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I Need the Church

October 29, 2024 by notesfromtheparsonage Leave a Comment

This post originally appeared in the Doorposts column on the John and Charles Wesley Center for Christian Thought and Apologetics. You can find the original post here.

Looking for Community

You will not find so much loathing as you will find in an online mom’s group. As a new mom looking for a way out of the loneliness that accompanied leaving the bustling world outside my home for the bustling world inside my home, I found myself surrounded by seasoned women who did nothing but disparage their husbands and curse their children. These women were proud to be “hot messes” and took great pride in their attempts at “self-care”. Their entire lives revolved around painting themselves to be Cinderella for their families. Poor them. They had to change diapers. Poor them. They had to provide snacks for hungry toddlers. Poor them. They had to vacuum the living room. And I could see how this thankless work could become a burden, but I could also see that this was exactly what I’d been praying for. 

Loneliness Not Required

Motherhood doesn’t have to be lonely; it isn’t meant to be. As Paul writes to Titus, the Church should be offering the community opportunities that new mothers so desperately need. (And young fathers, and singles, and seniors.) He knew that young mothers would need mentors. Older women would need someone to pour into. He knew young men would need to be guided. Older men needed a way to give back. I find it fascinating that Paul knew what the alternative would be. Reviling of the word of God. (Revile: loathe: curse: disparage.) Reviling that man should not be alone and the two will become one. Reviling that children are a blessing and inheritance from the LORD. Sound familiar? 

Needing the Real Church

When we look at our own church community, we tend to think about what they can do for us. We want a community that looks exactly like where we are in life. We’re Goldilocks going from church to church saying, “Too old,” “Too young,” “Too formal,” “Too casual,” “Too big,” “Too small”—looking for that one “magical” church that we can declare is “just right”. But that’s not the Church Paul is describing. We don’t need to find others exactly where we are to be benefitted by a community of believers. We need whomever God has sent us in our local church.

As a young mom, that meant a few moms a decade older than me and a lot of grandmothers and great-grandmothers. I loved the church I had my first children in. I might not have taken all their advice (I wasn’t going to feed my babies raw eggs or give them sugar wrapped in cheesecloth as a pacifier), but I did appreciate their experience. They were hard-working women who stood alongside their husbands and raised strong kids in church. I needed them! And I like to think they needed me, too. Even though I really only had baby rolls and toddlers crawling under pews during service to offer. (And some amazing glazed carrots.) That is what the Body is meant to be. I didn’t need to wallow. I needed to learn to be strong, self-controlled, and work hard in my home. 

Middle Motherhood Needs the Church

Now, I’m a middle mom. (I just coined that term), I’ve got teenagers (and babies), but I’m not “done”. But I know where I fit in my church community. Encouragement. Teaching what is good. Training young moms to love their kids and their husbands and to work hard in their homes. I know where I fit into this picture. (Thanks, Paul.) I’m sometimes the one still needing training. I’m now sometimes the one doing the training. But we all have our place because we aren’t meant to do this alone. We all need one another in the body. And it seems that is especially true of mothers. (See how much emphasis Paul is putting on the church ladies?) 

Advice to New Moms

If you’re a new mom, forget the mom groups. Just open up to the women God has already given you. If you don’t have a church home, find one. Settle in. Get to know people. Let them get to know you. Find your mentors. Don’t revile the things God has blessed you with. You get to care for those babies. You get to serve your husband. You get a home to manage, clean, adorn, and care for. These are blessings! Don’t be tricked into thinking a blessing is a curse. 

All Moms Need the Church

If you’re not a new mom, forget mom groups. Open up to the women God has already given you. If you don’t have a church home, find one. Settle in. Get to know people. Let them get to know you. Find people you can pour yourself into. Find people who can pour themselves into you.

We Need the Church

I know this is largely focused on moms. Mostly, that is because I am a mom. But also, because this openness and mentorship type relationship isn’t common for women. Men tend to seek out mentorship. Women tend to be more competitive and seek out places to vent. But men, be open with the men in your life. Find community and accountability. Don’t revile the things God has blessed you with. I need all of you there. And you need me.

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This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links are a great way to support your favorite content creator. Using them does not cost you more, but we receive a small commission that helps support this blog and our ministry.

Filed Under: Encouragement, Faith, Mama Tagged With: Christian, church, faith, family, I need the church, motherhood, Need the church, parenting, raising Christian kids

Choose Today

September 24, 2024 by notesfromtheparsonage 1 Comment

This article originally appeared on The John and Charles Wesley Center for Apologetics and Christian Thought. You can find the original article here.

First, Some Context on Choose Today

Before he dies, Joshua gathers the tribe of Israel, and they present themselves to Yahweh. Yahweh wants to renew His covenant with these people. He reminds them of all He has done for their fathers before them. He reminds them of all He has done for them.

Then, we come to verses 14 and 15 of chapter 24. Joshua tells the people, “Alright, guys. It’s time to be sincere and faithful. It is time to let go of the false gods. It is time to choose if you’re going to be the people of Yahweh or not.” Joshua then lets them know where he stands. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (v.15). The people gathered answer, “Sure. We’ll do that, too.”

And Joshua responds by telling the people, “You can’t do this. This is hard. You are going to fail, and then it is going to be super bad for you because Yahweh doesn’t like it when His people serve other gods.” But the people double-down: “No way, Joshua! We want to serve the Lord.” So, Joshua says, “Cool, cool, cool, cool, cool… I warned you. But you heard you; you’re choosing Yahweh. Now, put away your idols, and turn your hearts to the Lord.” And they say, “Yahweh is our God, and we will obey His voice!” Joshua then sets up a stone to remind the people of their covenant so that they don’t go back on their word. 

Choosing Today

Like Joshua, I’m calling you here today, before the Lord, to decide who you’re going to serve. Too many Christians are ‘Christian’ in name only (which means they are very much not Christian in reality). You’ve got other gods in your pocket, your calendar, and your checkbook. You keep wondering why your kids are doing the same things your ‘secular’ neighbor’s kids do, while you’re doing the same things your ‘secular’ neighbor does. You’re looking over at Egypt, and you’re wanting the things they have. You’re neglecting to see the work of God in your life and, instead, are coveting the life of your godless neighbor. 

Some of us— well, we’re choosing to be Christian in more than name only. We’re going to actually follow Jesus. I invite you to come along. Choose today whom your family will serve. Will you serve yourselves as so many in our culture do? Will you serve money? Will you serve ease and comfort? Whatever you choose— choose it. Please stop saying you’re a follower of Jesus while you’re living out in the weeds of sin. Jesus has the power to save us, so stop wallowing in your sin while trying to wear His name. Choose. Pick a side. (There are no neutral parties, here.) 

What Does it Really Mean to Choose Jesus?

We’re pressing on. We’re working for His Kingdom. We’re living for Him. We’re raising our kids in His word and on His terms. We’re letting Him shape our lives. We’re seeking and listening to His voice. We’re not content to let another generation rise that doesn’t know His voice. We’re not content to settle for the fool’s gold this world has to offer. We’re bowing before Jesus and no other. If you call yourself a Christian, join me in raising Christian kids at the foot of the cross. 

Joshua wasn’t wrong. We can’t do it; we don’t have the power to live lives worthy of the calling of Yahweh. But Jesus can. By following Him, by letting Him direct our steps, by letting Him live in us and through us, we’ll find our lives shining with the light of Heaven here on Earth. If we obey His voice, in Him, we can. 

