MUM-e-Mail

- a newsletter to enthuse, educate, and entertain
mothers of pre-schoolers and their supporters

March-April 2005

Mothering Maxim – Accepting Life

"Life is difficult," writes Scott Peck in The Road Less Travelled. "Once we truly know that life is difficult--once we truly understand and accept it--then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters."

Mum Moment - Gentleness

What do you tell your children the most? Let’s think about the words we are saying to our children.

Sometimes as mothers we feel like a broken record (or is it a skipping CD?)!

• Honey, will you go and wash your face please.
• Please put away your toys in the box.
• Sweetheart, we need to go in the car now, will you get your shoes on now please?

Smiling, with gritting teeth, trying hard for the 7 times 70th time to calmly encourage our small children to get things done. Doing things and going places tend to stop being fun and reality blurs into some warped surreal version of life.

• Don't touch that ...
• Be careful, sweetie, that's not safe ..
• What do you think you're doing now?!

We often tell our children what not to be, what to fear, what to be careful of, how to do things, but do we tell them the more important positive truths of life with the same persistence? What do we tell them to do, to be, .. or to value?

Encourage your children not so much with "good boy", but with "Thank you, son, that's helpful", or "I like the way you were gentle with your little sister". Build and reinforce the positive character qualities in your children's lives. Tell them when you notice them being thoughtful, kind, compassionate, gentle, considerate...

And don't forget to tell them -- often -- that they are loved, .. that they are special and valuable, and they are unique .. and designed by God.

- © Johanna Whittaker, 7/02

From A Mother’s Heart

Dear God, may my children (and I) constantly and consistently be clothed "with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12) - even when persistently 'tried'.

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Mum’s Mail -

Gentleness

We invite you to create a slogan, bumper sticker, or saying about gentleness and reply to mumemail@... [you could click on this hyperlink and do it now?]. We'll publish responses in a couple of weeks (DV) - next time in MUM-e-Mail.

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Mum etc - Snippets and e-bits that may interest you …
[these websites and their contents are not necessarily endorsed by MOPS NZ]

http://www.literacynet.org/parents/agesandstages.html - tells how children learn and grow at different ages.

www.MommyTips.com - the resource centre for moms – tip of the day …

The word "gazelle" comes from the Arabian term for "affectionate" and it is believed to be inspired by the creature's large, gentle eyes.

http://www.allprodad.com/playbook.asp - Giving Dads the Winning Edge – Fatherhood game plan.

http://mopsnz.bravehost.com/events.html - wassup? Here are MOPS events we know about. Tell your MOPS group’s events to: mumemail@....

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… from last time …

Peace happens in our house when …

… we sit down and read the kids stories, and the kids snuggle up beside us.  We know that they are ours for now at least!
… we sit outside watching the children play while we have a drink after my husband gets home.  We are a family.
… I realise that God's in control regardless of the outcome. – Sarah Vaz, Hamilton, NZ

… I'm convinced that it's enough to model the behaviour I'd like to see, to offer the foods I'd like to see eaten, to express my feelings and needs and help the children express theirs, and to remember that God is bigger than ideology, institutions or TV! – Nicki de Breczeni, Australia.

… mum is more organised for the day! - Elizabeth Herr, NZ.

… a very busy wee girl finally settles down for the night, a tired husband is fed and contented and Mum has tidied away everything and can finally put her toes up!! – Monique, Cambridge, NZ

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… from previous issue … Joy and Content

My utter contentment and joy is ....... having my three adult children still contact me on a very regular basis and not just because the want something or for me to baby-sit but to keep in touch with their mum!  The joy of knowing they care and think of me brings sheer delight and thankfulness to my entire being. There is no greater pleasure to a parent's golden years than knowing their off-spring are happy, honoured and healthy. - Joy van Lier, grandmother of 4 precious grandsons, Amberley, New Zealand

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[Keep or pass on this version - delete the previous one]

May you experience (and practice) gentleness and peace in the core of your being,

Shalom,

Johanna Whittaker

mumemail@...
on behalf of MOPS (NZ) Inc.

© 2005 by MOPS New Zealand Inc and MOPS International.