Lots of chatter about teen pregnancy on-line. Let me just say abstinence starts with the heart. We can't fix actions. Can't legislate morals. The answer to teen pregnancy in-my-humble-opinion: connect with teens, speak to their hearts, believe in them and promote belief in themselves.
This was so fun! I got to be part of a rountable discussion for Today's Christian Woman. The topic was...
Domestically Challenged! 4 women share their secrets on dealing with household issues.
With a plethora of TV channels and magazines telling us the way our homes ought to look, feel, and be if we want any chance of being happy in them, it's easy for those of us who are "domestically challenged" to feel frustrated or like failures if we're not gifted in the home-making department. It doesn't matter how many other things you're good at or what things God has called you to do. If your home doesn't meet certain expectations, chances are you feel lousy.
But is that the way God wants us to feel? Does he care as much about the messiness of our homes as—say—our mothers do? Does a messy house really equal a messy soul? TCW wanted to get the dirt on these questions. So we sat with some domestically challenged friends and listened to them share what makes them messy (besides all that laundry!) and where God is in the midst of the mess.
On What Your House Looks Like Right Now
Tricia: It depends which rooms you go into. I keep a main area clean.
Carla: The first things you'd see in my house are three big duffle bags of soccer gear and a seat from the van on the porch. Then a big pile of shoes.
Caryn: Well, today is a different story because the woman who comes to clean for me every couple of weeks was there yesterday. So while normally it's a mess—there are toys everywhere—it's better right now. It won't last.
Ginger: My house is clean-ish. But I'd be embarrassed if someone dropped in.
Deborah from Books, Movies & Chinese Food If you haven't gotten a chance to read any of them, they are a MUST read. Tricia's additions to the series have simply been wonderful and I really like how her contemporary books have turned out. Even if you haven't read any of the other books in the series, you will enjoy this book and definitely want more! I can't wait til the next one!!
Deborah from Comfort Joy This book has me worried. I've only made it to the middle of chapter 5 and I'm worried sick. Yeah, I'm worried. When was the last time a book drew you in so close that you worried about the characters?
Sarah at Real Life Tricia has a unique way of letting the characters unfold and endearing the reader to them. When I stepped into this family's life and my emotions were drawn into their immense struggles and triumphs, I internalized the power of God's grace.
The rise of the “alpha female” has caused a crisis in relationships today. These leading ladies are take-charge, in-control and steamrolling a generation of men. In fact, many of their husbands are running for cover – into the arms of other women and onto the internet for pornography. Has today’s “alpha female” compromised traditional masculinity?
Bestselling author Mary Farrar argues that because men are so often misread and because the template for femininity has been diminished, many fiercely independent women are unknowingly feminizing their men. Many loving wives, loyal girlfriends, and concerned mothers have failed to realize that a healthy understanding of the male mind is essential for a strong relationship and with a little insight, they can draw out the best in their partners.
This month, her new book, “Reading Your Male” (David C. Cook, $16.99), Mary shares biblical truths and practical advice to teach women just what makes their guys tick.
Working on the frontlines of ministry and counseling for 25 years, Mary has watched the moral epidemic of s e xual sin and divorce play out in the world around her and the couples she counsels. Wives, girlfriends, and mothers in the trenches want to help—they just don’t know how. In “Reading Your Male,” she confirms that women can play a significant role in the lives of their men and teaches them the tools of the trade.
“Reading Your Male” unveils:
~The feminization of men and why “manliness” is becoming a rarity
~Why men think and act the way they do in every part of life, including sexuality
~A healthy view of beauty in a world obsessed with size zero
~How to draw out an emotionally unavailable man
~Teaching your son manliness
Mary holds a master’s degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and is the author of the bestselling book, “Choices: For Women Who Long to Discover Life’s Best.” Mary and her husband, Steve often speak together at couples’ conferences around the nation. Steve Farrar is the bestselling author of ten books, most notably “Point Man: How a Man Can Lead His Family,” which currently has more than 500,000 copies in print. The Farrars reside in north Dallas, and have three grown children.
As a mother of 3 kids (ages 19, 16, and 14) and a 17 year old exchange student. I've found a few things that work well when giving advice to preteens/teens:
1) Be honest about your past and your mistakes. Kids know you're not perfect, and it helps when you fess up. They respect when you're real with them.
2) Do something together and let the conversation come up. A bike ride, walk around the block, or drive down to favorite coffee place is great. You're shoulder-to-shoulder with your kid, instead of face to face. It's MUCH less threatening.
3) Dinner table is a great time for conversation. Make it a regular part of day. Also, I've found late at night--right when we're ready to go to bed--kids are finally unwound enough to open up. Stay up and listen.
4) Don't accuse. Rather say things like, "I've noticed ..." or "I was thinking ..." or "What do you think about ..." It makes it feel like a conversation (which it should be), not a lecture.
5) Have books lying around on topics you'd like to discuss. Then when your child picks one up and skims through it, it becomes a more natural part of the conversation.
What about you...how do you offer advice to your tween/teens?
Tricia Goyer is the author of thirty books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife.