To view the Northbrook Church website, click HERE
You are welcome to join our group at any time. Please register at the Welcome Table!

November 2: Helium: The Lighter Side of Parenting

Today, our speaker shared three very important thoughts about/for moms.  
1. You are valuable:
  Eric kept referring to Psalm 127:3, which states, "Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him."
  He made the point that God trusts you and values you enough to give you the gift of your children.  
  He said that if you were to add up the monetary value of all you do as a mom (housekeeper, nanny, driver, laundry, dishwasher, events coordinator, etc, etc), you would make $125,900 a year!! 
  However, as a mom, we are most often paid with the kisses, hugs, and affection we get from our children. 

2. You are treasured:
   Eric showed us a bunch of the "treasures" he has received from his children, including handmade crafts, little notes/cards, drawings, etc.  These are the things that should be held onto and treasured.  
   He shared that a study found that teenagers admit that parents are still the biggest influence in their life.  So, we are treasured and valued by our children.

3. Treasure your role as a mom and the time you have with your children:
Eric's wife, Michelle, shared a devotional about being a busy, stressed out mom.  This devotional compared the daily tasks of motherhood to stringing beads.  You spend time stringing the beads only to have them all "fall off" again at the end of the day.
   She told us that at times we should take a break from the cleaning and chores to spend some one-on-one time with our kids (coloring, playing, being silly, just enjoying our time together). 
   We need to seek out God's plan and agenda for our children and families.  Hear God say, "by serving these little ones, you are serving me".  
   Try not to get so wrapped up in the "stuff" that you forget what's really important.
   Finally, find ways to let God impact your life and your family.  One practical tip that Michelle shared was this: When she is ironing, instead of grumbling and complaining about doing a task she hates, she chooses to ask God to bless the person whose clothes she is ironing.  What an interesting and different perspective!

Remember, that you are TREASURED and VALUABLE!!!!  Take some time today to enjoy your little ones....we all know they grow up too fast!!






October 19: Foundations of the Universe: Teaching Kids the Bible

Today, Elizabeth Murphy shared an amazing talk on "Teaching Your Kids the Bible".  Here are some of the highlights of her talk:

1. Teach Yourself - establish the routine of a personal time with God (in his word and in prayer).  Find a time that works for you and your schedule.  Children will model what you do!
2. Teach the Truth - when a child asks a question, it's okay to say, "I don't know" or "Will you look it up with me?".  Scripture is the source of answers!  Also, teach children that they are accountable to God, not just mom/dad.
3.  Teach with Stories - you can teach biblical principles through books and stories.  You can find big principles and broad applications in books/stories.  Some recommended books include: Read Aloud Bible Stories by Ella K. Lindvall, Big Thoughts for Little People by Kenneth N Taylor, The Runaway Bunny, Even If I Did Something Awful by Barbara Shook Hazen, and If Jesus Came to My House by Joan Gale Thomas
4. Teach with Tools - hymns, object lessons, devotional books, etc
5. Teach big picture
6. Teach prayer - you can teach kids to pray using this model:
   A - Adoration ("I Love You" prayers)
   C - Confession (I'm Sorry" prayers)
   T - Thanksgiving ("Thank You" prayers)
   S - Supplication ("Please" prayers)
7. Keep on Teaching - Don't ever stop teaching!

October 5: Need to Grow: Healthy Eating

Today, we learned SOOO much about nutrition and healthy eating (for us and our kids).  Our speaker taught us some wonderful tips about making food fun for picky eaters, involving our children in meal preparations, reading labels, and rules for healthy eating.
Some ways to make food fun for picky eaters include naming a food your child helps create (such as "Dawn's Salad" or "Peter's Sweet Potatoes), cutting a food into fun and easy shapes with cookie cutters, encouraging your child to invent and help prepare new snacks or sandwiches, and jazzing up the taste of veggies with low-fat dressings or dips.
Some "label traps" to watch out for:
 "Reduced Fat" = more sugar and same/more calories than full-fat equivalent
 "Lite" = only 1/3 fewer calories than regular
 "Good Source" = 10% of RDA for that specific vitamin or mineral
 "High in Antioxidants" = only needs to have 10% of RDA for vitamins A,C,E or selenium
 "Trans-Fat Free" = can have up to 1/2 gram of trans-fat.  If partially hydrogenated oil is listed on ingredients, there is some trans fat in the product.

Some other great tips included: let kids help (buying food at the store, preparing the meal, setting the table), turn off the TV and eat with family whenever possible, limit juice to 4-6 oz per day, make it easy for kids to make healthy choices by having them available in the house, and BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL!!!

Julie's 6 rules for healthy eating:
1. if you can't pronounce the ingredients, pass it up!
2. Apple pie is NOT a fruit
3. DON'T be a member of the "clean plate club"; stop eating when full
4. a moderate diet is a healthy diet
5. choose WHOLE foods
6. eat at least 3 meals a day and plan ahead

For more nutrition information, visit the following recommended websites:
www.mypyramid.gov
www.eatright.org/public
www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov
www.healthierus.gov
www.nutrition.gov
www.womenshealth.gov
www.foodallergy.org

Kick-Off

After a 4 month break, it was so nice to see all of you again!  We had a wonderful morning together for our 2010-2011 MOPS kick-off.  The morning began with a funny skit, put on by members of the steering team, which introduced the MOMology theme.  As we enjoyed a nice breakfast, served right at our tables, there were some brief announcements and introductions.  Then, the co-coordinators of our group lead us in an exploration of "Boredom Busters".  They shared a "recipe" for home-made bubbles and then we all got a chance to make our own "ice cream in a bag".  Following a brief talk about motherhood and the impact/importance of MOPS, we were dismissed to our small group time, where we got a chance to meet our new Discussion Group Leaders, Mentors, and the fellow moms in our group.  Join us again on October 5th, when we will make a fabulous craft and hear about healthy eating!  Oh, and join us for a picnic lunch following our morning's program!  See you there!

2010 - 2011 MOPS


 In 2010, MOPS invites you to join in the learning process as together we explore Momology: The Art and Science of Mothering.
Mothering is both art and science.  It combines all of who we are to shape healthy, resilient kids.  Mothering is so complex it requires both sides of our brain - not to mention our hands and feet, eyes and ears, mouth and (sniff, sniff) unfortunately, sometimes even our noses!
There's the scientific side of mothering where we develop a hypothesis based on certain principles, test that hypothesis in real-time, consider the results and decide what parts worked and what parts didn't.  We keep refining our hypotheses until we find what works for us.
Intertwined with the scientific, mothering requires an artistry that shades with our personality, colors with our unique gifts, and blends past and current experiences.
Northbrook MOPS is so excited to kick-off our theme on Tuesday, September 21st @ 9:15 am.  To see this year's speaker schedule, click on this link (2010-2011 Speaker Schedule).  If you are interested in joining our group, you can download a registration form by clicking on this link (Registration Form).  You can also register at the "door".  Hope to see you at MOPS this year!!