According to the 2010 American Eye-Q® survey commissioned by the American Optemetric Association (AOA), 66 percent of parents purchase sunglasses for their kids but 26 percent don’t check the UV protection. The AOA recommends the following five tips to help prevent future eye and vision damage from overexposure to UV radiation:
Wear protective eyewear any time the eyes are exposed to UV rays, even on cloudy days and during the winter.
Look for quality sunglasses or contact lenses that offer good protection. Sunglasses or protective contact lenses should block 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation and screen out 75 to 90 percent of visible light.
Check to make sure sunglass lenses are perfectly matched in color and free of distortions or imperfections.
Purchase gray-colored lenses because they reduce light intensity without altering the color of objects to provide the most natural color vision. Brown or amber-colored lenses may be better for those who are visually impaired because they increase contrast as well as reducing light intensity.
Always protect children as they typically spend more time in the sun than adults and are at a greater risk for damage.
Fourth of July Eye Safety
According to a study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks were the culprit for a projected 8,800 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during 2009. Of these, 54 percent were children and teens under the age of 20 years. The most common cause of damage to the eyes includes lacerations, contusions, and the existence of foreign materials. The AOA recommends that families protect and preserve eyesight during the Fourth of July with the following tips.
Discuss firework safety with your child prior to the Fourth of July.
Avoid private firework displays and instead enjoy professional ones.
Do not allow kids to handle fireworks and never leave them unsupervised near fireworks.
Adults should wear protective eyewear when lighting and handling fireworks of any kind.
Store fireworks, matches, and lighters in a secure place.
Refrain from purchasing sparklers. Heating up to 1,800 degrees, sparklers are the number one cause of fireworks injuries requiring trips to the emergency room.
Be aware of your surroundings and only light fireworks when children are at a safe distance.
Always follow up with a full optometric eye exam should your child seek emergency room medical care for a firework-related eye injury.
Do you worry about your kids' eye safety? Do you always make them wear sunglasses?
They are questions we've all asked: Why is this happening? Does God really care about me? Does my life even matter? Why won't God fix ...?
God's Shelter for Your Storm is a gift book from celebrated author Sheila Walsh. Adapted from her trade book The Shelter of God's Promises, this small book would be an appropriate gift for someone grieving, struggling, or facing one of life's storms.
Walsh incorporates personal stories with Scripture passages and encouragements. Each chapter is themed, explicating one promise of God.
A beloved author of nonfiction and children's works as well as a Women of Faith speaker, Walsh writes with the gentle, personal tone of Max Lucado, with a feminine touch. This is an excellent book to keep by your bedside for a daily dose of encouragement when times are hard.
You can see a video from Sheila as well as some more information about the book at sheilawalsh.com/shelter.
Would you like to win a copy of this beautiful and timely book? Thomas Nelson has graciously given us three copies to give away to our readers. This will be our July giveaway, so you have all month to enter!
To be entered to win, answer this question in the comments: What is your favorite devotional book?
Winners will be picked July 29, 2011. One comment person person, please. USA only. LifeWay employees are not eligible to win.
Each month ParentLife pulls together a one-page document for preschool and children's leaders and teachers that highlights articles that might help families they work with. But this also is a great tool for parents!
The articles below are in our current June 2011 issue of ParentLife. Read the articles that minister to your family and pass along a copy to those who might benefit from it!
Dads Need Mentors! Celebrate Father's Day as a church family by establishing a mentoring program for dads. Learn about the benefits of older men mentoring younger men and how mentoring made a huge difference in the life of one church and community (pp. 30-31).
Not every special need is visible. Reach out to families in your community who may be struggling with the diagnosis of a child with special needs. Encourage them with these 13 practical pointers (pp. 40-41).
On the Move. Is a family in your church getting ready to move? Help parents view relocation from a child's perspective.
Off to Church We Go. New parents can be nervous about leaving their infant with church caregivers. Address the concerns of these parents and help them prepare ahead of time for Baby's first trip to church (p. 11).
Safe Swimming. Do any of your summer activities involve the swimming pool? If so, be prepared to keep every child safe (pp. 42-43).
True or False? It is OK to eat food dropped on the floor if you pick it up within five seconds. Find out on page 16.
