Self Control

This month as we follow along in MomSense, we are studying the chapter over self control. (pages 95-102)

You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage... to say"no" to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger yes burning inside.

Stephen Covey

Much like the author in this chapter, I struggle with practicing self control around anything sweet. Other than just for the sake of my health, why would practicing self control be of benefit to my child? Blackmer says, "Because the ability to be in charge of your attitudes, actions and behaviors is a critical life skill for adults and for children. And if we moms can model and encourage self-control, our children will adapt this trait in their own lives." Ellen Galinksy suggests self-control is one of the seven essential life skills and defines it as "the ability to refuse a strong desire to do one thing and instead do the most appropriate thing."

Wow... that's a hard task. Sometimes things seem so much easier even if they aren't the best thing for us. Practicing self control isn't always convenient, and for myself, is rarely easy. However, it is always worth it.

Galinksy writes, "If we find it difficult sometimes to maintain our focus and self-control, imagine what it's like for our children, who don't have decades of practice and experience. These are difficult skills, which may be why they're so fundamentally important."

My granny use to preach about self-discipline all of the time. After a temper tantrum my sister had one evening, my granny told her she needed to practice self-discipline. I remember my little sister being so angry she loudly declared, "I don't know what that self-discipline is, but I don't like it... and I don't want it!!!" Granny just giggled as my sister stormed off and later forgot whatever it was that upset her so much.

It's true, though. Even as an adult, I don't particularly like self-control. Particularly during the holidays with all of the wonderful baked goods and tasty casseroles. It's too cold to work out, but it would be heavenly to munch on my great Ina's special Christmas cookies by the fire. After all, it doesn't hurt anyone. But that little voice prompts me to put down the cookie and pull out my yoga mat. Hopefully that small sacrifice that doesn't seem so small at the time will be a subliminal lesson for my little man about self-control.

My son is going to grow up in a very instantly gratifying society. We don't have to wait for much, do we? Self-control is going to be a vital part of him growing up. Galinksy also quotes Walter Mischel during an interview, "these executive function skills should be promoted and reinforced by families and schools because they enable children to become able to manage frustrations and distress in ways that don't derail them from pursuing the goals that are important to them. Remember: focus and self-control are always exercised in the service of pursuing an important personal goal."

Your MomSense

• On a scale of one to ten, with one being pathetic and ten being excellent, where would your rate your own self-control?
• List two areas in your life where you feel you have good self-control and two areas where you feel you need improvement:
• List one thing you can do today to increase your own self-control:
• List one thing you can do today to help your children practice self-control:

December Calendar

Check out this month's calendar! Please let us know if you have an event you would like to add.

Printable MOPS Newsletter

Everyone should have received their newsletters electronically at the first of the month. I missed the last meeting, so you didn't have printable versions available to you. If you would like to print one from home I have them uploaded now.  (Sorry for the delay! This has been a crazy month!) These are designed for 11x17 landscape printing. Don't forget to find us on facebook and twitter to catch new blog entries or posts. Also, subscribe to our feed so that you can see when we add new info! Blessings!

Sponge Grunge

While flipping through my monthly issue of Nutrition Action from CSPI, I took note of their cover story "Safe at Home".  The article focused on keeping  your kitchen clean - including dish cloths, sponges, sinks, cutting boards, refrigerators, counter tops, freezers, microwaves, and dish washers. But the DIRTIEST thing in  your kitchen is probably your sponge. Microbiologist Manan Sharma was interviewed in the article and said sponges are so dirty  because "They come into contact with food residues that can build up in them and that provide nutrients for bacteria and other microorganisms to grow." The article also points out that sponges are left in damp areas causing them to be wet. This only encourages conditions for germs to multiply. "A safe kitchen is a dry kitchen."

So, what to do? Rinsing and squeezing a sponge under running water alone won't do much for you. Microwave a WET sponge for one minute, and you will rid yourself of the majority of germies. (Please don't put it in the microwave if it has metal.) An alternative to the microwave is your dishwasher. 

