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

December 2005


Mothering Maxim – Respect
“Honour your mother and father” - #5 of Ten Commandments [Exodus 20]



Mum Moment – Two-Way Respect
Children are taught to respect their parents. But how much respect should you
show that pre-schooler of yours?

I know you love your child, but do you respect her? Every child needs respect.
Specifically, respect for the challenges your child faces at his or her specific
developmental stage is crucial for giving your child's "Let-me-be-me love" - or
respect.

A two-year-old should be gaining some success in the issue of separation from
mum. Yet he will waffle back and forth. Sometimes he will hang by your leg, then
walk off by himself, and then return to find you again. If you've moved to
another room, he will likely get angry because he wants to control where you are
in his life so that he can risk stepping out and away from you.

Similarly, a five-year-old gathers information through questions, questions,
questions. Your patient answering will help your child build confidence in her
mental abilities and the ability to test and try in her world.

Respecting your children means knowing which developmental stage they are in and
adjusting your expectations and input appropriately. Give your child a little
respect!

- adapted from MOMSense Radio, 16 Jan 2002



From A Mother’s Heart
When I love and respect myself, it is so much easier to love and respect others
– my husband, my parents, friends …. and my darling children.





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

NEW! - www.momsense.com. Or, http://www.christianitytoday.com/parenting -
MOMSense mag and articles online. Also see Awana [Bible club] links. NEW!

Christmas - http://www.busyteacherscafe.com/units/christmas.htm – scroll to
bottom for Teacher Resources

Santa Claus? St Nicklaus? Baby Jesus? – bit of a read but what are you teaching
(going to teach) your children about Christmas?
http://suewidemark.netfirms.com/santaandsue.htm

http://abcteach.com/directory/theme_units/month_to_month/l_december/christmas/re\
ligious/ - activities, crafts



Mum's Mail*
My 5 year old came home from school a couple of days ago and told me
incredulously that “I’m the only one that doesn’t believe in Santa – everyone in
my class believes in Santa, … even the teachers!!!” All I could think to say is:
“Oh, is that right?!” I must admit I felt a twinge of peer pressure at the time
– had I deprived my child of something by teaching him about the coming of
Christ as a baby, and choosing St Nicklaus over Santa Claus? No! Christmas is
still a time of wonder for him, a time of expectancy. - jmw


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Love your littlies – give them Love. Teach them to come to Jesus.



Yours faithfully,



Johanna Whittaker

mumemail@... - *letters*, feedback, questions, mother’s tips*, ideas
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on behalf of MOPS (NZ) Inc. www.MOPSNZ.bravehost.com
© 2005 by MOPS New Zealand Inc and MOPS International.

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