New Year's Resolutions

Do you make New Year's Resolutions? If so, what are your New Year's Resolutions? If you don't why not? Do share.

Christmas Traditions

What Christmas traditions do you have with your family? Did you carry any over from your family of origin? Please share.

Open Comment Section

Feel free to post any questions or comments here.

Why Women Cry?

A dear friend sent this to me and I thought I would share it with you. You care deeply for your children and God gave us that gift. Enjoy.

A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him."I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will."Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?""All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say.The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry.Finally he asked God. He said, "God, why do women cry so easily?"God said:" When I made the woman she had to be special.I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort.I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children.I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining.I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly.I gave her strength to carry her husband through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart.I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly.And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed.""You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."

Thankfulness

We are getting ready to enter the "greedy" time of the year. Children will have their wish list for Christmas, etc. How do you teach your children to be thankful? Especially how do you teach them to be thankful and praise God daily?

Lesson 8 is Posted

Lesson 8 of the CWM Bible Study is now posted at http://cwmbiblestudy.blogspot.com.
The Lesson is entitled, "How do you handle trials?". Feel free to post and share comments.

Halloween

Usually I post this question each year, but with an added twist. So, do you celebrate Halloween. If so, what do you do? Do you go to a fall festival at your church? Now for the twist. If you children do dress up, what are they going to be this year?

Prayer Partners

Often CWMs write to me saying they feel lonely and isolated in their church. The idea came to me, probably from God, for us to begin prayer partners. I am just brainstorming at this point and you can help me. We could connect two women together to pray for each other's needs. They could send requests through email or talk by phone if they wish. I might need someone to help me organize all of this. So, again just brainstorming right now. What do you think and do you have any suggestions or ideas? Thanks in advance for your help.

Update to this post. If you are interested in having a prayer partner. Send an email to kimberly@kimberlychastain.com with prayer partner in the Subject heading. List information about age and sex of children. I can't promise perfect matches, but will try. I will send you the email of another person wanting a prayer partner and you both can decide how to connect.

A Funny You Tube video for you

My friend Regina sent this link to me. This is a link to a You Tube video of a woman singing in 3 minutes all the things we tell our children in a 24 hour period, it is called the Mom Song. It is hilarious and very true.
Hope you enjoy it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxT5NwQUtVM
Be forewarned after the video it shows links to other youtube videos that I thought were inappropriate to see. So, just exit out when you are done.

Open Comment Section

Feel free to start any new posts or comments here. We have a great group of women in our community.

Pressure on Husbands

Debbie in the Open Comment Section recently shared that her husband was getting pressure from other husbands about her staying home and them not making the "sacrifice" that is necessary or the choice to stay home. I'm sure this has happened to others. I always feel women get the brunt of the criticism. So, if you husband has felt criticism or pressure about your working will you please share. The Open comment section has moved off the main page, you can find it in the August archive section. I will also start a new one Open Comment section.

Discussing Sex with your children

Recently, I was shocked when I heard in a Presidential debate that several to most of the candidates had no problem with 2nd graders being read a book about 2 princes getting married. My first reaction was I don't want to discuss sex with a 2nd grader much less homosexuality. So, that thought leads me to the question, Have you discussed sex with your children and how did you have "the talk"? Also, what do you think is the best age for the discussion?

Children's Birthdays

My daughter will be celebrating her 13th birthday this weekend. We are planning the party with friends and the details are a little overwhelming. There seems to be such a big variety in how to celebrate birthdays. So, how do you celebrate your children's birthdays in your family?

Scripture Memorization

My husband, children and I have started learning Bible verses. We learned an excellent technique from John Piper. You can listen to his system for memorizing scripture here:
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/MediaPlayer/1795/Audio/. I also just love his website, in general. His main website is www.desiringgod.org. He truly points you back to God.
Do you have any tricks for memorizing Scripture? Please share. Also, a confession. My children are learning more verses and learning them much more quickly than I am.

Potty Training

Julie D. asked for the following thread to be started. Please help her out. My husband is a full time SAHD. He does a great job, but he just hasn't done anything with potty training. We have a 4 year old (in July) girl and a 2 year old (in May) boy. My daughter has absolutely no interest. She will sit when I make her. Saturdays are the only days I can really work with her. And that's only if I stay home all day. Last Saturday, DH was gone (men's retreat) and we did panties all day. But no matter how often she sat (every 30 minutes), she peed 4 time and had no success. I know she needs consistency, but I'm not home to do offer it.I haven't even tried to start with my 2 year old. Maybe I should skip the 4 year old and go straight to the 2 year old?

