"Survival" Skills

One of the biggest deceptions out there is the myth that children need to stay away from stressful situations that might impose on their having fun! Afterall, kids are kids and they should have fun, do school, clean their rooms and .....that's it, right?

My personal philosophy is that children need to experience real-life situations and taught how to handle them or else you will end up with children that have no preparation in real-life skills.

For example, children that grow up playing computer games, watching sit-coms all day, being indulged in their whims (spending too much time 'shopping', talking on the phone, not given any real responsibility....)will unfortunately grow up to be young adults that have no way to pull on their own resources to handle danger or make decisions in stressful situations.

There is a difference between sheltering your child as they grow, opening the door a bit as they mature and giving them a little less restraint as they learn the rules you have mapped out and NEVER opening the door until your baby turns 18 and you push them out of it!

My husband has done a wonderful job with our children. He started taking them to work with him when they were still at a very early age. My son was barely three when dad would take him out to cut grass and do landscaping. He made it fun for him by purchasing a play mower for him to bring to ‘work’ and having him do some menial chores like weeding, picking up sticks, etc. He didn’t go every day, just a couple of days a week until he got older. My son is now 16, knows the business like the back of his hand and even though he doesn’t have fun with it all the time like when he used to bring his “Bubble Mower” years ago, he has learned with experience how to run equipment, do his own repairs and how to deal with customers. Many of those people have watched my son grow up and turn into a young man.
My daughters also have gone out with their father to work and have spent hours of quality time with him learning the meaning of working hard. It’s good for them!

The girls also are taught to do the daily at-home chores. Right now the teens shy away from it and need to be coerced or forced to follow through at times but they know how to do at least light cooking, cleaning, laundering and child care.

Without a TV to rob them of their brainpower, they can find other, more creative things to do when they are not helping with family work. I have tried to encourage them to find ways to keep themselves busy by NEVER allowing the words “mom….I’m bored” to pass from their lips UNLESS they want chores! It’s amazing how quickly they can find things to do with that as an incentive.

As a home schooling mom, survival skills have been at the top of the curriculum in the past. One of the best things we ever did was to obtain a copy of the Army Survival Handbook and experiment with some of the skills taught there. We had the kids in the woods at one point, finding brush and branches to build a temporary shelter, they learned how to make cookers for meals and talked about poisonous and edible plants. These things are fun but also useful and are skills that build confidence.

My husband and I are not ‘anti-fun’ but we do believe that the less idle time the better. The few times that we let that rule slip, the more opportunity we had for problems to develop.

You have to ask yourself as a parent, who do you want influencing your children?
Is it Hillary Duff? The latest flavor of celebrity and godlessness? Where do you want your children to go when they leave you? Is it the movie theater where sodomy on screen is becoming a common theme? The mall where materialism reigns? Do you REALLY
want your children to worry about fashions and nail jobs above being good parents and godly men and women?

It's all in our hands.

The Madness of Formula Feeding

As usual, this blog entry is aimed toward the Christian mother, although, ANY mother and child can benefit. However, if you are a woman that loves the Lord and wants to raise her child(ren) in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, this information is especially important.

All Christian mothers can agree that God created the heaven and the earth. We know he created man and then from Adam's rib, created Adam's helpmeet-Eve. Both were given bodies that were perfect. They were strong, functioning properly and were not supposed to be tampered with in any way with the exception of their Creator. As plants and animal life was to reproduce itself, God also gave Adam and Eve that ability in the garden. Eve became pregnant, bore children and nursed each one for as long as was needed. This pattern reproduced itself for thousands of years ....until.....greed took over.

The race to come up with as 'good as breastmilk' substitutes became the way to go when countries became more and more industrialized and then during wartime when mothers found themselves leaving their nest to work in factories while their men went off to fight. Professional wet nurses were also in demand at this time, but as feeding formulas became more and more popular, the wet nurses dissappeared and were replaced by glass bottles with rubber nipples that anyone could use to feed an infant with.

Early infant formulas were not successful at feeding babies healthfully. They lacked amino acids, enzymes and nutrients that were crucial to proper development of an infant. Babies became ill, sometimes they died and mothers became desperate to find the right formula since after feeding their babies with artificial mother's milk, their children did not remember how to nurse and the mother's milk would dry up. Women were not aware of the ability to relactate or how to deal with nipple confused infants so....they gave up and tried one new hope of just the right formula after another so they could continue working.

In the meantime, the corporate world was catching on to this new opportunity of a manufactured milk product that they could push on these mothers and so they took the formulas already produced and tried to 'improve' on them in order to reap their financial benefits. Companies like Nestle would dress their sales women up in nurses' uniforms and go hunting for new mothers, especially in the poor third world countries, and get the mothers to try samples of their formula that was to be 'just as good' as mother's milk . Once the baby had artificial milk a few times, became nipple confused and the mother was brain-washed into thinking that her milk was really 'too thin' to be the best for baby, they now had a repeat customer.