55 — The number of milligrams of caffeine in 12 ounces of Mountain Dew®. Are you making sure the children in your ministry are offered safe and healthy snacks (p. 12) and drinks (p. 18)?
Grandparent Encouragement. Offer hope and encouragement to grandparents who find themselves raising their grandchildren (pp. 39-39).
To download a PDF of the colorful ParentLife Everyday flyer, click the link below:
Early summer is the best time to devour fresh, ripe berries. Our July issue shares a quick and easy recipe for blueberry yogurt pops. (Do you make homemade popsicles, pudding pops, and the like? It seems so simple with a mold, but my daughter is not very into cold things.)
My favorite use of fresh blueberries is this double-crust blueberry pie. I took bits of pieces of other recipes to create this one, where delicious, ripe blueberries meld with a fresh burst of lemon. So find yourself a pick-your-own farm or pick up a few pints at a farmer's market. Spend an afternoon in the kitchen teaching your son or daughter how to craft a pie from hand.
I won't tell if you use refrigerated pie crusts. I always do.
Blueberry-Lemon Pie
2 pie crusts, homemade or the refrigerated kind 2 to 2 1/2 pints fresh blueberries, stemmed and washed 1 lemon 3/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup cornstarch 1 tsp cinnamon dash nutmeg 1 T butter, cut into small pieces 1 egg white, beaten (optional)
Spray the bottom of a deep-dish pie plate with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350.
Mix together blueberries, zest of the lemon, juice of half the lemon, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour into the pie crust and spread out evenly. Dot the top with pieces of butters. Place the second crust over the top and crimp the edges together. Cut a few slits into the crust.
Optional: Brush the top with egg white for a good brown color. If you do this though you will need to check the pie after 30 minutes. If it's getting too brown, cover the edges with aluminum foil.
Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes or until the crust is brown and the filling is set. Let cool before serving.
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For the rest of the berries exploding around you, you could try:
I have to admit I enjoyed every bit of attention I received on Father's Day this year! From the first wishes of "Happy Father's Day!" before church to the great lunch to a few presents, it did make me feel special as a Dad. I am so thankful to have talked to my Dad on Father's Day too, catching up via long distance without having to rush to some other appointment or responsibility.
We talked about Dads in our adult Sunday School class too. In fact, I introduced the topic by asking folks to reflect on those things they do, whether consciously or not, that they inherited from their parents and the way they were raised. This is always an interesting discussion!
I told the class Sunday that it was no accident that I have a love for baseball and that my kids seem to play baseball constantly. My Dad used to lie awake at night listening to games on the radio, read the box scores every morning, and watch and play baseball with my brother and me on Saturdays. There was no surprise on Father's Day when we started talking about the College World Series and the Vanderbilt-North Carolina game. I had to chuckle about that tonight as I kept the score book at Christopher's game and missed 4 phone calls from home to check the score. You might say I was distracted!
As I grow older and begin to understand a little bit more of what my parents were like at my age, I can't help but think of the iconic movie, Field of Dreams. The mysterious baseball diamond in the cornfield becomes the setting where Kevin Costner's character comes face to face with his deceased father as a young man, full of the hopes and dreams of youth. It reminds me that there is something so bonding about just playing with our kids whether it is sitting in the floor rolling a ball back and forth with your toddler, teaching your kindergartner to play checkers, or one of my favorites, a game of catch in the yard.
I still am moved as an adult when I hear a clip of my childhood coaching hero, Jim Valvano, deliver a famous speech at the ESPY Awards, establishing his V Foundation to find a cure for cancer. It was a mere 8 weeks before he died from cancer. Valvano said that he believed you should do three things every day to be fully alive: laugh, think, and cry.
As a Dad, I would add play to that list. To me, play is the love language my boys speak! It literally shows them that I love them and puts my words into action. Someday I hope they think fondly of those times together really living life ... whether laughing, thinking, crying, or playing. Wishing you fond memories of your Dad and great memory-making moments with your kids!
On several occasions in the not-so-distant past, I've found myself chuckling over the strange characteristics that mark motherhood. You know ... the things you never could have imagined or understood before having kids.