WikiHow has other great step by step instructions on cleaning sponges. But, if you want to avoid sponges all together, just keep a fresh dish cloth out at the beginning of the day and toss it in the hamper in the evening. Just remember not to use a sponge as your "final wipe" of a surface.

Consistency

If you are calm, you are consistent, and you always do what you say you're going to, you will earn their (your children's) respect and trust.

Dr. Kevin Leman

If you are reading along in MomSense, we are in chapter six about consistency. Yikes... This is an area I could use improvement in. With my husband working a swing shift (12 hour shifts alternating between days and nights with an added hour and a half of driving time), we have a hard time finding a balanced schedule. While most little ones are getting ready for bed, my son is just getting to see his daddy for the first time that day. We have a late dinner, and little man gets to bed later than I would like or later than nights when daddy is working his night shift, and it is just my little guy and me. Some nights my son really tests me with his strong will wondering if I will follow through with the punishment I've threatened. Sometimes I don't. Or sometimes we end up going to the park even though I swore if he didn't take his "no thank you" bite during dinner he wouldn't get to go that night. On my end I recognize that it is very important to follow through with what I promise - whether it is reward or punishment. he needs to have a routine that he can trust just like he can trust in my husband and me. Now that's convicting!

Questions we will go over in discussion are from pages 85-86.

• Describe a time when it was difficult for you to be consistent in a parenting situation:
• How did your child respond to you?
• Share with other moms any struggles you have regarding consistency in your parenting practice, and ask a good friend to check in on this with you regularly to see if you're getting better at following through.

Hand Washing

 

Unfortunately, sickness comes along with cooler weather. The BEST way to prevent illness is to teach our little ones the importance of hand washing. 

 

This year there was a global handwashing day designated to bring awareness to the importance of washing hands. Check out globalhandwashingday.org for some fun stuff and important information put together in honor of celebrating that day. Don't forget to make everyday a global hand washing day. Here are some good tips from washinghands.net to teach the kiddos:

1. Apply Solution and Scrub for at least 10 Seconds
2. Scrub back of hands, wrists, between fingers and under fingernails
3. Rinse your hands
4. Turn off water lever using elbows
5. Dry

 Little Acorn Learning has some songs that your little ones can sing while they wash to ensure they wash them long enough and remember all of the steps.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
See how clean my two hands are
Soap and water, wash and scrub
Get those germs off, rub a dub
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
See how clean my two hands are

Wash, wash, wash your hands
Get them nice and clean
Wash them on top
Wash them on bottom and fingers in between
Wash, wash, wash your hands
Get them nice and clean
Wash them on top
Wash them on bottom and fingers in between

Two little hands
So clean and so bright
This is my left
And this is my right!
(do this one more than once to meet your 20 seconds!)

Tops and Bottoms, Tops and Bottoms (Rub tops and bottoms of hands)
In between, in between (rub fingers inside on both hands)
All around your hands, all around your hands
Makes them clean, makes them cleank

And lastly, a video advertising SoftSoap® but more importantly a fun reminder for children to remember to wash their hands. Cute for the little ones.

Traditions

For many families, the holidays go hand in hand with memorable traditions. Many of them are passed down through several generations. Other than having the iconic turkey for Thanksgiving lunch, I couldn't think of any real tradition that we had. So, who is to say I can't start one? Here are some fun ideas I found on the web that I thought I would share.

Gratitude Rolls

 

I love this idea from beautyandbedlam.com. Each guest for dinner writes a few things they are thankful for on small sheets of paper. They are baked in rolls and passed around during dinner. (A sort of fortune cookie if you will.) You can use pre-made crescent roll dough or follow their recipe for  homemade butter horn rolls.

Gratitude Trees

This is a similar idea from Green Jello. Cut out leaves of paper to hang on a "tree." Each guest writes something to be thankful for to hang on the tree. Keep the leaves for future Thanksgivings.

