I mentioned in my earlier post that I have found a new blog through The 10 Days Series which is organized by iHomeschool Network. Finding Joy is posting about intentional parenting so I joined her 10 day challenge. Read about my first day post here.

(image source)

Day 2. The focus for today is the “heart”. We were asked to write a letter to ourself. Write not to impress but to reveal your heart as a mother. We had to limit ourself for 10 minutes in finishing this letter. Here goes…

Dear Chris,

Don’t be upset that you have not cleaned the house or fixed the rooms as neatly as you’d like. Don’t fret because you haven’t been able to find that Language arts or Math curriculum you want for your kids for the next school year. Don’t worry about the money you need to buy the stuff your kids need. What you need is to STOP. Stop looking at the circumstances and have a thankful heart. 

The Lord has greatly blessed you through the years and He has not stopped blessing you with spiritual blessings and even physical blessings. FOCUS on what God wants you to do and not on what YOU CAN’T DO. Turn your eyes on HIM as HE ENABLES YOU to complete his mission for you. 

Your kids love having you around. They want to spend time with you and enjoy  your presence. Don’t let circumstances in your life take the joy away. Do everything with a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving. Don’t pressure yourself into becoming a super mom and a super wife! No worries – God will see you through every trial and challenge that you face along the way. 

Pray and keep praying. What you do matters, to the Lord and to your family. 

I am proud of you. Be strong in the Lord!

Love,

Chris

For activity time, these were the instructions! “You simply trace your hand and have family members write on your hand something they love about you. It allows a time of space in your day where you and your children can intentionally begin to think and describe what they love about the other — it’s their letters of heart to each other and you.”

We had fun doing this activity together and this is our family craft!

It is good to know that the kids enjoy spending time with you and know who you are. Always take the time to search your own heart and share your heart with your family. It builds relationships.

I would like invite you to journey with me for 1o days  on this road of intentional parenting. We can all learn and grow together to become the parents that God has called us to be.

I have found a new blog through The 10 Days Series which is organized by iHomeschool Network. Finding Joy is posting about intentional parenting so I joined her 10 day challenge.

On the first day,  the focus was being awake or being aware. It’s a simple exercise in examining what you do well and what you’d like to see change. It is an honest evaluation of our life, and how not to become distracted by our everyday life.

The exercise for this first day was to list down 5 things which I love about how I mother. Here’s my answer :

> reading time with the kids every day

> asking questions and making the kids think and reflect

> listening to their answers and getting to know more about the kids

> doing an activity which interests  each child (drawing, coloring, playing)

> supporting my kids interest

The next exercise is to list down what  5 things  do I want to change about how I mother?

> control time in front of the computer or iPhone.  no gadget usage when kids need my total attention.

> read more books for self-growth and homeschooling needs.

> not to project “angry” or “mad” image to them. don’t sweat the small stuff.

> prioritize what is important.

> speak more lovingly and don’t raise my voice.

The parent’s activity for this day was to spend 10 minutes with each child. I acknowledge that I used to spend many hours just playing with the kids when they were younger but as the years passed by, even if I am a stay at home mom, I realized that I don’t play with them anymore and do the fun things that they enjoy doing. Perhaps that is why I project that I am “always mad” even if I am not. I must not let house chores and the things that I need to do come in between us. I didn’t want to miss these moments – whether it is doing something goofy or wearing heated gloves or pretending to be animals or  just dancing with them.

I intentionally didn’t turn on the computer and played animals and cars with my son. I focused on playing pretend with him. I conversed with my daughter and read books together. It was definitely a good start.

I would like invite you to journey with me for 1o days  on this road of intentional parenting. We can all learn and grow together to become the parents that God has called us to be.