. Hannah is hit or miss with this.)

Let them pull up a chair to the counter or even sit on the counter while you prepare dinner.

Every now and then, pick them up and let them help put something into a bowl or plate.

Let them stir something. If they can't stir what you've got, put some flour and water into a bowl (maybe even add a drop of food coloring) and let them go at it right next to you!

Give them the salt or pepper shaker and show them how to put a little bit into the

 pot or pan while cooking.

Misc. Chores

Let them carry the trash to the outside dumpster, or at least to the outside of the door.

Ask them to help you carry stuff to the next room. They only need to hold one
or two items to be really motivated to help!

Ask them to help you wrap all your Christmas presents! Giving them tape to
put on each fold is possibly the easiest thing for a one year old to do!

Teach them, in general, where stuff goes. You'll be surprised with how
quickly they'll clean a room for you simply because they see stuff out of place!

If you're struggling with getting your kid to the car, give them your car keys
(if it makes you feel better, take your car key off first and then give
 them the rest of the keys) and ask them to help you unlock the car!
Works every time with Hannah!


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Two final tips and they are something that I've learned over 
this year:

1. explain a process very simply ahead of time. 
For example: "We have to put these dishes in IN first, 
THEN we can close it and turn it on! If we close it now, 
there is nothing in it to wash!"
&
2. Pause in between instruction. Their little minds need 
an extra minute to grasp what you are trying to explain to them! Their little minds and ears can only handle a little bit at a time!

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Have I forgotten anything? 
Do you have any tips and tricks that works for you and your little one that you'd like to share?

Teaching Your Toddler About God

So, I previously wrote about my realizing that Hannah is now needing to learn so much more than just the basics! How she now needs to learn the ways of God and the things of life! Post here.

I've read so many articles and blog posts on teaching children about God and I did even more reading once I began to realize that she was growing up! Everything that I've read, it's so simple. It might have been so simple that I just forgot that it wasn't that difficult...as long as I, myself, am already in the Word and working on my own relationship with God.

I wrote out everything I read at first, but then some of it just didn't stick with me. It's all good advice, but for me, these are what stood out:

Number 1

In one post, the author mentioned that before you get too crazy teaching the Word of God to your kids, you need to clarify your own beliefs. True! Although you will learn so much more while reading the Word with your children, I really do believe that it is important to know where you stand in your own faith when teaching kids.

Number 2

We need to be praying with our children and for our children! Praying at dinner time and before bed. Pretty much any chance we can!

Number 3

Listening to and singing Christian music! Watch Christian-based movies and television shows.

Number 4

Reading them Bible stories and talking to them about Christ. Read Christian-based books. Read aloud as a family. Make it fun and make the stories come to life! 

Number 5

Live by example. Be kind, be respectful, be honest, be giving, be selfless...etc. Don't pretend to have all the answers. Be real with your kids. Use real life circumstances to teach them more about God.

There are so many wonderful ways to share the Word with our children but these were such a reminder of how simple it should be!

What I Plan To Do

In addition to this simple yet GREAT list, I plan to invest in some really good Children's 

Bibles and Devotionals. I definitely do not have these on our shelves. Shame on me.

Below are some Bibles and Devotionals that I have found to have high ratings and 

seem like something that would work for Hannah and this little one in my belly. 

Take a look at these and the others that are within the links below! 

You might find some awesome new books for your little ones!

 

Grace for the Moment: 365 Devotions for Kids by Max Lucado

 
Hide and Seek Devotional by Stephen Elkins

Jesus Calling: 365 Devotions for Kids by Sarah Young

God's Little Angel: Shine Your Light Devotional by Sheila Walsh

100 Devotions, 100 Bible Songs by Stephen Elkins

 and there is so much more!!!

 

I am ending this post, soaking in these simple reminders to live by example, to read, sing, and talk about Christ on a daily basis! Now I just have to put them into practice!!! 

Would YOU hold me accountable??

If you liked this, you'll probably like these:

1. Teaching My Toddler About God via Katheryn at Singing Through The Rain
2. Teaching My Toddler About Jesus via Missy at Graceful Little Honeybee
3. How To Teach Little Ones About God Throughout The Day via Jenni at Jenni Mullinix
4. How To Raise A Spiritual Child via Baby Center
5. 5 Ways To Draw Your Kids Closer To God via Jenae at Mom Life Today

6. 13 Awesome Resources To Teach Children About God via Katie at Inspired To Action
7. 7 Devotionals Kids Will Love via Rachel at RachelWojo.com

Becoming RESPONSIBLE for Teaching Your Toddler the Ways of God

This is going to be a short and sweet post compared to some of my others, 

but I was given a "wake up call" this week as I was writing in my journal. 

I am RESPONSIBLE for raising my child.

Not just teaching her what an elbow is or how to put trash in the trash can, but real life stuff. 