Book of Thanks

This is another cute idea from Eighteen25.com. Have a book ready for all of your guests to write their blessings with a photo from that day including everyone. Add to it every year. Wonderful heirloom!

So what traditions does your family have? Do you plan on starting any new ones?

RESPECT - People are Getting on My Nerves

If you missed Teri's devotion on respect, no worries, we've got the bullet points. We all tend to get on each other's nerves because we all have had different experiences. Inevitably there will be conflict. So what is the best way to approach someone who is getting on your very last nerve? (ie the infamous White Van...) Let's just look at the Bible for some guidance. Teri's given us these tips using the acronym RESPECT.

Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

1 Peter 2:17

R - Remove Self. Stop focusing on yourself and let God take control.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Romans 12:10

E - Encourage Praise. Lift others up. Speak goodness into them.

Rejoice always, pray continually

1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

S - See the person through God's eyes. We are all working through salvation. Ask Him to reveal their struggles.

P - Pray. Ask God to bless them.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 

Romans 12:14

E - Expect less of others. God is our Provider.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 

2 Corinthians 9:8

C - Close your mouth.  

Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Psalms 141:3

 ¹ Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ² We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
 ³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
 ⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
 ⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. ¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵ Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
 ¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3

T - Tap into the heavenly realm. Have a heavenly perspective. When human emotions flair up it can be hard to have a heavenly perspective.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  

Colossians 3:2

Practice respect every day. Step into the heavenly realm.

November Calendar

Check out this month's calendar! Please let us know if you have an event you would like to add.

Operation Christmas Child

'Tis the season to pack boxes for Operation Christmas Child! Every year each table packs two boxes, one for a boy and one for a girl. Over the next two meetings we will be packing our boxes. Don't know what to pack? The information below is directly from the Samaritan's Purse website. Discussion group leaders can help answer any questions you might have. :)

GIFT IDEAS

TOYS
small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS
toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

OTHER
Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

A PERSONAL NOTE
In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)

DO NOT INCLUDE:
Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans

How to Pack
a Shoe Box

1. SHOE BOX

PRINT THESE INSTRUCTIONS AND LABELS
Click image to download.Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

2. BOY OR GIRL?

Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate boy/girl label by downloading the artwork to the right. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

3. FILL WITH GIFTS

Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child.  Use the gift ideas provided on the bottom of this page.

4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION

Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by using our “Follow Your Box Donation” option, or you can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, please make one combined donation.

5. DROP OFF

Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at the Collection Center nearest you during our collection week, November 14-21.

For locations and hours of collection visit our Drop-Off Locations page where you can find the nearest place to take your shoe box by entering your ZIP Code or you can call 1-800-353-5949.

You can also send your shoe box gift to:
Samaritan’s Purse
Operation Christmas Child
801 Bamboo Road
Boone, NC 28607

Download the Newsletter

The newsletter is available for download if you need a printed copy. :)

Before You Speak, THINK!

Found this cute downloadable sign from Sweet Blessings. Great reminder for mommies and little ones in our practice of respecting others.

Sense of Respect

"Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do To You"

Luke 6:31

This week we will be going over Chapter 5 in MomSense. We'll be discussing respect and how it is relevant to our relationship with our children. I can always remember my mom stressing the commandment that we should honor our mother and our father, but there is a flip side to that coin. As parents we are to love and respect our children. In order to develop respectful children, we need to respect our children.

^"Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged."

Colossians 3:21

 

As parents we are the foremost important model for our children. Our children are watching. They are watching how we treat others, how we treat them, and how we talk about others when they are not in the room. Here are some tips from MomSense on raising respectful children.

• Interact often with your children.
• Value your children's thoughts and opinions.
• Say nice things about other people.
• Use positive forms of communication.
• Do what you say.
• When (not if) you mess up, say, "I'm sorry."

I came across the following poem on Christian-Bloggers. They also shared this sermon from Truth for Life which is worth a listen.

I Took a Piece of Plastic Clay:
(Author Unknown)

I took a piece of plastic clay
And idly fashioned it one day-
And as my fingers pressed it, still
It bent and yielded to my will.

