Mothering From The Heart - Aug. 14, 2013

One of my friends has an 8 month old daughter and I am writing to ask a question for her. Her daughter is going through a really tough time with separation anxiety and has always had a tough time napping at consistent times. For these reasons, she really isn't going to church because her daughter always wants/needs a nap during the service time and if she is awake, she doesn't feel comfortable leaving her in the nursery because she gets so upset. I want to encourage her but I'm not sure how. Do you have any advice for her during this season? 

 Audrey and GraceAnna- I have been so blessed by your radio program. Thank you so much for all of your helpful advice on motherhood. I am planning on coming to your mothering from the heart seminar in September. Can't wait! I started listening to you all while I was on bed rest this past June before I delivered my second child. From your radio program and God's conviction, I have realized I have been going with the current involving working full time and balancing motherhood. Unfortunately my husband and I have some debt we need to pay off in order for things to be more comfortable financially for me to stay home with the children. My son just turned 2 and my daughter was born 3 weeks ago. I have always wanted 3 children if that's in God's will for us. I work for a wonderful ob/gyn office that gave me excellent care in my pregnancy. My question is....do you think based on all of my circumstances it would be wise to continue working to pay off debt and working towards having my third child in order to ultimately stay home with all my children? Of course I will be seeking God's answer to this question but would love your opinion as well. Thank you!

Hey Audrey! I'd love to hear suggestions for Scripture memory with kids (mine are 5yo and under)... Do you have ideas for helping non-readers memorize? Thanks! I can't tell you how much I love and appreciate your practical godly advice!! Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

Love, Zoe

Since moving to Beaufort a year ago, I have been so encouraged by your ministry towards women and I look forward to listening to MFTH every week. Thank you for all that you do!! My husband and I are a military family. We made the choice, by God's leading, to leave our extended family in Atlanta and go where the military sends us for a period of time. Now we are at a point of deciding if we should stay in the military or leave. One of the main factors that we are considering is our young children's interaction with grandparents and extended family. We have a good relationship with our family and most of them are strong believers who would be a good influence on a younger generation. How important is interaction with grandparents and extended family in children's lives growing up? What are your thoughts about raising children away from these role models?

I would love to hear you speak on making practical mothering decisions like how long to nurse and letting your child cry it out, etc. I know these are mostly personal/family decisions but I feel like there are so many "experts" out there and so much mixed information. I would love to hear how you wisely made decisions like these. On a separate note, I so desperately want to raise my son to know and love God but feel a little like I'm shooting in the dark with the "boy" part of it and what he needs to shape him into the man God has called him to be. I don't really have an older woman in my life that I can look to as an example on this and didn't grow up with brothers my age. How did you learn how to raise your sons to be Godly men?