May 2009 Archives
Jodi Skulley-May 29, 2009-
Stayin' Alive! This is Mia (1 year old) getting into her older sister's headbands and necklaces!
Thanks to Christi M. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
Jodi Skulley-May 28, 2009-
Don't forget!! There is still time for you to enter to win a great prize by filling out the survey in the May 2009 issue of ParentLife!
By completing the survey no later than June 20, 2009, your name will be entered in a drawing to win one of 33 prizes, including the grand prize — a Kodak EasyShare C653 Zoom Digital Camera (6.1mp) — a $250 value. Other prizes include 5 signed copies of Dr. Linda Mintle's Raising Healthy Kids in an Unhealthy World, 2 signed copies of Rebecca Ingram Powell's Season of Change, and 25 of the top books recommended in ParentLife.
To take the survey, please visit www.lifeway.com/parentlifesurvey.
*Added bonus: The first 50 people who complete their survey online will recieve a free Worship KidStyle DVD!
Limit one entry per person. Void where prohibited. The winner will be contacted no later than July 24, 2009. For complete details, see the Official Rules. Your responses are voluntary, and we will ensure your confidentiality under our privacy policy.
Jodi Skulley-May 27, 2009-
This year, families across the country are planning their vacations with a smaller budget in mind. If camping is not your thing, maybe you should consider Smart Destinations' Go Cards and Explorer Passes —a great way to save money without sacrificing family fun.
Smart Destinations is a provider of unlimited admission attraction passes in 15 major North American destinations (San Diego, Boston, Chicago, and Oahu, to name a few). Smart Destinations’ Go Cards and Explorer Passes offer pre-paid access to over 425 museums, attractions, and tours for one low fixed price.
With the Go Card you can buy a pass (for up to 5 days) that gives you free admission and no waiting in line to several attractions in your pick city. You can see as many attractions as you want over the duration of days that you have selected.- With the Explorer Card you can pick three top attractions of your choice for a flat rate of $52.00 for adults and $40.00 for children. For example, in Chicago, if you were to visit the Shedd Aquarium ($24 adult), Shoreline Cruises ($24), and the Hancock Observatory ($15 adult), you would save $11 for each adult.
So where will your family go on vacation? To see a list of all 15 destinations, visit www.smartdestinations.com.
Where is your family going on vacation this year? How do you plan to save money on vacation? Share your tips with us and other ParentLife readers.
Jodi Skulley-May 22, 2009-
Memorial Day weekend kicks off the 2009 camping season. It’s time to pack up the gear and head into the great outdoors. With the economic downturn, many parents are forgoing the annual vacation to Hawaii and opting to stay closer to home this year. Now is the best time to consider a state or national park visit. The average stay can be as little as $15 for an overnight campsite.
With a goal to guide families back into state and national parks systems, community parks or just beyond their backdoors, IAGmedia, Inc. delivers “Into the Great Outdoors,” a program to help reconnect kids and families with nature and the environment. Into the Great Outdoors introduces kids to a young squirrel, Chipper, a first-timer going into the park systems to explore nature. Through music, mishap, and humor and a cast of friendly wildlife creatures, Chipper playfully teaches children the importance of respecting the environment. Company founder, Stephanie Rach-Wilson, says it is her upbringing and personal mission to provide parents with a positive reinforcement tool to help eliminate the stress and put back in the fun of exploring the great outdoors with kids.
IAGmedia offers online resources, checklists for the entire family, and fun facts for parents to help get ready to go on hiking or camping adventures, such as:
- There are 391 national parks in the US.
- Yellowstone, in Wyoming, was the first National Park created in 1872.
- There are over 3,500 state parks.
- In 1864, President Lincoln ceded Yosemite to California and made it a state park. It later became a national park.
Let’s Go Chipper’s™ Into the Great Outdoors products are available online at www.iagmedia.net and national retail and online stores.
Does your family like to camp? Share with us places you like to camp, tips for camping with kids, and favorite camp activities.
Jodi Skulley--
Max says, "Hey mom, get my sermon outline out of the diaper bag!"
Thanks to Bennie and Erin F. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
Jodi Skulley-May 21, 2009-
Greg and Diane McDougal, who are featured in the May issue of ParentLife, are learning to let go and let God. Over the last several years, the Christian couple has endured the faith-testing challenge of their children’s health problems. Three of their four kids have cystic fibrosis, but the story began with their first child, Jeffrey. He was born with a hole in his intestinal tract and nearly died. The members of First Baptist Church Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, rallied behind the scared mom and dad.