In America, mother's were always given formula packets prenatally 'just in case' and were showered with many free gifts in the hospital after the birth. Goody baskets with formula, bottles, 'binkys', nipples and coupons for more formula products were freely supplied. WIC, who is touted to be a benefit for women and children under six by supplying food coupons for nutritious foods as bread, milk, eggs, cheese, cereal and such, is also one of the biggest perpetraters of formula pushing today. They will tell mothers how healthy it is to breastfeed but they will continuously give away samples of formula and provide food coupons for free formula as well. Why?
Because formula companies have a financial foothold on these so-called benefit providers. Perks are offered for those that push the formulas in the way of trips, contests to win, etc. and if you are half as greedy as the formula corporations are, you will go for the bait every time!

Sadly, most healthcare workers are very reluctant to try to push a mom into the right direction. Most, do not get a lot of information about the specific benefits to the baby and mother when it comes to breastfeeding. Many are duped by the literature produced by formula companies that artificial milk is a 'safe' alternative. I found this out first hand when I was a childbirth educator and La Leche League leader.
The problem also lies in the ignorance of friends and family. Many of whom have never breastfed nor have been breastfed themselves.

Why is this such a big issue? Mainly, for the Christian, it is one more way that Satan has influenced this world. He has managed to put the doubt into the heads of even the most devout mothers that their milk isn't good enough or that they need to follow the world and their sick traditions. Young women are very concious of peer pressure to follow suit where their friends or pediatricians have led them. Some feel completely powerless to argue or question and they have very little faith in the milk that God has provided for their little ones.

I can encourage these women to research! research! RESEARCH! Before I resigned as a La Leche League leader, I would receive many phone calls asking questions that quite frankly, should have been easily answered by their mothers or their doctors. There is a real desert of knowledge out there for these young women and the older women of the church really should be there for them to answer their questions and guide them along.
Tit 2:3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Tit 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
It is unfortunate but these ministries within the Body of Christ are just not there.

Important aspects of breastfeeding:

Mothers, your body was created for the purpose of nourishing your baby with the milk God created for you to use. Even the most malnourished mothers have something healthful to offer an infant in their breastmilk! The exception would be HIV/Aids as studies have shown it can be transmitted from mother to baby via breastmilk.

Your milk for your baby is different than anybody elses. It is custom made for your child and your child alone.
It contains enzymes, amino acids, nutrients and protective antibodies that simply cannot be duplicated in a laboratory.
Babies that are breastfed have a lessened chance of food allergies, cancers and digestive problems. They are smarter as there are certain amino acids that feed your baby's brain to insure the best possible brain development.
Babies who nurse also have more skin-to-skin contact with their mothers. This helps them to learn love early on and it also helps a very young baby to regulate it's respiration and body temperature.
Breastfed babies have less problems with their teeth and palate as they have to 'exercise' by sucking firmly in order to get milk. Bottles just flow with very little effort.

Mothers who nurse, have a lessened incidence of reproductive cancers as well as breast cancers.
They also will stall ovulation by feeding their babies often and on demand, thereby allowing your body time to recover until your cycle begins once again. Many women experience no menstruation until a year or more into nursing.
Mothers that nurse their babies also are better mothers. They release a hormone that only nursing mothers have which makes them feel more 'motherly' toward their babies.
Breastfeeding forces you to take a break and bond with your baby.

There are different support groups available as well that are specifically for the nursing mom. La Leche League International provides local, mother-to mother support and even if you never become a member, they can still be helped with discussion groups and literature. I really loved being a leader but when I found they had ties with the United Nations, I no longer felt that I could support them with membership dues nor did I want to be associated with an NGO. However, as a 'quick fix' for questions to be answered and some real hands-on support, they truly are the most knowledgable.

Spiritually, you can take comfort in knowing that you are serving the Lord when you nurture your baby by breastfeeding. This was his perfect plan for mankind and every time you nurse, you can take a long look at your little one and thank the Lord for this wonderful gift!
Also, we must leave a landmark for those coming up behind us. We need to be those older women that can instruct the young ones and help them get off to a good start.

