5 Ways to Get Your Kids to Listen

I thought this might be an interesting read for parents looking to try some new ways of teaching their children during the New Year.  5 Ways to Get Your Kids to Listen

It's Here: Winter School Break!!

Well it has arrived in my neck of the woods!  Hope you moms got your plans in order.  Break will be gone before you know it as long as everyone understands what role they are to play.  I encourage you reader to take plenty of time-outs, don't try to do anything all at once, and avoid the phone and television when you are busy with the children.  The background noise can really add to your stress.  Some things that tend to help with the school break include:

1.  Prepare multiple lunches and dinner options in advance, so that you aren't cooking everyday.  (This way no one is bugging you about, "What are the children going to eat?")
2.  Setting a wake up, chill time, and a go to bed time. (Seriously, the children don't need to be up all night snacking and running through the house all hours of the day stressing everyone out.)
3.  Ask for additional hands to help with tedious tasks.  Give that older son or daughter or a couch potato adult tasks to aid you and others in the household.  If the family doesn't want to help out, well you can always make up some consequences like leaving the house for awhile, canceling gift-opening until further notice, or taking what you have bought back to the store.
4.  Make children put things away. (Far too many parents clean up after able-bodied children.)
5.  Set aside quiet time without electronic devices.  (Got some activity books, coloring books, workbooks, and worksheets?  Utilize this time to keep the children's minds fresh for school.  Video gaming all day does nothing more than cause a child to be programmed for whatever the game's objective is ie.) if the son or daughter plays primarily military games daily, well you just might have a future recruit blood-thirsty for war.
6.  Avoid spending most of the winter school break doing things like: time-consuming chores often, preparing home-made meals for hours, or scolding children and arguing with a partner or relatives.

These are just some of the things that might help make each day more productive, calmer and interesting.  The goal is to spend time with the children as best as you know how without losing it.  Pace yourself!

Some Children are Set Apart to Do Evil

Why would a parent ever permit someone or a group to abuse his or her child, why?  But there are those parents:  victims of unresolved abuse issues, desperate for selfish gain, or in need of something else that will do just that!  And then there are some that are simply unstable and the generational line is polluted with evil, curses and other dark things. 

Some parents knowingly and systematically create their children (or someone else's children) to do evil for a cause, a specific purpose, an agenda, or what some would deem an unholy calling--"Take one for the home team, my boy!" 

If you have a hard time believing what I have told you then you haven't been around many children of darkness.  I personally have witnessed evil in the eyes of many children, those who have and those who have not, they simply couldn't help acting that way because they were just spiritually, mentally, and physically broken. 

Consider the many movies that depict children being possessed by a devil.  Also, think about some of the court cases you have heard about whether in person or in the media where children have viciously attacked others. I recall a relative who beat up a teacher and then years later the sibling, who didn't live with the other sibling during some parts of her life, beat up another teacher.  There were many other events too numerous to count, but many of which resulted in watching a parent act abusively toward members of his household.  Think about past events that  happened in a local school, neighborhood or even in your own family and the suspects, children.

I felt burdened to remind some readers, who like to pity others while elevating their own children, that there are those in this world that would like nothing more than to manipulate the minds of your children through the following vices:  media programming that continues to brainwash you about the latest tragedies, video games that our little people love, television programs on and offline, books, posters, Cd's, and other things you and I have enjoyed buying our children simply because they want them and we didn't want to disappoint them. 

What's so wrong with a television character, an uncle who curses every five minutes, an angry teen, or a favorite best friend who just so happens to dress provocatively around your child?  Nothing to some nonchalant parents, absolutely nothing, because they walk with blinders on, zombies, who only know how to attack.  Some parents just can't see the evil hidden in plain sight.  Unless you choose to consciously take a good long look at the hand signals, symbols, patterns, colors, and other things you will miss the signs of pending evil.  Notice the odd sounds, voices, words, and more that continue to show up during cartoon and movie watching, various popular songs, or appear on some items that a child most covets, you never suspect that something so bright, colorful or cheery is bad for your child including girls.  You also wouldn't be able to see that evil relative, friend, or someone else who also puts up a smokescreen either.  "We are just playing...I didn't mean anything by what I said...That's harmless...There's nothing wrong with your child listening to a dancing whore, a creative magician, or a man dressed like a lady cursing--not at all--it's just entertainment!" 