I came again when days were past
The bit of clay was hard at last.
The form I gave it, still it bore,
But I could change that form no more!

I took a piece of living clay,
And gently formed it day by day,
And molded with my power and art
A young child’s soft and yielding heart.

I came again when years were gone:
He was a man I looked upon.
The early imprint still he bore,
But I could change him then no more.

In our discussion groups we will go over your personal MomSense. If you have an opportunity, think over these discussion questions from the end of the chapter.

1. Describe actions that are respectful.
2. Describe actions that are disrespectful.
3. What does or would respect look like in your home?
4. What is one thing you can do today to show your children you respect others?
5. What is one thing you can do today to show your children you have respect for them?

October Calendar

Check out this month's calendar! Please let us know if you have an event you would like to add.

September 7 Notes

If you missed the first meeting, you missed some good stuff. Not to worry! I have a few highlights from the devotional. (Although, you will have missed a great devotional!)

3 Points to Patience
1. Meditate on Scripture

2. Think before You Blow. Walk Away. James 1: 19-20

¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 

3. Walk in the Scripture. ALWAYS! Galations 5:16

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 

Keep this in your thoughts as you go through your day: God is patient with us. He is our BIGGEST fan. He is our BIGGEST cheerleader. His grace is sufficient.

Other scripture to keep in mind as we practice our patience:

Colossians 3:12

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 

1 Thessalonians 5:14 

¹⁴ And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Download the Newsletter

Sometimes it's just easier to have something in print. You can carry it with your or stick it to your refrigerator. If you are one of those who enjoys a printed version of the newsletter as opposed to online we've got it here for you to download and print. Enjoy!

MOPS Calendar

Below is our calendar for the season. Check back periodically to find updates and cancellations. Please email us with anything you might want to add. Thanks!

Welcome from Michelle!

Dear Moppet Mommies,
Welcome to another great year of Mops and Moppets.  We are looking forward to another great year getting to know your child/children.  This year we will be learning about the love of Jesus and hearing wonderful Bible stories as told by our favorite friends of VeggieTales. 

We have a lot of new moms this year so I would like to share a little bit about myself and my background so you can know a little more about me.  I am married to a wonderful husband named Bud and have three teenage daughters who keep me very busy.  They are 18, 16, and 14 years of age.  This year I have a junior and freshman who will keep me busy with band, theater, and sports.  We love going to watch our children in all of their activities and are very proud of them.  I have always loved children but actually went to school and received a business degree with a major in marketing.  I worked as a marketing director until our second child was born and then opened up an in-home daycare for two years.  This was all while living in Lincoln, Nebraska.  In October 1999 God brought us here to Amarillo and we now call this home.  I am starting my 11th year as a Mothers Day Out teacher here at First Baptist and this is my 6th year as Mission Friends Director on Wednesday nights and Moppets Director.  I am proud to say I have been here for Moppets since the beginning with Tanya and love my job. I also teach 2 year old Sunday School here at First Baptist.  If I am not working here at the Church or watching my kids at their activities I am probably babysitting someone elses kids or watching reality tv.  I don't have many hobbies because I don't have time for any. I am looking forward to getting to know each and everyone of you better and know I will love your kids. 

If you have any questions at anytime please feel free to call, text or  e-mail me any time. If you ever need a babysitter feel free to ask and if I am available I will try to help you out. 

There are a few things you can do for me that will make our time run smoothly together.  Please label everything that comes with your child.  If you have babies this includes diapers, bottles, burp rags, pacifiers, or anything else they may have.  For toddlers and up please label sippy cups and anything else they may bring.  During the cold months please label coats and jackets.  If you are going to be absent from mops it is very important that you call your group leader and contact me as well.  You can do this through phone, text, or e-mail.  Even if it is the morning of mops please call.  This helps me make sure I have enough staff to cover all our childcare needs and allows me to know if we have spot for a visitor.  Thanks for your help with this. 

