Net buite Groblershoop ...

Van die mooiste kunswerke is sommer so uit die natuur. Hierdie stomp buite Groblershoop gryp die verbeelding aan.

The TOP 10 TIPS for raising teenagers:

Here are the Top 10 Tips for raising teenagers:
1.   Respect and listen to them.
2.   Reward increasing maturity with more freedom.
3.   Take away privileges if they can’t handle the freedom.
4.   Set clear and firm rules.
5.   Hold them accountable – set and follow through with consequences.
6.   Expect them to keep their word and you do the same.
7.   Don’t take difficult behaviors as a dare or challenge.
8.   Accept that peers are an important influence.
9.   Know that teens need you in their lives, but on their terms.
10. Continue to share your values.

As teens move toward greater independence, they often rebel and resist parental rules. This requires parents to adjust some of their tried-and-true approaches that may have been effective when their kids were younger.

Changing some rules and giving more privileges as teens show better judgment are ways you can help them to slowly gain maturity.

Parents do best if they do not take their teens’ actions as personal assaults on them, but rather if they think their kids are “just doing their job” of growing up.

Teens are rapidly changing and often their lives are filled with emotional, physical, intellectual, and social turmoil. Understanding this helps parents manage their child’s new and rocky stage of development.

Remember that teens can be passionate, exuberant, fun, idealistic, and creative. Raising them can fill your life with the same.

(More information here.)

Motherhood is your journey with your children ...

The TOP 10 TIPS for discipline:

Here are the Top 10 Tips for discipline:

1.   Be the leader and teacher in your home.
2.   Discipline means “to teach.”
3.   Discipline does not mean “to punish.”
4.   Remain calm even if you have to fake it.
5.   Set clear rules and follow through with consequences.
6.   Consider your children’s age and abilities when making
      demands.
7.   Be flexible but don’t “cave” to avoid conflict.
8.   Be on the same page with others who discipline your kids.
9.   Brainstorm with your kids to solve problems.
10. Build a loving relationship with your kids so they will listen to you.

Before you discipline your child, ask yourself, “What does he need to learn in this situation?” Maybe he needs to learn to use his words instead of hitting or how to calm himself down.

Parents need to guide their children and teach them the skills they will need to function in the world. Discipline helps kids learn to control themselves and become responsible adults.

There is a wide range of healthy discipline approaches. Parents should avoid the extremes of being too lax and neglectful (not providing enough guidance) or being too strict (using harsh punishment or not being respectful).

(More information here.)

Happy Women's Day!

Happy Women's Day!

The TOP 10 TIPS to get your children to do chores and take responsibility:

When your children are so busy (school and activities), you may not want to give them chores. 

However, kids who succeed in school and in life started doing chores at three to four years of age.

Chores teach skills for life such as learning how to do things well and meeting responsibilities. They also give children a way to contribute to the world.

1.   Support but don’t take over.

2.   Give more perks as children become more mature.
3.   Let them make as many choices as possible.
4.   Teach them what they are supposed to do and how to do it.
5.   Praise the steps along the way, not just when a chore is done.
6.   Notice when they’re doing what they’re supposed to, not just when they aren’t.
7.   Give chores that match their makeup, maturity, and likes.
8.   Set rules and follow through on consequences.
9.   Support them to find an interest where they can give their all.
10. Be positive about doing your chores.

(Read more here.)

The TOP 10 Parenting TIPS for raising children:

Think about your long-term goals for your children — what traits do you want them to have as adults?

Your children will be more likely to listen to you if you have a loving relationship with them.

You also need to teach them how to behave so they become capable and caring adults.

There is no “one size fits all” way to parent. Everyone needs to find what works best for him and his child.

These Top Ten Tips can help you create a family in which your kids feel supported and loved.

1.  Fill your home with love and respect.
2.  Listen to your children’s feelings and thoughts.
3.  Focus on what’s good about your children.
4.  Have your children to do things for themselves so they feel able.
5.  Know what your children can do based on their age and abilities.
6.  Follow through with rules and consequences.
7.  Do not hit, blame, or shame.
8.  Expect mistakes (yours and theirs) and learn from them.
9.  Behave how you want your children to behave.
10 Maintain a sense of humor.

(More information here.)

The TOP 10 TIPS to manage anger:

The heat of the moment is not the best time to teach children. When strong emotions are present, parents may over-react.