Most likely, you aren't the parent verbally or physically abusing your child, but someone or a group is subtly working evil into your child's mind, and for some parents, your instinct knows who the devil workers are around you, but they continue to assure you with a nice smile, a pocket full of money, and lots of "I love you" statements that everything is okay.  Besides media, video games and toys, evil has a way of entering your intimate settings through child impacted by  a mean-spirited abused cousin, a rebellious schoolmate, an odd aunt, a strange grandmother, a stressed caretaker, or an angry parent, spend the time interviewing your children, hear what they have to say--that is unless you fear what you might find out, are ill-prepared for the truth, or are concerned you might lose your free time for yourself if the truth should come out.  Some parents rather look the other way then lose time for self away from the kids (ie. job, hobbies, travel, sexual conquests, etc.)

Let's take a long look at various events that have happened in our media both random and planned that seem to point the finger at things used to orchestrate the catalyst of events, rather than the real issues behind the scenes.  From gun control to mental illness, whenever shootings take place there is always an outcry about a thing involved.  Rarely do we get the full story on the characters.  Sure, some are crazy, but what about the evil group hidden behind crazy?  Instead, we're given a story that never truly answers the hard questions or does an in depth background investigation on the people involved.  Far too many viewers digest whatever the so-called reputable news media outlets dish out, but rarely do they perform their own research as to the who, what, when, where, why, and how.  So this leads me back to the topic of this entry, there is an evil that men and women do and put children up to doing their dirty work.  You and I would never suspect a privileged child or a bright young person to commit an evil act.  We would readily assume that the poor child or troubled young person just had a hard time in life or was mentally unstable--end of story.  But that is not the end, there is more, much more.

Look back, check out what stories become popular news, what movies become the highest grossing, what songs make the billboard charts, what music videos tell of a future event, and what message does your child's favorite show or character really share.  There are those children who hear, see, smell, touch, or taste something that sets them off to perform whatever task they are commanded or feel like they need to do, and when the opportune time comes, they strike.  We have all seen enough tragedies to know something just ain't right with some children and their parent(s).

Nicholl McGuire 

What to Do This Holiday Season? A Message for the Christians

Christians Moms Who Do What Thou Wilt

For some mothers, it doesn't matter what truth you bring to them whether you discuss concerns about their parenting or traditions that they celebrate, even though some claim to be Christians, they practice a Satanist philosophy, they do what they want by any means necessary. 

The phrase, "Do what thou wilt..." is typically referenced back to the late occultist, author, speaker and more Alexister Crowley.  Now this man was considered one of the most evil of his day.  With no moral absolutes, he (or shall I say a demon or demons) speak from the grave to those who intensely study and practice Luciferian and Satanist teachings.  Crowley believed he was chosen by Satan to perform his will.

When evil takes one by force whether mentally, physically or spiritually, you have to wonder why would anyone want to keep doing the kinds of things both privately and publically that raise the spirits of ancient gods while thinking their offspring, whether young or old, will go through this life unaffected.  Must we be reminded, you play with fire, whether for good or for evil, you get burned by an angry Creator.  From evil thinking to idol worship, at some point in one's life he or she will have to give up a blood sacrifice.  For many, they put themselves on the alter for a job, a house, car, stardom, power, money, etc. while the family looks at an often very tired and stressed partner, son, daughter, brother, sister, aunt, uncle, grandparent, and so on.  Is it all worth it?

One day I was speaking to an 80 plus grandmother who told me that the recent Connecticut school shooting served as a warning to any parent that he or she should be taking better care of his or her children and she wasn't talking about dropping them off here and there and letting others take care of them either.  She said that God was angry and that parents ought to appreciate their children and teach them well.  Seriously, how many parents spend more time getting away from children then being with them?  Television is on, "Go play!"  Internet surfing is happening, "Go play!"  Driving in the car, "Will you shut up?"  On the telephone, "I'm on the phone, be quiet!"  Cooking in the kitchen, "If you come in here one more time!"  Having a meeting, "Don't interrupt me.  I will call your father to help you with that."  Get it?

We will reap what we sow in this world sooner or later--good and bad.  Some will be killed prematurely by the weight of deadly sins while others will continue to walk this earth spreading godless teachings and boasting that "My life is just fine without a Creator."  Really?  We will see when spiritual trials come your way.  Many will scramble to church, seek a counselor, or a substance to help alleviate the mental and physical anguish that they or their children will experience.

It seems that one who believes in a Father, Son and Holy Ghost would study and show thyself approved unto God, but many Christian mothers don't.  They rely on pastors, teachers, relatives, and friends to tell them, "You are wonderful, great, and always right!"  Sounds like that kind of praise ought to be given to a perfect God and not an imperfect human being, but I digress.