I'll give you two personal examples:
1. Several months ago, I was digging for something in the bottom of my purse and I pulled out a rubber duck. That probably doesn't happen to many women without children!
2. A few weeks ago, our department was given the opportunity to leave work a couple of hours early before a holiday weekend. Do you know what I did with my time off? I went grocery shopping ... and I was excited about it! Why? Because I didn't have my toddler in tow! Three and a half years ago, I could not have imagined being that excited about grocery shopping!
Knowing I'm not the only one who thinks about these kind of things, I decided to ask my Facebook friends to finish this sentence: You know you're a mom when ...
I LOVE the responses I got and wanted to share them with you.
Some made me literally laugh out loud!!
... you speak in five-word sentences. "Would you like some juice?" "Do you need to potty?" "We do not eat rocks."
... you automatically cut everyone's food into small pieces, even the grownups.
... you find yourself watching Sesame Street and you are the only one in the room.
... you unconsciously think in rhymes (due to reading too many Dr Seuss books)!
... you tell other adults that you will be right back because you need to "go pee-pee in the potty."
... you catch yourself singing the Wonder Pets theme song in the shower.
... you know every word to every VeggieTales video but have trouble recalling what you did last week.
... you accidentally dilute your own apple juice ... and drink it anyway.
... you share bites of your meal even though they have the exact same thing on their plates.
... there are rocks in the dryer and clothes in the driveway.
... you have to weed through the action figures in your purse to find your lipstick.
... ketchup on the ceiling does not surprise you in the least.
... you tell time by which cartoon is on.
... you understand the language of toddler speak.
Others were responses I knew every mother could relate to:
... you're exhausted, ready for a nap, and your toddlers are running laps around you!
... you can't use the bathroom or take a shower without being interrupted.
... you hear yourself giving the same sound advice or warning to your children that your parents gave you ... even the phrases you swore you would never say!
... you catch your child's throw-up in a store.
... things that used to gross you out dont't phase you anymore!
... getting up at 7 is sleeping in.
And others warmed my heart and made me smile!
... you look at all your grandchildren and say, "It was all worth it".
... when you look at that little gift of God and nothing else seems as important anymore.
... you can see your heart walking around OUTSIDE your body!
Now it's your turn. Leave us a comment finishing this sentence. You know you're a parent when ... . I can't wait to read your responses!
In our July 2011 issue, we offer some tips on summer safety on pages 32-33. We had so many safety tips, though, we couldn't cram them all into two pages! Here are even more safety tips for your summer fun.
Swimming Pool Safety
Supervise children at all times while in or around a swimming pool.
Provide “touch supervision” for infants and toddlers, which is an adult being in the water and within arm’s reach at all times.
Install a pool fence that is climb-resistant and at least 4 feet high.
Lock ladders and fences when the pool is not in use.
Most pediatricians recommend swimming lessons for children 4 years and older. Each child develops at a different rate; therefore, each child will be ready to swim at his own pace, as well.
Stings & Bites
Insect Bite ― Remove the stinger as soon as possible. Use the edge of a credit card to scrape the stinger out. Use a cold compress on the bite to relieve the pain. Call your pediatrician immediately if your child faints, has trouble breathing, or experiences extreme swelling, hives, nausea, or vomiting.
Spider Bite ― Call your pediatrician or Poison Help Line and describe the type of spider. If a bite becomes infected, contact your pediatrician.
Tick Bite ― Use tweezers to grasp the tick and quickly pull the tick from where it is attached. If your child experiences a rash, fever, or swelling at the bite, contact your pediatrician.
Playground Safety
Supervise young children on playground equipment at all times.
Keep children from shoving, pushing, or fighting around equipment.
Install a protective surface at least 6 feet in all directions from home equipment.
Use swing seats made of soft material, not wood or metal.
Install home playground equipment correctly. Place it on a level surface and anchor it firmly to the ground.
Check equipment often for loose nuts and bolts and broken, rusty, or sharp parts.
Install playground equipment at least 6 feet from fences or walls.
Check for hot metal surfaces on equipment, which could cause burns.
Never attach ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, or pet leashes to playground equipment.
Travel Safety
Stay safe when traveling by car.
Always place infants and young children in a car safety seat.
