Prayer is a window into our children’s hearts. I learn more about what is stirring in the hearts of my three boys from our nightly prayer time when they are all nestled into their beds than I do during our conversations gathered around the kitchen table.

Let me assure you that not all of our nights conclude with a meaningful prayer time. Sometimes it takes everything in me just to collapse into their beds, exhausted of patience, and muster up just enough strength to mumble, “Lord thank you for loving us. We love you too.”

One of my favorite ways to pray with our boys is by using the A.C.T.S. model of prayer. However, I quickly learned that the words (A) adoration, (C) confession, (T) thanksgiving, and (S) supplication didn’t resonate with our boys, so we began to simplify

May 18
May 18 Freeing Kids from the Pressure of Perfect

Jennifer Deibel

She sat at the table, head in her hands, with tears streaming silently down her cheeks.

"I just can't get it!!" she moaned, concerning the math problems staring her down from the page before her.

Earlier this week she was frustrated that her hair wouldn't stay in the perfect spot when she had her bike helmet on to go ride her scooter outside.

Granted, perfectionism is a personality trait that varies greatly from person to person, but in this day of Pinetrest and viral posts and, well, Pinterest, its difficult to fight the pressure to be perfect in all things.

May 15
May 15 Where Interruptions Find Their Welcome With Weary Moms

Ruth Simons

Recently, I came upon an unexpectedly sweet moment between two of my boys. My oldest had just settled in on the couch with a good book when the 2 year old awoke from his nap, came toddling in, and asked for his brother to read him a book. My 13 year old set down his reading and pulled the diapered toddler onto his lap and began to reading a rousing edition of Thomas The Train. I tiptoed in from the kitchen to catch a glimpse of the unprompted sweetness.

I suppose it shouldn’t surprise me to see such a welcome of an interruption, considering my eldest is the first of 6 boys. And yet, it does, because he’s the oldest of 6.

May 14
May 14 The Beginner's Bible 25th Anniversary

Christin

We are the type of family who likes to make Bible time meaningful and engaging. In fact, my husband and I are very picky about which resources we use to teach our children biblical principals and when it comes to children's storybook Bibles, we are extra cautious.

While we understand the need for simplicity in children's Bibles, we are also careful to note important inaccuracies within them that could hinder our children from Truth. An engaging, glamorous looking Bible is meaningless if it doesn't hold Truth.

Obviously a children's Bible will be slimmed down in order to maintain a child's attention and understanding. But it's important it's foundation isn't tampered with.

May 13
May 13 Verses For The Weary Mom

Jessica Smartt

I've been writing for The Better Mom for nearly two years. Usually at this point in the month, I have been brewing and stewing over my post for weeks, perfecting the words while I wash the dishes and scoop up Legos.

But not this month.

This month, I am weary.