“Almost every one that showed up told us, ‘Listen, you’re doing the one good thing. You just take care of your son. We’ll take care of everything else,’ and they did just that. Now, God is reminding us of that to show us this picture of how He wants us to do the one good thing, and that is to go and be shameless about telling of the redeeming power of Jesus Christ in our lives, and He’ll take care of everything else.”
Through divine provision, the McDougals special allergen-free home is now two-thirds of the way complete with the plumbing, most of the hardwood flooring, and several other essentials in place.
“The house is His,” McDougal affirms. “He’s the one that’s raised it up. In His good time, He’ll finish it. In the meantime, we’re just doing what He’s given us to do.”
For the McDougals, that job is a calling to fulltime music ministry. In January, the family packed into an RV and left the Nashville area with a handful of concert dates. Three and a half months later, their journeys have taken them to Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Oklahoma.
“We’re just going and telling, taking a guitar and a song and using it to get in the door and share a testimony of how God has taken a couple of knuckle-headed kids that used to never pay Him any attention at all and worked miracles in our lives.”
Their children have enjoyed a better time with their health after a tough struggle last year. “We’ve been doing really well,” McDougal said.
The family is spending time off during most of May, but they’re still hitting the road to sing at churches on the weekends. The McDougals will return to touring across parts of the south and west for the summer. Greg says, “We’re learning a whole lot about each other, and a whole lot about Him, and stewardship, and making the most of every day.”
For more of the McDougal's amazing story, check out "A Carpenter's Mission" in the May 2009 issue of ParentLife.
Jodi Skulley-May 20, 2009-
Do you ever feel like you are running on a treadmill that is moving way too fast? I know that I feel that way a lot!
But I do have days where I feel like I'm on top of things and have everything under control. Yesterday was that kind of day for me. I was checking things off of my to-do list left and right! I had a good day at work where I felt like I got a lot done. I cooked a good, healthy dinner and fed Jack. I got to spend some time playing with Jack, gave him a bath, and put him to bed without any fuss. Then I actually exercised and did several loads of laundry and a few other random chores. It felt good! I didn't get to do any of the things I wanted to do just for fun (like veg out on the couch and watch TV or play MarioKart with my husband), but it was worth it to feel like I had accomplished some important things!
But then, as I was crawling into my cozy, warm bed ... it hit me! I had forgotten to do something very important. I had not spent any quiet time with God that day. And I'll be honest ... I rarely make time like I should to spend time with God. I should have gotten out of bed right then, but I confess ... I let my exhaustion win.
Sometimes we get so focused on nurturing the earthly relationships in our lives — being a good employee and co-worker, taking care of our children, spending time with our spouses, even making time to take care of ourselves — that we forget about the most important relationship! If I could just remember every day that my relationship with God is the glue that holds all of my relationships together, I think I would do better at making time to spend with Him. I know that when I do make the time to spend with Him, somehow I feel like I have more time in my day and I take better care of the people in my life. So why do I find it so hard to make the time?
I know time management is not just a struggle for working parents. It is a struggle for every parent! But as a working mother, it's definitely something I battle with every day.
So tell me ... as a busy parent, how do you find time during your busy day to stop and spend focused time with God?
Be sure to check out our "Working Life" column each month in ParentLife for practical advice and encouragement for working mothers and fathers.
Jodi Skulley-May 19, 2009-
Do you have a little one on the way? Maybe it's time to rejuvenate your marriage and enjoy some much-needed relaxation on a babymoon!
Across the country, bed-and-breakfast inns offer delightful babymoon lodgings. Discover your ideal destination with this sampler:
Begin your parenting adventure where Lewis and Clark ended their trek to the Pacific — Washington’s Long Beach Peninsula. Wander the oceanfront boardwalk, breathe salt air, watch ocean mammals, and dine on fresh seafood. For attractions and accommodations, visit www.funbeach.com.
Or prepare for the arrival of your little prince or princess with a babymoon at Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Savor time roaming the lush grounds or enhance your visit with a Navigator’s marriage or parenting conference offered on-site. Visit www.gleneyrie.org for details.
