Reading with Toddlers

Never underestimate a toddlers knowledge. They are like sponges continually absorbing everything around them and absorbing information is no exception.
"Read to your toddler" is what Childcare Professional tell us. "Read for at least 15 minutes a day."

I agree with what they say, but I also believe they should be encouraging parents and guardians to read themselves, setting examples to children. Children learn by association, so by seeing parents and guardian read ignites their own desire to follow suit. Naturally, this will create an enjoyable experience and environment for both parents and children.

Make colourful book bags for children and hang on the wall. Contrary to what some may say, you can never have too many books for children. The more variety of books for there are at home, the more stimulating the reading sessions. At fifteen months, my daughter was so engaged in reading and would pick up books more than ten times in the day!
Reading with your toddler, ensures a positive and expressive toddler. However it is important to maintain this activity throughout their young lives, including school. I dread to think how her life would be without a keen interest in books!

Stress-Free Mornings for Parents and Children

The mornings before school can be a real battle. Almost like, some sort of daily mad ritual: "Where's your hat" "Can you put your shoes on please?" "Can you hurry up, please" "Where's your rucksack" And so it goes on.

We often forget that we were once children and now, we have to savour the moments we spend with our little treasures no matter how much they drive us to hysteria! Of course, that is if we let them.

Rushing around in the mornings can increase the emotional wellbeing of any calm-natured individual.. When a child sees its parent beoming highly charged, s/he is more likely to act up and may not be as co-operative as the parent would like.

So, what's the answer?

Allow extra time to compenste for lost items, cereal crunching,toast popping, etc. It sounds so simple, yet it's so surprising just how many people don't practice the art of extra time.

Prepare the night before. School kit, shoes, homework, even parents clothing should be laid out. Ironing too, should also be done the night before or even days before.

By following the two simple steps, stress can be minimized and mornings need not be a battle ground for both parents and children. Therefore no excuse for rushing around in the morning!

Seek First the Kingdom of God

"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33

I give thanks to God for allowing me to come closer to Him and for allowing me to receive my blessings.
I thank God for helping me to get my priorities RIGHT!
He is my number one in my life and that is how it will remain until my dying days.

We all have treasures in our life, such as, family, cars, houses, designer clothing, jewellery, work, money, drugs and so it goes on.
However, for many people, these material things preoccupy their minds to the point where it becomes an obsession and a worship. Yes, a worship. If for example, you are constantly chasing money - wanting money, needing money so desperatly and thinking about it day and night, you are WORSHIPPING money.

In Matthew 6:24, it clearly states:
"No-one can serve two Masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other"

This year, God has showered me with blessings and I know there are more to come. Two days ago, I received another blessing. I have been praying for this for a long while now and was determined to receive it before I entered 2010. I did and I am truly thankful.

So, the moral of this message is:
Stop hammering away at the tentacles of life; trying, pushing, forcing and getting no-where and at the same time becoming frustrated in the process.
Step back, re-adjust your priority and let God be your number one.

Your blessings will follow.