Always place all children under 12 years of age in the rear seat of vehicles.
Wear a seat belt at all times, setting a good example for your children.
Entertain children by bringing soft, lightweight toys; books; and favorite CDs for a sing-along.
Never leave your children alone in a car, even for a minute. Temperatures inside the car can reach deadly levels in minutes, causing heat stroke.
Pack a first-aid kit, water, healthy snacks, hand wipes, hand-washing gel, diaper rash ointment, diapers, and a water- and insect-proof ground sheet for safe play outside.
Stay safe when traveling by airplane.
Allow extra time to get through security.
Discuss the security screening process with your children beforehand.
Know that the FAA allows children under age 2 to be held on an adult’s lap; however, it is recommended that each child has her own seat.
Pack a bag of toys, books, and snacks to keep your child occupied during the flight.
Feed your infant during take-off and landing to decrease possible ear pain. Older children can chew gum or drink water or juice through a straw.
Wash hands frequently; use hand-washing gel often.
Consult your pediatrician before flying with a newborn or infant who has chronic heart or lung problems or respiratory symptoms.
Consult your pediatrician if flying within two weeks of an ear infection or ear surgery.
In the July 2011 issue, we outline a "Four Corner Camp" for you to do at home. What better way to end the week "at camp" than having a family campout?
Here are a few ideas for a simple campout, indoors or out!
Make homemade tents inside (outdoors if you have appropriate equipment).
Fire up the grill (or a fire pit) and have hot dogs.
After eating s’mores from the microwave, watch campers perform Matthew 22:36-39.
Follow up with lots of silly camp songs! Slowly move this to a time of worship, singing slower songs. "More Precious Than Silver," "I Love You, Lord," and "Shout to the Lord" are good for reflection. If anyone in your family can play the guitar, all the better!
If you can go outside, spend time looking at God's creation and being in awe of it.
Remind campers that God desires our heart, souls, and minds.Pray, asking God to make this truth a reality in your family.
Research has demonstrated the wonderful effect that real photographs can have on a child’s ability to learn. Children with autism are often drawn to real images: the colors, vibrant imagery, the facial expressions, and more.
While running various workshops at Bookmans Bookstore, the YMCA, MOPS groups, and mom groups, it became clear to me that many parents are unaware of how effective photos can be. A simple project can lead to activities that enhance understanding, empathy, learning, and the retaining of information.
Tell a story: Take photos of your child helping someone else: a person or animal. Print the photos in color and put them in order (up to about 10 images). Laminate each one or cover in contact paper. String the images together, in order, to create a visual story. Look at the photos together and talk about what happened. Who did your child help? How was he/she affected? How did your child feel, knowing that someone was being helped through their actions?
Sequencing: Take photos of your child going through the steps of getting ready for the day. You could also take photos of a swim lesson or grocery shopping experience. What do you do first? Second? Third? Next? Last? Laminate the photos and string them together or place them on a flip ring. Talk about the steps with your child to help with sequencing. This will assist in reducing the stress of daily “have to’s” and errands — something that many children with special needs become frustrated by.
Colors or Feelings: Take photos of your child wearing blue, green, red, orange, yellow, white, etc. Laminate the images and turn them into a game. “What color are you wearing here?” “Red, yes!” You can also write the color names on the back of each photo, prior to laminating them. When you say, “Red, yes!” flip the photo around so your child can see the word on back and associate that word with the color. Do the same thing for "feelings" images: sad, happy, frustrated, excited, joyful, lonely, and so on. This will help to build empathy in your child.
Shara Lawrence-Weiss is the Owner/Founder of Personal Child Stories. Shara is a mother of three with a background in education, early childhood, journalism, freelance, nanny work, and special needs.
"After a month without a shower, it's hard to describe the joy you get from a package of wet wipes." - Michael Krause
In our July issue, Darla Brantley writes about the LifeBox program. LifeWay Christian Resources in years past urged U.S. civilians to send a LifeBox to a soldier overseas. The LifeBox program no longer exists through LifeWay, but there's no reason why you can't use the same ideas in the article to send a care package to a soldier. These care packages include LifeWay magazines — such as ParentLife — which are uplifting and moral.