So, choose today. Either be the follower of Jesus you claim to be or stake a claim elsewhere.

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This post contains affiliate links. These links help support our family and ministry and don’t cost you any more to use. Using affiliate links is a good way to support your favorite content creators.

Filed Under: Encouragement, Faith Tagged With: Christian, devotion, devotional, faith, family

Shoes Too Big to Fill

September 21, 2024 by notesfromtheparsonage 1 Comment

This post was originally an article that was part of a weekly column at The John and Charles Wesley Center for Christian Thought and Apologetics. You can see the original article here.

Do you ever feel a little bit bad for Joshua? I mean, can you even imagine being the guy who follows the act of Moses? Moses. THE Moses. He brought the people out of Egypt! He parted the Red Sea! Those are the shoes Joshua has to fill. It is no wonder Yahweh says to him multiple times, “Be strong and courageous!” (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9, 18). Moses dies, and God immediately turns to Joshua and says, “You’re up!” 

I often feel like Joshua must have felt. I feel like I’m walking in shoes far too big for me to fill. The weight of the souls in my care feels like more than I can really bear. I’m supposed to be shaping eight everlasting souls! That doesn’t even take into account the impossible amount of laundry, dishes, and never-ending cooking I have to accomplish. Add to that their entire education since I’m a homeschool mom, and this task is too big! I know I can’t be the only one who sometimes thinks, “Who thought it was a good idea to make me their mom?!” I feel like a little guy plodding along where giants should be running. 

And here is the thing: These feelings are completely correct. Joshua had no power in himself to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land and into the victory God had promised. Joshua had no way of fulfilling that promise himself. What he did have was Yahweh. How could Joshua fill these massive shoes and walk straight into the land of giants? How could he have courage with such a big task? “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, ESV). Joshua could only accomplish what he was called to do because of Yahweh. He could only lead the people to the Promised Land and victory because Yahweh was with him. 

The shoes really are too big. But the secret is that I’m not really meant to fill them. I’m meant to walk with Yahweh as He shapes their souls. He’ll give me the strength and courage I need for the task. He will not abandon me in what He has called me to do. The task isn’t easy. It does take courage. But the Lord is there. So be strong and courageous as you step out into the shoes that are too big to fill, because God is with you.

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This blog post contains affiliate links. These links provide a small commission on items you may purchase when using these links. These links do not cost you more to us and they support our family and ministry. Using affiliate links is a great way to support your favorite content creators.

Filed Under: Encouragement, Faith, Family, Mama Tagged With: Christian, faith, family

Get Out of Crisis Mode

September 19, 2024 by notesfromtheparsonage 1 Comment

This post originally appeared on the John and Charles Wesley Center for Christian Thought and Apologetics as part of a column called The Doorposts. You can visit the original here.

What is Crisis Mode?

Crisis mode. Those seasons in which you can’t possibly see enough to plan ahead at all—not even to Friday. Those days in which you are struggling to make it to bedtime. Those times when life gets crazy and the kids end up watching way too much TV and consuming way too much fast food. The times when you don’t have the mental bandwidth for a conversation.

We’ve all been there. Sometimes, it’s when you’re adding a new baby to the family. Or when your parent is sick and you’re spending your mental strength getting them and yourself through that. Maybe you moved and your feet aren’t quite under you yet. You’re in crisis mode. You’re just trying to get by each day. You just need to eek into tomorrow. 

There are times when, really and truly, that is all we can do. We can only do this moment and simply cannot think past it. We lean into Jesus, and we just hang on as we pummel to the bottom of the valley. 

Stopping the Cycle of Crisis Mode

But crisis mode doesn’t last forever. Yet, for far too many Christian parents, we spend the majority of our children’s lives parenting in crisis mode. We never get our feet under us. We never see beyond this moment. We certainly don’t plan for the future. Our entire parenting life is spent just trying to eek into tomorrow. We make decisions that aren’t for the long-term good of our family. 

The thief would like for us to continue that way. He’d love nothing more than to steal your joy, intentionality, and love for your family. Our adversary would love nothing more than to destroy any hopes for discipleship and community within the family (and the Family of God). He’d love for you to stay so busy and so tired that you cannot possibly see a way out of this moment right now.

But Jesus has bigger plans for us. Jesus wants us to have abundant life. He wants us to thrive, not just eek by. 

Practical Helps on Getting Out of Crisis Mode

So how do we get there? How do we get out of the cycle of crisis mode? Can we get beyond this moment? How can we reclaim what the thief is trying to steal from our family? 

First, we pray. Often, when we say we’re holding onto Jesus, we’re just holding onto some vague idea of hope. We aren’t actually praying. We aren’t actually reading the Bible. We aren’t actually availing ourselves to His grace in our lives. We’re holding onto the idea that Jesus will be like a fairy godmother and sweep into our mess at some point and just bippity-boppity-boop it all okay. We aren’t truly asking Him to step in; we’re just holding out a weak hope that perhaps He will. Faith is bigger than that, Fam. Jesus is more than that. He is our hope for the future but also our hope for today, for this moment, for this situation.

Pulling Away in Crisis Mode

We pull away from His people, where He works. We pull away from the hands and feet He sends. Waiting around for that magic wand to turn our pumpkin into a carriage. Stop vaguely hoping and find a hope that is deep, real, and lasting. Pray. Seek Him. Give Him your cares in prayer. If your faith is floundering, I suggest keeping a prayer journal so you can watch God at work. Write down the date and your specific requests. Leave some room for the answers. When a prayer is answered, write down the answer and that date. You’ll be surprised at how much and how quickly God often works. We tend to forget. Our vision is short-sighted. We forget we were even praying about the kid’s cough last week because that is gone now, so now, we’re praying for something else which we too will probably forget. But God is faithful, even if our memories are not.

Don’t pull away; lean in. Often in times of crisis (which we’ve established is just a way of life for some of us), we pull away from the Church. We pull away from our friends. We don’t share our burdens with them. We don’t want people to know our struggles, and we certainly don’t want them to help. The thief likes this about us. Isolated people are easier to tempt. Isolated people tend to magnify their own problems. Isolated people are easier to destroy. Don’t pull away from the grace God gives us. He gave us one another. He works through His people. Stay with His people. Let them help lighten your burden. Let them help bring some perspective to your situation. 

Spiritual Disciplines

We tend to pull away from spiritual discipline. We become too busy and too burdened for that “just one more thing”. So, we stop reading our Bible. We stop fasting. We stop feasting. We stop worshipping. We stop listening. We just stop. Shutting out the voice of God doesn’t make the thief’s voice quieter—it amplifies it. Shutting out the voice of God isn’t going to alleviate your burdens—it is only going to make them heavier and make you weaker while trying to carry them. Don’t pull away. 

Sorting Out Priorities

Next, we sort our priorities now. Today. We don’t wait for things to get easier. We don’t wait for things to get lighter. We choose today whom we will serve (Joshua 24:14-15). So, whom do you really serve? Many of us live our lives to serve ourselves. We want to say we are Christian families, but if we look at our priorities, it is clear we are serving the great American god of Self.

How do you know your true priorities and not just the “look good on paper” versions? Look at your calendar. Where is the most time spent? Where is the best time spent? Where is the first time spent? Which parts are written in pen and which in pencil? (Metaphorically, of course; I know some parts might actually be written in crayon.) Look at your checkbook. Where is the most money spent? Where is the first money spent? What parts of the budget are non-negotiable?