For a last urban outing sans baby gear, think San Antonio, Texas. The King William Historic District and nearby Riverwalk boast galleries, boutiques, museums, and charming B&Bs. Just for fun, attend a professional sporting event, or visit Sea World®. Find lodging, attractions, even day spas, at www.sanantonio.com.
If nature soothes your soul, consider an Ozark babymoon. Stay in a cottage, cabin, or a tree house! Walk the woods, relax by the lake, or pause to pray at the Thorncrown Chapel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Branson, Missouri is the place for family-friendly entertainment. Learn more at www.eurekasprings.org and www.explorebranson.com.
Visit Virginia for a romantic babymoon. Balance pampering with local sightseeing. Explore Crabtree Falls along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Stroll Colonial Williamsburg gardens. Tour an antebellum home. Make a splash at Virginia Beach.
To locate bed and breakfast babymoons in your area, visit www.bnbfinder.com/babymoon.
There are several options for keeping babymoon costs down.
- Consider off-season or midweek B&B specials.
- Many state and national parks rent cozy cabins for very reasonable rates.
- House-sit for vacationing friends; then splurge on day spa treatments.
Future grandparents: A babymoon makes a much-appreciated gift for expectant parents.
Save more on your babymoon. Check out special bed and breakfast offers at www.stashtea.com and www.iloveinns.com.
For great tips on planning a babymoon, be sure read Suzanne's article "Babymoon" in the May 2009 issue of ParentLife.
Do you have a babymoon planned? Or have you been on a babymoon in the past? Tell us about your babymoon!
William Summey-May 18, 2009-
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) invites children to enter a national art contest with a chance to win a trip to Washington, DC. The contest is open to boys and girls in three groups, grades 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12, and the theme is "Protecting Children from Tobacco Smoke.”
Group winners and their parents will be invited to a presentation ceremony at the 2009 AAP National Conference & Exhibition in Washington, DC, on Saturday, October 17. Each first-place winner will receive $500 and up to $1,000 for travel expenses. The three second-place winners will each receive $250. The winners’ schools will be awarded matching amounts. Winners will have their artwork featured on the AAP Web site and promotional materials.
“There are still far too many young people who smoke and many pick up this deadly habit while they are at school,” warns AAP President David Tayloe, Jr, MD, FAAP. “This is an opportunity for children to exercise their creative side to alert other children – and parents -- to the dangers of tobacco and secondhand smoke.”
This year’s contest is an initiative of the AAP’s Julius B. Richmond Center, supported by the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute, and dedicated to the elimination of children’s exposure to tobacco and secondhand smoke.
To enter, children should submit an original piece of artwork to: National Art Contest, American Academy of Pediatrics, 141, Northwest Point Boulevard, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007. Rules, official entry forms and consent forms must accompany all entries and are available online. Entries must be postmarked by July 31, 2009. Winning entries will be selected by a panel of judges including pediatricians, and announced in the summer.
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
Are you and your kids excited that summer is almost here? What are you planning to do this summer?
Jodi Skulley-May 15, 2009-
3-year-old Hayden says "This is my Daddy's shirt he wore 28 years ago!"
Funny how things come back around!
Thanks to Del L. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
William Summey-May 14, 2009-
Do you ever think about how much of life is spent dealing with the unexpected? I guess the question is "How do you deal with surprise?" Yesterday I surprised Christopher and Jonathan when I took them for a "treat" before church. They thought that a treat equaled a milkshake, but I took them to play some games at a famous mouse-themed pizza joint. They had no idea what was coming, were bewildered as we passed every place they thought we might be going, and asked me a half-million times what their suprise was going to be despite my assurances to be patient. I thought about how kids are not very good with surprises sometimes!
But after more reflections, this experience reminds me of how I find it difficult to wait whether in the doctor's office, in traffic, or at a restaurant. I also act impatiently many times when I am waiting on God's answer to a prayer concern or in the face of an unknown situation. I act this way despite God's assurances to hear my prayers and answer them and the knowledge that God loves me and is good. When I think about my own behavior when faced with waiting, I can understand my children a little better! I realize that my reactions are often not that different from my kids, which makes me glad God is patient!
Do you find it hard to wait as parent? Where are the places you have the most difficult time being patient?