How to speak to others, how to be forgiving, how to love...

I enjoy looking back at my journal entries from last year! 

I love to see where our marriage was, what Hannah's new tricks were at the time 

and what all was going on at the Strasburger household. I haven't written in it in least a month, 

so I thought it was about time that I updated it.

So I wrote about lots of things going on (baby #2, Love Languages, Jesus, my brother 

getting married, personal convictions) but what hit me was when I started writing about how much smarter Hannah has gotten in the past week and how she is growing up so quickly! She's only eighteen months and she is so smart for a toddler! She so badly wants to do everything that her mommy and daddy do!

She knows how to say an entirely new list of words and can now show you where 

her cheeks, knees, legs, armpits and elbows are! 

She is starting to make statements like "no mama, no", "bye bye daddy", 

"night night baby" and yesterday she told her baby brother/sister "Hi baby!" 

She likes it when I "put deodorant on her armpits" and she loves it when I paint her toe nails! 

She likes brushing her own teeth, brushing her own hair, and wiping her own booty!

I am telling you...she is growing up WAY TOO FAST!!!
She understands so much more than I ever thought an 18 month old would and surprises 

me every day with new things she's learned!

So it hit me as I was writing all this down (in my journal) that it is no longer my only responsibility 

to simply teach her how to DO stuff, but now I have to teach her how to speak, listen, love, 

be a woman, and to pursue God. 

I've never had to really worry too much about how I act around her or what I say until now. I might be a little terrified as more and more I realize that I am responsible for my actions while leading and raising her---that I am responsible for guiding her to Christ and raising her to KNOW God and His Word!

I have no idea how I am going to accomplish this. I guess I am just going to have
to take one day at a time, even one minute at a time, and just remember what I have been taught all these years.

All I know is...

I am responsible in teaching my toddler about this world and more importantly, the ways of God.

It's now time for me to teach her so much more!

5 Ways to Keep Your Toddler Busy (When You Have Things to Do)

5 Ways to Keep Kids Busy (When You Have Things to Do)

Hannah is the type that wants to constantly be challenged. She is just now getting to the point where she wants to waste tons of energy. 

Run run run run...jump jump jump...run run run...spin around in circles.

...but up until now, my smarty-pants was always getting bored and we had to find things to challenge her and keep her busy. Here's what we found works best for our little girl and maybe just maybe they work for your little one(s), too!

1. Let them play with money and their piggy bank.
-...this is, of course, if you can trust them with coins. You'd be surprised how long my child plays with her piggy bank. She's sat quiet and in the same spot for well over an hour before! For real now...that is the most quiet she has ever been!

2. Pipe Cleaners and a Colander
-Our little smarty-pants likes to solve puzzles and play with things that aren't daily toys. Hence the kitchen stuff. :) This too, has kept her busy for well over an hour.

3. Let them play outside.
-...by themselves if possible. Kids, the LOVE to explore. For reals now. Hannah will spend hours outside if I let her. We have a small back porch, but when I let her wander out even farther in our yard, she loooves it!

4. Water Play!
-We were blessed with a hand-me-down kiddie pool. I fill it up with water and Hannah goes crazy every time. Give them toys that they can toss in the water. Plastic bowls and cups and let them get wet! (She clearly likes to toss my kitchen towels in there, but why not!)

5. Let them play in the dirt!

-Okay, okay! I know that most moms do not like the idea of their kids getting super dirty, especially with mud and stuff, but if you can set aside some time for play (and then a bath right after), you've easily gained an hour or two of mommy time!

There you go! FIVE free (or ridiculously cheap if you count having to buy pipe cleaners) kids activities that give you plenty of mommy time and tons of fun for your kids! :)

Share what works for you and your kids!

Currently

Listening to: A WHOLE LOT of "Let it Go", a song in the movie Frozen. Hannah likes to have it on replay...all...day...long...ughhhhhh. Needless to say, I've learned how to tune it out. Every now and then a Little Mermaid song will play, giving me a small break from "go!"

Reading: The 5 Love Languages by Gary D. Chapman. I would LOVE to be reading Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge and possibly a Francine Rivers book. Yep. If only I had the time and if only Hannah would leave me alone long enough to read past a paragraph or two.

Thinking about: I am definitely day dreaming often about how I'd like to fix up our home. What colors I'd like to paint all the rooms. What color pillows to have in the living room. Etc. What can I say? I'm a day dreamer! I'm also thinking a lot about how to better use my time. There is so much I can do to make sure I use my time wisely! So much! I've been feeling crafty, too!

I jerry-rigged my own drawer handles out of twine that I had in my craft box! Haha!

...and spent time re-organizing Hannah's bedroom. Yay for energy!!!

...and as I cleaned and organized, Hannah was emptying out my laundry baskets and dragging stuff all over the floors in my living room...sigh...

