North Way Kids

01/11/2023

Parents have a lot to think about. So much, in fact, we often leave ourselves very little time and energy to think about much else. How could we?

We’ve got our kids’ academic success to think about.
We’ve got our family’s schedule to keep running like a well-oiled machine.
We’ve got our kids’ social lives to stress over.
We’ve got our kids’ extracurricular activities to get them to on time.
We’ve got all the work inside and outside of the home to manage.
And if we’re lucky, we’ll use what’s left to take care of ourselves.

Like we said, it’s a lot.

And while it’s easy to get caught up in life’s more time sensitive issues, the more critical yet less visible matters often go overlooked. Generosity is one of those things. We know parents understand the value of raising kids who are generous with their time and resources to help others. However, our lives are so busy, teaching our kids about the power of giving is often seasonal and inconsistent. But raising generous kids should be higher on our list of priorities, because generous kids…

Are connected to a bigger story.
See beyond themselves with an expanded worldview.
Keep an unhealthy ego in check.
Learn to distinguish between what’s important and what’s not.

So, how do we raise the next generation to be intentionally generous? Here are a few practical ideas to incorporate generosity into your family’s rhythm:

Make volunteering a regular part of your family’s routine.
Serving others builds your kids’ awareness of the needs of others and expands their view of the world. And in many cases, your kids will have the opportunity to experience the appreciation of those they’re serving so they can feel firsthand the joy that comes with giving.

Require a portion of your kids’ allowance/commission to go toward giving.
Beyond teaching your kids the value of spending less than they earn, requiring your kids to give a portion of what they earn will help them adopt a habit of giving. Encourage your kids to give to a church, community project, or a cause of their choosing.

Teach them the concept of get one, give one.
This is particularly impactful around holidays known for receiving gifts. For Christmas, birthdays, or any day worth celebrating, buy two of the same gift. Ask your kid who they believe would enjoy or benefit from receiving the gift as much as they do. The goal here is to help prime their minds to notice the desires of those around them.

Commit to giving consistently to a cause.
When you commit to giving your time or resources over a period of time, your kids witness the impact of their generosity long term. Whether your family chooses to sponsor a child or donate money to a school scholarship fund, your kids will not only learn the importance of giving, they will also learn the power of patience and the impact even small deposits can have with consistency.

Most parents have one thing in common, and that’s the desire for our kids to have the best future possible. Raising generous kids will have a profound effect on their future, and that starts with making the practice of generosity part of your everyday life at home.
Do you and your family want to put generosity in action? Begin modeling the value of generosity for your kids by showing them what it looks like to share kindness, time, and resources with others.

11/09/2022

The rhythm in your home sets your family values.
It establishes what is acceptable and what is not acceptable.
It determines what gets talked about and what doesn’t get talked about.
When you create a rhythm you establish priorities.
Whether it’s mealtimes, car rides, or during bath time routines, you can leverage that time to have a meaningful connection with your kids.

Morning Time (any kid, any age): Start your child’s day with an encouraging word—even if they are grumpy or don’t respond well.

Feeding Time (for babies): Use this time to reflect on what’s most important.

Cuddle Time (for preschoolers): Pray for your baby, toddler, or preschooler.

Bath Time (for preschoolers): Talk about Bible stories and the character of God.

Drive Time: Use this time to connect with your kid/teen and get to know what’s going on in their life and what’s important to them.

Meal Time: Talk about faith and character.

Bed Time: Pray for your elementary-age kid, pr***en, middle schooler, or high schooler.

Their Time: Be accessible when your high schooler wants to connect—whenever that is.

10/08/2021

There's a constant tension in parenthood. The tension of being present in our kid's now and molding that "now" to reach the end result — a kind, self-sufficient adult.⁠
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The parent with a new baby who is looking forward to life with a more capable preschooler. ⁠
The preschool parent who can't wait for the comprehension of boundaries and tempered emotional responses of an elementary schooler. ⁠
The elementary school parent who is looking forward to a more responsible middle schooler. ⁠
The middle school parent who is looking forward to the independence of a high schooler.⁠
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Who they are now, in this moment, is important to where they will be. Every now and then, meet your kids there.

10/08/2021

It’s often easier or faster to do the job ourselves, but why not give your kids a chance to put initiative into practice?

If they come to you with a problem, help them think through how they could follow through and solve the problem. Then, let them do it.

