This picture above makes me smile. I love to laugh... and be encouraged. I was asked to review the Encouraging Moments Newsletter from Eternal Encouragement Magazine and this was the top picture in one of the newsletters. It is how I feel on many days. This is a branch of HomemakingWithTeach.com. Encouraging moments is a free newsletter you can sign up for by going to the upper right corner of The Gabby Moms page. Each one includes an 'encouraging word' at the beginning and then the following sections contain links to savings on their website, videos called Chick Flicks for Moms, Facebook snippets and links to tips on the website. The encouragement includes topics in the areas of homemaking, moms, marriage and parenting.
Here's the thing....I actually felt a little bit preached to. (I'm willing to admit that this could be about me and not the newsletter.) One section of the newsletter links to Chick Flicks for Mom. There was one video I did enjoy that talked about not responding to whining. But in another she spoke about how obedience isn't obedience unless they are joyful. Maybe it is because I have a special needs child and things don't look the same. Maybe because Andrew is 2 or 3 years old emotionally in a 10 year old body that when I hear these messages I feel more guilty than convicted. Because we are working toward improvement and some day my child WILL say, "yes mom. It would be my pleasure." But you can't MAKE a child be joyful. And if you get a joyful tone and it is not real then it doesn't really count in their heart which is what you are going for. Maybe I'm just in a different place or because it is NEVER simple for us. There were other videos too and most I didn't care for. This isn't the 'all' of the newsletter but many of the articles are toward this end as well. The typical never seems to work when your kid isn't. It seems that there are many that very much enjoy these videos- and sometimes I just dance to a different drummer- and it has been a very long winter where we are in survival mode. So don't take my word for it. Please go check them out yourself. I'm just being real with you for where I am currently 'at.' People have been known to disagree with me in the past. {smile}
There are some nice links in these newsletters to articles which you might find useful and it appears that typically there are coupons and savings codes for items in the store. There are some good looking recipes on the blog that I might try. The newsletter is free so you are out nothing by subscribing.
If you have a typical kid you really might find encouragement from these newsletters. Even if your kid isn't typical..it costs nothing. You can see what others thought by going to TheGabbyMoms.com.
I am reviewing Encouraging Moments as an official member of The Gabby Moms blogging program for Eternal Encouragement magazine. I did not receive compensation for this post and all opinions are solely my own.
8 comments:
Thanks for your review. We are in the midst of winter, too. And it's been L-O-N-G. I am craving some sunshine, for sure! I, too, find myself untypical, for different reasons. Yet, sometimes, as you stated, I, also, feel as if I "march to the beat of a different drum".
I appreciated your review--honest and real.
Take care,
Jada another Gabby Mom
Love the pic...made ME laugh...Thanks for your encouragement! HUGS!
We can only change the outward response not the inward...that's God's job. Yet as moms it is our job to "try" to touch their hearts!
But I hear what you're saying!
fellow Gabby Mom
I completely understand not being typical. I'm in that place in many different areas, but I'm okay with that. ;)
I'm sorry that you're having such a rough winter. (((hugs)))
I have two children with some sort of diagnosis, so I truly understand where you're coming from on this. Parenting a special needs child is totally different than parenting a "typical" child. Thanks for your honesty in your review.
Some things are different, when having a special needs child. But our goals should still be the same...it may just take a lot longer to get there with our children. God is faithful!
Julieanne (fellow Gabby Mom)
http://www.JoyInOurJourney.com
Love the picture! That is me, many days :) I love the honesty in your review. I don't have special needs children so I have no idea how you feel, but I can imagine it can be difficult to find things that work and are supportive of your situation. It sounds like you are doing a great job, Amy. Nobody is a better mother to your children than you :)
When I hear of families with special needs children I always think, "Wow- those must be some special parents in God's eyes to be given such a task." He counts you worthy of such a high calling of parenting special needs- that takes above ordinary parenting! One thing I have heard Lorrie emphasize time and time again is that God will give you the tools to parent your specific children. So if you take no other encouragement, I hope you can take that! Thank you for your honesty and I will be praying that your load is lightened and the spring is coming soon!
MacKenzie
Head Mama
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