Wishing: I am wishing that I had more time in each day to do the things I want to do, need to do and want to pursue! 

I want to finish drawing this zig-zag pattern on Hannah's book shelf. We won't call it chevron, because come on! Look at that! It's SO not symmetrical! Haha!

I want to finish painting this frame black. It's original pastel salmon color just wasn't working for Hannah's room! Blech!

I want to master my super simple weekly to-do list. It's super simple, I should be able to accomplish this, right? Hahahaha... Hannah says "I don't think sooo!"

Thankful for: I am thankful for my sweet, gentle and patient husband. He has been working so hard these past few months to hold our family together. I have not been in my A-game and he has been making up for it. I am so so blessed! I am also thankful for all the family and friends who have been helping us out with Hannah. It has been such a relief and such a blessing to us both.

Where you can find me this week: In the mornings you can find me at play groups. I like to get out and wear Hannah out at the same time! It usually works out well. Hannah will fall asleep on the way home and when we get there, I have plenty of alone time right away (it's nice for a loner/introvert like myself). During the afternoons you will usually find us at home unless we've got lots of errands to run. We have our routine (right now anyway). It's nice.

Eating: Well, Chris and I have been hitting up FATZ Cafe for our date nights and I am starting to crave their chicken. Like, for real, legit preggo cravings for their chicken! I'm also craving cheetos. Mmm. So good! I'm pretty sure I was in love with chicken when I was pregnant with Hannah. It's a good craving to have.

Photographing: Not much lately, due to sickness and depression (pregnancy hormones suck). In fact, I have been forgetting to even take pictures of Hannah! Ack! I've been trying to make up for it now! I'm hoping to get more on top of things now that I'm feeling more like my self again.








All in all we've had our ups and downs. I've battled motivation now for months (I'm thinking it's mostly just pregnancy hormones) but God is reviving me and I'm excited to have my energy and motivation back! Yay!!!

 

 What she does when mommy's sick!

 

Singing to and dancing to her favorite music video of all time... Let it Go from Frozen!!!

 

Isn't she so stinkin' adorable? I am so blessed!!!

Being Honest

My kid is a brat super friendly.
She likes to pull and grab at kids. Constantly. It's really embarrassing and yea, really embarrassing. Not only is it she that's embarrassing, but me. My reaction or lack there of, is really embarrassing. What do you do with a kid that doesn't listen? Doesn't obey? Acts out even more if you try to discipline?

I DON'T KNOW.

The one thing I do know, is that moms look at me. They see that in many instances I don't do anything. Well, that might be a bit of an exaggeration but you get the picture. I've kind of felt judged by some moms but I push it off and choose not to be affected by that. However, it never really hit me until recently that my reaction (or lack of) to Hannah's behavior might be the reason.

I don't have many people that will call me out in life, but for those that do, I am SO grateful!
A mom friend of mine called me today after praying about what to do. She wanted to share with me that (and these are not her exact words, this is the summary of my take on our amazing conversation) I need to remember that other moms may not always react well to the way I handle Hannah. That some moms may get mad that I sometimes "don't do anything" about her hitting their child or making their child cry.

Let me tell you where I'm at with Hannah.

I HAVE NO IDEA!!!
I REALLY HAVE NO IDEA!!!

She can be mean. Everything I try to do doesn't seem to work. So sometimes I almost want to give up and just let her figure it out. That's so bad, I know. I am in an experimentation mode. We're trying everything! What I've found that works for her best is ignoring the small things, praising the good things and distraction. I try not to stress over it because (1) I know that if it's something small, the children will be fine and (2) I will only make things worse if I stress. I'm sure that I've got some things "wrong" in my method of parenting right now, but hey...my one and only child is not even TWO yet! I have so much to learn! I haven't been responsible for this child but for 1.5 years. Please do not expect me to know everything just yet. Please! I will upset you and I will not reach your standards.

However, I DO want to apologize to all my friends and to all my mom friends and their children.
I sincerely apologize for my behavior in this season of life.
I have been clueless and tired and as a result, I have not been the disciplinarian I need to be with Hannah. Because of a true friend willing to confront me, I now recognize my behavior and I am slowly grasping what needs to change and I pray that God leads me in the right direction with it. I thank you all so much for being patient with me and with Hannah as we learn how to well...DO LIFE...together. I sincerely apologize for all the times Hannah has hurt your children if she has, and I apologize for all the times I sat back and did nothing. If it is in your hearts to forgive me, I beg of you to do so. Your friendships mean so much to me. Thank you for not taking anything out on Hannah. She has such a sweet and gentle heart but she has no idea how to express her love for you and your children.

Again, I ask your forgiveness as Hannah and I go through this phase of life. I now recognize what needs to change and I hope that you all continue to have patience with us as we learn what works best for us!

May God bring you peace and joy through the hardships of your life and may He fill your hearts with satisfaction in life!