I am looking forward to a wonderful year together.  Please let me know if there is anything I can do to serve you better.

In Christ Love,

Welcome from Tanya!

Welcome to the 2011-2012 year of MOPS at First Baptist Church – Amarillo.  I’m Tanya Alloway, MOPS coordinator and I am ready for our year to begin.  Our steering team is so excited to get this year started; we can’t wait to get back so we can meet new moms and reconnect with returning moms.

This year’s theme from MOPS International is MOMSENSE: BOLD-LOVING-SENSIBLE.  The spiritual foundation of the theme is from 2 Timothy 1:7.  As you read the whole chapter, you see that Timothy had a strong mother and grandmother who nurtured his faith. Paul exhorts Timothy to use the gifts God has given him in a bold, loving and sensible way. We have chosen to use The Message paraphrase to use words that are accessible to moms who may not be familiar with the Bible, but we encourage leaders to study the passage in their preferred translation as well. 

In my opinion, The Message is not a bible, but a reading bible.  It is merely one man’s commentary of the bible.  So, please take a moment to read in your preferred translation 2 Timothy 1:7 and supporting verses.

As we follow the MomSense book this year, we hope you begin or adjust and fine-tune those mothering strategies.  We will follow the book through the year.  So if you already have a book please start reading as we will dive right in to the first “MomSense” – Sense of Patience from Chapter 4.

If you are a mom who already has older children (like me), this book isn’t a waste!  I have read it cover to cover and many pages have underlined sentences with info that needs to be digested.  Here is a couple:

•  pg 30 “Part of growing up is getting to know ourselves, learning about our gifts and our weaknesses, and understanding who we are and how we become that person.  This, for most women, brings us back to our own mothers.” (Huh…does it really all come back to our mothers?!?
  
• pg 117 “Growing a sense of humor is just the beginning of creating something vital in our homes – an atmosphere of joy.  Atmosphere is defined as “the dominant mood or emotional tone.”  What is the dominant mood or emotional tone of your home?” (I know as the summer is winding down, sometimes the atmosphere at our house isn’t the most pleasant!  How can I as a parent improve our atmosphere?)
  
• pg 177 “Living beyond your MomSense is partly about recognizing that you are important and part of something bigger, and growing in your sense of God.  You have not been created to live alone.  You have been created for relationship.”
  
  (I am so thankful to have my relationship with God – my Rock!)

I hope you will enjoy reading this year’s book – it is full of wisdom!  I thank God for each of you moms in being BOLD (maybe the first time at MOPS), LOVING (bringing a friend), or SENSIBLE (knowing you need mom-friend relationships)!  See you September 7th!

Common Sense

Common sense is instinct. Enough of it is genius.

George Bernard Shaw

My mother has always told me, "You've got book smarts, but no common sense." I probably should have been more insulted by this, but I found it to be rather true about myself. Most of my "common sense" was actually learned through experiences in trial and error. I've usually had to do something wrong in order to learn how to do it correctly. Often I try to fit the square peg into a round hole before I have my, "Ah-hah!" moment and realize I need to try something different. It doesn't come naturally to me, but I remember the answers to hardest lessons the best. I try to be observant of other moms and how they deal with discipline or instruction. I am open to advice but also use my own judgment on how much of the advice I follow. Do you feel like common sense is something that you are born with, or do you think it's something you develop as you grow older and have new experiences?

Blackmer introduces MomSense as Mom Intuition + Common Sense = MomSense

Chapter One Discussion Questions

1. Do you think you have a high level of common sense? Why or why not?
2. What experiences have you had that developed your common sense?
3. How do you use your common sense in your mothering practice?
4. How can you help your children develop common sense?
5. Take a minute to write down your own definition of common sense. 

As always, please feel free to discuss these questions on the blog as well as in your discussion groups at the MOPS meetings.

How Can We Work on Patience?

 

"Patience is not passive; on the contrary, it is active, it is concentrated strength."