If you’re like most American families (even professing-Christian ones), you might be surprised to see that your serving children’s sports and activities above all else. You might find that your entertainment and “me” time have become those non-negotiable, written-in-pen activities. You may find that, while you say you’re a Christian family, nothing about your calendar or bank account will verify that claim. You may find that you’re [actually only just] trying to “squeeze in” those religious things to appease that part of your brain saying, “I’m not doing this life-thing right.” 

Packing in Too Much

We find ourselves living in crisis mode outside of a crisis because we’re devoting ourselves to the wrong things and to too many things all at once. When we choose a child’s sport activity before worship, what we say with our actions is that faith isn’t as important. When we find ourselves choosing personal entertainment over family dinner, what we say with our actions is that I’m more important than the family. (And I’m talking about consistently choosing, not a once-in-a-while thing.) Are we teaching our children that my personal comfort and temporary amusement is more important than Jesus? …than them? 

Evaluate Real vs. Ideal Priorities

Take a long, hard, critical look at your priorities. Pause everything else for as long as you need in order to get first things first. Take a family break from everything that isn’t top-billing. This will help you actually start living the life you intend to be living. It will get you out of crisis mode and just eeking by. 

Those things on pause—don’t add those things back in without thinking through what you’re giving up to have them in your life. Every ‘yes’ also comes with a ‘no’. Be aware of that so you can say ‘yes’ wholeheartedly, with intentionality, and say ‘no’ without guilt.

When you are in actual crisis, go back to these priorities. Start saying ‘no’ to the extras more so you can still live with intentionality and not be crushed under the current burden. (Also, let others help you carry the load.) Live life intentionally. Raise your kids intentionally. Don’t just run from one crisis to the next. When you are in crisis, know which things are immovable and which things are extras. Jesus wants your family to have abundant life. The thief wants to steal your hope, joy, and family. The thief wants to bury you. Don’t help him.

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This post contains affiliate links. These links help support our family and ministry. You don’t have to use them, but using them costs you nothing extra but does give a small commission to our family. Using affiliate links is a great way to support your favorite content creators.

Filed Under: Encouragement, Faith, Family, Mama Tagged With: Christian, Christian family, crisis mode, encouragement, faith, family, inspirational, lean in, priorities

Magic Bean Soup

September 17, 2024 by notesfromtheparsonage Leave a Comment

White bowl of magic bean soup with silver spoon and piece of crusty white bread on a wood table.

With Soup Season upon us (to the delight of my kids), I thought it was time to share some of our favorite soup recipes! Magic Bean Soup is a frequently requested soup in our house. When we have Sunday Supper Soup Socials during Advent (we just make a massive pot of soup every Sunday night through Advent and open our home to anyone and everyone who wants to stop by for dinner), this soup is always requested.

This soup serves 20-24 people. You may want to divide the recipe for a more manageable amount of soup if you’re not feeding a crowd. (I’m always feeding a crowd.) I also make this in the InstaPot because it is by far the easiest way to make anything involving dried beans, but you could adapt it for a regular stock pot on the stove– you’ll just need to cook it for 5-6 hours instead of 40 minutes. You also need at least an 8 quart electric pressure cooker (InstaPot) for this recipe.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1/4 cup dried celery (optional)
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 2 quarts dried mixed soup beans
  • 5-6 quarts chicken stock
  • 1 T salt
  • 1 T black pepper

Making Some Magic (Bean Soup)

Turn the InstaPot on brown and toss in the butter, chopped onions, celery, and can of diced tomatoes. Let the butter melt and stir the veggies a bit while it does. Don’t bother to cook the onions down completely.

Add the chicken stock, beans, salt, and pepper. Stir. Turn the InstaPot on for 40 minutes.

When it is done, we serve it with homemade peasant bread. (A recipe for another day.)

Now the Talking

I always hate it when the recipe is all the way at the bottom of a blog post, so to avoid that, I put mine toward the top. Now we can talk about all the particulars with the recipe out of the way.

This is a cook from the heart kind of recipe. If you don’t have dried celery, you can use fresh (the flavor is different, though) or you can skip celery. If you don’t like tomatoes, don’t add them. (They are very minimal in this soup, so you may not even mind them.) I usually use a yellow onion, but if you only have white or red, use what you’ve got. I have added carrots before, as well, though I don’t usually add carrots. If you don’t have butter, use some olive oil and move on. It really isn’t an exact science here. It is soup. Soup is forgiving.

Discussion of Ingredients

I use the 13 bean mix from Azure. Buying the 25 pound bags ensure we have beans so we can have Magic Bean Soup at any time. I do not buy the seasoning mix because I find my way works the way we like it. You can buy mixed beans from the grocery store (you’ll need 2-3 of the normal sized bags). You can also just toss in whatever dried beans you happen to have.

That said, the red lentils and split peas in the 13 bean mix will pretty much disappear in the soup– but they act as a thickening agent. Without them, the soup is going to be less substantial feeling. So, I do think having at least one of those is an important factor. Also, my kids absolutely love having some giant beans in the soup. So, I think the large lima beans or lava beans are necessary to a good Magic Bean Soup. They are part of the magic. I think the dried mixed beans are easiest, but it isn’t the only way.

Bean choice can also affect the cook time. I find 40 minutes in the InstaPot gets all the beans cooked, but not obliterated (except for the red lentils and split peas as we discussed). However, if you’re using smaller beans all around, you could decrease your cook time. If you’re adding a lot of larger beans or you don’t have those lentils and split peas that are going to thicken the soup, you can add more time.

I say 5-6 quarts of chicken stock because technically 6 quarts might fit, but you’ll likely have to short it a little to not go over the “max fill” line on your electric pressure cooker (InstaPot). I add to the max fill line, which will be over 5 quarts but a little under 6. If you have a pressure cooker larger than 8 quarts, this isn’t going to be an issue– add 6 quarts of stock.

Serving Magic Bean Soup

I also love serving this soup with fresh, homemade bread. You don’t have to serve it that way. It can be served alone. You could just buy a loaf of Italian bread or a baguette to serve with it. It is entirely up to you.

I don’t garnish the soup, either. I don’t find this to be a fancy soup and don’t bother with garnish. If I were going to garnish it, chopped parsley would be my choice of garnish.

white bowl of magic bean soup with silver spoon next to crusty white bread on wood table

Magic Bean Soup

A delicious mixed bean soup recipe that the whole family will love!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Waiting for the InstaPot to Com Up to Pressure 10 minutes mins
Total Time 55 minutes mins
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 20 people
Calories 297 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Electric Pressure Cooker at least 8 quart size

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 stick butter
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup dried celery
  • 2 quarts mixed dried beans
  • 6 quarts chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 tbsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Melt butter in InstaPot on "brown" setting with chopped onion, dried celery, and can of diced tomatoes.
  • Add dried beans, chicken stock, salt, and pepper. Do not go over max line on your InstaPot!
  • Set InstaPot to 40 minutes and cook.
  • Serve with warm bread.
Keyword beans, soup, vegetarian

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This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links are the best way to support your favorite content makers. They don’t cost you more to use, but we do receive a small commission when you use them.

Filed Under: Large Family Meals, Recipes, Table Tagged With: 13 bean soup, large family recipes, magic bean soup, recipes, soup, soup recipe, soup season

Secular Is Not Neutral

August 10, 2024 by notesfromtheparsonage 6 Comments

Secular is Not Neutral with two kids playing in the dirt on the bottom of the Pinterest sized image.

Like many parents, I mistakingly had the idea that “secular” curriculum options were religiously neutral and I was wrong.

