NO!

Sweet Peas' favorite word - sometimes - is NO! When asked to do something or go somewhere or any other request can result in a firm "no!" if the mood fits. This is very common for the toddler age but common or not - it gets really ignoring!

There are two things that we have done with some success.

#1 - Soap in the mouth use to be a popular method of discipline in some families. Although still used, it has definitely lost its draw. We use vinegar to help as a reminder. I have friends who use hot sauce and alum (found in the spice isle). Either way, the point is to remind the child of consequences that happen when unkind or disrespectful words come out.

#2 - Say "no" back. This goes back to Kevin Leman's book Have a New Kid by Friday: How to Change Your Child's Attitude, Behavior & Character in 5 Days. This book talks specifically about how to deal with this typical child behavior. Simply return the child's request of you with no's as well. For more ideas, check out the book.



View at: Christianbook.com or Amazon

Keep on, Keeping on

This is the time of year when school gets pushed behind the presents, food, and holiday parties. But, with just a little more prep work, you can keep learning happening throughout the day.

Below are some hints that we have found work well for our family. Please share with us other ideas that you have come up with!

- Do Bible time right after breakfast or even as the children are finishing up
- Review Bible time during devotions at night
- Have a fun question/answer session in the car when driving. For example: For our youngest, I ask "What sound does a _____ make?". For our oldest, I ask "What sound does the letter ____ make?"
- We keep a child's table in our dining room. It can be moved easily into the kitchen so that activities can be done while Mommy is working in the kitchen.
- Sing songs during bath time.

Thanksgiving Ideas

Here is a collection of Thanksgiving Ideas from Little Blots.

It includes:
Bible Lessons
Bible Verses
Thanksgiving Coloring Pages
Bible Craft
Thanksgiving Crafts
Lapbook
Songs & Activities
Printables & Worksheets
Take Home
File Folder Games

Almost anything that you would want to help you and your child prepare for Thanksgiving!

Color By Number

I saw this great idea at the blog "Learning 4 Fun!" and had to pass it along...

Turn any coloring page into a color-by-number by just writing numbers onto the picture and adding a color code.

You can see an example of a cow that this creative Mom did here. So simple yet so fun!

This is a new blog but it has several other great ideas to check out!

Suggested Book for a Devotional

A mom suggested the book Blessings Every Day: 365 Simple Devotions for the Very Young (Little Blessings) as a devotional after reading my review on the Little Blessings books. Thanks LaToya!

What book do you use as a devotional with your kiddos?