Pets are a very important part of a family and can also be a creative way to encourage your children to read. Some children read to dolls or other inanimate objects as part of their play time. What about having them read to their pets? In fact, some organizations have programs where children come in and read to shelter pets. These programs encourage children to practice reading out loud and provide much needed attention for pets who are in the shelter. What a wonderful way to promote literacy!
As Christian Parents, Should We Allow Our Children To Go On Sleepovers?
As a mother of two boys, I know all about sleepovers. You have a house full of kids, who don’t want to sleep and who eat continuously through the day and night. Sleepovers are fun times for children. But, be cautioned. You need to protect your children from other children and even their parents who may have a bad influence on them as well as anyone else who may be in the home when your children are there for the sleepover.
I did not welcome invitations from parents whom I didn’t know. Random sleepovers were not permitted. If I knew the parents and children, I would inquire as to what types of activities were planned; who would be supervising the children; what would they be eating and drinking; and what types of games were they going to play.
Even after so much scrutiny and diligence though, something slipped by. I remember picking up my oldest son from a sleepover late one morning. He was about 10 years old at the time. As I arrived at the house, I walked in the front door to the living room. I then observed my son playing a video game with another boy. As I looked closely, to my shock and dismay, the video game involved hitting and kicking women all over their bodies (including their heads, stomachs, and private parts) in fight scenes. This was a family who attended church regularly, but the parents were not monitoring the types of video games in their house. On the drive home, I explained to my son about the problem with that video game and that men should not hit women. During the following week at church, I even spoke with the parents about the game. When I observed their nonchalant attitude, I knew my son was not going to spend time there again.
President Abraham Lincoln Proclaimed Thanksgiving Day
Do you know the history of Thanksgiving Day? It was President Abraham Lincoln who issued a proclamation in 1863 that we must have a day set aside to acknowledge and celebrate God for our great country. It was because of him that we now celebrate Thanksgiving Day in November.
Read the full proclamation below.