Category: parenting

The Morning Thing celebrates Daughters!

Today is National Daughter Day. In honor of this special day and these special ladies, The Morning Thing shared some ways to celebrate.
Click HERE to see the history behind this special day from daysoftheyear.com and some great celebration ideas.

Some of our favorite ideas:
– Send a Card
– Call Your Daughter
– Arrange a Mother-Daughter Date or Father-Daughter Date
– Take a Getaway Trip with your daughter

We also shared 5 ways to tweak y our language to empower your daughter. Our words are very powerful. Today, as we celebrate the blessing of daughters, take a quick look at this great advice from imom.com
Click HERE to read the full article from Mary Jo Wyse.

Highlights from the article:
1. Unless you’re talking about a puppy, drop the word “cute.”

Find other words to describe her: cool, creative, innovative, thoughtful.

Find a word that more accurately describes what she’s done: dynamic, ingenious, perceptive, focused.

2. Use words that describe her abilities and contributions.

You are so imaginative, inventive, detailed.

Tell your daughter she’s powerful, clever, determined.

3. Encourage a mindset of growth and effort.

Strong daughters aren’t born strong. Rather, they grow into that strength. We can help by tweaking our words and our focus. Praising their effort (not the outcome) can empower girls.

Be realistic but encouraging: You’re tackling this challenge like a champ. By welcoming feedback from your teacher, you’re taking steps to learn. I like how your friend Sasha inspired your drawing.

4. Eliminate “perfect” and “perfection” in everyday conversations.

I don’t want my daughter growing up expecting perfection from herself, so making an effort to pick my words carefully now will help change her thinking and the demands she places on herself years from now.

Instead, use these words to encourage girls to keep at it, to work hard, and to rise above her setbacks: epic, fierce, brave, charismatic, conscientious.

5. Find new words to describe your daughter that might traditionally be used for boys.

If you want to empower your daughter, try to think outside the box.

As moms of daughters, let’s try to think about what words will build them up. Strong daughters are unafraid to go after their dreams, whatever they are. Tell yours she’s capable, goal-oriented, insightful, adventurous.

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Do you have a teen leaving for college soon? Want to stay connected?

Today on The Morning Thing, we talked about a very important parenting strategy – staying connected.
This is very important as your son or daughter prepares to leave for college.

We shared some encouraging tips from Focus on the Family and author, Cheryl Barker.
Click HERE to read Cheryl’s full article.

Here are some of Cheryl’s tips:

Before leaving for college –
1. Work on Face to Face communication
2. Ask open-ended questions. Avoid the “why” questions.
3. Go Beyond the Words. What does the non-verbal signs tell you?
4. Pray, pray and pray some more!

After leaving for college –
1. Meet their needs. Care packages and unexpected gifts are wonderful!
2. Build bonds. Get to know their new friends.
3. Make a Date. Get to know who they are dating. Support the new important relationship.
4. Embrace the Major. Go to the concerts, the games, the plays, etc. Participate in their activities.

At WNZR, we work with college students every day. This is a wonderful, but stressful time in their lives as they navigate the path to their future. We pray that you will find peace and direction through this transition. Remember, that we are The Lifeline. An encouraging word, song or message is just a click away!

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Want to save money on back-to-school shopping?

YES?! Us too!
Did you know that the National Retail Federation estimated families with children in elementary through high school would spend, on average, $890 per household. WOW!
Here are 10 ideas for smart shopping – money saving tips from imom.com

Click HERE for the full article.

1. Shop at home first.

2. Reuse last year’s backpack or lunchbox.

3. Use DIY locker decorations.

4. Shop secondhand for electronics.

5. Agree with your child on one splurge item.

6. Team up to buy in bulk.

7. Take advantage of discounts through digital resources.

8. Host a hand-me-down party.

9. Try consignment before shopping for new clothes.

10. Make a deal with your kids.

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The Morning Thing kicks off Mom’s Week!

This will be a special week on The Morning Thing. Today, we kicked off Mom’s Week – a week to honor and encourage Moms at all stages of life.

Today, we shared 5 ways to be a mentally strong Mom. Click HERE to see the full article from imom.com

1. Empower yourself.
To be a better mom and mentally strong in trying times, revise your default phrases. When you’re stressed or challenged, try these instead: I’ll rise above this. I won’t let this bother me. I’m human. I’m gonna do the best I can.

2. Be content with who you are.
Comparing ourselves to others in person or on Instagram steals our joy. Self-worth is built on contentment with who you are. If you want to be a better mom, start with identifying your own wonderful qualities instead of comparing yourself to others. Are you a good listener? Are you crafty and creative? Are you the best at making your kids laugh.

3. Let your mind wander.
Instead of scrolling your phone when you have downtime, try turning inward. Think about your experiences and look for solutions to your problems. Building mental strength takes effort. Sometimes that means facing the hard or challenging thoughts we’d rather choose to avoid. But the payoff comes with being a more thoughtful mom.

4. Be on the lookout for progress.
In this moment in your life, you may feel frustrated with your child. But instead of holding her to standards you’ve read about or seen in your friend’s child, shift your focus to small, measurable goals. You’ll not only be a better mom, but you’ll build mental strength because you’re feeling hopeful rather than defeated.