I hope you'll watch this video of Second Lieutenant Michael Krause. He tells about a time of deep sorrow during which he recieved a LifeBox. It's a beautiful testimony to the ministry.
What a wonderful opportunity to show our children how we can spread God's love to the ends of the earth. I think I'll be going to pick up a few flat rate boxes to fill with my daughter soon. — Jessie
And if you are a military wife, don't miss LifeWay's Bible study for military wives — Tour of Duty by Sara Horn.
Even though the numbers of homeschoolers are growing, home education is still considered by many to be an inferior choice and is often cast in a bad light in films and TV shows. But in Dolphin Tale, homeschooling receives a positive endorsement.
Dolphin Tale is a heartwarming family film based on true events about Winter, a young dolphin who loses her tail in a crab trap, and Sawyer, the introverted 11-year-old boy who befriends her. Harry Connick Jr. plays Clay Haskett, a single dad and the dedicated marine biologist who rescues Winter.
As young actors, Nathan Gamble and Cozi Zuehlsdorff — who plays Haskett’s daughter Hazel — are homeschooled while on set, but Cozi’s character Hazel is also homeschooled in the film. During a visit to the set of Dolphin Tale, Harry Connick Jr. discussed the benefits of homeschooling for his young co-workers.
“I think it’s the perfect opportunity for Cozi and Nathan for their professions. I sit in their [Nathan and Cozi's] class a lot; in fact, sometime we have music class, and it counts towards their credit. If you can find a great instructor, I think it’s the best thing in the world.”
Connick also revealed that he had been a homeschooling father. “I have three children and my oldest was homeschooled for a year. I really liked it. The only reason I don’t homeschool all my children is that they love the society of other children.” He went on to confess that he wished homeschooling would have been an option when he was young. “I would have loved to have been homeschooled, because I wasn’t really a social animal. I didn’t do well in school and I would have thrived if they had had homeschooling when I was growing up.”
Dolphin Tale releases September 23 by Warner Brothers and Alcon Entertainment. You can watch the trailer above.
When Libbie was about a year old, I was living with her by myself in our condo in Nashville. My husband was in Chattanooga during the workweek, and I was waiting on our condo to sell. (Ha. That's been a year and a half. Still own it.)
Libbie was playing around our kitchen island, and I picked her up. And knocked her forehead into the edge of the island.
Libbie wailed. I wailed. I felt like the Worst Mother of the Year award was right there for my taking. And I called my pediatrician's office, who called my doctor, and then my doctor called me. Just so I could find out, really, it wasn't that big of a deal. As long as she had a bump, it was OK.
This weekend I've been attending to a baby with a mid-grade fever ... not quite high enough to panic, not quite low enough to feel at ease with. I find myself in the same battle I always face: should I call the doctor? Is it a big deal? Sure, I'm supposed to trust my mother's intuition ... but I think it's a little clouded by the worry a mother has for her sick babies.
The self-doubt is my least favorite part of parenting.
It makes me even more glad that my husband and I are not in it alone. Not only do we have friends, family, a church that loves us, Dr. Google, and Twitter, MD—we have a Heavenly Father who cares for us and our kids.
"In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge." Proverbs 14:26
For some reason, it's struck me as beautiful lately how God and Jesus are Father and Husband—the two things Jesus was not literally on this earth. God, as Trinity, fulfills every role to us. He is beyond measure.
Because of this, I can muster up some confidence. And if I fall flat on my face as a parent, or go to the doctor when it's just the sniffles ... well, both God and the pediatrician will forgive.
When Jessie Weaver is not busy being the resident ParentLife Blogger, she writes at Vanderbilt Wife and also for magazines like HomeLife and ParentLife. She lives in Chattanooga with her husband, where they run after two little ones: Libbie (2) and David (6 months).
Two-year-old Mae ... the perfect picture of summertime and innocence!
Thanks to Bethany G. for this gret 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!
Five-year-old Hannah and four-year-old Benjamin pose with the penguins!
Thanks to Christy D. 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!
I have to admit ... after yesterday's Real Life Solution, I couldn't STOP thinking of ways to beat boredom this summer! Here are some more we've collaborated for you. These are all cheap or nearly free: my favorite way to do things! — Jessie
Go bowling for free! In all 50 states and Canada, bowling centers are trying to help over 2 million children bowl for free this summer. You can search for a center and check out the details at KidsBowlFree.com.