Edward G. Bulwer-Lytton

By nature, I am not the most patient of people. It has become something I have to work at.  I have a tendency to string myself a little too thin with overcommitments and obligations. This puts me in a constant sense of urgency and rush. As a consequence, I am a little too easily frustrated when my four year old wants to stop and examine the "rollie-pollies" on the side walk as we head to load into the car. As he stops to inspect them, in awe of their capability of rolling themselves into a tiny sphere, I am agitated that it is taking him an eternity to reach the car.

"They're so cute!" he squeals.

"Yeah, yeah... get in the car!"

"Look, this is a baby one! Where's his mommy and daddy?"

"I don't know, babe. Hurry up. Get in the car."

"I think he lost his mommy and daddy. I'm going to look for them."

"No! Not now... GET IN THE CAR!"

After all, we are rushing to go to the gymnastics class I enrolled him in so that he could have some social and physical activity to guarantee that he would be a well rounded child. That's important, right? More important than rollie-pollies?

But my son is heartbroken that the "baby rollie-pollie" appears to be an orphan and has no interest in going to gymnastics. I have him drop the rollie-pollie to the ground and lift him up to load him in the car myself. He immediately starts crying.

I am on the edge of losing it. Why is he being so emotional over a bug? Can't he see we only have 5.5 minutes before we are late... again... to gymnastics? Gymnastics class... the one in which he can't seem to sit through a demonstration, whines about having to jump on the trampoline, pesters the girls in pony tails and tights, runs around when he is suppose to be sitting, refuses to flip on the bar, is bored by the balance beam, and burps the alphabet if he thinks the kids around him will laugh.

Tell me again why I'm in a rush to do that tonight? I get out of the car and unbuckle my little guy. "Come on. Let's go look for his mommy and daddy." And my little guy is satisfied and content.

I have to remind myself to chill. I should be moved by his compassion and his interest in new things that are so wonderful and mysterious to him... things I've seen a million times and look over every day. I want to appreciate how he marvels such tiny things.

So, what are some ways we can daily work on our patience?

I love this post from Inspired to Action who suggests we as moms can work on our patience by doing the following:

1. Sleep 7-8 Hours
2. Drink 6-8 Glasses of Water
3. Be Like a Wall of Jello.
4. Be All There
5. Don't Multi-Task
6. Start 15 Minutes Early

Check out her post on How To Be A More Patient Mom in Just 24 Hours if you get a chance. 

If you are reading along in MomSense, Jean Blackmer includes tips on radiating cool. You can check them out on pg. 71.

1. Know if you're tired. 
2. Do an attitude check.
3. PMS. Know your menstrual cycle.
4. Be aware of your stress level.
5. Employ your sense of humor.
6. Did you grow up with a parent who had a short fuse?
7. Remember your children are watching you.

I think the last one is the most important one to me. How do I want my little guy to react to others? I don't want him high strung. I need to be a better example for his sake if not for my own sanity.

What are ways you cool off? How do you control your frustrations?

2011 Race for the Cure

Get Your Run On! (Or walk...)
The 2011 Race for the Cure is coming up in a little over a month. The Race will be held September 24th, 2011 at Downtown Amarillo.
I know I personally have lost someone I love very much to breast cancer, so this event has always been important to me. The event in itself is an important one because it raises funds for our community. Up to 75% of funds raised stay in the Panhandle. Not only that, but it brings a strong call for self awareness and proactive responsibility for women.

"The Greater Amarillo Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®—along with those who generously support us with their talent, time and resources—is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in our community. We join more
than 100,000 breast cancer survivors and activists around the globe as part of the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting breast cancer. Since 2004, through events like the Komen Greater Amarillo Race for the Cure, we have invested over $1,000,000.00 in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in the 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle. Up to 75 percent of net proceeds generated by the Komen Greater Amarillo Affiliate stay in the Panhandle. The remaining income goes to the national Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants Program for energizing science to find the cures."