The Depression Deception
According to the website WrongDiagnoses.com, the following statistics show that ‘depression’ is a major malady in our American society today:
Prevalance of Depression: estimated 5.3% adults (USSG); 17 million people; approximately 4% of adolescents get seriously depressed (NIMH); annually 12% of women ; 7% of men; lifetime risk of an episode for women 20%. 3-4 million men USA.

http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/SAFETY/2002/Zoloft_USPI_rev4.pdf
http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2005/20031s045,20936s020lbl.pdf
http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2003/21434_xanax_lbl.pdf
The above links show package inserts to the most popular depression remedies used by millions of Americans, young and old, (Xanax, Zoloft and Paxil)
Mania, seizures, hallucinations, dizziness, vomiting, suicide, etc……All are just a few possible side-effects of using these anti-depressants.
The package inserts sound like a prescription for poison…basically, that is what the above named drugs are.

I read yesterday where 1 in 10 women will be ‘treated’ for depression using one of those drugs and that children as young as 3 ½ years of age have been prescribed for because of ‘extreme shyness’.
I don’t know about you but the idea of so many drugged people walking around with psychosocial disorders makes me a bit uneasy.

What is depression anyway?
According to Merriam-Webster the following is the definition for depression:
a psychoneurotic or psychotic disorder marked especially by sadness, inactivity, difficulty in thinking and concentration, a significant increase or decrease in appetite and time spent sleeping, feelings of dejection and hopelessness, and sometimes suicidal tendencies
In many ways, the cure sounds as bad, if not worse, than the disease.

I must confess, there have been many times when I would have liked to stay in bed, roll over and fall into a deep , possibly everlasting sleep! However, I have always forced myself to overcome these feelings with action. What I believe is this:
As a Christian woman, Satan will oftentimes try to disrupt my service to the Lord by throwing discouragement, sadness and guilt in my face . It’s what he does best to short-circuit a Christian’s walk.
As a woman, and a weaker vessel (1Pe 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honor unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. )I know that my body and my mind can fall victim to hormonal ups and downs, PMS, menopause, pride and illness, all these can cause any woman to react with depression at least one time or another. The concern is, is that you don’t snap out of it, thus becoming ineffective and totally inactive.
Inactivity is Satan’s dream for the saved woman (or man). People don’t hear the gospel when you’re too busy licking your own wounds.
When you are totally taken in by your own worries and fears, you hole up in your house and can’t talk to anybody without your focus on your own sadness, you have lost the battle and the enemy has won.
Wallowing in depression is SIN!
God has not abandoned you (Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?) Many times, it’s money problems-we get ourselves into a hole because we didn’t trust God to provide in the first place and then things fall apart, we blame ourselves, a spouse or maybe even the Lord and we get depressed!
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Many times, it is the thought of ‘what if’ that scares you into depression.
You dwell on what might have been or what you should have done and so the opportunity for the here and now fades and is replaced by the nagging worries of the future or the inability to cope with the details of the past. Either way, depression in that case is sinful because it becomes idolatrous. It steals faith from the believer and causes him/her to become self-centered in their own despair. You become the idol to yourself as you wallow in the mire of your own faithlessness.
Truly, I am no heartless monster. I only want to point out that as a Christian, depression MUST be thwarted through a closer walk with the Lord or your whole testimony is lost!
Depression is fearfulness. Fear is not of God( 1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love)
Fear is paralyzing and that is exactly what walking around in a depressed state does to you. It paralyzes your judgment, your actions and your service to the Lord.
Now what about chemical imbalances? There is always a possibility that poor nutrition, stress and a sedentary lifestyle can magnify problems because of the body’s inability to cope with stressors and to adapt to change. God is wonderful in that he created herbs and whole foods for us to eat so that we can nourish our brains and bodies. The more we stay away from processed foods, artificial colors and flavors, white sugars, and bleached flour, the better the chance we will be healthy in mind and body.

Stay away from ‘witch doctors’ who want to put you under the spell of their medicine magic. You may think you can just use a drug for a short time and get over the ‘hump’ and be back to your old self….but don’t believe it. The antidepressants are there to get you hooked and coming off of them can be a long, slow process that has risks of it’s own. Either way, anything that plays with your brain chemistry cannot be GOOD for you!

My conviction is this:

If you think you are depressed pray more, get into God’s Word more and ask Him to point out what it is in your life that is causing you to feel this way.
REPENT if there is sin separating you from God. There is nothing sadder than a Christian on the run from their Father! It’s a race you will NEVER win!
Feed your body with healthful foods and try soothing herbs to calm you (Chamomile, St. John’s Wort, Catnip are just a few.)
Get yourself up and OUT! Visit old folks in nursing homes, run an errand for a shut-in, go to the pound and adopt a pet to love you, do a good deed just to do it!
Whatever you do….don’t fall into the inactivity trap.
Witness to the lost, sing psalms and hymns, clean your church home…but DO…DO…DO!
Tell Satan to flee from you! Trust your Heavenly Father and thank Him out loud for all he has done that is positive!
Remember Job and count your blessings…most especially remember Christ on the cross and reckon that things in your little corner of the world could be a LOT worse!