Christmas and Candy Canes

A Candy canes are iconic confections that can share the Christmas story with young and old alike. Really, is there a better method of stirring cocoa than with a candy cane? Candy canes became popular in our family for a few reasons. One, we all really like peppermint, especially on cocoa. Two, the candy is…

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Christmas Countdown: Advent Calendars for All Ages

The countdown to Christmas begins soon! Prepare the hearts and minds of all ages to celebrate the birth of Jesus with an Advent calendar. Store bought or homemade, Advent calendars can be a great way to focus the holiday on faith. When my eldest son came home from college for Christmas break his freshman year,…

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Parent Tips for Healthy Social Media Use

Parents often ask for tips for teen social media use. My usual response is to remind their kids that phones are tools not toys, Google is a resource library, and social media is meant to be social. Unfortunately, with the average person spending 2.5 hours a day on social media platforms, the boundaries for our…

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Grandparents, Family History Bridge Builders

A special thank you to guest blogger, grandfather, and author Jim Doudiet for sharing his thoughts and experiences to encourage and inspire grandparents to connect with their grandchildren. . Grandparents can be fantastic family history bridge builders. They are the bridge between the past with their own memories of their parents and grandparents to the…

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Memories for Your Grandchildren

Memories are made when we connect with the ones we love. What memories have you built with your grandchildren? Ask your grandkids to describe you. What words or phrases do you think they will use? Interesting question to ask children of all ages! As a Christian grandparent, do your grandchildren have any idea why you…

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Faith Travels: Oberammergau

The Passion Play in Oberammergau, Germany is a terrific faith travel destination for families. Attending the play with my family was the highlight of our trip to Europe in July. And the history of the play is beautiful. Since 1633, the people of this small village have stayed true their forefather’s pledge to honor God…

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The Purpose in a Grandchild’s Name

Do you know the purpose in your grandchild’s name? A name can shape a child. A name can provide a sense of belonging, comfort, and purpose. Grandparents can make connections and build relationships through their grandchildren’s given names. One grandmother, Gail, has found the names of her grandchildren to be an excellent way to connect…

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The Intentional Grandparenting Plan

Guest blogger and coauthor of Faithful Grandparenting, Carol Olsen, is passionate about grandparents speaking into the lives of their grandchildren. Watch for more ideas from Carol! Becoming intentional in your grandparenting takes planning. In our grandparent classes and in Faithful Grandparenting: Practical Ideas for Connecting the Generations, we encourage making a PLAN… an intentional grandparenting plan.…

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The Bible: A Family’s Guide to Life

Faith lessons and family values are rooted at home, in what a child learns, observes, and lives each day. So, how well do your children know the Bible, God’s Guidebook for life? Can your children defend their beliefs? Can they stick to biblical principles and family values despite the whims of society? I’ve noticed in…

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Kids Need Grandparents

Kids need older adults in their lives. Grandparents can fill a tremendous role in modeling and guiding a younger generation. Here’s a list from Faithful Grandparenting: Practical Ideas for Connecting the Generations of reasons grandchildren need their grandparents. Not every point may fit your situation, but all are valid reasons for grandparenting well. Top Eight…

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