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Christian Parenting Today, September/October 2001
Build a Funny Fall Fellow
Making a scarecrow is a great project that even the youngest member of your family can get involved in. And while we can't guarantee that your straw-filled guy (or gal) will scare any crows, you're sure to have a great time when your whole family teams up and gets crafty!
Here's what you'll need:
Three wooden stakes (6 feet, 3 feet, and 1 foot long)
Old clothes
Straw
Twine
Nails and hammer, or staple gun
A pumpkin or a burlap bag
Dark, waterproof markers
Getting started:
Body: Tie or nail the 3-foot stake to the 6-foot stake into a cross, about 6 inches from the top.
Tie or nail the smaller stake to the long stake in the same way, about 3 feet from the top.
This is the scarecrow's frame.
Head: When it comes to creating a head for your scarecrow, you have several options. A pumpkin works well, though it won't last for very long. If you use a pumpkin, have the kids paint or carve a funny face on a large, firm pumpkin. Then cut a slit in the bottom of the pumpkin and slide it onto the top of the large stake. You can even use small gourds or yams for ears.
If you want your scarecrow to last longer, use a burlap bag for the head. Draw eyes and a nose on the front of the bag with dark, waterproof markers. Push straw into the bag, shaping it to form a ball. Tie twine around the bottom of the bag to keep the straw from falling out. Tie the scarecrow's head to the top of your frame.
Costume: Dress your scarecrow by placing an old, flannel shirt on the top crossbar and a pair of trousers on the smaller bar. (A nail or strong staple will keep the clothes in place.) Tie a belt of rope around the waist of your scarecrow, and stuff the body with lots of straw to fill it out (the kids will love this).
Finishing touches: Now comes the fun part! Accessorize your scarecrow any way you choose. Add a hat, with straw dangling out to look like hair. Add some suspenders, sunglasses, or a bandana, and give him a hoe or a rake. Or, if you've made a female scarecrow, give her a straw hat and flowers, as well as an apron and handbag.
Your scarecrow is now ready to welcome visitors or scare away the crows!
—Lisa Jackson
Five Finger Prayer
Need to remember who to pray for? Here are a few, fun "pointers" that will help the whole family:
1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis said, a "sweet duty."
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who heal, teach, and instruct. This includes doctors, teachers, and ministers. They need wisdom in pointing others in the right direction.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president and leaders in business and industry. These people shape our nation. They need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is the ring finger. This is our weakest finger. It reminds us to pray for the weak, those in trouble or in pain. You cannot pray enough for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger, the smallest finger of all. This is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. The Bible says, "He who is least among you all—he is the greatest" (Luke 9:48). After you've prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into perspective.
—From www.daily-blessings.com
Contain the Clutter
If kid clutter is taking over your home, try these simple suggestions to get order back in your life. Ask your kids to help—they love to arrange stuff!
• Sort toys by size and use. Small toys or parts of toys can go in clear bins, larger ones in a carrying case with a handle. At least once a month, help your children sort through the boxes. Throw away broken toys and match up toy and game parts that have gotten separated.
• Keep some toys mobile by putting your child's favorites in a small laundry basket. This makes it easy for him to follow you from room to room when he wants to be near you and play at the same time.
• Use baskets to organize your child's videos, music, and books so it's simple for her to find and put back her selections.
• Pick up a few small plastic jars with easy-to-grip lids. These are great for storing marbles, jacks, and other little objects.
• Provide children who share a room with color-coded containers for their belongings. Under-bed storage containers can be used to stash special keepsakes such as art projects, certificates, ribbons, or schoolwork.
• Place a big basket by the door. Encourage your kids and their playmates to keep their shoes here.
—source: Rubbermaid
The V What?
Most parents have heard about the V-chip, a little electronic chip that lets you block certain television shows, but many of us are still confused about how it works and how we can get one. Here's the scoop: As of January 2000, all televisions 13 inches and larger are supposed to include a V-chip that users can program. But you can also buy a set-top box that works with your old TV. Once you've got a V-chip, you enter a personal identification number and program the chip to work with those little ratings that pop up at the beginning of television shows. For instance, if you don't want your kids to watch anything with a TV-PG rating, program the chip to block those shows. You can also program the chip to block individual programs. For more information on using V-chip technology, go to www.vchipeducation.org.