Many Christian moms busily decorate houses with pagan traditions while covering them with a God approval stamp.  Doesn't the Holy Bible talk about idol worship, sun worship, money worship, etc.?  I recall singing about Old Saint Nick during this time of year and spreading the theme of, "I don't care what this one says or that one says...we will do this and we will do that."  Meanwhile, God was whispering in my ear, "Time for change."  Eventually, I heard the call and doing what I wanted was no longer satisfying, peaceful, sweet, or nice.  Instead, my troubled heart screamed, "FREEDOM!"  It was no longer a good thing to spread messages of gluttony, lies and other sinful behaviors while putting a red and green covering on them complete with lights, presents, and holiday music.  Something was wrong with Christmas.  And if Jesus wasn't born on December 25th, then who was?  Who was I really honoring?  Why did I bother to spend hard-earned cash to keep a cycle going on that started prior to Christ's birth?  Why were so many angered by Christmas at one time that they out-lawed it?  The investigative study was beginning.  I had questions that needed answers. 

So I studied and found where I went wrong, notice I didn't point the finger, but I realized that all of my "do what I want and pray about it later" thoughts was stimulated by those who came before me who listened to others who came before them and so on.  Just because everyone else was doing something, didn't mean it was right.  Children enlighten you when they ask questions, misbehave, and challenge you to go somewhere in your mind that you have never gone before.  But when you take that quiet moment or many moments to think, you realize that you are not your own god as much as you think you are, you are not!  Someone or something is guiding you to do some things in your life that sincerely are not worth losing your soul for--think about it. 

Next year could be different for you and your family, then what?  We sincerely have to think beyond fleshly needs and look the other way when temptation comes, that is if one is a true child of God like he or she claims to be.

Nicholl McGuire 

Resources regarding Christmas:

http://www.lasttrumpetministries.org/tracts/tract3.html

http://www.essortment.com/christmas-pagan-origins-42543.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t08r4aMuOUE

I Wouldn’t Hurt My Child, But You I Would: When Mom Needs Joy

There is a mother somewhere who is taking out her frustration on being a parent on others almost on a daily basis.  “I wouldn’t hurt my child…” so she says, but when it comes to everyone else, “But you, I would!”  Well that is an entirely different story.

Not happy with how her life turned out, a young mother cries for attention, affection, and a host of other things.  But the one thing she needs the most, she can’t get from men, women, children, and things.  “And what might that be,” you ask? Joy!  An overwhelming emotion that sticks around longer than happiness even when the baby is crying, her man is complaining, and other children and relatives have all kinds of issues, all that mother wants is some joy!  Oh sure peace is nice, but joy is contagious.

So how does she get some joy?  Joy doesn’t come overnight and you can’t get it by periodic church attendance or saying a quick prayer every now and then.   In my personal experience, I have felt the presence of joy come into my life and linger when I could wrap my mind around my purpose for living, coupled with a serious self-chat about my reactions to any and all people and things and then summed up to thoughts and study of my eternal destiny complete with our Creator while envisioning a future void of all my current responsibilities.  Sit back for a moment, re-read then ponder.  

It is an awesome thing to reach a point in your life where all these challenges you go through will pass.  You don’t doubt this concept, you don’t debate it, and you don’t whine about it—all issues will pass!  The child can’t scream his or her head off forever.  The man can’t be a grump forever.  Relatives and friends can’t have grudges, dramas, and more for always.  The storms in this life will pass away!  So what are you going to do in the meantime?  Act like the meanest, nastiest, evilest woman on this earth while acting like an angel with your child (as if he or she isn’t watching how you treat others).

For the woman, who appears to be okay with her personal life, but in a storm with everyone else, nothing passes away in her world.  There is always someone or something getting the best of her emotions if it isn’t her husband, it is the neighbor, the store clerk, even what she might call “The Man Upstairs!”   The photos of her deceased relatives, who she proudly displays throughout her home, look at her sometimes as if talking to her from the other side, “Get a grip!  You love your kid too much.  What’s going to happen when he/she goes away?  You still have to face the rest of society.  Keep acting the way you are and you will end up killing yourself or being killed!”
 

The ugliness of the past continues to haunt her every time she passes mom’s photo, dad’s, sister’s, brother’s (sigh).  She fights with herself and her partner over unresolved issues.  She never wanted to be responsible for the next generation, but she encourages herself by saying, “There is nothing I can do about my surprise/mistake/miracle/blessing, so I will just love this child anyway, but I don’t have to love everyone else!” 