Secular Was Not A Solution to My Problem

When my children were young, I found myself in a homeschooling predicament. The problem was that we are Wesleyan-Arminian Christians, and most Christian homeschooling curriculum is not Wesleyan-Arminian. We haven’t been very good in our tradition with publishing, and we’re especially anemic when it comes to homeschooling resources.

I tried a few Reformed resources, but they didn’t perfectly fit our family. We tried Catholic resources and found that they, too, were not a perfect fit. In my frustration, I made a mistake that I think many homeschoolers might make in my shoes. I started opting for “secular” resources over “Christian” resources, thinking I was opting for a neutral option.

Secular Is Not Neutral

However, I was wrong. “Secular” is not neutral. Everyone has a worldview. No matter how “unbiased” we claim to be, we all have biases. We all have a lens through which we see the world, which is our worldview. In my frustration over comparatively-small theological differences among fellow Christians, I was opting to use resources from a completely different lens. It wasn’t neutral. And I knew it. I had to make more adjustments to make secular resources fit— but I felt like I was just laying my theology on top of a blank book— which couldn’t have been further from the truth.

The difference between the theological differences among Christian resources was more akin to having hazelnut creamer when I wanted caramel creamer. The difference in secular resources with the worldview I wanted to teach my children was more like trying to substitute motor oil for creamer. They were just completely different things. Why was I comfortable using the devil’s resources? Why was I okay with letting the world shape my children? I was wrong. Very wrong.

Does Theology Matter?

I’m not saying the theological differences don’t matter. There are reasons we’re Wesleyan-Arminian in tradition and not Reformed, Catholic, Charismatic, etc. Those are very valid reasons, and I do think the theology matters. But when it is all said and done, those are still my brothers and sisters in Christ. As long as we agree on the big issues of orthodoxy (basically what’s in the Creeds), we’re following the same Jesus. I should have trusted my kids to those resources over the secular ones. Would that have meant more conversations about points of theological differences? Sure. But those are worthwhile conversations to have. Who doesn’t need to be reminded of their baptism? Or to discuss personal holiness? And would I rather point my kids to Jesus in every way possible? I should have.

What is the Solution?

Do I wish there were more Wesleyan-Arminian resources? Yes. Let’s get on that. Please. But in the meantime, I’m okay with using resources that aren’t necessarily in our theological camp as long as they point to the real Jesus. Because what we choose to use in our homeschool shapes our children. (Education is shaping. Homeschool, private, or public schooling is a shaping activity for our children.) I should have been more mindful of the worldview I was allowing to shape my children. And from now on, I will be.

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Superhero Cape Sewing Tutorial

August 8, 2024 by notesfromtheparsonage 6 Comments

This superhero cape sewing tutorial is very easy. You’ll need two fat quarters and something to make the closure.

“Every boy needs to wear a cape at least once in his life.” – Uncle Brian

Two toddlers with superhero capes look sad and tired on a cracked driveway

Kids love superhero capes! Well, my kids do, anyway. It can be frustrating to try to locate a cape that is generic enough to fit any pretend game they want to play. If your child wants to be a bat or spider, then you’re all set. But let’s say they want to be “Super Aidan” or “Super Turtle” or “A Bad Apple”, then where do you find a costume like that? If you’re like me, you make it!

Toddler in an apple/pear superhero cape

Supplies for Superhero Cape Sewing Tutorial

First, you’ll need your supplies! You can make this out of 2 fat quarters. (You know how I adore things you can make with a fat quarter!) Essentially, you’ll need two rectangles measuring 18″ x 22″. (2 fat quarters)

If you want the cape a little longer for an older or taller child, you’ll want yardage. I recommend 22″ – 24″ long to fit from 2 to 5 years old. If your Super Little Guy is taller or older, you may want to adjust. [You’ll need 1/2 yard of 2 non-directional fabrics (this would make two capes). If one or both of your fabrics has a vertical pattern, you’ll need 2/3rds of a yard.

You will also need some sort of closure. You can use ribbon, buttons, snaps, velcro… It is up to you! I make mine with plastic snaps, since I have a snap press and like the ease of snaps. (Remember, if you use buttons, make sure the child is past that “putting everything in their mouth” stage. You don’t want them to choke.)

Measuring and Cutting

Wrong side of striped fabric of animals in hats with clear grid ruler on top to start measuring the pattern for the superhero cape sewing tutorial

My quilting ruler is 2″ wide and 18″ long. On the back side of your main fabric, mark 2″ from the top a 3 ” line in toward the cape on each side. Wow, that sounded confusing. I line up my ruler on the top of my fabric and draw a line from the outer edge to the 3″ mark of the ruler. Repeat for the other side.

Pattern has been measured and marked and is ready to cut from the fabric.

Now, mark the edge 6″ down from your 3″ lines. Connect the end (toward the center) of the 3″ line with this 6″ mark, creating a triangle! (I did not fully cut out an 18″ by 22″ rectangle in the photo above. As you can see, I just measure it as I went along and cut the whole thing out at once. You can do this or you can cut your rectangles, then remove the triangle parts if you’d like. Either way works.)

Cut out the triangles you just drew.

Main fabric of superhero cape is cut out

You should have one piece of fabric now that looks like this! You can either cut out the other piece using the same method, or you can cut it out like I do.

Using one piece of fabric as a pattern for the second main piece of fabric for sewing a superhero cape

Place your cut piece right side down onto your contrast fabric, right side up. (Right sides together.) (As you can see, I didn’t pre-cut my rectangles since I was using yardage, rather than fat quarters. Either way works.) Pin around the edges, securing both pieces of fabric together. Now cut the contrast fabric out, using the front as your template. Now your pieces are already right sides together and pinned, ready to sew!

If you cut the pieces out separately, you’ll now want to pin both pieces right sides together before you sew them.

If you are going to use ribbon as a closure for the cape, you’ll need to sandwich and pin that in between the fabrics now, before you begin sewing.

Sewing the Superhero Cape

Two pieces of fabric are cut and pinned together ready to sew into a superhero cape

Time to sew! Sew around the edges of the fabric, leaving a hole in the top for turning. Clip your corners and notch the angles of the triangle cut outs. You want them to lay as flat as possible.

Flip your cape right sides out, push out the corners, and press flat.

Topstitch around the edges.

Add your snaps, buttons, or velcro if you need to.

Done!

Toddler in red shirt with orange and striped superhero cape made from this sewing tutorial

As you can see, the “collar” of  the cape is meant to flip over, showing the contrast fabric. However, it works either way! Now you have a reversible cape for your Super Little Guy (or Gal)!

You can do with this pattern as you wish. However, please don’t take credit for the design. It’d be nice of you to share the free pattern with others. Enjoy!

Other Notes From the Parsonage Posts You Might Enjoy

  • Plastic Bag Holder Tutorial
  • Cowboy Bib Sewing Tutorial
  • Crayon Wallet Tutorial
  • Petal Skirt Sewing Tutorial
  • Double Twirly Skirt Sewing Tutorial

Filed Under: Crafts, Family Tagged With: cape, costumes, dress up, free sewing pattern, free sewing tutorial, parenting, pretend play, sew it yourself, sewing, simple cape tutorial, superhero cape, superhero cape tutorial, toddler, toddler cape

Godbold Academy 2020-2021 Curriculum

August 3, 2024 by notesfromtheparsonage 5 Comments

This school year, we’re going back to me fully planning the year. My home education ideals fall somewhere between Classical and Charlotte Mason. We’ve fully done both, and find that a mix between the two works best for us. I rely heavily on real books, but we don’t rely heavily on narration.