No More EarInfections
If you've had a baby in the last year and a half, your doctor has probably told you about Prevnar, the recently approved vaccination that protects infants and young children against pneumococcal infections, which range from ear infections, sinusitis, and pneumonia to serious and life-threatening diseases such as bacterial meningitis. What you may not know is that older children—up to age 5—can benefit from this vaccine as well. Contact your pediatrician for more information.
Homework Helper
The start of a new school year is a great time to help your kids establish good homework habits. The Sylvan Learning Center offers these tips for parents:
1) Let your child divide study time into 15-20 minute sessions with short breaks in between.
2) Help your child set short-, medium-, and long-range goals and offer plenty of praise as she meets them.
3) Encourage your child to review her assignments weekly to reinforce what she's learned during the week.
4) Play coach, not supervisor. Your role is to guide your child, not hover or take over. Ask directed questions such as, "How do you think this should be done?"
5) Teach your child that all assignments need to be done, even those she thinks are "dumb." If you think your child needs more of a challenge, talk to her teacher about enriched curriculum options.
6) Keep lines of communication open by asking about upcoming tests, projects, and events.
7) Seek help if you feel your child is struggling. If she's falling behind, consider a tutor who specializes in the area of concern.
8) Allow your child to face consequences. Failing a test she didn't study for or losing a privilege when she doesn't do her homework is part of the educational process, too.
CyberBible
Want your kids to start reading the Bible on their own? At KidsBible.com children can test their Bible knowledge through online games, message boards where they can share ideas with other kids, and an age-appropriate Bible-reading plan. To make the most of the site, your computer needs to handle MP3 files and Macromedia Shockwave. But even without those capabilities, you'll find plenty of good stuff.
Car Seat Houdinis
Most toddlers turn into escape artists when it comes to car seats—somehow they figure out how to wiggle free. As parents, our first response to the challenge is to "fix" the car seat by adding extra locking clips, extra straps, strings, or other alterations. But these "fixes" could turn out to be deadly, according to John Urban, a traffic safety specialist. Urban notes, "Car seats are equipped with the correct components that operate as a whole in normal and emergency situations." In other words, don't mess with them. Encourage your little magician to stay safely seated by offering positive rewards such as praise and special treats. To make sure your child's car seat is the right size and is properly installed, call 1-877-Fit-4-a-Kid or log on to www.fitforakid.org to locate a certified car-seat safety inspector near you.
Classic Movies Movies of Faith
Believe it or not, there are Hollywood movies that not only portray religion in a positive light but promote Christian values as well. Try one of these titles for your next family movie night:
Sergeant York (1941, Warner, NR). This is a true story of a plain, poor, and wayward mountain boy whose destructive course is interrupted by a dramatic conversion to Christ. He becomes a man of courage, character, and conviction, and the most renowned hero of World War I. 7+
Simon Birch (1998, Hollywood Pictures, PG). A young boy transcends his physical handicaps because of his tenacious belief that God has a plan for his life. A movie that has a lot to say—some of it unconventional—about faith, hypocrisy, and grace. Some objectionable language. 8+
Spitfire Grill (1996, Castlerock, PG-13). A newcomer to a spiritually dead New England town, struggling to overcome her painful past, finds some love and healing but also mistrust and harsh judgment. In the end, through her own sacrificial love, the town is redeemed and restored. Some profanity. 13+
Tender Mercies (1983, Republic Studios, PG). Mac, a once-famous country songwriter whose alcoholism cost him his marriage and his career, meets a widow who's rich in faith. The movie lovingly traces Mac's salvation, baptism, marriage, and his trials as a new Christian. 12+
—Barbara Curtis
Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Parenting Today Magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Christian Parenting Today.
September/October 2001, Vol. 14, No. 1, Page 8
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