Quoted from the 2011 Resource Guide for our Local Chapter

The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Greater Amarillo website has valuable information on breast cancer and even a local guide to relevant resources in the Panhandle community. I highly suggest you check it out.

The Facts
Think breast cancer isn't relevant to you? THINK AGAIN! "Despite the prevailing opinions that young women don’t get breast cancer, the reality is that they can and they do. Here are some important and startling facts about breast cancer in young women:

• In 2009, the American Cancer Society projects 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 62,280 cases of non-invasive breast cancer in females; it is estimated that 25,100 of these women will be under 45 years of age.
• One in 14 women with breast cancer is under age 40 when diagnosed. One in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer is younger than 45 when diagnosed.
• Breast cancer accounts for 26% of all cancer in females 15-39 years of age and 39% of all cancer in 35-39 year olds.
• Young women’s breast cancers are generally more aggressive and result in lower survival rates, particularly in African-Americans and Latinas.
• Increasingly, evidence suggests that breast cancer before age 40 is biologically different from the majority of breast cancer that occurs in older women. Women younger than 25 may have a third type of biologically distinct breast cancer.
• As the incidence of young women with breast cancer is much lower than in older women, young women are often an underrepresented population in research studies.
• There is no effective breast cancer screening tool for women 40 and under."

Information from the Young Survival website. You can print PDFs from their fact sheets here.

TOUCH. LOOK. CHECK.
It’s as easy as T.L.C.
TOUCH your breasts. Feel anything unusual?
LOOK for changes. Be aware of their shape or texture.
CHECK anything unusual with your doctor.

One of my FAVORITE sites on breast cancer awareness is through REthink Breast Cancer. It is a Canadian based site, but the information is current, valuable, and relevant. They focus on teaching women under 40 about breast cancer awareness and do it in a fun and honest manner for young women. If you aren't into pink ribbons, you might want to check out the information they offer.

"It’s not just an old ladies’ disease...
When young women get breast cancer it often spreads more aggressively, leading to tougher treatments and lower survival rates. Add such age-specific issues as fertility, diagnosis during pregnancy, childcare, financial security… and breast cancer becomes a triple threat to young women. But here’s the good news: When it’s caught in its earliest stages, the five-year survival rate for women ages 20-39 is almost 90%. We think that's a pretty fabulous reason for every young woman to get proactive about her breast health."

Quoted from the REthink Breast Cancer website.

Want to help give away free mammograms to women who need them? Check out thebreastcancersite.com. Every click gives funding toward free mammograms. (Paid by sponsors and not by you.)

Patience!!!

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 

James 1:19-20

One of the toughest challenges we face as mothers is patience. I've always been told, "Don't pray for patience! God will give you an opportunity to practice it!" 

I know every morning my four year old son tests mine. He, not unlike myself, is not a morning person. He wakes up protesting brushing his teeth before even crawling out of bed. Before he is even served breakfast he has asked if he has to take a bath, has to get dressed or has to brush his teeth. Every morning he whines, "I don't feel good..." and attempts crawling back in bed. His feet drag, he is unmotivated, and he is groggy. He sits staring at his cereal bowl, uninterested, until it is mushy and unedible. He cries because, before even testing the bath water, he knows it is too cold or too hot. He is tight lipped as we try to brush his teeth and whines as we comb his hair. He wants to wear his shoes with cleats as opposed to his school shoes and is angry that he can't wear his iron man helmet to Pre-K. As we walk to the car, he claims he can't carry his own school bag because it is too heavy and won't pick his feet up as he walks. I am on edge and don't know how many times I've said, "Hurry up," and my frustration is building. 

On the way to "school" I feel convicted about my impatience with him. I know these moments are fleeting when he will want to cuddle with me in the mornings, need me to tie his shoes, or will let me kiss him dozens of times or hold my hand. Why am I in such a rush?

It is something I have to practice daily. Patience....

Over the month of September we will be going over patience. Below are some of the questions we will discuss in small groups. Please feel free to post answers to these questions in the comment section below. Do you have any scripture that helps you through your frustration? Do you have recommended reading or advice? We welcome past experiences, advice and recommendations!