I wanted to share my plans with you because I know this isn’t something everyone likes to do. I know a lot of homeschool moms aren’t comfortable crafting an entire curriculum, or they don’t have the time or energy to do so. It just isn’t everyone’s “thing”. It is my “thing”, so I figured I’d share it, since I have it.

This year, we’re cycling back to Ancient History, which I am very excited about. We’ll have kids in all Classical stages and all Charlotte Mason forms. Essentially, I’ll have kids from elementary school to high school, so the plans for this year are for all grades. For simplicity’s sake, I’ve broken down the curriculum into four posts: Morning Basket, Grammar Stage, Logic Stage, and Rhetoric Stage.

Stages are not a one size fits all. You may notice the Logic Stage plans are too easy for your 8th grader, and you want to challenge them in certain areas. Go for it. You may think the Rhetoric assignments are too difficult for your 9th grade, bump them down in whatever subjects you choose or all of it. Swap out the books you don’t want for ones you do want. There are plenty of options out there, I’m just sharing with you what we’ll be doing.

You may notice I include some books that pure Charlotte Mason enthusiasts would consider twaddle. I try to include plenty of difficult great books for my kids to consume, but also know that I personally read twaddle from time to time for my own enjoyment. I’m just not opposed to letting kids read “fun” books (we’ll call them that instead of twaddle) to give them a break from the intense mental load of some great books. If you don’t like a book choice of mine, cool, don’t use it.

I’m simply putting this out there for anyone who wants to take a peek. Use it for your own curriculum. Use it for ideas to craft your own curriculum. Use it to look over and see options that exist. I’m just sharing.

Filed Under: Homeschool Tagged With: Charlotte mason, classical education, classical homeschooling, curriculum, finding curriculum, free, free curriculum, free homeschool curriculum, free morning basket plans, homeschool, homeschool curriculum, homeschooling, morning basket, morning basket plans

33 Tips for Maintaining Your Sanity While Raising a Toddler

August 2, 2024 by notesfromtheparsonage 4 Comments

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Meet Emery. Adorable. Right? Come on, you know that kid is cute. Life with Emery is not always easy. I know, I know. You’re looking at that angel face saying, “Certainly he is the most perfect child ever!” Okay, so you might not be saying quite that, but something along those lines. But this kid is a challenge. And it is my daily mission to stay sane, while raising him lovingly and letting him be who he is.

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This isn’t my first trip to the Raising-A-Toddler rodeo, and it won’t be my last. I’ve still got years of this stuff ahead of me. I’ve learned some things along the way thus far. And I’m sure I’ll have plenty more of these tips once Ransom enters the ranks of toddlerhood. But for now, here are 33 tips for maintaining your sanity while raising a toddler. There may be some you just cannot do. And that’s cool. There may be some that you just don’t need with your perfectly behaved toddler. Okay. Lucky you. Some of these may be just the perspective changer you need.

1. Messes can be cleaned.

It doesn’t matter how big or small, know it can be cleaned. And if you don’t know how to clean it, grab some Dawn dish soap and jump right in. It can’t be worse than the mess in front of you, right?

2. If you are not willing to DO something about your toddler’s behavior, don’t SAY anything about it.

I call this “saving my nos.” You know there are times when you’re, say, melting chocolate on the stove and you notice your toddler taking book after book off the shelf into a room beyond your line of vision. You aren’t willing to leave the chocolate to burn, so you yell, “No! Stop taking books off the shelf!” Well, your toddler will likely not listen to you. You are then left in the predicament of continually yelling at a little person who now KNOWS you aren’t willing to actually DO anything or you just let it go, and you’ve wasted a “no”. (You said no, they didn’t listen, nothing happened.) You get your blood pressure up about it. And you aren’t even sure of what they are doing in the other room. You might be right, they might be making a book tower to stand on to grab that beautiful ceramic vase they’ve been eyeing for years. Or they might just be giving each stuffed animal a book to read. You don’t know. But to save yourself the future trouble of them testing your no and save yourself the headache of having to keep yelling at the kid when they have clearly tuned you out. Just keep melting the chocolate. You’ll deal with the mess later.

3. Toddler proofing is not the same as baby proofing, and you need to do it.

When your baby was small, you baby proofed your house. You crawled around looking for hidden dangers for baby. You cleared off the coffee table. You put foam edges on your hearth. You plugged all the electrical outlets. But now, that baby is a toddler. And he can reach anything you can. Why? Because he can climb like a frickin’ monkey. (Seriously, Emery can scale walls!) So, that baby proofing you did just isn’t enough. You’ve got to tether the furniture to the walls. Anything of value needs to find a home in a box and hang out in the attic for a few years. Because, let’s face it, those peanut butter covered finger are just drawn to whatever it is Mommy finds most valuable to her. Wedding photos meet sharpie. First edition signed copy of a book, rip….. Glass vase passed down every generation on your wedding day- crash! Save yourself the headache and heartache and just put them away. (And by away, I mean far, far away. The top shelf might be 7 feet high, but your toddler can still get to it.)

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4. Embrace the zen of things being already broken.

I once read an article about embracing the zen of toys being broken when you get them. Basically, you get something new and in your mind, the thing is broken. You spend each day that it isn’t broken excited, and loving it for the time. But when the day comes and the thing breaks, you don’t grieve, for it was already broken. Sounds strange. Sounds crazy. But it works. And it doesn’t just work for toys! It works for that awesome coffee cup you just bought. Or those lovely stemless wine glasses that you have been eyeing and finally possess. One day, they’ll break. View that as an inevitability. And when the day comes, and your coffee cup breaks (in the hands of your toddler, I’m sure) or your set of 8 wine glasses is down to 3, you’ll be okay. You won’t be upset. Because you viewed these as transient things.  You enjoyed them while they were whole, and now you can move on.

5. Don’t buy double rolls of toilet paper!

But I’ll have to change my toilet paper more often! Hear me out, here. You buy a double roll, you use it for a few days, then your toddler decides to put the end in the toilet and flush, watching the whole roll unravel on its way down. You just wasted over half of your double roll! Buy the single rolls. When your toddler has his inevitable toilet paper adventures, less paper waste and lesser chance of a clogged toilet. Embrace the single roll!

6. Don’t get over-zealous about potty training.

You know, one of the most stressful events with a toddler is not the messes he makes or the things he breaks. It is teaching him to quit pooping himself. Most parents really stress themselves out over potty training. They have some self-imposed deadline in their head and their child will be potty trained by the deadline, dagnabit! Only, the toddler isn’t aware of the deadline. The toddler isn’t even completely convinced in the necessity of using the toilet. And so the battle begins. I battled with my first with the potty. I begged. I cried. I bribed. I gave up. I resolved to get her on that blasted pink potty! She eventually got it. She’s 5 and she can use the toilet now, praise the Lord. I stressed us both out over something she was eventually going to get. My stressing over it and pushing her did not help her in the least. It did not help me in the least. Aidan got a bit forgotten in the potty training area. I potty trained Imogene and needed a break, though it was “his turn” since he is not too much younger than his sister. I didn’t bother, citing that boys needed longer anyway and I needed a potty training break. Guess what? He still learned to use the potty. On his own. No tears from me. No begging. No bribing. He figured it out all on his own. Now, he is that kind of kid. (You know the type. Engineer brain, I call him. He sees the way things work and he applies it for himself.) But the point is, he learned without my efforts. So, don’t stress out over it. They’ll get it soon enough and diaper days will be behind you.

