I've never liked the "Growing Kids God's Way" series or the methods they teach. I've known a few families who swear by them and have tried to influence us in taking the Ezzos' advice but it just never sat well with us.
I hesitate to say that I have learned nothing from the Ezzos. Some of their discipline methods have worked with our children as they got older. But mostly I can say that I've learned what not to do from them.
Here is a link to a blog post written by one of my favorite authors. She has very eloquently put into words what I and many other people have always felt.
Here's a tip for the many new moms out there who might be reading right now: When our firstborn, Nate, was an infant I hated scheduling and was made to feel like a failure by some of my friends who thought he should be allowed to "cry it out" (controversially called the Ferber method) or that I held him too much or nursed too often. I hated scheduling but I didn't wan him to rule my universe either! I was sad and depressed and absolutely sure I was the worse mother in the world! Hetee and I were miserable and needed help.
When Nate was about 5 weeks old I was given a book that saved my life: The Baby Whisperer, by Tracy Hogg. It was about routines NOT scheduling. I read it and learned to apply it and it has been the basis of my philosophy in training all 3 of my children as infants. I have also helped countless Mongolian couples to successfully apply it as well. It works for people like me who are a bit more laid back and willing to take the time and try to understand why our baby is crying, and who don't mind nursing for comfort not just for nutritional purposes. (scowl)
If you're in the "new mom" stage of life I really recommend "The Baby Whisperer"! It taught me to connect with my baby (and other babies I have helped). Buy the book; thank me later. They're not paying me to say that, believe it or not.
As our kids got older, we began implementing advice from a wonderful couple whose parents we know. Phil and Cynthia Phillips' parenting material has been a huge help to us and to many Mongolian parents as well. We were given their materials years ago and asked to translate them. Pray that can happen soon!
Here's one last link I would like to leave you with, if you're interested in learning more about why others don't trust the Ezzos. I'm not 100% against them and, like I said before, I probably at some time or another implemented their advice with some success. But I'm glad I followed my instincts and went against the grain when I did.
What are your thoughts?
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
What's been making me smile...
- Walks in the snow with my lovely children and soaking up the warm rays of the sun!
- Teacher's Day today! Yay!
- Kenny talking and talking and talking
- Meeting Charlotte, Les, and Skyla, our new friends
- The way my kids and husband devour my homemade version of Ezekiel bread
- My 3 babies, all freshly bathed and asleep in their beds
- Nate's double-wide front tooth gap
- Another set of twins saved from abortion! Not born yet, so pray for them!
- God's supernatural provision for His children
- Abi praying Lobo (my parents' dog who went astray) home. She prayed every day for about a week and sure enough, he came home! When we told her she was like, "Well, duh. I prayed, you know!"
- A full house for Sunday service. I had to stand in the doorway with several other people the past 2 Sundays.
- Making plans for our time in S'pore and Malaysia!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Modern Talking Mongolian Style
I came to Mongolia when I was 16. Before then I had never heard of ABBA, George Michael or these guys:
Modern Talking
It didn't take me long to realize that Mongolians love these musical gems (and to start humming along to their songs!). My friend Amanda and I roll our eyes because every year around Christmas the "Last Christmas I gave you my heart" song (by George Michael) makes it to every radio station everywhere you go. They play it over and over in the departments stores like Christmas music. Second and third graders learn it in English class and sing it loud and proud. It's really sickening.
So, the other day I was taking a microbus (synonym for "sardine can") to another part of town when the guy that lets people in and out at the door, started singing along to"Touch By Touch" by Modern Talking. It was one of those moments when I just wished Amanda or Hetee could be there so we could have a good laugh. Alas, I was alone and quite sure I looked like a weirdo myself, trying to stifle the giggles.
Ok, so this was one of those "you had to be there" stories but in order to give you a better picture of what I saw, picture someone like an old grungy, Mongolian looking truck driver singing in a high pitched voice "Touch by touch, you're my all time lover. Skin to skin, come under my cover."
I know, it kind of made my skin crawl, too.
Too funny!