Lesson 7 CWM Bible Study

Lesson 7 in the CWM Bible Study is now posted. The lesson is titled, "Do you love the giver more than the gift?" This lesson is about the sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham. You can find the CWM Bible study at http://cwmbiblestudy.blogspot.com.

Back To School

What do you like about the back to school time of the year, what do you dread? Do you have any stories to share? Maybe if you cried when taking your child to school for the first time?

Open Comment Section

I'm starting a new Open Comment Section since our old one has so many comments. Feel free to post or start any new conversations here. We are here to support one another.

What could your church do to support you as a CWM?

Often we talk about how churches do not support CWM's. What would you like your church to do to support you more or what is church all ready doing to support you?

Modest clothing for Preteen/Teen Girls

I don't know about you all, but I'm really frustrated, angry, fill in the blank about finding modest clothes for my preteen soon to be teen daughter. I have no desire for her to look like a _________ sorry can't even type it. I have researched the internet and found either clothes that are so modest they cover from head to toe or the other way. When we go shopping we have to look really hard to find modest clothing. So, I'm turning to you for help. Do you know where to find modest clothes for girls and where do you go shopping? Can't wait to hear from you all.

Breaking News on CWM Bible Study

While I was trying to go to sleep one night it hit me that we could put the Bible Studies on a Blog. Blogspot is great for not having porn posts and like I said in an earlier post I was spending hours deleting those posts. You will also notice that I pulled down Lesson 6. So, go to http://www.cwmbiblestudy.blogspot.com/ and you will see all the lessons posted. I will taking down the other discussion forum.

Christian Working Mom Bible Study

Hello everyone. I really need your help. We have been putting the CWM Bible Studies on a discussion forum. Unfortunately, there are numerous porn posts which I am literally spending hours deleting. I thought about posting the Bible Study here on the Blog. You will see Lesson 6 below. Unfortunately, there is not an easy way to not see the whole post on the blog. I'm trying to figure that out, but so far extremly complicated. So, let me know if you like the old way better, if you like this way, or don't like the long post. I really need your ideas. Also, let me know if you are using the Bible Study. Thanks in advance for your help.

Advice for New Moms

We have many new CWM's joining us every day with precious new gifts from God, newborn or young babies. Share any advice you may have in how to manage work and home. Also, difficulty in leaving your child with someone else for the first time. You seasoned Moms are the experts, so share away.

Open Comment Section

Feel free to post any comments here or ask questions. The CWM community is great at supporting and encouraging one another.

What Does the Bible Say About CWM's?

Hi everyone. At least once a month or more I receive emails asking me exactly what does the Bible say about CWM's. I finally decided to write an article about that subject. The article is posted on the home page of www.christianworkingmom.com. Read the article and let me know what you think.

Father's Day

What do you do to celebrate Father's Day with your own Dad (if you are fortunate for him to still be living) and with your children's father?

End of the School Year

Do you and your family have any end of the school year traditions? Do your children yell as they leave the school building? Please share them.

Family Devotions

Do you do family devotions in your home? If you do what materials do you use? I read in a church bulletin once, Blessed is the family who starts family devotions again.

Online Bible Study

Lesson 5 of the Online Bible Study is now up. The title of this Lesson is, "Are you putting on new clothes daily?". If you need information about where to find the Online Bible Study, please send me an email and I will let you know.

Summer vacations

My children will be getting out of school next week. I'm always amazed how quickly the school year flies by. Does your family take a summer vacation? If so, do you have favorite places to go?

Open Comment Section

Feel free to post any new comments, posts, or questions here for other CWM's. Let us support and encourage one another.

What devotionals do you recommend?

I had an email from a fellow CWM and she was asking what devotionals Moms in the CWM community use for their quiet times. Could you please share what devotionals you like? Also, a second question. How many of you have a devotion time just spent on worshipping God not praying for all our needs and others? This morning I was listening to a great Hymns CD, singing like crazy in my car (I'm sure cars around me thought I was nuts). The time was a wonderful, praise and worship time to our awesome God.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day is less than a month away. I have 2 questions for you. As a Mom what would you like for Mother's Day? As a daughter, how do you celebrate Mother's Day if you are fortunate to still have your Mom with you?

Are you in the Sandwich generation?

I first learned about the sandwich generation when I was in graduate school. My professor was doing research in the area. The sandwich generation is when you are taking care of a parent and your children at the same time. My Mom lives in another state and recently fell and broke her hip. After she was discharged, I was taking care of her for awhile and my children at the same time. I think this will become more and more common. If you are in this situation, would you be willing to share your experiences. As a Christian Working Mom and helping with a parent and your own children, you can feel overwhelmed very quickly.