Jodi Skulley-May 13, 2009-
Did you know that the majority of food allergies show up during the first year of life? My little boy just turned 10 months old this week and has has not shown any signs of food allergies yet. Hopefully that means we will not have to deal with this potentially life-threatening health issue. But many, many families struggle with food allergies on a daily basis.
An allergy to peanuts is one of the scariest food allergies. Nearly half of the 150 deaths attributed to food allergies each year in the U.S. are caused by peanut allergies according to Duke University. Do you have a child with an allergy to peanuts? Then here is some information you need to know.
New research is showing that a medically suprvised daily dose of peanuts may help children with peanut allergies greatly increase their tolerance to the food. This new treatment involves giving the child tiny daily doses of peanuts (starting around one-thousandth of a peanut) and slowly increasing to about 15 peanuts per day. The results are very promising. For more information, be sure to read "Treatment for Peanut Allergies Shows Promise" by Tara Parker-Pope. As always, consult with your pediatrician first before undertaking any new treatment option.
Also be sure to check out the article "Growth Spurts: Birth to 12 Months — On the Lookout" in the May 2009 issue of ParentLife. It will help you learn the signs that indicate possible food allergies.
William Summey-May 12, 2009-
The term Sandwich Generation is used to describe those parents who have children still at home but also are taking care of their own parents. They are literally sandwiched between caring for two different generations.
If you are looking for ways to help care for your parents, check out the resource GeriCareFinder.com. GeriCareFinder.com brings together all types of senior care into one Web site. You can search through thousands of care providers, advisory resources, and product or service companies to help seniors, all within any US zip code. The extensive online support tools include a care needs assessment, financial calculators, definitions, articles, FAQs, helpful hints, and checklists — all on one helpful site.
GeriCareFinder.com is the official website of GeriCareFinder, Inc., which was founded by Lysa and Ron Kustek. While learning how to arrange care for an elderly friend during her illness, Lysa and Ron were overwhelmed, uneducated about the health care industry, and found the internet was of little help when trying to find the best care. GeriCareFinder.com is the answer for those with similar care questions.
How do sandwich generation parents balance caring for both generations? Read Kathryn Slattery's article on the sandwich generation "Squeezed in the Middle" in the May 2009 ParentLife for a new perspective for sandwich generation parents.
Are you caring for two generations? Tell us how you are balancing it all!
Jodi Skulley-May 11, 2009-
As a mother, I know it is very hard to find time to exercise and stay in shape. So why not include baby in your fitness routine? Exercising with your baby can be fun for both of you. Check out Stroller Strides® — the total fitness program for moms with their babies.
And now might be the perfect time to give Stroller Strides a try! In honor of Pregnancy Awareness Month and moms and moms-to-be everywhere, Stroller Strides will be offering both its traditional postnatal exercise classes and new prenatal Fit4Baby classes absolutely free at its more than 800 locations across the country, May 10-16! The classes are not only a fun and effective way to get fit, but also inspire lasting and supportive friendships.
For the free class pass, visit www.pregnancyawarenessmonth.com and click on the "Stroller Strides/Fit4Baby" banner to print the coupon. (Good for first-time clients only.)
To find a Stroller Strides/Fit4Baby location near you, visit www.strollerstrides.com.
How do you find time to stay in shape as a parent?
Jodi Skulley-May 8, 2009-
3-year-old Noah is helping Dad mow the lawn.
Thanks to Kristen and David L. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
William Summey-May 7, 2009-
Every year it seems I hear that more phone calls are made on Mother's Day than any other holiday of the year. People are clamoring to get in touch with Mom and check in on Mother's Day! And no wonder, considering how special Moms are!
At ParentLife, we think of Moms in every issue we produce. In the May 2009 issue of ParentLife, we feature the article "Mentors for Moms" about how Moms receive so many benefits from having a godly mentor. The author, Linda Anderson, is the founder of the Mom to Mom ministry and curriculum to help encourage Moms and provide mentoring. Check out the Mom to Mom curriculum here.
Together with my children, I look forward to celebrating my wife on Mother's Day and making sure she has a special day. I also plan to call my Mom and telling her thank you for being such a great Mom.
How do you plan to celebrate Mom this Mother's Day?
Jodi Skulley-May 6, 2009-
One of the best ways to soothe a fussy baby is the technique of swaddling. I discovered very quickly as a new parent, that swaddling is an art form. It is not easy!