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7. Don’t compare toddlers!

If you’ve got more than 1 child, you know that no two kids are alike. Yet, you’ll often find yourself comparing what your younger one is doing compared to your recollection of what the older one was doing around the same age. You’ll find yourself comparing your toddler to the one you see at the park. Stop it. Stop comparing. You’ll only frustrate yourself. The kid you see at the park, you see for just a few moments of her day. You don’t see the little train wreck she is a bed time or the way she pitches a royal-knock-down-drag-out fit if she even senses healthy food of any sort in her vicinity. Assume you see every toddler at their best. (Or, if you see their fall-on-the-floor-thrash-around fit, assume they are at their worst.) But don’t compare. I’ve had 3 toddlers thus far and can tell you they are each very different and each complicated in their own way. So what if Suzy 2 year old can recite her ABCs and count to 20. Your kid can climb trees higher than most adults!

8. Find a way to internally mock those “my kid is better than yours” or “I know everything” parents.

I’m not saying be mean to them. I’m just saying, take lightly everything they say. So, Suzy can count to 20. I’m sure there is something Suzy cannot do. Don’t let Suzy’s Mom make you feel like a bad parent. Your kids are different. You are different. She doesn’t know your kid. She doesn’t parent your kid. You re the expert on your child. Ignore Suzy’s Mom. Making a farce of such parents will keep you from taking their criticisms and “advice” to heart. It’ll keep you sane.

9. Don’t be embarrassed by your toddler’s escapades- they are no reflection on your parenting ability.

People without toddlers look at a tantrum and say, “Look at that horribly parenting. If that were my child I would, blah de blah blah. And furthermore, my child will never behave in that manner!” If you’ve ever had a toddler, you look at a toddler’s tantrum and say, “Man! I remember those days! Stay strong, Mama. This too shall pass.” See, there is always going to be someone in the crowd (usually the least experienced) who will have some critique and assume your parenting is to blame. But the majority of the crowd knows that this is just what it is like living with a toddler! So ignore the few that don’t have a clue what they’re talking about. Ignore those shocked stares. Let your toddler pitch his fit because his Happy Meal now comes with fries and apples. (How dare they give me both and not let me choose anymore!) The “experts” around you (those normal moms who have toddlers or have had them) sympathize. Don’t feel the least bit bad or guilty. Toddlers pitch fits. Some more than others. You’re still a good mom. (And in my book, you get bonus points for continuing on your merry way and not let the fit even so much as faze you. I know you are my sister, a girl after my own heart!

10. What works for one toddler, will not work for all toddlers. What works for one mom, will not work for all moms.

You’ve been on the internet (you’re on it now!), you’ve read all the advice from all the “experts” about how to potty train, how to get your kid to eat better, how to limit temper tantrums, how to stop your toddler from biting. You’ve tried some of this sage advice. You feel like a failure when it doesn’t work. Wait! What happened?! Andrew’s Mother swore up and down bitter apple would stop my child from biting his brother again! But it just made my child more angry and he bit me! What did I do wrong?! You didn’t do anything wrong. You just aren’t raising Andrew. (And I do not recommend bitter apple for biting. I’ve never even heard of using it with kids, only dogs. So don’t try it and cite me on it.) You’re not Andrew’s mom. So, though the “experts” may claim (and I always check and see if the expert has even raised children) a fool-proof plan to sneak veggies into your child’s diet, know your child may not be fooled. There is no one size fits all advice for toddlers. There is no one size fits all advice for parenting. I’ve got 4 kids and have to do things differently for all 4. You think you’ve got this parenting thing in the bag, and then the next kid doesn’t respond to your ways. Nothing is wrong with them, or you. You’ve just got to adjust and adapt.

11. Just because he likes it today, doesn’t mean he’ll like it tomorrow. (Just because it works today, doesn’t mean it will work tomorrow.)

These toddlers are fickle little things. Today, string cheese is their favorite snack in the world! Tomorrow, they throw the cheese at you and scream! (You fool! Don’t you know string cheese is out! Fruit leather is the new string cheese! Sheesh.) Today, you find he’ll actually clean up his own toys if you play the “Clean It Up” song by Yo Gabba Gabba. Tomorrow, you turn the magic tunes on and he makes a bigger mess! Don’t fret. Toddlers are fickle. It isn’t you. Just roll with it.

12. Put the number for poison control on speed dial.

You know, the moment your kid ingests floor cleaner is usually a few moments after he flushed that poison control magnet down the toilet. Go ahead and put the number on speed dial. And don’t worry, poison control assures me that they aren’t tracking my calls for investigative purposes. (Yes, I called so much I had to ask.)

13. Put the number to the local Children’s Hospital Nurse Line on speed dial.

You’re at the playground, suddenly the stick that was a pretend sword is now in your toddlers eye. You’ll be glad you’ve got the nurse line on your speed dial to determine if your should take your toddler to your regular doctor, urgent care, or the ER.

14. “Child Proof” is a relative term.

When dealing with a toddler, “child proof” simply means it buys you a little time before they get into whatever it is you’re trying to keep them from. They’ll eventually figure out those cabinet locks. They’ll eventually figure out the child-proof medicine tops. The trick is to not give them long with those things, so hopefully you don’t have to call poison control. With a toddler, you want to double and triple up your child-proof stuff. (Medicine in a child-proof bottle, inside a tote with a latch, inside a cabinet with a lock.) Hopefully you’ll catch them before they get through all layers of protection.

15. Switch to more child-friendly cleaners, at least while they’re in this phase of life.

I know, you love your bleach and ammonia. But how much are you going to love your toddler getting into those things? Consider switching to more kid-friendly cleaners, at least until this exploring and destroying phase is over. (Fabuloso is safe-ish around toddlers. It is just soap, so drinking it just upsets the tummy. I know from personal experience.) Switch to vinegar or just soap and water.

16. “Spill-proof” is a relative term.

Spill -proof usually means that when the cup falls onto its side, it does not spill completely. However, when a toddler shakes it upside down, it might sprinkle. When they throw it against the wall, it might leak. And of course, they could just suck it out and spit it all over your white couch.

17. Lids are a must on all cups- even yours.

You think to put your toddler’s drink in a spill-proof sippy, but what about your sweet tea you keep with you all day? Put a lid on that, too. It won’t keep it from getting spilled, but it will minimize the mess when it is spilled. Consider travel cups for everything anyone in the house is drinking that isn’t at the dinner table.

18. Invest in a steam cleaner.

If you’ve got carpet and a toddler, you need a steam cleaner. Even if you have your carpet professionally cleaner twice a year, you need a steam cleaner. Some messes are just less stressful with a steam cleaner around.

19. Remember, your main goal of the toddler years is simply keeping the child alive.

If your toddler is alive at the end of the day, you’ve done your job. It doesn’t matter that all they’ve eaten is dog food and they’re covered in marker. They are living. No permanent damage has been rendered to them today. Good job, mom!

20. Delight in small victories.

Life with a toddler can be rough. It is easy to get bogged down. You’ve cleaned mess after mess, the house is still a wreck, the kid is throwing his umpteen-thousandth temper tantrum, and you’re about to loose you shmidt. Learn to celebrate your small victories! He colored mostly on the paper with the Sharpie this time, only a few marks on the table- that is improvement! He ate 2 beans at dinner tonight when yesterday he tossed his plate against the wall. Winning! He brought me a book to read to him! Sure he only sat for a few pages, but he is interested in reading! Yes!