 

The mother who hasn’t managed to be at peace with her motherhood role somehow warps what is supposed to be a half logical, half creative mind in such a way where she isn’t mad with self, child or sometimes even the man she has had the baby with, but society, her childhood, relatives, and others are to blame.  But none of these people were in the bed with her and her lover when she procreated, right?  Wrong!  The mother had brought all her baggage into her lovemaking session in the hopes that she would be free of all that was wrong with her, but to no avail.  For some, even the act of a sexual release when the child was created was sub par. 

 

Mom is often angry and it doesn’t take much to set her off.  “What now?  Who do you think you are?  I will hurt you about my family!” she yells at a stranger.  Does she even care about her family that much?

It all appears normal at first, her life.  Spending time with a mother with her misplaced anger issues eventually show up and show out!  Of course, we wouldn’t want her to take her frustrations out on her family, but she shouldn’t get so upset with others because she has yet to recognize what is really bothering her about her role. 

Maybe there are some unfulfilled dreams and this mother’s current responsibilities are keeping her from achieving them.  Could she also be fighting a situation that is a no-win battle with herself or a partner, but is too busy or too fearful to deal with the issues? 

Whatever her problem, the rest of the world has very little time, patience, or even love to put up with this kind of mother who loves her baby, but hates everyone else.  So when she acts irate, irrational, or carries other negative emotions, the world will deal with her in such a way that she has no choice but to face her personal demons or die.  Yes, it is just that simple.  Face the ugly truth about one’s choices in this life and how you intend to obtain that unspeakable joy.  “I wasn’t ready for this baby or this man!  I need an escape!  Help me Lord!” are issues that must be dealt with spiritually above everything else.

The minute a bitter mother with misplaced anger issues sees the light, she will then find the freedom that she needs to grow and go wherever her personal Savior is instructing her.  Will there be judgmental, mean-spirited, ignorant people along the way as she embarks on her journey toward joy? Of course.  It is then that her anger will be justified and in its proper place.

Nicholl McGuire author of When Mothers Cry and creator of hub entitled, "How to Be Nice to Rude People"

Be Wise This Holiday Season When Dealing with Family

Protective mothers are alert when it comes to everything from what to buy their children to where they go for the holidays.  They don’t play with the devil, so to speak, during this time of the year—and you know he is out and about!

There comes a point when a mother just has to say, “No!”  And that no will be met with objection by someone in or out of the family circle.  “What do you mean?”  The challenger will ask.  We, mothers, don’t have to give a five minute explanation on why we will not go along with something.

Older wise, spiritual women know some things about life that many younger women don’t know and one thing in particular is when to keep quiet.   

When all the family are gathered around making noise, running their mouths a mile a minute, a humble grandmother sits back and watches the movie play out.  She has seen much in her life.  She has been a part of debates, tended to baby’s cries, dealt with a wayward spouse, and fought for her rights to say and do certain things—so she knows to observe and pray.  But a loud mouth, argumentative, silly woman refuses wisdom.  She is too busy fighting for the right to speak her mind, decorate herself this way and that way, what she wants, where she goes, etc. Meanwhile standing there before an audience of family and friends, thinking to herself, “I mustn’t be made a fool of…these are my kids, my house, my body, my food, my opinion…”  But she already looks like a fool when she feels she has to defend herself and family over every little thing!  “So sensitive, so immature….I remember when I use to be like that.” The older woman sits back and prays.

Don’t embarrass yourself this holiday season and definitely don’t ignore wise counsel especially when it comes to raising your children.  A woman or man who has been where you are, sees right through an immature mother’s foolishness when it comes to covering for her husband, defending her children, lying about how much she paid for something, and how she truly feels about her relationship, motherhood role, and other things.

Make a stand only if you believe that God is moving you to say something that will free people from their issues, build them up, and draw them near to Him; otherwise, give the immature, unbelievers, the haters, the crazies, and the drunks a pass and get yourself and your family out of tense environments before you are the one who the older woman just sits back and shakes her head.

To God be the glory this holiday season.

Nicholl

Showing Off in Front of the Family

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like my children or my mate showing off in front of people I know or don’t know for that matter.  Yet, sometimes while we are out on trips and around family over the years, there would be some showing off.  If the man isn’t making small talk that comes off as being flirtatious while checking out a female here and there (this has happened when most men in and out of my life) or the children aren’t crying as if someone beat them, folks are showing off.  When this sort of thing happens, I don’t always bite my tongue and I also have been known to show off myself.  “That guy looks handsome…hmm let me see what he has to say…well the children want to cry, I know how to disappear and pretend like I have no children,” I think.  But there has been a price to pay over the years for doing such things.  Two wrongs don’t make it right.

