On Sundays… Since our time and energy can only stretch so far – and our nerves can only take so much – we’ll do better over the holidays by deciding to be content to manage only a few simple extra projects. Otherwise, we’ll get stampeded over a cliff by advertisers and the expectations of media, relatives, peers and our own childhood memories or wishes.
On Mondays… When we’re quick to praise and slow to criticize, we empower our kids. Frequent, petty criticism eats away at their courage and makes them more vulnerable to the temptation of boosting their self-confidence through sex, drugs, alcohol and unhealthy relationships.
On Tuesdays… Don’t forget that a subscription to a good children’s magazine makes a great Christmas present that keeps coming all year long. You can check out back issues at the library to find out which magazines your children like best.
On Wednesdays… We need to let our children complain, while insisting they do it respectfully. When we try to listen actively instead of just reacting, it gives us a chance to find out what is going on in our children’s souls.
On Thursdays… We can use the holidays to teach our children good manners by making the rule that they cannot use a gift (or spend gift money) until they have thanked the giver.
On Fridays… Since children’s art adds a charming, personal touch to holiday cards and annual family newsletters, why not ask your child to make a special holiday drawing for your letter or card? You can reduce drawings to fit into the corner of a newsletter page or photograph drawings to turn them into holiday cards through photo services like Shutterfly.
On Saturdays… Children need a lot of help from us to keep Christmas and Hanukkah from turning into selfish holidays. We can help our children to develop a different emphasis than “What do I get?” by making a conscious effort to think about and emphasize the most important elements of the holiday season for our own families and by giving up things that get in the way of our values.
© 2022 Becky Cerling Powers – Use with attribution only - www.beckypowers.com
For more parenting insights from Becky Cerling Powers see her book Sticky Fingers, Sticky Minds: quick reads for helping kids thrive
Anxiety List Prayer: reflections on spiritual warfare
Becky Cerling Powers
1/8/2023
Dad's Problem Solution Method
Becky Cerling Powers with Bob Cerling
1/1/2023
Insights & Reflections for Parents in December: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
12/1/2022
Best Toys This Season are Simple: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
11/25/2022
Gimme a Little Kiss: reflections on spiritual warfare
Becky Cerling Powers
11/5/2022
Insights & Reflections for Parents in November: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
11/1/2022
Are Parents Sculptors or Gardeners? Insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/15/2022
Insights & Reflections for Parents in October: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/2/2022
Insights & Reflections for Parents in September: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
9/1/2022
Figuring Out a Child's Learning Style: insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
8/20/2022
Insights & Reflections for Parents in August: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
8/1/2022
Insights and Reflections for Parents in July: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
7/2/2022
Insights and Reflections for Parents in June: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
6/1/2022
Insights and Reflections for Parents in May: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
5/1/2022
Toddlers Helping: insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
3/21/2022
Lament - Complaining as Worship: reflections on spiritual warfare in grief & anger
Becky Cerling Powers
3/16/2022
A Dream That Changed Me: reflections on spiritual warfare
Becky Cerling Powers
3/9/2022
Insights and Reflections for Parents in March: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
3/1/2022
Preventing Parent Burnout: insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
2/7/2022
Playing Games with Kids: insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
2/6/2022
Insights and Reflections for Parents in February: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
2/1/2022
Insights & Reflections for Parents in January: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
1/1/2022
Christmas Contentment: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
12/11/2021
Insights & Reflections for Parents in December: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
12/1/2021
Pied Piper Dad: memorial and parenting reflections from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
11/22/2021
Golden Rule Respect: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
11/12/2021
Insights & Reflections for Parents in November: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
11/4/2021
Enjoying Money Without Spending it: insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/14/2021
Insights & Reflections for Parents in October: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
10/1/2021
Yes Means Yes, No Means No: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
9/26/2021
The Tire 'Em Out Principle for Long Trips and Schoolwork: insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
9/18/2021
Insights & Reflections for Parents in September: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
9/1/2021
The Handy Dandy Adaptable Review Game, Cooperation Concentration: Parent Powerline insights
Becky Cerling Powers
8/2/2021
Insights & Reflections for Parents in August: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
7/30/2021
Camping with Kids: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
7/28/2021
Insights & Reflections for Parents in July: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
7/1/2021
Why Smart Kids Can't All Read by Age 6: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
6/10/2021
Insights & Reflections for Parents in June: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
5/31/2021
Home Style Secrets of Kids' Learning Success: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
5/24/2021
The Balances of Parenting: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
5/18/2021
Letting Daughters Grow: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
5/8/2021
Insights & Reflections for Parents in May: from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
5/1/2021
Reading Lots of Easy Books Produces Fluent Readers: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
4/22/2021
Reflections for Parents in April, Week Two: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
4/12/2021
Helping Kids with Math: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
4/5/2021
Reflections for Parents in April, Week One: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
4/1/2021
Watching for the Positives: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
3/21/2021
Give Your Children Sticky Minds: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
3/15/2021
Being a Better Parent...One Week at a Time...in March
Becky Cerling Powers
2/28/2021
Preparing to Raise Teens: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
2/18/2021
Reading to Babies: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
2/5/2021
Being a Better Parent....One Week at a Time...in February 2021
Becky Cerling Powers
2/1/2021
Hooray for Mother Goose! Parenting Insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
1/5/2021
Being a Better Parent....One Week at a Time...in January 2021
Becky Cerling Powers
1/2/2021
Working With -- Not Against -- Life Seasons: parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
12/28/2020
Why Play With the Kids? parenting insights from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
12/21/2020
In Praise of Naps: tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
9/28/2020
Music Enriches the Family: tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
9/10/2020
Pre-School at Home During Covid-19: tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
8/21/2020
Parenting in the Mess: Tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
8/16/2020
TALK: A Simple Way to Help Kids with School: tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
7/21/2020
Raising Fluent Readers: tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
5/29/2020
Family Funnies: Tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
5/22/2020
Let Kids Cure Their Own Boredom: Tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
4/15/2020
The Hundred Chart: math lesson tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
4/8/2020
Household Management During COVID-19 Time: tips from the Parent Powerline
Becky Cerling Powers
3/23/2020
The Love & Diaper (Nappy) Connection
Becky Cerling Powers
10/25/2019