Kids may not be able to use the thinking part of their brains. The best time to teach children how to behave is when everyone is calm.

Emotions come and go. On average, emotions pass in 90 seconds. By waiting, you have a better chance of sharing your feelings in a healthy way.

1.   Accept anger as a normal emotion.

2.   Don’t respond to your children’s anger with outbursts of your own.
3.   Let your kids know when and why you are angry. This can improve your relationship.
4.   Think about anger triggers – feelings not heard or needs not met.
5.   Know signs of growing anger – sweaty palms, heart beating fast, clenching teeth, stomachache.
6.   Listen to your children’s angry feelings.
7.   Teach children to “use their words” rather than act out their feelings.
8.   Show children ways to calm down – counting to ten, blowing bubbles, taking deep breaths.
9.   Show your anger in ways that do not blame or shame.
10. Be patient – managing anger is the work of a lifetime.

(More information here.)

Groblershoop - stilte en rus

Groblershoop Kindersorgfoto's

How to Develop a Good Parent and Child Relationship

1.         Being Involved

1.1       Get on their level.

1.2       Emphasize the importance of family time.

1.3       Dedicate one-on-one time for each child.

1.4       Stay in touch with academics, friendships, and extra-curriculars.

2.         Maintaining Positive Communication

2.1       Be trustworthy.

2.2       Practice active listening without distractions.

2.3       Follow the 3 F’s of effective parenting.

2.3.1    Be firm. State what the consequences are and apply them consistently.

2.3.2    Be fair. Make sure the punishment fits the crime. 

            Try to avoid harsh or excessive consequences.

2.3.3    Be friendly. Convey your words in steady yet polite tone. 
            Avoid raising your voice.
            Simply explain what terms they violated and lay out the consequences. 

            Also, take time to praise them when they are doing well.

2.4       Have relaxed, side-by-side conversations.

3.         Changing the Relationship over Time

3.1       Review rules and increase privileges as your children get older.

3.2       Include them in decisions.

3.3       Encourage your child to take on challenges and find independence.

3.4       Open up and show your human side.

(More information here.)

Die verhaal van die potlood ...

Lank gelede was daar ‘n potloodmaker wat baie trots op sy werk was. Sy potlode was kunswerke, want hy het altyd sy beste gegee.

Eendag het hy, voordat hy een van die potlode in ‘n pakkie gesit het vir die potlood gesê: “Daar is vyf dinge wat jy moet weet voordat ek jou die wêreld instuur; onthou dit elke dag en moet dit nooit vergeet nie. As jy dit doen, sal jy die beste potlood wees” 

Toe begin die potloodmaker die vyf dinge op te noem:

1.  Die potlood sal groot dinge in die lewe kan doen, as hy gewillig in iemand se hand sal lê.
2.  Hy gaan van tyd tot tyd skerpgemaak word ten einde diensbaar te wees.
3.  Hy sal foute maak, maar omdat hy ook van ‘n uitveër voorsien is, sal hy sy foute kan herstel.
4.  Alhoewel hy ‘n kunswerk is, is sy buitekant nie die heel belangrikste nie, wel sy binnekant .
5.  Hy moes sy merk op elke oppervlak maak, ongeag die omstandighede. Hy moes net aanhou skryf.

Hierdie vyf beginsels kan ons elkeen in ons lewens toepas, dan sal ons ook die beste kan word wat God van ons verwag.

1. God het vir jou en my lewe groot en mooi planne, maar ons wil nie altyd na God luister en daardie pad loop wat God wil hê ons moet loop nie. Ons volg ons eie kop en so mis ons 'n wonderlike lewe. Lees Jesaja 49:1 en 13.

2. Net soos die potlood gaan ek en jy ook soms hartseer en minder lekker dinge moet deurmaak! Alles gaan nie altyd verloop soos ons dit wil hê nie. Op die ou-end, al verstaan ons dit nie nou nie, wil God hê dat al die hartseer van ons sterker en beter mense maak. Lees Psalm 23:2

3. Geen fout wat ek en jy ooit sal maak, gaan té groot wees om reg te maak nie. Nie omdat ons so wonderlik is nie, maar omdat God ons help. Lees Jesaja 41:10 en 1 Johannes 1:9.

4. Ons bestee baie tyd aan ons uiterlike voorkoms en ons is baie bekommerd oor ons klere en haarstyle. Maar ons heel belangrikste deel, is dit wat net God kan sien -  ons harte. Lees Ps. 51 :8, 12.

