Parenting with Love and Logic: April 14 - June 2
Parents: Develop a better relationship with your child. This seven-week parent training program, designed by the Love & Logic Institute, helps parents and children establish rewarding relationships built upon love and trust. Feel more confident as a parent, have more fun parenting and feel more relaxed at the end of the day! This course is designed to give you practical skills that can be used immediately -- skills that are useful in working with kids of all ages. Instructor: Danette Braun

Wednesdays, 4/14/10 - 6/2/10 (no class 5/26)
Time: 6:30 - 8:15 p.m.
Fee: $50/individual, $85/couple
*Childcare available
Register by email: logicallyyours@sbcglobal.net
or phone: 414-771-2512

Flyer with complete information to view, download or print [here]

From parents who have completed the Love & Logic training course taught by Danette Braun:

• “One of the most important things we learned from the Love & Logic class was how to parent with compas­sion. Often, we were getting so caught up in the lesson to be learned that we forget to empathize with our chil­dren. We have a better relationship with our children and with one another as a parenting team.”
• “The support and laughter shared with other parents in the group is invaluable!”
• “Danette Braun is an excellent teacher. She shares many examples of how to put the Love & Logic tech­niques into practice.”

 

Photos of Superbowl Party Feb. 7
The Fellowship Committee sponsored a Superbowl Party on Sunday, Feb. 7. The event was open to the congregation, and a good time was had by all! Final score: New Orleans Saints 31, Indianapolis Colts 17. Photos of the event are below.
(Click image to enlarge)

 

Supporting Parents of Teens - Weekly "Food for Thought"
Unable to attend the Sunday morning gatherings? Stay connected through the Weekly Goal, offering reflections and suggestions for building stronger relationships with our teens.

Week of March 7: Push the Limits

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it. -- 1 Corinthians 10:13

I know what a lot of you are thinking -- "Paul must have been thinking about parents of teenagers when he wrote this." Certainly it is an encouraging message for all of us, a clear reminder to look to the Lord for strength during difficult days & years and keep things in perspective. 

But when I heard this passage in the readings on Sunday, my first thought was that this is a message for the teens. They will be tested in many ways during middle and high school years - academically, socially, physically, emotionally, maybe even financially. They will face many decisions, often without the benefit of a parent looking over their shoulders. They are just beginning to discover who they are, apart from their authority figures. If they're lucky, they will have lots of opportunities to learn about self control and how to set limits for themselves before heading off to college or post high school plans. Once they reach that age, the kids who've had a lot of practice in these areas tend to navigate the bigger world with a little more ease and fewer expensive, painful experiences. We can help them be ready for that stage in life by guiding them to set their own limits whenever possible as teenagers. For instance, one parent in our group used to negotiate curfew each night, rather than imposing one set time. She did it by asking questions like, "What time can I expect you home tonight?" or "How much time will it take for you to get home after the game?" She had no problems with her kids coming in after curfew when they were setting their own limits in this way. She and her husband continued to be reasonable about curfew as long as their kids were reasonable. 

Try to find ways this week to share the limit setting responsibility with your teens. Have fun!

Wishing you peace, Danette
Supporting Parents Of Teens

 

Week of Feb. 21: Wilderness Experience

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. -- Luke 4:1

The first sentence of Sunday's gospel reading reminded me of parenting. Ask any parent who has been through the teen years more than once and they will tell you that no two teenagers are alike. Each young adult's journey through the teen years is a unique adventure, taking us into unknown territory, a new wilderness. As Pr. Gary stated in his sermon, the wilderness experience presents a time of testing, struggle, discernment and spiritual growth. How do we face the stresses in a way that leads to spiritual growth? The best defense is a strong offense - in a word, scripture. Get into the Word and find encouragement to trust God and be certain of God's faithfulness for you and your teen. Emerge from the wilderness with valuable survival skills.
Yours in Christ, Danette
Supporting Parents Of Teens

 

Week of Feb. 14: Go With Us to the Plain

Sunday's gospel reading was one of my favorites - Luke 9:28-36, the transfiguration. Jesus takes Peter, John and James up the mountain to pray. While Jesus is praying, his appearance changes -- his face glows and his clothes become dazzling white. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appear and start chatting with Jesus about the events that are about to take place in Jerusalem. Then Peter is overcome with excitement and says something to the effect of, "This is so cool! All of you here together! Let's quick build a house for each of you so that we can stay here forever!!!"

I totally identify with Peter in this story. His enthusiasm is like a little kid who thinks this is the BEST MOMENT EVER!!! Do you ever feel that way with your kids? I've had that feeling triggered by certain events -- when a good report card came home, when a daughter decided to spend less time with a certain friend, even just a sweet smile after a scowly week. And something in me wanted to say, "This is so good. Please stay just this way always." 

And yet the story in Luke doesn't end there. In Jesus' story that there is great suffering on the horizon.  But on the other side of the suffering, Jesus gave a gift to us that was far greater than the moment that Peter wanted to preserve. Without the suffering, there would have been no resurrection. This complete story - from the transfiguration to the resurrection - compels us to have hope that whatever is on the other side of our current struggles will be better. As Pr. Margaret said in her sermon, "Where God is leading us is someplace greater than where we are, than where we can imagine." As we face a variety of worries with our teens, we ask God not to keep us on the mountaintops but rather to go with us to the plain, trusting always that what is on the other side will be better.

How good, Lord, to be here! Yet we may not remain;
But since you bid us leave the mount, come with us to the plain.

Peace, Danette
Supporting Parents Of Teens

 

Opportunities
Is God calling you to serve in a new way? Consider these options:
Transitions - Over 6 years ago, Cathy Laszewski, along with the St. Matthew's Youth Director at that time, saw a need for a safe place for parents with teenage children to meet and talk about the issues they were facing during these exciting, ocassionally tumultuous, years. Within a few short months, Supporting Parents of Teens was launched. Cathy has generously shared her experience with this group as a parent and teacher, making it possible for many of us to truly enjoy our teenagers. Cathy's kids are now adults and she is being lead into different areas of ministry, so this will be her last year of actively participating in SPOT. As such, we will be looking for someone to fill Cathy's shoes in assisting me with leading the Sunday morning discussions. Please give it prayerful thought.

Alterra Nights - Would anyone be interested in being the coordinator for SPOT Alterra nights? Generally, we like to schedule one Sunday night a month at Alterra from 7-9 p.m. All that is required is setting a date and being there to share some conversation with other parents. There are usually 3-4 parents in attendance.

Blessings, Danette

 

Family Movie Night photos
Families gathered at St. Matt's on Friday, Nov. 13 for an evening of fun and entertainment -- with the showing the Disney animated comedy, UP (rated PG). The families enjoyed fellowship, fun and food. Photos of Family Movie Night, November 2009 are in the Congregational Photo Album online [here].

 

 

Family Camp 2009
Family Camp was held the weekend of August 14-16, 2009. This year’s Family Camp participants, the largest group yet, enjoyed a wonderful weekend with great weather and good fellowship, as well as camping activities such as crafts, games, swimming, boating and bonfires (s’mores, too). Pastor Chris and Donna Manke led the weekend at Imago Dei’s Pine Lake Camp near Waupaca. Photo gallery of the 2009 Family Camp [here].

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