We are proud to have Dr. Linda Mintle in ParentLife each month answering questions submitted from readers. To submit a question for Dr. Mintle, e-mail it to parentlife@lifeway.com and include "? for Dr. Mintle" on the subject line. This month we have an extra Q&A from Dr. Mintle we wanted to share.
Q: I do my best to keep my kids active in the summer, but I am already hearing, “Mom, I’m bored!” and it is only June! Do you have any suggestions in terms of keeping them busy?
A: I doubt there is a parent reading this who has not heard those words. Kids are so used to being entertained every minute that parents honestly need to teach them how to relax and have downtime. That said, here are 10 suggestions that may help.
10 Summer Boredom Beaters
Turn off the TV, computer, and other electronic forms of entertainment. Electronic “stuff” teaches kids to attend for short intervals, encourages passive activity, and doesn’t stimulate cognitive development.
Enroll your child in day camps or park and recreation activities. Many cities have organized opportunities for children.
Find a fun class such as cooking, sculpting, tap-dancing, or pottery-making. Experiment with an area of interest.
Buy a pass to a community pool. Swimming is active, fun, and interactive. It’s also a great way to beat summer heat!
Get involved in the public library with a summer reading program. You will reinforce reading skills, explore books, and relax in an air-conditioned room.
Volunteer for civic organizations or church activities as helpers, workers, or whatever is needed. Do a park clean-up day or a walk to fight cancer, teach at Vacation Bible School and take the kids, or plant flowers at your church.
Get kids helping others, such as doing errands for a homebound adult.
Help your child develop a hobby, such as bird-watching, card-collecting, or marbles. Have your child organize groups around those activities.
Encourage creative play around the house. Have bountiful art supplies, water games, board games, and cards. Put on dramatic plays. Be prepared for rainy days.
What do you do when your child proclaims, "I'm bored"?
About eight years ago, I became a member of ONE. ONE is a grassroots advocacy and campaigning organization that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. At the time I had three young children at home. Through my involvement with ONE, I began to learn about what life is like for moms and families in Africa who struggle against preventable disease and extreme poverty. These realities broke my heart and I soon found myself getting involved.
Here are some things I have learned which are effective for real change for moms and families in the developing world. I may still find myself driving car pool, supervising homework, and stuck doing mountains of laundry; but these simple things—when we do them together—add up to make a difference.
Become a member of ONE. By becoming a member of ONE, you are immediately in the conversation, receiving e-mail alerts, blogs, and “What We’re Reading” lists. ONE does the sifting of information and delivers articles and points of action in manageable pieces for the everyday mom.
Read books, blogs, and articles to expand your understanding of extreme poverty and global disease and how to combat them effectively. Visit www.globalsoccermom.com.
Support small indigenous projects like World Bicycle Relief or Growers First. Find organizations run by the people for the people. Give of your resources and your time.
Join Facebook “causes” pages of your favorite organizations and follow them on Twitter. In this age of online social networks, we have unprecedented ways to receive and share information quickly and effectively.
Participate in a local HIV/AIDS walk/run, or any race or marathon to raise money for your favorite cause.
Learn who your Congressional representatives are and write letters to them expressing your concerns. Did you know your representatives keep local office hours and you can make appointments to talk to them in person about what is important to you?
Get involved locally with issues of poverty and HIV/AIDS. Reach out to the HIV/AIDS community around you and encourage your church to do the same.
Buy (RED) products, where proceeds go to support the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. (RED) products can be found at places like Starbucks, Apple, Dell, Converse, Hallmark, American Express, and Gap.
Get involved with World Vision and its Women of Vision programs. Sponsor an at-risk girl, and she will get an education through twelfth grade. The single best way to get a nation out of poverty is to educate its girls. Learn how World Vision fights to stop gender-based violence and how it fights for gender equality with a goal of empowering both men and women in areas ravaged by poverty and disease.
One last thing you can do? Read Global Soccer Mom with a group of friends and work through the discussion questions at the back. Learn together how to make a real difference in our world!
