Children ages five through eight can have a great deal of anxiety about their parents' divorce. They don't have the thinking skills or the experiences to understand they will be taken care of and that life will go on. The fear of the unknown is scary for them. They wonder if the other parent will leave too. Children this age need to be reassured they are safe.
When children are on emotional overload, their schoolwork can be affected. They may have trouble focusing and processing information. Often this results in academic and behavioral problems at school.
Classroom problems can include
* being easily distracted
* becoming discouraged or frustrated quickly
* being overly tired or sleeping in class
* showing aggressive behaviors on the playground
* acting out with peers
* saying hurtful or angry words to peers or teachers
* being oversensitive to comments from peers and teachers
* having difficulty concentrating
* having low or failing grades
As a parent, it is important that you talk with your child's schoolteacher and become aware of what is going on in the classroom. If what you hear disheartens you, do not be reactive, but be proactive. Work with the teacher, your child, the school, and after-school providers to best meet the needs of your child during this difficult time.
"The LORD . . . sustains the fatherless" (Psalm 146:9).
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Make Someone Happy...
Help out your Ubuntu challenged neighbors by giving the gift of technology. Spread the word, donate your old computer and make someone happy and if it helps you justify buying a new one for yourself, so be it.
Make Someone Happy!!
Even if you don’t have the time or inclination to reload your old machine with Ubuntu, you can still participate. Contact Pastor Steve and we will do our best to find someone to take care of that for you! Just e-mail WestlockNaz [at] gmail [dot] com and let us know how we can help!
Make Someone Happy!!
There are lots of people around Westlock that would LOVE to have YOUR OLD COMPUTER to
use. It may be old and slow for you, but with Ubuntu it can be fantastic, brilliant and magical for a less fortunate person. This is where you can make a difference today! You can recycle your old working Pentium class PC and MAKE SOMEONE REALLY HAPPY just by contacting Pastor Steve at WestlockNaz [at] gmail [dot] com
use. It may be old and slow for you, but with Ubuntu it can be fantastic, brilliant and magical for a less fortunate person. This is where you can make a difference today! You can recycle your old working Pentium class PC and MAKE SOMEONE REALLY HAPPY just by contacting Pastor Steve at WestlockNaz [at] gmail [dot] com
Go Green!! Help SAVE the Environment! Did you know that there are landfills around the world full of unused and unloved computer equipment, some of it even leeching toxic chemicals into the ground and none of it biodegrading?! You can recycle your old working Pentium class PC and KEEP IT FROM THE LANDFILL just by contacting Pastor Steve at WestlockNaz [at] gmail [dot] com
Even if you don’t have the time or inclination to reload your old machine with Ubuntu, you can still participate. Contact Pastor Steve and we will do our best to find someone to take care of that for you! Just e-mail WestlockNaz [at] gmail [dot] com and let us know how we can help!
This Sunday is our Faith Promise Sunday
Faith Promise giving is a biblical method used by many local churches for raising financial support for world missions. Missions in the Church of the Nazarene is a large enterprise. Our work includes church planting, compassionate ministry, education, economic development and more. To accomplish the Great Commission-spreading the gospel and and making disciples around the world-requires financial support.
In “faith-based” missions, missionaries must spend valuable time raising financial support. They conduct services, take offerings, receive pledges of support, and then pray the amount raised covers living expenses. Sometimes if the money runs out, missionaries are forced to return home. In this type of support, churches do not always share equally in the mission work. Larger churches are sometimes visited by more missionaries than they could possibly help, while some smaller churches are overlooked.
The World Evangelism Fund was created to allow missionaries to work more effectively and to encourage all churches to support missions. The World Evangelism Fund goes directly toward accomplishing the mission of the Church of the Nazarene, to make Christlike disciples in the nations. The World Evangelism Fund is the funding that operates the Church of the Nazarene and its entire mission effort, from the operation of the Global Ministry Center to districts and churches around the world.
