Flourishing During A Time of Waiting

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I’ve posted before about my search for employment, and it’s coming up to six months now, which seems like a handy time to reflect on the journey. I hope the lessons I’ve learned through this time will be of help.

• Tell people you trust
• Ask for help if and when you get stuck
• Ask for prayer. Prayer from friends and other believers is the main reason that I have left the initial emotional upheaval and negativity behind me, and moved on to acceptance and trust in God to provide work at the right time.
• Be prepared to consider options that have previously been out of the question, such as family daycare or other paid help. Question your previous convictions and take counsel.
• Don’t go to war with your spouse. This last point needs some expansion, as I have not posted about it previously. I am embarrassed to admit that have been (silently) at war with my husband for at least half of this time. Once our initial financial crisis eased, I did not see any reason for me to return to work, so I stopped looking. We had brief, painful discussions about this (both of us hate confrontation), and I reluctantly started searching and studying again. I am sorry now that I gave him such a hard time and added to his stress; I wish I had trusted that he was not my enemy, but that he had our family’s best interests in mind.
• Consider whether you need to update your skills, and if so, what is the most efficient method: work experience? going back to study? volunteering? something else?
• Trust that God has your situation under control, and wait on him to provide His best for you in His good time.
• Enjoy the journey! Make the most of the time you have with your children; put your heart into your study or work experience; do the best with what is in your hand right now.

Have you been looking for work? Did you flourish or just survive during that time of waiting? What would you do differently next time?

Not so well right now...

How does one write a sick note for a blog audience?!?

"Dear ___,
Sorry I couldn't post this week, I've been unwell.
Hope to get back to work again soon.
sincerely,
Penny"

I guess that will have to do. Apologies if you noticed my absence!

Place Me Like a Seal Over Your Heart

Jesus speaks these words quietly, asking for my total devotion.

Starting Family Daycare: Part 2

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Two months after indulging myself in a good cry when my kids started at family daycare, I thought it was time to reflect on how that part of our life is going, and to give you an update.

Back then, my biggest concerns were my youngest child’s adjustment and napping, and my middle child’s safety.

Are You a Christian Doormat?

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Do you fit the profile of a Christian Doormat? 

You say nothing when people insult, offend, or take advantage of you. You are tensed and stressed for days if you are forced to disagree with someone. You would run a thousand miles to avoid conflict, and other people think of you as ‘nice’ or ‘sweet’.  

On the inside, though, you are angry and resentful at the amount you are required to swallow and overlook each day. Sometimes, you explode, and you always feel guilty about how strong your emotions are. As a Christian, you know you are supposed to forgive, and you wonder why it is always you forgiving the other person, and why does the other person rarely apologise?

Chore Training for Preschoolers

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I started this series by outlining why and how I start chore training for toddlers. Today, I am looking at continuing chore training for preschoolers: children age 3-5. 

While chore training for toddlers is about introducing the tasks in a positive way, chore training for the preschoolers is about building competency, independence, and self-discipline. 

Florence Littauer : Personality Plus for Parents

Florence Littauer's Personality Plus for Parents is in my top 10 parenting books, along with the Babywise Series, Good and Angry, Don't Make Me Count To Three, and Terrific Toddlers.