I would encourage you when you are going through trials and tribulations to ask God what he has to teach you through this difficult time. I know our first reaction is to just pray, “Lord, get me out of this difficulty”, but I would encourage you to go one step further and say, “What do you have to show me?” How can I trust you when everything is crashing down around me?

Now, please don’t hear me saying be a “happy” Christian and say Praise Lord for whatever is happening in your life. God does not expect us to pretend. We can bring all our hurts and frustrations to him. He loves and wants to be our Abba – Father.

So, this Thanksgiving I would encourage you to take a different twist on being thankful for your blessings. Try being thankful for everything in your life, good, bad, and ugly. Learn to be content in whatever circumstance you are in and ask God to show you what he wants you to learn about him and his almighty love for you. Please remember you need to do nothing to earn or keep God’s love for you. He loves you just way you are even if you don’t change at all.

2.If your child wants to add an activity they may consider giving up current activity in exchange for new one.

3.Set family nights on your calendar. Order a pizza and play board games. No one can schedule anything on family night.

4.Help your child learn to say “No” and help set appropriate limits on their activities away from home.

5.Do not say “Yes” to any new activity for yourself or child till you have weighed costs (i.e. financial, emotional, loss of family time, etc.)

6.Assess your irritability quotient. Do you find yourself frequently saying, “Hurry up, we are going to be late?” How can you slow down? What can you give up?

7.Resolve to eat dinner together as a family at least 3 - 5 times a week, even if this is sandwiches before you head out to a game or lesson.

8.Schedule “goof-off” time for your family and children. Give your child down time to explore a hobby or play outside.

9.Set priorities for your family. How many hours a week do you want to be together as a family?

10.Take time as a family to enjoy God’s creation away from home. Examples: Go to a park, go for a bike ride, go hiking, etc.

As Christian parents we are modeling for our children how to handle stress and how to balance our time. What lessons are we teaching our children? The Bible tell us in Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God...” I’m afraid in our hurried society we are teaching children to “Be harried and know that I am God.” We all need down time and time to answer many beautiful, challenging questions our children have about God and our world. Make time to slow down and enjoy gift of your children.