Let's Laugh

My kids said something the other day that cut me to my core. I laughed about something and they said, "That must be funny, because Mom doesn't laugh much." I guess I'm way to serious about getting things done around the house. So, let's share any good jokes you have or funny things your kids have said. Let's enjoy laughing with one another.

What are your Easter traditions?

Easter will be here in a few weeks. Do you have Easter traditions for your family? As I have shared with you all before we have started using the Resurrection Eggs at our house after the Easter Egg hunt and now it is a tradition.

How are you struggling as a parent?

I think we all have our good parenting days and are not so good parenting days. How are you struggling as a parent right now? I for one am learning I need to bite my tongue on some things that are not really crucial.

Open Comment Section

I'm going to start a new Open Comment section, since the other one will be moved off the main page. Feel free to start any new comments here or posts. Questions, prayer requests, etc. Anything is up for grabs.

What is God Teaching you right now?

Can you share what God is teaching you right now? In my own life I'm learning to trust him in all things and that he is in control, even when it feels he is not. So, please share.

What do you do to relax?

As CWM's we often have little time for ourselves. So, what do you do to relax? or maybe I should say, what would you do to relax if you could?

Balcony or Basement Person

The CWM newsletter will be going out later this week. The article is on whether you are a Balcony person - lifting people up or a Basement person - putting people down. My question is at your work place is it a critical or encouraging environment? What about in your home? How do you show Christian character if others around you are critical?

Valentine's Day and Children

My children think Valentine's Day is for them as well at home. So, everyone has to get a gift. How do you celebrate Valentine's Day with your children? How about your spouse? Do you have any traditions?

Christian Working Mom Bible Study

Lesson 4 of the Online Bible Study is now up. I appreciate everyone's patience in waiting. The title of this lesson is I Choose Joy. If you need the link for the Bible Study, email me and I will send it to you. I don't want all of cyberspace knowing where it it and posting spam comments.
Hope to see you there.

Also, if you have posted comments before on previous lessons, please go back and look again. Sometimes someone has posted a new comment and you can comment on their response as well.

My prayer is we will all grow closer to Christ through this study.

Are you the Main Breadwinner in your house?

The Christian Working Mom Interview is coming out today and I stated we would discuss this issue. I have talked with several women who are the sole breadwinner in their house and their husbands are Stay at Home Dads or women who bring in more income than their husbands. If you are in that situation can you share your experience. Also, what is it like to possibly be a boss at work and then change roles when you come home.

Open Comment Section

I decided to start a new one, since the last one is at the bottom. This is the place to start any new posts or comments. You can ask one another questions and hopefully we can support one another.

How do you help your children have a Biblical worldview?

I am currently doing Beth Moore's Daniel Bible Study with the women at my church. Beth Moore has been sharing how we to live in a society that wants to indoctrinate us into their way of seeing things. Sometimes I feel the pressure is overwhelming from the world. So, how do you purposefully teach your children a Biblical worldview? How do you point out the world's values are not our own?

How's your weather?

I live in the Southeastern United States and we just had a sleet, ice storm. Thankfully it was no big deal. My children desperately want some snow. I know some people in the US have been without power for days or weeks. Also, I know we have people who live all over the world that are a part of CWM. So how is the weather where you live?

Problems with Posting

Some people have reported problems with posting. We are all learning how this new blog works. So, here are some helpful hints.

1. You do not have to sign up as a google blogger or subscribe to atom. You can post anonymously if you wish.
2. Sometimes it takes a while for posts to show up, refresh your broswer to see if your post
has shown up.
3. Also, you may try to post a few minutes later to see if it is working better.
4. You do have to type in those funny letters at the bottom, in order to post. The reason for that is to avoid the spammers who do it through a computer program. You can't spam when a human actually has to type in the words.

Please feel free to post any other questions, you may have. I will try my best to answer them.
Also, the Online Bible Study is separate from this blog. I can email you the information if you are interested in the Bible Study.

Sleep Problems with 7 year old

I brought this over from the Open Comment section. Please help this Mom out.

So what my mom to mom question is is this: I am going through one of those exhausted, worn out, phases! My daughter (7) has never slept through the night, and generally I put her back in her room once or twice each night. But lately it has been worse. We have read "goodnight books", I printed out scriptures, we've prayed with her,(veggie tales movie!) I've even resolved to letting her sleep with her light on! Any suggestions? Has anyone else here had a child do this? I think she is afraid of the dark, but when we talk to her about it she can't even tell me what she is scared of. I've tried a sticker chart for nights that she stays in her own room, even bribed her with the MALL!! We've gotten through the crying about going to bed, now we're just tryin to get her to stay in her own room.

New Year's Resolutions

What New Year's Resolutions have you set this year? Have you decided to stop making New Year's Resolutions. Please share.