family Archives - Page 5 of 8 - The Sparrow's Home

Dads, Your Presence Matters More than Your Presents

June 26, 2017 by Susan 2 Comments

If you’re looking for advice for being a good dad, there are a lot of books out there. A quick search on Amazon brings up titles like How to Father, 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know, and the classic Dude, You’re Going to Be a Dad.

But can I tell you…no matter what parenting technique you subscribe to, unless you are a total jerk, you’re going to do just fine as long as you remember that your kids need your presence.

Not want

ask for

seek out

…need.

Can it feel awkward sometimes? Yes. Will you be doing things you wouldn’t pick to do. Absolutely. Might you fail miserably in trying to connect with them. Quite possibly. But God will bless your effort.

Moms, please don’t stop doing things for your teens. They can still grow into responsible adults…promise.

June 5, 2017 by Susan 28 Comments

Parenting changes so much when your kids become teens. But that doesn’t mean you have to abandon them to figure it all out on their own. Apprenticing our teens into adulthood is the real goal. Be sure to scroll to the bottom to catch the link to my interview on this topic!

Listen to my interview with Vicki Tillman on the Homeschool High School Podcast on this topic.

Did you see the article going around recently about parenting teens? It implored parents to stop doing things for their teen in order to grow independence and maturity. Maybe you even shared or ‘liked’ it. It made some valid points.

But it also kind of broke my heart.

Don’t wake your kids up. Don’t pack their lunch. Don’t bring them things they’ve forgotten or fill out paperwork for them. Don’t ‘meddle’ in their academics.

Here’s the thing, parents… as our sweet babies grow into smelly, sassy teens, we do need to change the way we parent. We need to be intentional about developing that independence and maturity. And that can mean hard lessons, consequences, and ‘tough love’. But there are a few major problems I see with advising parents to stop doing these things for their kids altogether.

Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes

May 8, 2017 by Susan 2 Comments

How do you celebrate Mother’s Day? We used to go out to a brunch buffet after church. But as our families grew, it started getting pretty expensive. We also realized that we didn’t spend much time enjoying each other’s company in the busy restaurant. So several years ago we began having brunch back at our home. (My sisters and I decided that my parent’s house wasn’t an option, as my mom would stress about things getting done).

On the Road Again: Pigeon Forge, TN

May 1, 2017 by Susan 2 Comments

“You just take your time, sweetie, and your room will be here waiting for y’all when you get here.” I hung up the phone and said, “I love the South!” Just calling to confirm our reservation reminded me.

We spent last week in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. My husband and I were both invited to teach at a conference. We could not have asked for a lovelier environment.

The last time I was in Tennessee, it was an impromptu trip with a youth mission team. This time, we’ve been planning for months. Greg taught a workshop on Creation vs. Naturalism and I led one for homeschoolers. I also got to host a discussion for families considering homeschooling, and was invited to speak during one of the evening services.

Mother’s Day Gift Basket Giveaway!

April 17, 2017 by Susan 12 Comments

Mom’s are where it’s at.

To celebrate this fact, we’re giving away a gift basket full of handmade goodies. You can sign up below for your chance to win. Not a mom? Sign up anyway. I’ll bet you know a mom you could share this with.

Small Ways to Serve Close to Home this Christmas

December 21, 2016 by Susan 13 Comments

There are loads of ways your family can help your community without traveling far from home! Parents and kids can serve together, helping others as a family.

Did you know that you don’t have to trek downtown into the inner city to scoop soup for the homeless to serve others this Christmas? I mean, that would be great. Totally do that if you want. But there are other ways, smaller ways, that are no less meaningful.

All of us strive to teach our children that Christmas is about more than presents for me – me – me. Jesus, whose birth we celebrate, served. And he told us to serve. Certainly we should be doing this all year long. But we would be remiss to ignore the fact that Christmastime is a season in which many people feel forgotten, lonely, and quite frankly…sad.