Those other personalities seem to come out of nowhere when in the public eye and I am left puzzled, angered, and ready to show off myself!  “What the…?  Who the?”  I don’t like when partners disrespect their spouses in front of people and I have had to exercise some self-control when I witness such behavior sometimes.  A bossy husband stands before me and tells his wife, “Oh honey…shut up!  She can be a real pain, you know!”  Meanwhile, the wife just looks at her husband as if to say, “Wait until we get home!”  Showing off will cost you your marriage.  I have seen women get smart mouth with their husbands in front of relatives as if someone is going to jump in and say, “Yea, tell him off!”  Save that drama for one’s home!  It’s not cute, funny, and it doesn’t make one look like you have your family under control.  Rather, it makes some look wicked (I could say something else here) when they are talking down to their husbands.

Children can be a real problem during their showing off times too.  They will start doing things that they never do or say at home.  I have seen a side to my children that I didn’t know existed at the wrong times.  It seems that family gatherings, church events, weddings, funerals, and other similar settings brings out the worse in some children.  From screaming to running around like fools, children pick up on their parents’ tension and anyone else around them who is a ball of energy. 

Most times I don’t like being around adult kid show off types because they know how to bring out the hyperactivity in children and then when they can’t keep up with all of the excitement, they disappear and leave the wild children to the parents to discipline.  I have learned over the years, keep the children away from certain settings and relatives—it’s just not worth the drive home, the preparation for bed, and everything else in between.

When a partner and children are showing off it is nothing more than a mere distraction to keep many mothers from doing what they have either set their minds to do or promised others they would do.  Everything is going as planned and then suddenly the partner wants to say something he has no business saying in front of the family.  I can’t tell you how many times over the course of my life that fiancees, and boyfriends have been guilty of this!  No one asked them for their opinion or a story about me, but those typically quiet guys are going to say something whether in front of you or behind your back.  What my former partners didn’t realize is that their silly statements, criticisms, or off-base sense of humor would just give my family just one more reason to call that one, “A loser…What’s up with him? Boring.  Why do you pick these guys?  That one is an idiot!”  All the showing off for what?  Only to be talked about in the end.

So for those of you who will be headed to a relative’s home this holiday season, give your family the pep talk and the consequences before leaving if you have seen a pattern of irresponsible and disrespectful sort of behavior in your presence.  And if you just don’t feel like putting up with the foolishness this year, sit this one out.  Most likely, someone in the family is hoping you don’t bring the show offs with you.   

Nicholl McGuire is author of When Mothers Cry and Know Your Enemy the Christian's Critic.

Calling a Truce in Mother-Daughter Conflict | Bonds by Elizabeth Bernstein - WSJ.com

Do you have a mother who always has something negative to say about what you do, what you look like, who you talk to, how you parent, etc.?  You might want to read this:

Calling a Truce in Mother-Daughter Conflict | Bonds by Elizabeth Bernstein - WSJ.com

Do Your Children Play Video Games Too Much?

With so much going on this season, you and I know that the older children are going to want video games, but did they earn them (ie.) good grades, acting respectful, participating in household duties, etc.  If not, just know, you aren't a bad parent for saying, "Don't think about asking me for any video games."  Learn more about my experience and what I learned when my son's grades started failing.

Play Video Games Too Much

GoFatherhood: Musings of a Single Dad with Three Kids

I thought the following blog was interesting for those curious about how a father manages single fatherhood half the time while his ex has the children the other half of the time.  
GoFatherhood: Musings of a Single Dad with Three Kids

50 Freezer Meals in a Day

Learn from the women who know how to stretch a dollar and some food!

50 Freezer Meals in a Day

The Most Dangerous Toys of 2012 | Parenting - Yahoo! Shine

The Most Dangerous Toys of 2012 | Parenting - Yahoo! Shine

Calling the Birds Back to the Nest - a Worried Mother

Dad doesn't understand, the boss doesn't care, and you might be guilty of brushing off a concerned mother yourself.  Worried mothers, unlike birds, will call back their sons and daughters to the nest.  So why do they do this?  Simply put, because they feel like their children are making unwise decisions.  When you see that a son or daughter is going back to mom and dad's house it is for any number of reasons, but the main concern for mom is, "My son/daughter can't take care of his or herself apart from me at this time."

