Bible Book Club
Donate

Blog Category

Susan on TV

55 posts from Susan Merrill.

Parenting

Delayed Gratification and the Marshmallow Experiment

If someone put a marshmallow in front of your child and told them to wait to eat it…for 5 minutes…for 10 minutes, could they do it? What if they were promised double the marshmallows if they waited successfully? Delayed gratification. Just the sound of those two words may make you want to run out and grab everything you possibly can now…before it’s to late! Recently, Grow Up: Parenting Wars with John Stossel aired an episode on the FOX News Channel about the benefits of delayed gratification. A study shows that mastering the “art” (or discipline) of delayed gratification at a young age can provide a greater probability for success later in life – in relationships, finances, etc. As a parent, I was excited to be a part of the segment. I think it is really important for moms to understand this concept. If you child can’t delay eating, they will fight weight gain. If they can’t delay video games, they will fail at homework. If they can’t delay gratification, they will struggle as an adult. I want to provide my kids with the best opportunities for future success that I can. Do you? If so, look to the marshmallow experiment…and …

Read Post →

Parenting

Home Alone Rules for Kids

Eventually there will come a time when your kids will have to stay home alone. Make sure that they are well-prepared with the right safety tips in mind and the right phone numbers to call if necessary. Use these resources from iMOM to give you more peace of mind when your children are home alone. 10 Simple Rules for When You’re Home Alone Home Alone Rules By State When Mom’s Away Planner Home Safety: Leaving Your Child At Home

Read Post →

Parenting

Family Football Fun

What time is it?!?? FOOTBALL TIME! Use our iMOM Family Football printable to make this weekend’s game your next fun family night! Whether you enjoy the game or or the food that comes with watching the game, you will have a grand ole time.

Read Post →

Love This

Apple Pie Comfort Food

Apple Pie. Nothing smells better on a chilly day than cinnamon and apples bubbling in a toasty crust. It’s not exactly chilly yet, but that smell will transport you to sweater weather in no time. Ultimate Comfort Food. Nothing says home, love, mom like apple pie. Simply Delicious. Is also easy to make, inexpensive, and freezable. I usually make 3-4 at a time. What You Will Need. If you want to get into apple pie making–I make them for every Thanksgiving Day and Christmas company dinners every year–then I recommend you invest in this: Apple Peeler Corer. I got mine from Williams Sonoma for about $30. It was a good investment and has lasted for years. About the Crust. Don’t be intimidated. No point when you can use Pillsbury–I do–they are yummy. Buy in 8 pack at Sam’s Club or watch for the BOGO during holidays. About the Apples. Mix it up. Not all apples are good for pies. I try to buy a mixture of at least 3 types of apples for my pies and have used the following: Golden Delicious Rome Beauty Jonathon Jonagold Granny Smith (not too many though–very juicy and tart) Cortland Pippin Decor. With an …

Read Post →

Parenting

5 Mom Lessons You Can Learn from Little League Coaches

1. Tune in and take time. As a coach you must tune in to the emotions of your players. Take the time to talk to your child. 2. Expect kids are not little adults. Remember they are just learning the game of life and expect errors. 3. Play loose. A good coach, and a good mom, helps kids keep challenges and competitions in perspective by not putting pressure on them to win at all costs. 4. Have fun. If we can get our kids to play loose, we have to follow suit and remember to have fun with our kids. 5. Win or lose… A good coach will treat his team the same way in victory or defeat.

Read Post →

Encouragement

Mom’s Secret Life

While a mom is keeping up appearances, buying groceries and driving carpool in her SUV, major problems that can destroy a family can easily brew under the surface. So how can you, as a mom, protect yourself from developing a dangerous secret of your own? Set up and respect important guardrails that can save your life, even when you seem miles away from trouble. This video addresses preventative methods for alcohol addiction, drug addiction, online/social media dangers, and anorexia.

Read Post →

Parenting

Forgiveness Lessons for Kids

Your children will mimic exactly what they see. Your role as parent is to lead by example. In this case, you are called to practice forgiveness instead of walking away angry from situations. Remember these guidelines to keep the practice of forgiveness alive and well in your family. 1. Show forgiveness to your children 2. Model forgiveness in your marriage 3. Practice forgiveness in community and school relationships 4. Show forgiveness in extended family relationships

Read Post →

Parenting

Teaching Children Patience

Teaching your kids patience. It sure doesn’t come easy, but it’s an important lesson you’ll teach your kids for the rest of their lives! Use these simple actions to help your child or children develop patience. Start a Conversation: In the calm moments, ask your child important questions like, “Why do you lose your patience?” “How?” Make a Plan to Play: Camping is a great way for children to learn that the best things in life take patience. Plan an indoor camping trip and live like old-time pioneers. In this way, they get to “experience” having to use their patience. Never Stop Learning: Moms can learn a lesson in patience too! In teaching your children patience, you can learn how to love your child with patience.

Read Post →

Parenting

6 Things to Teach Your Child Before They Leave Home

My fourth graduated from high school last night. You would think I would have this down. But as I prepared to do this Daytime TV segment I realized, oops, I missed a few things. Good thing this one is a boy and little better at winging it! Learn to cook a healthy meal, and the cost eating out. Manage health and illness. Save and invest. Take care of your car. Learn to clean and do laundry. Have a healthy distrust of strangers.

Read Post →

Encouragement

The Best Way to Support an Adoptive Family

The process of adopting a child can often be daunting in itself, though the real journey for an adoptive family starts after the child comes home. It’s wonderful if you want to support an adoptive family, but be sure to keep these 6 things in mind. 1. Give them space. It’s important to allow the family bonding time with the child, so allow them the space they need to do that! 2. Watch your words. Kids are always listening, so be mindful of what questions you are asking. 3. Respect their privacy. Try to avoid asking prying questions about the child’s history. 4. Embrace honesty. Don’t judge the parents by any frustration that they may be walking through – it’s a difficult process! 5. Bring the community to them. Support the parents! Offer to make them a meal and drop it off. That is always greatly appreciated. 6. Respect their parenting methods. There will be trials that parents need to learn to correct in their own time.

Read Post →