In “faith-based” missions, missionaries must spend valuable time raising financial support. They conduct services, take offerings, receive pledges of support, and then pray the amount raised covers living expenses. Sometimes if the money runs out, missionaries are forced to return home. In this type of support, churches do not always share equally in the mission work. Larger churches are sometimes visited by more missionaries than they could possibly help, while some smaller churches are overlooked.
The World Evangelism Fund was created to allow missionaries to work more effectively and to encourage all churches to support missions. The World Evangelism Fund goes directly toward accomplishing the mission of the Church of the Nazarene, to make Christlike disciples in the nations. The World Evangelism Fund is the funding that operates the Church of the Nazarene and its entire mission effort, from the operation of the Global Ministry Center to districts and churches around the world.
How Preschool Children React
Preschool children may appear to take the news well at first. This may be because they don't understand what is actually happening, but as time goes by, they begin to realize the other parent isn't coming home. One of the first responses is fear. They wonder if one or both parents will care for them. They may be clingy and may regress to behaviors such as thumb sucking, tantrums, and toileting accidents.
Linda Jacobs says, "Parents need to reassure the children they are safe and talk to them often, explaining what is happening and what will be happening. Children don't need sordid details of the adults' problems; they need reassurance that the parent will be there to meet their needs.
"When leaving children in preschool or daycare, make every effort to pick them up at the same time every day. Young children can sense when it's time for the parent to come. If a parent is late, the children will wonder if the parent is going to return. Trust levels can be hard to maintain if parents are not consistent with schedules and promises."
Do not be fearful about the impact the divorce is having on your children. God does not want you to be anxious. Know that God can take horrible, impossible situations (such as divorce) and turn them around for the good of those involved. Take wise, practical steps today to help your preschool-age children through this difficult situation.
"'So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.' And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them" (Genesis 50:21).
Linda Jacobs says, "Parents need to reassure the children they are safe and talk to them often, explaining what is happening and what will be happening. Children don't need sordid details of the adults' problems; they need reassurance that the parent will be there to meet their needs.
"When leaving children in preschool or daycare, make every effort to pick them up at the same time every day. Young children can sense when it's time for the parent to come. If a parent is late, the children will wonder if the parent is going to return. Trust levels can be hard to maintain if parents are not consistent with schedules and promises."
Do not be fearful about the impact the divorce is having on your children. God does not want you to be anxious. Know that God can take horrible, impossible situations (such as divorce) and turn them around for the good of those involved. Take wise, practical steps today to help your preschool-age children through this difficult situation.
"'So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.' And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them" (Genesis 50:21).
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
How Infants and Toddlers React
Children react differently to the news of the divorce and to the divorce process depending on their age. "Young children can sense problems through their parents," says Linda Jacobs. "Infants can tell when a parent is physically but not emotionally present. It can affect their eating and sleeping patterns. Even if one or both parents are emotionally involved and bonded to the children, the children's routines are interrupted as a result of the separation or divorce. Different households, different sounds and smells, and changing bedtimes can affect both infants and toddlers. Toddlers can be affected by the disappearance of furniture and other household items as well as by the constantly vanishing parent." It is important to establish daily routines to help your children feel secure.
Linda continues: "Many infants and toddlers will experience more ear infections and other illnesses such as upset stomachs, constipation, diarrhea, and colds. For a divorcing parent, a sick and fussy child only adds to an already stressful life. The children, in turn, will feel the stress of the parents, and this will contribute to the ever-increasing insecurities they are already feeling."
Relate to your children with love and tenderness each day. Learn how to have a heart that is gentle and kind toward everyone. If you harden yourself toward your former spouse or toward anyone else involved in the situation, your children will pick up on it and learn from it, despite your intentions to keep it from them.
"A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life; a hardhearted person lives a hard life" (Proverbs 28:14 Msg).
Linda continues: "Many infants and toddlers will experience more ear infections and other illnesses such as upset stomachs, constipation, diarrhea, and colds. For a divorcing parent, a sick and fussy child only adds to an already stressful life. The children, in turn, will feel the stress of the parents, and this will contribute to the ever-increasing insecurities they are already feeling."
