Childrens Ministry Edition

Contact: Shera VJauan Riley Office: (310) 807-5795 [email protected] www.newsongla.net twitter: newsongchildren

June 2012

Grandparents Can Share the Faith

In todays mobile, diverse society, several factors are affecting childrens relationships with their grandparents. Long-distance grandparenting is common because fewer people live near extended family members. At the same time, however, theres an uptick in the number of children being raised by their grandparents. And thanks to the increase in blended families, some kids have more than two sets of grandparents.

POWERSOURCE
ASK GOD: 1. To be with all your extended family members, whether nearby or far away. 2. To bless grandparents as they share their faith with your children. 3. To help you nurture the heritage your children receive from older relatives.

Regardless of how often your children see their grandparents, the older generation has many valuable stories, lessons, and values to share. Most importantly, grandparents can become involved in their grandchildrens spiritual journey. The best way to start is by just being involved in childrens lives. Talk to them about things that matter. Spend time with them, either in person, on the phone, or via e-mail or Skype. Do activities that kids enjoy and get to know their interests, their friends, and their dreams. Most importantly, love them, hug them, and pray for them. Share faith through your interactions, and let grandkids know theyre a blessing from God. INSIGHTS 31% of adults are grandparents. Of that number, 8% provide day care on a regular basis, and 3% are rearing a grandchild. (AARP) 6.2 million U.S. households are multigenerational. (grandparents.com) 72% of grandparents think that role is the single most important and satisfying thing in their life. 63% say they can do a better job caring for grandchildren than they did their own children. (grandparents.com)

Read more:http://www.grandparents.com/gp/content/opinions/from

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. (Psalm 145:4) Grandchildren are the crowning glory of the aged. (Proverbs 17:6)

TEACHABLE MOMENTS
1. Walk and TalkStroll around the neighborhood with your grandchildren and share reflections of your childhood, church, and God. Read aloud Deuteronomy 6:6-7 and talk about why God wants families to spend time together. 2. Pass It OnFood is a great gift from God to be shared in all sorts of ways. Share your heritage by teaching grandkids how to prepare a special family recipe. Begin a new family tradition on holidays. You can even share what you create with other people who might appreciate a homemade treat.

Talk to children about the importance of passing on a legacy of faith:

1. What do you enjoy most about being with your grandparents? What do you wish you could do more of with them, and why? 2. What are some lessons youve learned from your grandparents? What have they taught you about God? 3. What do you think it will be like to be a grandparent someday? What will you want your own grandkids to know about you?

FAMILY EXPERIENCE
Use these activities to reinforce the important role of grandparents:
Lifted HigherHave a grandparent lie down on a blanket. Then have a
child grab a corner and try to pick up him or her. Add a new child to each corner for each new try. Then switch roles and have an adult try to lift a grandchild on the blanket. If needed, have another adult grab a corner. Read aloud Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Ask: How did you feel during this experience? Who was easier to pick upa child or an adult? Say: Its easier for an adult to carry or lift a child. God has given adults the special privilege of carrying children closer to him and his Word. Close in prayer, thanking God for the ways grandparents support us and our faith. Spotlight InterviewOne of the best ways to learn about people is to interview them. Within our own personal histories, we can see Gods hands at work. Grandparents and grandchildren can connect in meaningful ways by conducting fun interviews of each other. First, set ground rules, such as no interruptions and no commentary. Next, determine the recording format, whether low- or high-tech. Finally, brainstorm questions. Examples include: Whats your first memory? Whats your most valuable possession, and why? Whats your favorite book? Whats been the happiest moment of your life so far? What did you do for someone else today/this week/this month? What did/do you like the most about school? Whats the most memorable birthday or Christmas celebration youve had, and why? Then ask away!

3. Stay ConnectedThe book Grand Days (Group) is filled with dozens of ideas for sharing faith moments between grandparents and grandkids. The projects, games, and outings will work whether grandparents are nearby or far away. Theyre also ideal for older adults who serve as stand in grandparents in a church or neighborhood.

MEDIA MADNESS

MOVIES
Title: Brave Genre: Animated adventure Rating: Not yet rated Cast: Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Craig Ferguson Synopsis: In this first girl-centered Pixar film, Princess Merida wants to blaze her own trail. When shes granted an ill-fated wish, she must learn all about true bravery. Our Take: This movie can spark family discussions about individuality, dreams, and goals.

MUSIC
Artist: One Direction Album: Up All Night Artist Info: This U.K.-based boy band, also known as 1D, got their start on Simon Cowells X Factor. The five members, ages 18 to 20, now have throngs of fans, from preteens to moms. Summary: What Makes You Beautiful, the up-tempo pop single about inner beauty, was a charttopper. Our Take: Although many songs focus on relationships, One Directions lyrics are clean overall.

CULTURE & TRENDS

More dads-to-be are being toasted at Dadchelor parties, for one last male-bonding hurrah before diaper duty begins. (ABC
News)

Bike helmets are becoming so trendy that kids wont argue about wearing them. New lids look like brains, disco balls, unicorns, and more. Accessories such as mohawk strips also make head protection look extra cool.

GAMES, SITES & APPS

Title
Double Fine Happy Action Theater Minecraft

QUICK STATS
Rating & Platform
E; Xbox 360/Kinect

Content
These 18 interactive scenes will bring parties and family night to life. Players can swat balls, feed birds, create art, and have tons of virtual fun. This wildly popular game is split into day and night cycles. Players focus on survival while building elaborate structures. This site, created by Sesame Street for military families, allows parents and children to share pictures and play games together in real time.

Rating pending; PC, Android, iOS, Xbox 360

73% of kids ages 6 to 11 say learning to share, be kind, and help others is just as important for life success as learning to read, write, and do math.
(prnewswire.com)

Families Near and Far

FamiliesNearandFar.org; Best for children who can use computers (with supervision)

85% of kids say theyve listened to music with parents in the last week. (Youthbeat, C+R Research) One in 10 new fathers experiences postpartum depression. The risk peaks when babies are between 3 and 6 months old. (online.wsj.com)

This page is designed to help educate parents and isnt meant to endorse any movie, music, or product. Our prayer is that youll make informed decisions about what your children watch, listen to, and play.

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