Happily Ever After

Happily Ever After - Parenting Like HannahPrincesses seem to be a natural part of childhood. For hundreds of years and in multiple cultures, there has been some version of the story of Cinderella. In spite of the twists and turns each may take, they all end the same…Cinderella and Prince Charming live happily ever after.

Unfortunately, life isn’t quite as simple and easy as a fairy tale. Even Christians who marry, struggle from time to time in marriage. And many Christians find themselves in the not so happily ever after of divorce.

Yet study after study shows the importance for kids to have parents who are married, living in the same home together, parenting their kids. Healthy marriages should be a top priority for Christians – especially those with children.

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Fun Ways to Teach Kids Godly Principles During the Holidays

Fun Ways to Teach Kids Godly Principles During the Holidays - Parenting Like HannahOne of the best things about the holidays is that your kids get time off from school and many of their activities. Bed times can be a bit later, because they can sleep in a little longer. You have more time at home together.

What does your family do with that extended family time? If you use even some of that time more intentionally, you can have fun with your kids while teaching them some important things God wants them to know.

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Christian Kids and Dating

Christian Kids and Dating - Parenting Like HannahParents often start talking about dating when their child comes home announcing he or she wants to go on a first date. Sadly for many teens, creating a heart that is ready to date on God’s terms, should have begun many years earlier when they were still children.

Christian parents often think they are protecting their kids by refusing to talk about dating, sex, purity, marriage and other similar topics until the teen years. What these parents don’t realize is that their children are most likely already having these conversations with peers or using television shows, movies and the internet to learn about them.

Having these conversations with your kids is uncomfortable even for those comfortable talking about those topics with their spouses and other adults. And for those who aren’t comfortable, having their teeth pulled without novocaine sounds a lot more fun.

If you don’t have these conversations though, you are setting your kids up for failure. The pressure to act in ungodly ways is hard enough on any teen or young adult. For those who haven’t been given enough tools to deal with it in godly ways, they will be particularly likely to give in to peer pressure.

So what sorts of conversations should you have with children about these sensitive, but important topics?

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Top Tips for Teaching Kids About Joy and Happiness

Top Tips for Teaching Kids About Joy and Happiness - Parenting Like HannahHave you ever talked to someone changing a job, ending a relationship or making some other major change in their life? If asked why, many will admit they just aren’t happy with the way things currently are in their lives. Let’s be honest. We believe we have a right to be happy. The very Declaration of Independence of the United States promises the right to pursue happiness. But does God?

When you speak with non-Christians or unchurched people, they often view Christians as stodgy, boring and unhappy. The Puritans of the Mayflower and Salem Witch Trials didn’t do the image of Christians any favors. Yet a quick read through the New Testament will introduce you to people going through horrible things and still counting it as pure joy. How is that even possible?

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Top Tips for Teaching Kids About Empathy

Top Tips for Teaching Kids About Empathy - Parenting Like HannahCan your kids see the world from the point of view of another person, or do they only see the world from their perspective? While God’s truths are universal, many other things in life are seen from different perspectives. Often conflicts arise, because people view things differently and refuse to understand how and why the other person does not view the situation in the same way.

You may wonder why teaching your child empathy should be a priority for a Christian parent. Empathy is important because it’s necessary to reflect God’s love to others in ways they can feel it. If your kids only reflect love in the ways that make them feel loved, the other person may not feel loved at all. Empathy will help your kids take that step back and decide what the other person needs to feel loved.

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