Sometimes mothers have this instinct that begins to grow as her child grows.  "He is getting older now, uh oh.  The girls, the parties, the drugs...oh I hope he doesn't mess up his life!"  Moms have similar concerns like dads when it comes to their daughters.  Therefore, if she doesn't feel comfortable with what her son or daughter has done with their lives so far, she will call her child back to the nest.

Now we can name-call judge, ridicule or come down hard on a wayward young person or an irresponsible older person moving back in with mom, but no matter how we feel, that mother is going to protect her son or daughter. 

Sometimes we end up being foes of mothers because we tell them what they should be doing with their children when they are in this Mother Bird mode of thinking.  "Why are you permitting him to come back home?" we say.  "What do you think he will do?  How many more times are you going to let your daughter come back to you?"  The mother responds, "As many times as it takes until my child puts my worries at ease--until I know that my children can take care of themselves!"

No sense in warring with a mother bird who sees her chics are in danger--best to sit back, be quiet, watch the movie, and just go along with the program.  Otherwise, she just might start pecking you!

Nicholl McGuire maintains a blog for parents with newborns, toddlers, tweens, and teens living under one roof together.  See here.

Children of darkness have a chance to become children of light

As mothers, we don't plan on our children growing up to be the next menace of society, but things happen along the way that either a child will rise above his or her circumstances or he or she will fail and fail again leaving us scratching our heads, "Why?"

I thought of this blog entry when I looked at my son who seemed to always show up at the wrong place at the wrong time.  From heated discussions to a hot kitchen stove, he was always a part of something that us adults would advise him not to be in.  I couldn't help but to reflect on my many uncles who also were always in the middle of the action growing up.  I found that they all had a pattern once the grew up to become men,  they were problems more often than solutions to others.

What is it about that evil force some call Satan that moves us to be in the wrong places at the wrong times in life?  What is it about it (him) that makes humans follow all things we think are fun, exciting, sweet and nice which really only turn out to be painful, dark, confusing, and worthless? 

The child in the middle grew up to be a man that died young.  It has been said that he was troubled all his life.

 

I sat back and pondered this short piece before typing it, and I found that the thought that stands out most in my mind is, "Somehow the children of darkness tend to be more sensitive to enemy schemes from as early as the newborn period and that by no fault of our own some are destined for trouble no matter how much light we cast upon them." 

What is it that baby stares at upon a face and then becomes visibly frightened?  What images does he or she see when there is none that we can see, yet he or she cries even after all needs have been met?  Why is it that a toddler who appears to be at peace when we leave his room, suddenly comes running to us about something being in his room that we cannot view?  Why do we prepare for bed at night and feel as if something is near, on or around us that tempts us to think or do something ugly, evil or dark to someone else? 

Oh, I could go on and on about the evil that men, women and children do, but rather I just leave you with these thoughts, mom and dad. 

1.  You are not alone when that thought pops into your mind every now and then while looking at your son or daughter that says, "What on earth did I help create?"

2.  Dark paths, spirits, magic, and overall evil is real and you have every right to keep your child away from all of it especially when you know he or she is acting wrongly.

3.  People, places and things we once loved, we will not anymore when we find that they are causing more harm than good and attempting to put our children on unrighteous paths.

4.  You were once a child of darkness despite having a faith now and that just because you believe doesn't mean that you won't be tempted by evil.

5.  Keep praying for your children, no matter what, and don't fall for foolish statements like, "All children are like that...boys will be boys..."  Every child is different to a certain degree and each has a certain path set before them that may or may not include you, your wise teaching or Jesus Christ.

In closing, it is my sincere hope that men, women and children will come to know truth and that they will not settle for lies regarding relationships, education, health, wealth, etc.  We all deserve to know that all that appears to be right is not, and that it is our responsibility to say and do the kinds of things to help others do better in life--even if that means some will cry, shut us out or don't like us through the process.

To God be the glory!

Nicholl McGuire is the author of Know Your Enemy: The Christian's Critic, get the book!