It might not be perfect, but at least they’re learning what it means to see something and do something about it. Empower your kids to know they have what it takes to get the job done. If they feel like they’re able to show initiative, chances are they will.

10/07/2021

Elementary Parents: Each member of your family is different and unique. Discover everyone’s individuality with a night of family charades. Enjoy seeing everyone act things out in their own way and have fun.

Supplies: Paper, Pens, Bowl, Timer

Instructions: Divide the family into even teams. Have every family member write down something on pieces of paper: people, places, and things. Try to choose things that everyone will know, consider the age range of your family. Place all the papers in a bowl and start playing. One member of the first team will pick a paper from the bowl and start acting out what’s written on the paper, if the team guesses correctly, they pick another paper and continue until time runs out. Each player has two minutes to get through as many papers as they can. Award one point for every correct guess. Rotate teams and have a fun night

10/07/2021

Play a game to teach your child that God made them to do big things—just like David saved his sheep! 1 Samuel 17:34-37

Supplies: Small plastic sheep (or any small objects), ice cube tray, bowl, tongs, water

Instructions: Place the toy sheep in the ice cube tray, cover with water, and freeze. Fill the bowl with lukewarm water. Use the tongs and warm water to “free” the sheep from the ice. Talk about how David saved the sheep from a lion! That is a really big thing!

10/06/2021

Elementary Parents: It’s Pizza Night! Making something to eat exactly how YOU want it is the best. Every family member will get to show their individual personality through making their pizza. Grab some pizza dough from the store and everyone’s favorite topping. Try experimenting with different sauces, toppings, and cheeses. Have fun experimenting and making your pizza all your own.

Sauces: marinara, alfredo, pesto, garlic oil, BBQ sauce, honey
Produce: peppers, tomatoes, olives, mushrooms, garlic, cilantro, green onions, onions, pineapple, pears
Protein: pepperoni, sausage, ham, shredded chicken, pulled pork, ground beef, tofu, fried egg
Cheese: mozzarella, cheddar, goat cheese, feta, Monterey Jack, pepper jack, vegan cheese

Easy Pizza Dough Ingredients:
1 .25 ounce package active dry yeast
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 cup warm water
2 ½ cups flour
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Let stand until small bubbles form, about 10 minutes. Stir in flour, salt, and oil. Mix until smooth. Let the dough rest for 5 minutes. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into rounds. Transfer crust to a lightly greased cookie sheet. Spread with desired toppings and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.

10/05/2021

Preschool and Toddler Parents: Practice this month's Memory Verse Motions with your preschooler.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid . . . for the Lord your God goes with you.” Deuteronomy 31:6, NIV “Be strong and courageous. (cross…

10/05/2021

Some days, you may feel like there’s been some mistake, that your kid would be better off with someone else as their parent — maybe someone who never loses their cool, makes home-cooked meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and someone without all of the emotional baggage you’ve been carrying around.⁠
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Nothing is further from the truth, friend. Your kid needs you — all of you. There was no error when you were made their parent. You are your kid’s parent on purpose.

09/24/2021

Elementary Parents: It’s family game night! Put the board games away and dress in dark clothes, and head out to the backyard after dark. It’s time to play Initiative Flashlight Tag! Give each family member a flashlight. Initiative Flashlight Tag is similar to hide and go seek, with one family member being “it” and the others hiding. Instead of tagging someone when you find them, you turn on the flashlight and “tag” them with the beam of light. As players run away to dodge the light continue to try to tag them with the beam of light.
Take turns being “it” and enjoy hours of laughter and fun as your family takes the initiative to make new strategies on how to dodge the light and stay in the game. This would be even more fun if you invited another family over to play. The more the merrier!

09/23/2021

Preschool and Toddler Parents: Play hide-n-seek just like the sneaky spies of Jericho! Joshua 2:1-22; 6:22-25
Supplies: Small toys
Instructions: Pick a set of toys—like small stuffed animals or action figures. Hide them around the house, and have your child sneak around to find them! Talk about how God helped Rahab be brave and hide the sneaky spies in Jericho.

09/22/2021

Preschool and Toddler Parents: As you give your child a bath, say: “God is always with us so we don’t have to be afraid. God is always with you even when (name something your child is currently afraid to do). Then cuddle with your child and pray: “Everyone gets afraid sometimes, but God helps us to remember that we can do scary things because you are with us always.”