5. Lay your head down more.
Getting more sleep will help you be mentally strong on those days when your kid refuses to get dressed or your teenager blames you for not waking him up for school. When you’re sleep deprived, you’re much more likely to lose your cool. Stixrud and Johnson say, “[S]leep deprivation decreases your flexibility, weakens your ability to see things in context, and impairs your judgment.” Getting a good night’s sleep can help deliver the patience we need in a heated moment.

imom.com also has 7 quick prayers of encouragement for moms. Print this one off! 🙂

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The Morning Thing celebrates National Family Day with some ways you can strengthen your family

Today in Canada, they will celebrate Family Day. This day was established with the purpose of bringing relatives together, strengthening family ties and celebrating the importance of family. 
Click HERE to read more about the history of this special day and find some ways that you can celebrate (from Days of the Year).

The Morning Thing decided that since the USA was celebrating a holiday today (President’s Day), it would be a good day to focus on the family. They shared 5 ways to strengthen your family. We hope you try an idea today, while most families have the day off.

Click HERE to see the list created by the Department of Homeland Security.

  • Work on good communication skills. Focus on listening and understanding what your family member is trying to say. Carve out time to work on communication skills by putting away phones and other devices at the dinner table so you can interact with each other.
  • Establish traditions, values, and goals together. If you have already developed some family traditions, do your best to continue what you started. Sit down to discuss and reinforce values, invent new traditions, and plan how you will accomplish goals together.
  • Try new things together. Play a new board game, discover a new craft, or try different foods. Choose a night each week for movies and games. If you have children, let them help make decisions about new things to try.
  • Connect with distant family members. Make time to connect with long distance family members by phone, email, or video calls. Staying in touch with people outside of your home will help you feel more connected to them.
  • Stay active. Physical activity can help reduce stress. Have a family dance party or set family exercise goals, schedule weekly walks together, or create competitions to see how many pushups or jumping jacks each of you can do. These activities can create moments of bonding.
  • Laugh together. Find things to do that will make you laugh. Choose a funny movie to watch together, read a favorite book, or tell each other jokes.

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The Morning Thing shares ways to make Valentine’s Day sweet for your family

Valentine’s Day is next Wednesday! YES – 1 week away!
Today, The Morning Thing shared some fun ideas on how to make this day extra special for your family.

Thanks to imom.com for their wonderful and creative ideas!
Let us know if you try any of the ideas. We would love to share your family’s story!

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Fun Fall Activities that you can Enjoy in Ohio!

WNZR does not endorse or support any events or entries on this list. We recommend that each family or individual use their own discretion before participating or attending.

Fall officially kicked off on Saturday, and Ohio is so beautiful in the Fall. Of course, there are so many fun things that you can do in the fall, like apple picking, exploring a state park, trying out new fall recipes, and having fun with your family.

Ohio.org has a list of 100 fun things to do in Ohio during the Fall. Check out this list HERE for some ideas for your family!

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It is National Family Day! How will you celebrate?

The 4th Monday in September is National Family Day. The National Center on Addiction declared National Family Day in 2001 as a way to combat substance abuse among teen. Their research shows that teens who ate meals with their families were less likely to fall into substance abuse.

Click HERE to read more about this special day.

Taste Of Home has 90 Quick and Easy Family Dinner Recipes! Click HERE to see the full list.
Marcy shared a few today on the show:

Enchilada Casser-Ole!

Breaded Ranch Chicken

Marcy and Judah also shared some fun ideas and traditions that your family can do now that Fall is here!
Click HERE for a great list of ideas from imom.com

We hope that you can find time today to sit down to dinner with your family.
We also pray that you will take time every day to celebrate your family! They are a precious gift from God!

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Today is National Care for Kids Day. How will you celebrate?

National Care of Kids Day is held annually on September 20th and gives us an opportunity to positively impact a child’s life.

Here are some easy ways to celebrate (ideas from National Day Calendar):
– Donate to your favorite children’s charity.
– Volunteer with a children’s service organization.
– Make an in-kind donation. This can be a service, supplies or other needs a charity requires.
– Share stories about amazing service organizations, volunteers or children.

When you celebrate, be sure to use #CareforKidsDay on social media.

The Morning Thing shared some inspiration from Crosswalk.com for this special day.
Here are 4 godly ways to care for your child’s mind, body and spirit:
1. Reject the World’s Ways – ”Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).

2. Have the Wisdom to Give Them Healthy Choices – If you’re like most confused and frazzled parents, God understands and promises: “…If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

3. Have Courage to Overcome Negative Emotions, Starting with Yourself – The words parents say, the expressions they repeat and the attitude they convey can either bring life into their children, or bring death to their sense of security. Proverbs 18:21, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue.”

4. Emulate Boldness to Make Them Warriors – We emphasize God’s purpose for their lives.

Click HERE to read the FULL article.

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Making the most of mealtime with your family

Did you know that families who eat a meal together are happier and healthier? Perdue University’s Extension Nutrition Education Program encourages families to make mealtime family time as you cook, eat, and talk together! This can build your family’s relationship, promote healthy eating, foster your children’s sense of family stability, save money, develop everyone’s cooking skills, help your children develop important social skills, and even let everyone try new foods.

Click HERE to learn more from Perdue University Extention Nutrition Program.

Need some cheap and easy dinner ideas for your family? We shared some recipes from Country Living. They include pictures of every recipe so you can see what amazing food you can make You may even have some of these ingredients in your pantry now so you could even try one tonight!

Click HERE for 68 cheap dinner ideas for families from Country Living.

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