Want to win a copy of Global Soccer Mom and get started changing the world? We have five copies of the book to share with our ParentLife Online readers. To enter, tell us in the comments: which of the above options most appeals to you and why?
Soccer mom photo used with permission of Flickr Creative Commons. Click on photo for source.
Shayne Moore was raised in Wheaton, IL. After graduating from Wheaton College Shayne moved to Los Angeles during the riots to teach school in the inner city. After returning home Shayne slowly completed a Master of Arts in Theology while her children were babies. Shayne still lives in Wheaton with her husband John and three children, JD (15), Greta (12), and Thomas (9), spending most of her days driving carpool and doing mountains of laundry.
Moore is an author, blogger, speaker, mama of three, and outspoken advocate in the fight against extreme poverty and Global AIDS. Shayne is one of the original members of the ONE Campaign.
Winners will be picked June 15, 2011. One comment person person, please. USA only. LifeWay employees are not eligible to win.
Back in January, we gave you a sneak peek at Theo, a video-based curriculum for kids that our editorial project leader, William Summey, is heading up. Theo the Animated Theologian dissects simple principles of faith for kids to grasp.
We thought you'd enjoy this interview with Theo's creator, Mike Joens.
The Theo package you can purchase includes five 10-minute videos on DVD, as well as having a DVD-ROM component with leading information, teaching plans, and parent information. Theo makes teaching salvation concepts easy and fun!
Theo released June 1, 2011, and LifeWay will release additional Theo packages in September and December.
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!
That is the question addressed in Ronnie Wilson's Gift, the third children's book in Francis Chan's parable series. Chan expounds on Christ's words in Matthew 25:40, "And the King will answer them, 'I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.' "
The illustrations by Jim Madsen are expressive, colorful, and interesting; the picture of Ronnie shaking money out of his piggy bank to buy a homeless man a hot dog made me grin.
Francis Chan is the author of the highly acclaimed book Crazy Love, which has sold more than 1.3 million copies since its release in 2008.
If you had to choose one thing in your house to give to God, what would it be? (Let's bypass "our kids" answers, OK? I will say Libbie's copy of Jesus Hears Me ... because I think Jesus would laugh at the illustration of Himself that is truly absurd.) — Jessie
Winners will be picked June 30, 2011. One comment person person, please. USA only. LifeWay employees are not eligible to win.
#5, Erik Carlson #18, Nathan #30, Abigail Byrd #39, Kristi J. #41, Lynn
Jodi will be in touch by e-mail to get your addresses soon! Congratulations! The June giveaway will be up tomorrow and it's another great book by a wildly popular author ... any guesses? — Jessie
They are questions we've all asked: Why is this happening? Does God really care about me? Does my life even matter? Why won't God fix ...?
A beloved author of nonfiction and children's works as well as a Women of Faith speaker, Walsh writes with the gentle, personal tone of Max Lucado, with a feminine touch. This is an excellent book to keep by your bedside for a daily dose of encouragement when times are hard.
Dads Need Mentors! Celebrate Father's Day as a church family by establishing a mentoring program for dads. Learn about the benefits of older men mentoring younger men and how mentoring made a huge difference in the life of one church and community (pp. 30-31).
My favorite use of fresh blueberries is this double-crust blueberry pie. I took bits of pieces of other recipes to create this one, where delicious, ripe blueberries meld with a fresh burst of lemon. So find yourself a 
I have to admit I enjoyed every bit of attention I received on Father's Day this year! From the first wishes of "Happy Father's Day!" before church to the great lunch to a few presents, it did make me feel special as a Dad. I am so thankful to have talked to my Dad on Father's Day too, catching up via long distance without having to rush to some other appointment or responsibility.
On several occasions in the not-so-distant past, I've found myself chuckling over the strange characteristics that mark motherhood. You know ... the things you never could have imagined or understood before having kids.
Shara Lawrence-Weiss is the Owner/Founder of 
"After a month without a shower, it's hard to describe the joy you get from a package of wet wipes." - Michael Krause
When Jessie Weaver is not busy being the resident ParentLife Blogger, she writes at 
Thanks to Bethany G. for this gret photo!
Thanks to Christy D. for this great photo!