21. The cuter the outfit, the more staining the mud/lipstick/paint.

It never fails, I put my toddler in the most adorable outfit and before we even get out of the house, it’s ruined. And not ruined like, he can’t wear it today. Ruined like, he’ll never wear this again. It just seems to always happen. The cuter the outfit is one him, the bigger and deeper the stain. Save your sanity. Enjoy the cute outfit for the two seconds it is cute. If you have to, put it on them and take a picture immediately. We all know the outfit will never be the same. (This is why I laugh when people say, “Oh, you’ve got three boys! At least you already have all the boy stuff to pass down.” Pass down? What’s that? Do boy’s clothes beyond a certain size make it out in one piece?)

22. If you don’t make the most of unconventional canvases, they will.

Toddlers love to make messes. It is just part of their little natures. If you don’t provide unconventional canvases to make messes upon, they’ll find their own. So, let them color the side of the house with chalk. Let them use the chalk to “decorate” your brick hearth. Because if I’ve got to choose between cleaning chalk of the hearth at the end of the day and cleaning Sharpie off my white chenille bed spread, I’m going with the hearth. (The second is impossible.) Their messes will be made. So take advantage of opportunities to put the messes in the best place for you.

23. The second you try to show them off, they’ll act a fool.

Emery can count. He can count very well. The second I say, “Emery, show Mrs. Jan how you can count.” he acts out. Not just folding his arms and refusing to count (though he has done so before). But yelling, screaming, kicking, “Noooo!”

Emery tells jokes. He only knows one joke, but varies it constantly. If I say, “Emery, tell Daddy your joke.” That kid will act like I’ve got two heads. Suddenly the word “joke” has no meaning. So, I prompt him. “Say, ‘Knock, knock!'” “No!” “Come on Emery. ‘Knock, knock!'” “NOOOOO!!!!”

24. Don’t take it personally.

They love you. Really they do. Screaming “No!” in your face and then throwing a cookie at you isn’t a personal affront. They don’t think poorly of you just because they scream “SHUT UP!” when you say, “I love you, sweet boy.” None of it is personal. It isn’t you against them. It is just them learning how the world works. (And by all means, you can tell them not to tell you to shut up or tell them they hurt your feeling. Though, I wouldn’t expect empathy- they’ve got none. Little sociopaths.) So, don’t get your feelings hurt when they refuse your kisses. They are just flexing their autonomy. It’s nothing personal.

25. They do not like age appropriate toys.

Save your money, they aren’t going to play with that toddler toy that is “all the rage.” Being a top toy only means that lots of parents buy it, not that lots of kids like it. You get them a play broom, they’ll still scream for the Swiffer. You get them a play kitchen, they’ll still be up under your feet to “help” you cook. Toddlers like the real thing. No fakes. So, shorten the Swiffer and let them to town. (You can actually shorten a Swiffer to be kid sized. Just remove one of the rods in the handle.) Give them a duster and let them work. Hand over spoons and bowls and let them play.

26. Limit your expectations.

They are toddlers. It is a difficult transition phase for you. They were your baby, now they are growing. As they grow, it is easy to have unrealistic expectations. While we can’t treat them like babies, we also can’t expect 5 year old behavior from a 2 year old. Just because they can sometimes help pick up toys doesn’t mean we can expect them to keep their rooms clean. Just because they sometimes refrain from taking the toys of others, doesn’t mean we expect them to be self-giving all the time. Anytime you find yourself frustrated that your toddler isn’t behaving as they should, think about what it is you are expecting of them and decide if it is an acceptable expectation. Don’t sell them short, but don’t hold such high standards they’ll always fail.

27. Don’t expect them to just go with the flow.

There are toddlers who go with the flow. It is built into their little personalities. They’ll always be that way. Everyone cannot be that way. So while you may wish you’re little one would just go with the flow, he may be yelling, “Go with the flow?! Woman! I am the flow!” And you know what? The world needs those kinds of people. Yes, they are inconvenient toddlers, but they make awesome leaders.

28. Bribes just don’t work. Save your breath and money.

Bribing a toddler is a futile activity. They just don’t really get the whole delayed gratification bit, which is what a bribe is. Putting aside the discussion on if it is best or not for kids, plain and simple, it just doesn’t work for toddlers. You may find it works one day, because the kid is tired of feeling amicable that day. But you’ll find that with a toddler, more often than not, your bribes will fail. So save your efforts and don’t bother attempting it.

29. You don’t have to entertain them all day.

That is a novel idea to some parents, I’m sure. But the fact is, your toddler will be happy, smart, and well-adjusted without your over-enthusiastic attempts to keep him that way. They can play alone. They can invent their own games. You don’t have to schedule activity after activity for them. It is okay to sit on the patio and read while they pick at blades of grass. You don’t have to be actively playing with them all day every day. Sure, there are times you’ll want to have a planned activity for them, but they flourish with free time. I know you think, “Lordy me! He’s just bored to death. He’s just piling up rocks and then moving the pile! I need to do something with him.” But stop! He’s learning. He’s exploring. He’s safe. He’s happy. You can sit back, drink your lemonade and continue reading your Sookie Stackhouse novel. If you’ve been entertaining your kid every hour of the day, you may find him resistant to playing alone at first. Encourage him to spread his little wings. He’ll be entertaining himself in no time.

30. Enlist in the help of his little friends.

Sometimes, talking through toys is the best way to get your toddler to listen. With Emery, that means talking to Ribbert, his Scentsy Buddy. A few evenings in a row, Emery suddenly HATED the concept of bedtime. This, from a kid who would BEG to go to bed just 8 months before. I tried talking to Emery. I tried just making him go to bed and protest and keep putting him back in bed. In desperation, I turned to Ribbert. I said, “Ribbert, stop screaming at me!” Immediately, Emery was quite. I continued, “Ribbert, it is bedtime. There willl be plenty of time to play tomorrow, but tonight, you must go to bed.” Emery joined in, “To bed, Ribbert!” I tucked Emery and Ribbert in bed. “Would you like me to sing ou a song or tell you a stroy, Ribbert?” Emery replies, “He like song. Twinkle. Twinkle.” I sang the song. Kissed Emery and Ribbert, and they were in bed. Suddenly, it wasn’t a power struggle to Emery. I took it from being between me and Emery and made it between me and Ribbert. Emery was moved from his spot as being in the fight for control to being an observer. He was free to “give in” without loosing his autonomy. I gave him an out to stop fighting.

It won’t always work. (See the previous point about everything not working for every kid, every time!) But if you’ve tried everything else, give it a shot. if nothing else, it lightens the mood.

31. Give them options, but not too many!

Toddlers are learning that they can control things. They are suddenly the boss of their world. From babies being carried about with no control over who was holding them, where they were, what they ate, or what the wore they move into this new stage where they can cause things to happen. If they scream loud enough, long enough, they get their way. They want choices, dangit! The trick is to give them options so they can choose. Let them have some control in their lives. But don’t overwhelm them. I usually give two options when I can. At bedtime, I pull out two sets of pjs. This turns the tables. It isn’t about if they’ll consent to wearing the pjs, it is about which pjs they’ll wear. The same goes for snack time. The entire contents of the kitchen aren’t up for grabs (it would take forever, and many mind changes to get him settled on anything). He can choose a banana or some cheese crackers. He’s happy. I’m happy.