Discussion Questions :

• What causes you to really lose your patience with your kiddos?

• Would you describe yourself as patient? Why or Why Not?

• What is something you can do for a single day to practice patience with your children?

• What are some recognizable signals that indicate  you're about to lose your patience?

• When you recognize those signals, what can you do to intentionally practice patience?

What to Expect the First Meeting

September 7th is our first meeting. Mothers can drop children off to Moppets beginning at 8:45 on the second floor of the Main Church Building. Please remember to label every item you bring in for your child.   Each mother and child will receive a mommy/child label sticker when she drops off her child.  Your child’s teacher will match this label when you pick up your child. 

Remember to please keep your child home if he/she has had any of the following in the last 24 hours: 

• Fever, vomiting or diarrhea

• Any symptom of childhood disease such as: chicken pox, mumps, whopping cough, scarlet fever or German Measles

• Cough or green runny nose

• Croup

• Any unexplained rash

• Any skin infections

• Pink eye or other eye irritations

• Any communicable disease

(If you have any doubts, please keep your child at home.)

Moms will meet in room 104 and will each be assigned a discussion group. (Your discussion group leader will let you know which group you belong to before the meeting.) You will need to look for that discussion group table and your name tag. There will be ladies there who can help you find your seat. Meetings start at 9 am with an on-time drawing, sign in, food/drink, and open fellowship until 9:30 am. At that time we will open with prayer, announcements and then games/ice breakers. Should we have a guest speaker, he/she will begin speaking at 10 am. If you are running late, please enter the room quietly. When a guest speaker is talking, please remain quiet. We will have discussion after the speaker has left. 

Mothers who have babies 6 months and under are allowed to bring them to the meetings. However, mothers with a child over 6 months are encouraged to leave them in the nursery. At this age, babies are more vocal, more mobile and require more attention from you. This distracts your attention from the meeting as well as the attention of other moms. During speaker time, if you find that your baby needs your attention we ask that you quietly leave to attend them. Many speakers have taken time from their work schedule, and we want to give them our full attention.

Also, we usually take pics for our directory on the first two meetings, so get your smile picture perfect! We look forward to seeing you!

Better Moms Make a Better World

 

Welcome to our MOPS Amarillo blog! We hope you find this a valuable resource that you can share your ideas and visit often. We'll try to keep you updated on what our group is discussing and important events in our community.

If you are new to MOPS, don't fret. It has nothing to do with cleaning house.  MOPS stands for “mothers of preschoolers” - but don’t let that confuse you. MOPS is about meeting the needs of every mom of a child from conception through kindergarten. Whether you’re a stay-at-home, working, teen, adoptive, special-needs, single or married mother, MOPS is for you! Being a mom is what brings us together and allows us to build a community. The early years of being a mom are just as foundational to you as they are to your baby, and those years are filled with unique needs that other moms instinctively understand.

We hope you can join us for the wonderful things God has in store for us this year! Our MOPS theme will follow the book chosen for the 2011 year. Below you will find information about the study book:

MomSense helps moms embrace their mothering instincts and develop their own unique parenting style. The book also

• empowers a woman to be the best mom she can be
• gives a mom guidance to push through the clamoring advice hitting her on all sides
• increases a mom’s confidence in her mothering skills so she will raise confident kids

   What is the right way to mother? Can a mom trust her intuition? Or should she follow the advice of one of many parenting books? Into this fog of theory and philosophy, MomSense shines a light of refreshing clarity.
   Through personal stories from real moms and proven practical advice, MomSense helps moms honestly assess their skills, embrace their mothering instincts, and develop their own unique mothering style. Rather than pushing one “right” way to be a mom, this liberating book shows moms that they are the best mom for their kids and that they can have contentment, joy, and confidence in their role. A perfect gift for a new or experienced mom, MomSense is also an excellent resource for women’s small groups and MOPS groups.