37 things you should hoard – or is it 55? Who needs to buy a book when we have google? « Sussex County Angel

You might have come across a book online about things you will need in case of a disaster, well it turns out that many have used it as a discussion on their sites and have also added much more to think about.  A commentor by the name of Geoff Mcpherson on the Sussex County Angel blog site, had the following to say below:

"Silver one ounce ingots/bars are better than paper money–especially if financial crisis hits. Silver and gold never lose all their value. Silver is more easily used as cash..gold too difficult to measure small dollar amounts with…a nugget , for example, could be worth $300..and that’s 1/6th of an ounce. Less than a pea size. Silver, on the other hand, is routinely made into one ounce ingots that are currently between 30 and 40 dollars worth.
Water–dried foods are worthless if there’s no water.
SHARPIE PENS: Write on your cans of food what is inside…in case the labels become wet and fall off..this will help immensely when eating from cans…and for bartering with them.
MAPS!! In case you have to “hoof it” out of where you are, you can avoid the major roads and go overland. Get Forest Service Maps of the local public lands. There are hundreds of thousands of miles of dirt roads in the nations forests. Learn how to use a compass and how to read a topographical map.
DUCT TAPE; In Alaska, it is called “hundred mile an hour tape” = you can fix a bushplane wing with it, and can fly up to 100 mph before the tape will blow off. IT has thousands of uses down here, too.
STOCK PILE PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES….IF YOU POSSIBLY CAN. TRY OFF-SHORE PHARMACIES IF YOUR HMO or DOCTOR WON’T HELP YOU. You can’t be any help to your family if they’re trying to keep you alive or healthy..you’ll become a liability instead of an asset.
FIRE STARTER KIT—matches, lighters, etc. Learn how to start a fire BEFORE your survival depends on it.
WATER: it’s every bit as important as you can imagine. It bears repeating. SAFE WATER can either be boiled or sterilized. CHLORINE BLEACH or CHLORINE GRANULES (spa or swimming pool supplies) can be used. Learn how much to use. Be careful with this product; it can be dangerous. Use the sharpie pen to label it as dangerous/poison –see? you’re already using that sharpie pen!!
CHLORINE BLEACH : cleans things, including blood spills from others. Yuk.
LEATHERMAN TOOL, Buck Knife, Machete.Ax or Hatchet.
FIRE ARMS: you can feed your family with a .22 rifle and at the very least, you can feed your dogs and cats with small game.
FIRST AID KIT
PET SUPPLIES:
READING: Survival Guides and Self-help books
BINOCULARS: I can’t stress this enough, it goes along with the fire arms requirement…you’ll need to spot other people before they spot you. You’ll need to assess their intentions before they come too close. Be careful. In a perfect world, everybody would behave nicely. The world is not perfect.
Fishing gear: hooks and line,,,weights and tackle…you can bet that game wardens will be too busy to enforce catch limits..
LEARN HOW TO DRY MEATS and make JERKY…
In short, if you have any camping equipment and experience, you’re better off than your cousins who don’t. Think of survival as a long camping trip. With consequences."

To learn more click the link:  37 things you should hoard – or is it 55? Who needs to buy a book when we have google? « Sussex County Angel

Teaching Children How To Behave When Visiting with Older Relatives

When babies are born, many mothers record their miles stones.  We know that during the developmental process a child begins to start something new, like he or she smiles, rolls over, crawls, says first words, walks, and notices his or her environment more and more.  But somehow over the course of life, we forget that we too have milestones that we reach.  We discover what we want or don’t want in life and we start journeys toward whatever our goals are.  However, there comes a point that as we progress in life, we eventually regress.  All the time, patience and energy we once had in our youth is just not the same. 

No matter how many hair dyes we use, exercise, or select the “right foods” to eat, our bodies begin to alert us to how important our lives truly are.  So this is the case with our elderly relatives, they have spent many years learning, working, teaching, building, fighting, growing, and more to earn the lines we see on old faces, the curve in tired backs, the gray hairs on wise heads, and more.  So when a child acts disrespectfully toward those who are obviously bigger, smarter, and overall better than they, we, as parents, must sit these children down and teach them.  Some children will learn quickly while others will need some serious prompting, but either way, children must learn to respect authority despite how we might personally feel about certain adults.

So I thought of writing this piece, because I know there will be many family gatherings this holiday season where children will be present.  There will be parents of children who are polite, kind and respectful while there will also be parents of children who simply don’t know any better and refuse correction.  It is my concern that some untrained parents will take offense when an elderly grandmother, aunt, uncle or someone else will take the liberty in chastising bratty, little Sam or Sue or rebellious teen Jim, and when they do, the offended parent will try to excuse his or her son or daughter’s offensive behaviors.  Why take offense?   

Parents have just about all year to train children prior to family events.  From funerals to Christmas, children should be at least somewhat prepared for adults who will talk to them about interrupting conversations with whines or sassy quips.  They should have already been made aware that loud talking, running thorough someone’s home, and acting fussy is unacceptable.   