Of course, there are times when neither of the two options is sufficient. That happens. Stinkin’ tiny, cute dictators! You just have to know what things you’ll just let go and which are non-negotiable. Are pjs for bed a must or can they sleep in their diaper alone? Are you willing to say “no snack” or is it okay that they chose a fruit leather when you offered crackers or a banana. Is the couch an acceptable napping spot or do they really have to go to their bed, even if it means they won’t sleep? That stuff depends on you and what you know of them.

32. If it looks like poop, treat it like poop until it is proven otherwise.

If a toddler walks over to you holding anything that appears to be poop, you assume it is poop. If you find a “painting” on the wall and you think, “Is it chocolate or poop?” You treat it like poop. Never smell a toddler’s could-be-poop hands. You’ll just end up with poop on your nose. In the end, you’ll never regret treating the come-to-find-out-it-is-only-chocolate like poop. You will, however, regret assuming chocolate when it turns out to be poop. And 9 times out of 10, it’s poop.

33. Enjoy it. But don’t feel bad that you don’t enjoy the moment you’re cleaning human feces out of the carpet.

You know they’l only be toddlers once (Praise the Lord!). Take the time to enjoy the funny things they do and say. Enjoy watching them explore and learn. Celebrate this time with them. But don’t feel guilty that at times, you just can’t find the silver lining. Don’t feel bad about being annoyed that you’re steam cleaning chocolate footprints off the floor for the fourth time this week. (Blasted “fridge lock” never worked correctly!) Sometimes life with  toddler just sucks. Cleaning up their messes while being screamed at is no fun. Maybe you’ll laugh about this one day, but today, it ain’t funny.

Write down those messes they make. Maybe one day, you’ll get a book deal writing about all these escapades. That might make cleaning permanent marker off the hardwood floor worht it. Or maybe you’ll just pass your notes on to this toddler when he’s a grown man with his first child turning two. It just might bring him a bit of perspective. Or he’ll assume you are a vry lousy parent to allow him to stab his eyeball with fabric scissors not once, but twice! It’s okay. By the time his first child is 4, he’ll understand.

He’ll be a man one day. And this one, he’s going to be Chuck Norris.

Filed Under: Child Development, Family Tagged With: advice, Mom, mothering, parenting, sanity, toddler

Omega Heirloom Bible Review

June 17, 2024 by notesfromtheparsonage Leave a Comment

The Omega Heirloom Bible from Crossway is a premium Bible that feels fantastic in hand and reads so clearly. Let’s take a closer look!

Pinterest sized image with title on top and a picture of a dark brown leather Bible on a slightly blue wood table.

Crossway sent me this beautiful Bible from their premium Bible collection. At first, I was thinking it would be exactly like the Alpha Edition Heirloom Bible, but I was wrong! While similar, this Bible is uniquely different.

Bible Packaging

Black Box with gold lettering of the ESV Omega Heirloom Bible on slightly blue wood table.

This Bible comes in the two piece black box from Crossway. Inside, you’ll find a velvet wrap for the Bible itself. It is so beautifully packaged. You can’t see this bit, but the smell of the leather really hits you when you open the box!

Brown leather Bible inside velvet wrap and black box on slightly blue wood table.

As always, Crossway’s Heirloom Bibles have a lifetime warranty. This is a Bible meant to last forever. It is meant to become an heirloom.

Omega Heirloom Bible Exterior Features

Top edge of the dark brown leather of the Omega Heirloom Bible from Crossway on a slightly blue rod table.

This particular Bible does come with two cover options. You can choose from the black goatskin option or this dark brown slick Wellington Leather. The Wellington leather cover does get marks from wear, but I actually like that a lot more. I love the look of worn leather, and I can’t wait to see this beautiful leather fully worn.

I know the worn leather and how easily it scratches might bother some people. Think about that slick leather getting a scratch. If you are annoyed by that thought, maybe go for the black goatskin cover.

The spine has those raised lines across it. The words on the spine are pressed into the leather, not printed onto the leather.

Picture of Omega Heirloom Bible from the bottom showing the four ribbon markers and the golden page edges.

This Bible comes with ample ribbon markers! It has four and they are different colors, which I love. You have black, white, dark brown, and a medium brown.

The gilded edges are those that are gold with the red undertone– you know which ones I mean. When you flip the pages you get this flash of like a rose gold type color.

This Bible is a thin line style Bible. It is larger than the Alpha Heirloom Bible. The official measurements are 6.125″ x 9.125″. As you can tell in the pictures, it is thin. What you can’t tell is the slight floppiness of it. (For some reason, every Bible that arrives in this house, The Pastor grabs it and shakes it to see how it feels in the hand when you get fired up preaching and start shaking the Bible at people.)

Omega Heirloom Bible Interior Features

The interior of this Bible is beautiful. It is double column in a very easy-to-read 10.5 point font. You can see it contains cross-references but not study notes. The spacing of the letters and words is excellent and makes for a very comfortable and easy read.

As far as extra features, this Bible is pretty simple. It contains front dedication, marriage, birth, and death pages that are a thicker and slicker paper than the rest of the Bible. There is a good sized concordance in the back. Several full color Bible maps on thick, slicker paper are also in the back. That is really all of the extras there are.

I also need to talk about the paper itself. This European paper they use in their premium Bibles is just next level. It is so smooth and the pages don’t stick together at all. But it is also thin, like Bible paper should be. It isn’t something you can really photograph, so you’ll just have to believe me. (Unless you happen to be over at the parsonage for some reason and then you can feel it for yourself!)

Thoughts on the Omega Heirloom Bible

The size of this Bible is The Pastor’s preferred size of preaching Bible. That is where I can see this being the right Bible. This is an excellent everyday preaching Bible for a Pastor, Teacher, or Missionary. It isn’t a study Bible, but you can study this Bible (especially with all the cross references). There isn’t really room for notes in the Bible. The ease-of-reading and size make this a very ideal Bible for teaching and preaching.

My husband’s first preaching Bible was just a standard thin line leather Bible. It was a fine Bible (though no one wrote on the dedication page, which always broke my heart a little– always write on the dedication page), but it didn’t last. About fifteen years into ministry, pages were falling out and the Bible was falling apart. It was hard for him to let go of that Bible because it meant so much to him. And it made me sad that he didn’t have a better Bible to begin with.

That is why I think all preachers should be gifted an amazing premium Bible. It is a heartfelt way to put your endorsement behind their calling. It is a meaningful thing to do that is also useful for them. I can just imagine how beautifully worn this Bible could be over a lifetime of service to Jesus. Even 15 years in, it isn’t too late to get a nice Bible for sharing the Word to the world.

This is probably not the Bible for everyone. It isn’t the Bible for me. I need space to write. I want study notes. I’m not a nice, compact simple Bible type. I’m married to the nice, compact simple Bible type. So, just because it isn’t for me doesn’t mean it isn’t an amazing Bible.

Other Notes From the Parsonage Posts You Might Like

  • Heirloom Bible, Alpha Edition, Review
  • Heirloom Bible, Heritage Edition Review
  • ESV Pocket Bible Review
  • ESV Personal Study Bible Review
  • Large Print Single Column Journaling Bible Review

Things I Have to Say

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Filed Under: Bible Reviews, Faith Tagged With: Bible, bible review, crossway bibles, esv bible, heritage bible, omega bible, omega heritage bible, premium bible

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I’m Lindsey Jane, wife of a pastor and mama of 9 (yep, 9). Read along as I write about faith and family!  You can read more about our family and me here.

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