5. Oral waar ons gaan, of ons dit wil weet of nie, laat ons 'n merk. Dit is 'n mooi of lelike merk. Wat sien mense in jou lewe - waar jy ontspan, skoolgaan, werk en speel? Lees Jesaja 31:21 en 2 Korintiërs 3:1-3 en 18.

Parents can only give good advice ...

Gee mekaar 'n kans ...

Is twee mossies nie vir 'n sent verkoop nie ...

In die konsentrasiekamp, meer as 100 jaar gelede, sit Anette Marais op ’n stomp en skud die stof van haar verslete klere af.

Rondom haar sit die groepie bekende gesigte van moeë vrouens. Net ’n paar tree verder is die hoë draad van die konsentrasiekamp. Sy slaan haar Bybel oop en begin lees. Sy het in die donker ure van die nag geworstel met God en Hom gesmeek vir ʼn boodskap om hierdie vrouens te bemoedig, want wie weet hoe lank nog ...

Anette lees die woorde van Matt 10:29 – “Is twee mossies nie vir ’n sent te koop nie, en tog sal nie een van hulle op die grond val sonder die wil van julle Vader nie.”

Terwyl sy besig is om hierdie woorde te lees, kom sit daar ’n vaal klein mossie op haar skouer.

Die groepie vrouens staar in verbasing na wat voor hulle gebeur en so word die mossie, die teken van hoop in die onmoontlike omstandighede van die konsentrasiekamp in Bethulie.

Dit was fantasties om in die maande wat volg te sien hoe die mossies van Bethulie ’n baken van geloof en hoop word vir hierdie vrouens.

Op 21 Mei 1902 was die oorlog verby, Anette het op pad terug na haar huis gestop by ’n vrou met invloed en haar vertel van die mossie-boodskap, sy het dit weer oorvertel en genl Jan Smuts het in 1923 die mossie op die land se kleinste muntstuk (kwartpennie) laat verskyn.

Amper 80 jaar later sit Jak de Priester in ’n park in Londen. Sy geld is op, hy kry nie werk nie, hy mis die meisie van sy drome en sonskyn en biltong. Hy slaan sy klein silwer Bybeltjie oop en lees die “mossie”-boodskap en bid vir die soveelste keer vir werk!

Vroeg die volgende oggend lui sy telefoon en dis die oproep waarvoor hy gewag het. Hy spring op die eerste trein en begin met ʼn lang dag se onderhoude. Moeg maar gelukkig en met ’n permanente werk klim hy weer laatmiddag op die trein.

Toe hy inklim sien hy ’n muntstuk op die vloer lê, hy tel dit op, en daar op ’n trein in Londen hou hy ’n Suid-Afrikaanse 1c in sy hand, met ’n mossie agterop. Hy vertel dat die wêreld rondom hom gaan stilstaan het, dat hy besef het dat God daar by hom op die trein is en dat gebed sy waarborg is in hierdie stukkende wêreld.

Vandag ’n paar jaar later, skud ek my beursie uit. Ek sit ʼn 1c neer vir my vriendin met borskanker, nog ʼn 1c vir huwelike wat sukkel, ’n 1c vir iemand na aan my hart se werksomstandighede, vir enkel ouers en weduwees, en ek besef die mossieboodskap is dalk net een versie in ’n dik Bybel, maar ’n Almagtige, liefdevolle God staan agter dit!

Here, dankie, dat daar altyd hoop is. Dankie, vir bakens langs die pad wat ons help om geduldig te wees, terwyl ons wag vir U, om op die perfekte tyd ons omstandighede te verander. Gister, terwyl ek vir my kliënte sit en wag en ek dieselfde boodskap vir my vrou gestuur het, het 3 mossies op my voertuig se voorste "bushbar" kom sit en het ek dadelik geweet ons Koning praat met my om my gerus te stel. Daar is niemand soos Hy nie en Hy sal altyd na ons kyk en ons versorg. Hy's net 'n gebed ver. Geseënde "mossie"-dag vir jou.

Mag God Homself ook vandag op ‘n besonderse manier aan jou openbaar. God seën u!

Kindersorg Fraserburg

Lees Kindersorg Fraserburg se verslag hier. 

Koos du Plessis se gebed ...

Kalahari-wens ...

Jy bly 'n wenner wanneer jy by die Here bly