Status Updates From Making God Real in the Orth...

Prayer projects for home-
Put a prayer by the bathroom mirror or the refrigerator for all to read it.
Make a family prayer folder.

"Be the living expression of God's kindness… Spread love everywhere. First of all in your own house." ~Mother Teresa

Children will be "loved into faith".

Even before birth a mother influences her child.

It takes a village to raise a child… for the Orthodox Christian that should be the family and the church, not the secular world.

"What children need most is encouragement."

We are all unique and should not conform to popular opinions. Christians should be salt and light to the world. "The Christian is different because he is 'in Christ'."

Children want your time and your listening ear."

"A Christian who is possessed of the love of Christ is sensitive."

"Good listening requires that we be sensitive to the needs of others."

Religion is taught at home not at church.
We should live in a way that is worthy of our children's respect.
And we must respect our children.

Prepare children for independence.

Treat our children better than they are. Treat others the way God treats us.

"Praise, when sincerely given, has an almost magical power to transform."

"...when a person shows sincere interest in us, when we know that someone has great faith and confidence in us, something within us responds."

"All parents are godparents of their own children."

"Think of the sermons we preach every day as we walk through life.… Consciously or unconsciously people are influenced by our example."

Teaching our children values… Family closeness is the key!

Remember "love is kind" especially at home.

Teach them about sex…
The entire body is good.
Discuss their questions.
The commandments in the Bible are to protect sex because it is sacred.

TV can take too much of our time and expose us to inappropriate things. We should be selective in our viewing and take care that our children's minds are shaped by us - their parents- and not the media.