Knowledgeable parents have back-up plans, consequences or alternatives when dealing with children who don’t behave themselves.  Yet, there will be those parents, unfortunately, who don’t bother to discipline (train) children to:  “Sit and be quiet, wait your turn, don’t take too much food, watch carrying that plate, don’t run like that around granddad, watch your tone when speaking to relatives and friends…” 

   

Children are just that, children--not little adults, when we don’t bother to train them to have self-control, be respectful, and kind to us and others, then we actually cause them harm and unfortunately witnesses will not appreciate seeing them or us in the future.  Sure, we have relatives in our circles that haven’t earned anyone’s polite, “Hello” much less respect, but as we all know, two wrongs don’t make it right.  Let us teach children to be the solution and not the problem.  Tips as follows:

One.  Advise them to say things like, "Please" and “Thank you” when they want something done for them or when someone has thought enough to do give them something.

Two.  Show them the correct way to behave when speaking to others and how to act when seated in the company of others (ie. dinner table, living-room, riding in someone else’s car, etc.)

Three.  Create consequences when children don't demonstrate appropriate behavior and rewards when they do.

Four.  Check your own emotions and don’t be so quick to defend your child’s misdeeds especially when you have not witnessed his or her behavior.  Most children may act one way at home and then do some things totally different elsewhere ie.) tell lies, tamper with things that don’t belong to them, make false accusations, claim that someone was acting mean while leaving out what they did to receive such a reaction.

Five.  When a situation has come up regarding your child interacting with other children and adults, don’t embarrass your son or daughter by “showing off” in front of them as to appear like you have it altogether as a parent ie.) berating, threatening, or staring at them evily.  Rather, call your child’s attention to the matter by taking him or her out of the room and away from prying eyes who have nothing better to do than to gossip about your child.

Lastly, don’t permit yourself to get angry or tearful before others when it comes to matters regarding your child.  You will look unwise and foolish and will give others unnecessary chat about you and your family.  Know-it-all busybody types will love to give you advice (and even prayer and Scriptures) despite having something to do with a child’s emotional outbursts.  Maybe your son or daughter was only trying to communicate a concern when he or she said, “You shouldn’t smoke grandma…Don't say bad words.  Why do you have that ugly sweater on?  I don’t eat that nasty stuff.”   

Sometimes we can control some things, but other things we simply can’t.  Forgive yourself, forgive the child and forgive others for they know not what you put up with!  Then move on.  If they don’t like how you are trying your best to make the visit pleasant consider this, you don’t have to be around those difficult relatives next year!    

Nicholl McGuire is the author of When Mothers Cry and other books.

Need Peace of Mind? Bible Study for Healing - YouTube

Need Peace of Mind? Bible Study for Healing - YouTube

LearningElectric.com - Online Software Training Videos At Your Convenience!

LearningElectric.com - Online Software Training Videos At Your Convenience!

This might be a helpful site to those of you who need to brush up on your skills and return back to work.  You have to love a site that has FREE online tutorials!

What One Mom Wishes for Her Children and Others Like Them

With all the evil television programming, dark video games and shocking things on the Internet, if there is anything that I hope my children learn during their childhood is how to discern right from wrong.

Too often there are children growing up in environments where the caretakers could care less what penetrates their minds.  They rather the children, “Go play!”  Little do they know, what the children could be doing out of their site.  It isn’t until someone gets hurt that a parent or relative wants to “…go see what happened…”  

I learned far too young that fellow peers couldn’t be trusted and many adults were liars.  Once I became a woman I found that some of the things that hurt me when I was young affected some aspects of my life whether I was conscience of them or not.  Therefore, I try real hard to protect my children minds and bodies from outside forces.  One of the most important things I do is pray for them and the next is encourage them to talk to me.  There are some other things I instill in them as well and might inspire you to add to your list or try some new things.

One.  Give them an appreciation for faith in one who is far greater and superior than any man, woman or child.

Two.  Teach them to respect self and others.  Keeping in mind to pay close attention to who is friend and who is foe.

Three.  Always make time to do something other than watch TV, surf the Internet and play with games and toys.

Four.  Pay close attention to those who are your mentors and teachers, but also guard your heart.

Five.  Be confident.  Fight feelings of fear.

Six.  Be honest.

Seven.  Make the wise choice to be loyal to one partner and love that person.

These tips have worked so far in more ways than I can explain when it comes to them interacting with others.  I can only hope that they will grow in their learning.

Nicholl McGuire