The Miracle Blanket®, the leading infant swaddle design, wants to make swaddling easy for parents. And now ... parents who use the Miracle Blanket have an opportunity to win some extra cash (up to $500) through the Crying to Calm Video Contest! Parents are encouraged to pick up their home video cameras to capture the true miracle of the Miracle Blanket showing their baby going from fussy and crying to a peaceful serenity after being swaddled.
“Even though thousands of testimonials out there rave about the effectiveness of the Miracle Blanket when it comes to calming fussy, colicky, or just plain restless babies, we realize some parents still don’t believe it and want to see it for themselves,” says Michael Gatten, creator and founder of Miracle Industries, makers of Miracle Blanket. “And what better way to do that than to have our customers do the demonstrating.”
For all of the details, visit www.miracleblanket.com/images/VideoContest.gif.
I can personally testify to the effectiveness of swaddling. I never used the Miracle Blanket in particular with my son, Jack. But we swaddled him and discovered that he started sleeping through the night! So exhausted new parents ... be sure to check it out!
Has swaddling worked for you? Tell us about your experience.
Jodi Skulley-May 5, 2009-
I am so excited! This Sunday, I will celebrate my first Mother's Day as a mother. Not only do I get to show my mother (and mother-in-law) my gratitude and love, but I also will be honored as a mother. My little boy, Jack, is a gift from God, and I do not remember what life was like without him. He has changed my world!
Being a mother has had some unexpected effects on my personality. Suddenly, I have a newfound confidence. Don't get me wrong. After almost 10 months of parenting, I am still very insecure in my parenting skills. Every day I wonder if I am doing things right and whether or not I am the best mother I can be. But other insecurities in my have been drastically reduced.
Those that know me well know that I tend to get stuck in a rut easily. I order the same food from the same restaurants. I fix my hair the same way every day and do not branch out much when it comes to fashion. I tend to worry a lot about what others think about my appearance and my personality. But for some strange reason, since Jack has been around, I am much more willing to try new things and I worry much less about what other people think. I find myself looking for restaurants I have never been to and ordering new things at my favorite restaurants. I am ready for a brave new hairstyle and to shop for a new wardrobe.
Some of this confidence definitely comes from God. The end of my pregnancy and Jack's delivery were anything but easy. In fact, some complications made them downright scary, but God carried us through. My faith and trust in God have been deepend, making me more confident.
I also think the confidence comes from my new identity as a mother. I feel important and needed more then I ever have in my life. I have a stronger, more clear-cut purpose. I realize that so many of the things I worried about in the past were insignificant and silly. Now, I have something more important to focus on — my family.
What about you? How has parenthood changed you? Have you discovered any unexpected benefits of motherhood?
Jodi Skulley-May 4, 2009-
Boy do we ever have a giveaway for you this month!! Instead of only one prize ... we have 33 prizes!!
In our May 2009 issue of ParentLife, we have a survey we would love for you to take part in. By completing the survey no later than June 20, 2009, your name will be entered in a drawing to win one of 33 prizes, including the grand prize — a Kodak EasyShare C653 Zoom Digital Camera (6.1mp) — a $250 value. Other prizes include 5 signed copies of Dr. Linda Mintle's Raising Healthy Kids in an Unhealthy World, 2 signed copies of Rebecca Ingram Powell's Season of Change, and 25 of the top books recommended in ParentLife.
To take the survey, please visit www.lifeway.com/parentlifesurvey.
*Added bonus: The first 50 people who complete their survey online will recieve a free Worship KidStyle DVD!
Limit one entry per person. Void where prohibited. The winner will be contacted no later than July 24, 2009. For complete details, see the Official Rules. Your responses are voluntary, and we will ensure your confidentiality under our privacy policy.
Jodi Skulley-May 1, 2009-
5-month-old Elijah was born in October. His parents waited all winter for it to be warm enough to take him outside. As outdoorsy people, they were so excited to share God's creation with him. Not long ago, it was finally warm enough to go out. As the wind blew in his face, he just closed his eyes and took it all in!
Thanks to Niki G. for this great photo!
Photos wanted! Send us your funny, cute, or just plain fun pictures for our Fun Friday Photos. Each Friday we will post a new "Fun Friday Photo." E-mail your photo and a suggested caption describing the photo to parentlife@lifeway.com. Visit the blog each Friday to see if your photo was chosen!