Relate to your children with love and tenderness each day. Learn how to have a heart that is gentle and kind toward everyone. If you harden yourself toward your former spouse or toward anyone else involved in the situation, your children will pick up on it and learn from it, despite your intentions to keep it from them.
"A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life; a hardhearted person lives a hard life" (Proverbs 28:14 Msg).
Monday, April 26, 2010
Effects on Your Children
Divorce affects all children who go through it. Some children seem to heal quickly while others appear to struggle for a lengthy time period. Research shows that those who appear to breeze through the divorce will struggle later on.
"To children, divorce is the death of the once intact family," says Linda Jacobs. "Children experiencing a divorce need time to grieve. Grieving is hard work, so expect your children to take breaks in their grieving. Don't be misled and think they are over the divorce. They are only taking time out to be children."
Your children will each handle the news of the divorce in different ways, and they will have different methods of coping during and after the process. Anger, guilt, fear, withdrawal, aggression, denial, regression, self-blame, and depression are common reactions.
Children can survive and become healthy, competent members of society, but it takes hard work on the part of the adults around them. As a single parent it's important to stay connected to God and a church family and to develop family and community support systems for you and your children.
Some churches offer programs specifically for children whose parents are going through separation and divorce. DivorceCare for Kids, www.DC4K.org, is a fun and powerful program for children ages 5-12 to learn to cope with and heal from the confusion, pain, and the many consequences of divorce.
God promises help for single parents.
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling" (Psalm 68:5).
"To children, divorce is the death of the once intact family," says Linda Jacobs. "Children experiencing a divorce need time to grieve. Grieving is hard work, so expect your children to take breaks in their grieving. Don't be misled and think they are over the divorce. They are only taking time out to be children."
Your children will each handle the news of the divorce in different ways, and they will have different methods of coping during and after the process. Anger, guilt, fear, withdrawal, aggression, denial, regression, self-blame, and depression are common reactions.
Children can survive and become healthy, competent members of society, but it takes hard work on the part of the adults around them. As a single parent it's important to stay connected to God and a church family and to develop family and community support systems for you and your children.
Some churches offer programs specifically for children whose parents are going through separation and divorce. DivorceCare for Kids, www.DC4K.org, is a fun and powerful program for children ages 5-12 to learn to cope with and heal from the confusion, pain, and the many consequences of divorce.
God promises help for single parents.
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling" (Psalm 68:5).
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Being Proactive
God will provide and will work miracles, but your part is to actively trust in Him. Make forward movements each day to grow in your faith and to make wise decisions about money, work, children, and all aspects of your life.
"You can't just sit back and let the rest of the world take care of life for you," says Cynthia Yates. "You've got to roll up your sleeves. If you've never stood on your own two feet, now's the time. People will help you. There are resources out there, but you're going to have to take that first step."
God doesn't want you to be irresponsible or to spend money foolishly and think, I can do this because God will come through. He always provides. Yes, God is faithful to provide, but He asks you to be wise about financial decisions and to move in the right direction. He often answers prayers through other people and through circumstances, but you have to be prepared to receive His answers.
Sometimes God will allow you to go down a wrong path and suffer the consequences of your own willfulness, but He does this so that you will turn to Him. You will then be in a position to understand how much more sensible His path is, and you will let Him take the reins of your life.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).
"You can't just sit back and let the rest of the world take care of life for you," says Cynthia Yates. "You've got to roll up your sleeves. If you've never stood on your own two feet, now's the time. People will help you. There are resources out there, but you're going to have to take that first step."
God doesn't want you to be irresponsible or to spend money foolishly and think, I can do this because God will come through. He always provides. Yes, God is faithful to provide, but He asks you to be wise about financial decisions and to move in the right direction. He often answers prayers through other people and through circumstances, but you have to be prepared to receive His answers.
Sometimes God will allow you to go down a wrong path and suffer the consequences of your own willfulness, but He does this so that you will turn to Him. You will then be in a position to understand how much more sensible His path is, and you will let Him take the reins of your life.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5).
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