Happy to be back from a bit of a break this summer. Sorry I have been a bit MIA, but we are back now!

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: IT IS BOOK LAUNCH DAY!

Rest for the Weary Mama, Words of Hope and Encouragement for the Worn-Out Mom

It has been one of the honors and joys of my life to write this book and I hope it blesses you as much as it has me just to write it. Get your copy today and please, please, please leave a review over on Amazon so you can help others find the book.

BEING PLANTED IS HARD. Where have you been planted recently? Have you been planted in a new job? Planted in the role of mother?

Although we all like the harvest's end result, we often don't like the being planted part before the harvest can come. Being planted can many times put us in uncomfortable, dark, lonely places. Yet, this is where God gets to show up and water and tend to our souls to change us into only He knows what He is making us into.

“SO NEITHER HE WHO PLANTS NOR HE WHO WATERS IS ANYTHING, BUT ONLY GOD WHO GIVES THE GROWTH HE WHO PLANTS AND HE WHO WATERS ARE ONE, AND EACH WILL RECEIVE HIS WAGES ACCORDING TO HIS LABOR.”

1 CORINTHIANS 3:7-8

Links for you:

"Rest for the Weary Mama" by Morgan A. Ellis

"It Will be Okay" by Lysa Terkhurst

"The Hiding Place" by Corrie Ten Boom

*note: this post contains affiliate links

Chores are a fantastic way to teach our kids responsibility, work ethic, and build a helpful spirit. On today's episode Morgan is talking about why chores are important and how you can practically add chores to your household at any age and stage.

"Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

This time-honored Proverb of course applies to our children's spiritual journey, but I believe it also applies to so many other things, reminding us parents of how what we teach our kids now will be what they carry with them for a lifetime.

WHY CHORES?

What chores can teach your kids:

• responsibility
• work ethic
• empowerment
• independence
• autonomy
• a servant's/helpful spirit

2 QUESTIONS THAT HAVE CHANGED EVERYTHING!

"See a need; fill a need."

"If not now, when? If not you, who?"

Harvard study on the importance of chores

AGE APPROPRIATE CHORES:

PRE-SCHOOL (AGES 2-4)

• pick up toys, put in bins
• put away books
• help put away silverware from the dishwasher (if plastic of course)

SCHOOL-AGE (AGES 5-8)

• make bed
• put away clothes
• set or clear dinner table
• sweep

TWEEN (AGES 9-12)

• start training them on how to do their own laundry
• clean room
• bathroom (toilets included)
• mow the lawn
• pull weeds

TEEN (AGES 13+)

• same as all the ages above
• vacuum/mop
• meal prep
• THE GOAL OF THIS AGE GROUP IS TO TEACH LIFE SKILLS AND TIME MANAGEMENT.

DO YOU PAY?

This truly you can do how you like and what works best for you and your family. Also, don't be afraid to pivot if one payment way isn't working.

• PRE-SCHOOL AGE - visual chore charts, sticker charts and treasure boxes are great at these little ages.

some ideas:

https://amzn.to/3x5QjtG

https://amzn.to/3RtGlcq

https://amzn.to/3VrdvdK

• SCHOOL AGE - we have a chore chart and pay a quarter a chore, but again, you can do something different, this is just an idea.
• TWEEN - at this age an allowance may be a good way to do your pay system. Encourage saving and giving.
• TEEN - I love the idea of paying your teen like you would at a job. Once a week and no loans. This is the age to encourage and instill good money management.

Disclaimer: again, you can make this totally your own and create different systems that work for your household. The ultimate goal here is to raise up responsible, hard-working, independent adults!

OTHER ITEMS:

REST FOR THE WEARY MAMA : PRE-ORDER AVAILABLE NOW!

JOIN THE BOOK LAUNCH TEAM

*some affiliate links exist within this post

Nothing worthwhile is ever easy and our presence in our children's lives has the ability to impact not just them, but also generations to come. Lean in, I hope you feel encouraged and maybe a little challenged by today's episode.

YOUR PRESENCE IN YOUR HOME MATTERS.

Start with knowing who you are: where do you find your identity?

"Your job is just what you do, not who you are."

Sage Journal : Positive Involved Dads

3 Practical ways to be more present

1. Remove Distractions

2. Set Aside the To-Do List

3. Create Intentional and Consistent Family Time

You have created this beautiful family, now go enjoy each other. Enter into your kids' worlds, get to know who they are and their friends. Have fun together!

You have an amazing opportunity and privilege to impact your kids for a lifetime and when you take the time to live fully present in your life, you will find so much more JOY in it!