Modern TalkingSo, the other day I was taking a microbus (synonym for "sardine can") to another part of town when the guy that lets people in and out at the door, started singing along to"Touch By Touch" by Modern Talking. It was one of those moments when I just wished Amanda or Hetee could be there so we could have a good laugh. Alas, I was alone and quite sure I looked like a weirdo myself, trying to stifle the giggles.
Ok, so this was one of those "you had to be there" stories but in order to give you a better picture of what I saw, picture someone like an old grungy, Mongolian looking truck driver singing in a high pitched voice "Touch by touch, you're my all time lover. Skin to skin, come under my cover."
I know, it kind of made my skin crawl, too.
Too funny!
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sanctity of Human Life
Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. Prov. 24:11
In keeping with the theme of "Sanctity of Human Life" week, I've put together a little post that I hope will encourage you.
Take heart! People are listening and they are choosing life over death.
The following pictures were taken during a time of prayer and dedication of 2 babies who wouldn't be here today had their parents followed the advice of relatives and doctors and aborted them. Instead, both babies are alive, thriving, full of potential and with a whole destiny ahead of them!
This baby's mom is a single mother. Her cell group leader helped her see that abortion is wrong. She was abandoned by the baby's father when she refused to have an abortion. She received prenatal vitamins and support and is still going strong today despite the difficult circumstances in which she lives.
As I looked out over the room full of outstretched hands I couldn't help but think of the irony. Her main concern was that she would not have anyone to support her and stand by her. But now, she had a whole church praying and supporting her in her decision to have and raise her child in the ways of God.
This next couple was pressured to have an abortion because of the poor health of the mother. She had kidney problems, among other things and was told she would never be able to have children. Once she became pregnant the doctors told her they'd have nothing to do with her because they feared for her life. She was discouraged but found hope in the church community (we've got tons of those stories!). Right before delivery she went for a check-up and the doctor apologized for being harsh before; that she was healthy and there was obviously nothing wrong to make them fear like that. So, not only was this baby saved from abortion but the mother was apparently healed, too. She had a perfectly successful delivery and has been in perfect health since her little girl was born 3 months ago!
I can't tell you how happy I am that this guy's mom decided not to abort. She had all the reasons and the paperwork for it (back in communist times they had to have special permission papers) but she chose life instead. If not for my mother-in-law's bravery and stubbornness, my husband and my children would not be here today, proclaiming the truth, as living testimonies to life in the womb.
In keeping with the theme of "Sanctity of Human Life" week, I've put together a little post that I hope will encourage you.
Take heart! People are listening and they are choosing life over death.
The following pictures were taken during a time of prayer and dedication of 2 babies who wouldn't be here today had their parents followed the advice of relatives and doctors and aborted them. Instead, both babies are alive, thriving, full of potential and with a whole destiny ahead of them!
This baby's mom is a single mother. Her cell group leader helped her see that abortion is wrong. She was abandoned by the baby's father when she refused to have an abortion. She received prenatal vitamins and support and is still going strong today despite the difficult circumstances in which she lives.
As I looked out over the room full of outstretched hands I couldn't help but think of the irony. Her main concern was that she would not have anyone to support her and stand by her. But now, she had a whole church praying and supporting her in her decision to have and raise her child in the ways of God.
This next couple was pressured to have an abortion because of the poor health of the mother. She had kidney problems, among other things and was told she would never be able to have children. Once she became pregnant the doctors told her they'd have nothing to do with her because they feared for her life. She was discouraged but found hope in the church community (we've got tons of those stories!). Right before delivery she went for a check-up and the doctor apologized for being harsh before; that she was healthy and there was obviously nothing wrong to make them fear like that. So, not only was this baby saved from abortion but the mother was apparently healed, too. She had a perfectly successful delivery and has been in perfect health since her little girl was born 3 months ago!
I can't tell you how happy I am that this guy's mom decided not to abort. She had all the reasons and the paperwork for it (back in communist times they had to have special permission papers) but she chose life instead. If not for my mother-in-law's bravery and stubbornness, my husband and my children would not be here today, proclaiming the truth, as living testimonies to life in the womb.
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