Proactive Parenting During the Holidays

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #148, Proactive Parenting During the Holidays, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Proactive Parenting During the Holidays

In “Proactive Parenting During the Holidays,” Episode, #148, Meredith Curtis addresses parenting challenges over the holidays and how to overcome them with confidence. She also explains the opportunities holiday celebrations provide to parent proactively: instilling values and creating a sense of family identity. Take ground this holiday season to impart wisdom and joy into your precious sons and daughters. You won’t regret it.

 

 

 


 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!


Show Notes

But Cousin Fred says that word?

I don’t like when Aunt Freda squeezes my cheeks?

Why do I have to give up my bed to grandma and grandpa?

Can I have a third piece of pie?

Holiday Challenges for Parents

Time with family members who have different values

Sugar Rush

Busy Schedule

Financial Concerns

A lot of chaos and activity—can disengage

How are you training your children—the holidays will reveal it!

Extended Family

Older folks

The American culture in the 21st Century

Replacing disrespect with honor and communicating value

Greeting, Rising, Giving up Seat, Giving folks with walkers plenty of room, being quieter

Family stories

Create a memory for your children of folks that won’t be there in their adult years—photos, special tablecloth, traditional foods

Using the Holidays to Instill Values & Virtue

Value elderly—virtue

Value extended family—virtue loyalty

Value giving—virtue generosity

Value serving—virtue servant-heart

Value what others have to say—value humility

Using the Holidays to Instill a Sense of Family Identity

Traditions

  • Thanksgiving: Kernels of Corn, Traditional Dishes, Games/Sports
  • Advent devotions, Christmas Unit Study, Decorating Tree Night, Christmas caroling, serving, church plays, making Christmas presents, birthday party for Jesus
  • Traveling Dinner, Christmas devotions, sing “Happy Birthday”, family dinner

Strategic Scheduling

  • Rest alternate with busy
  • Choose from many options
  • Bake/cook ahead and freeze
  • Get shopping/wrapping done early
  • Christmas school

 

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Resources

Be proactive this holiday season! 😊

Celebrate Thanksgiving by Meredith Curtis Christmas Thoughts and Prayers Journal by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with a traveling dinner by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette Jesus Fill My Heart and Home by Meredith Curtis

Christmas Unit Studies

Celebrate Christmas in Germany Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas with Cookies Unit Study by Meredith Curtis Celebrate Christmas in Colonial America by Meredith Curtis

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

FW Radio - Podcast #55 - Start Strong and Finish Well With Christmas Traditions FinishWell Radio, Podcast #077, Learning from the Pilgrims & Puritans Finish Well Homeschooling Podcast, Podcast #103, Happy Birthday Creator-King, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #124, Create Treasured Memories with a Christmas Unit Study, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network


 

A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor:  Courageous Movie

 

From the Kendrick Brothers, creators of the No. 1 box-office movie WAR ROOM and OVERCOMER, comes the remastered re-release of COURAGEOUS Legacy, in theaters September 24. Celebrating 10 years of impact on families and fathers, this updated version of the film includes new scenes and an enhanced look and sound.

Filled with action-packed drama, COURAGEOUS Legacy will once again have viewers laughing, crying, and cheering as they are challenged and inspired by everyday heroes who long to be the kinds of dads that make a lifelong impact on their children. Protecting the streets is second nature to these men. Raising their children in a God-honoring way? That’s courageous.

Check out the trailer here!


Reclaim Thanksgiving

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Reclaim ThanksgivingReclaim Thanksgiving

Podcast #61

Where did Thanksgiving go? Too often, Thanksgiving gets skipped right over. October 31st – Halloween – November 1st Christmas! Let’s reclaim Thanksgiving and learn about what makes this holiday so special. Take time to enjoy this holiday with your family. Reclaim some of your childhood family traditions. Create some new traditions with your children. Study the story of pilgrims and their journey to America. Don’t miss out on this special time to celebrate family and heritage.

Some Thanksgiving traditions:

Traditional foods.

Of course Thanksgiving today revolves largely around the Thanksgiving Day meal. Traditional foods include turkey, stuffing, gravy, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, lima beans, mashed potatoes, corn and cranberry sauce. Many people serve pie for dessert at the end of the meal. Popular pie flavors are pumpkin, pecan, sweet potato, and apple.

The Wishbone.
Some families include breaking the turkey’s wishbone as part of their celebration. The wishbone is found attached to the breast meat in the turkey’s chest. After the meat has been removed and the wishbone has had a chance to become dry and brittle, two people each take one end of the bone, make a wish, and pull. Whoever ends up with the larger part of the bone gets their wish!

After the Meal Traditions

TV – Macy’s Parade, Dog Show

Football, or other outdoor activities

Turkey Trot 5k

Games or puzzles

NAPS!!! Of course, a lot of people enjoy a Thanksgiving nap!

Newspaper sale ads – checking out the Black Friday Sales…

 

See great ideas for your Thanksgiving and Fall season on our Fall Pinterest Board here

Fall Recipe Board

You can see a little history of the beginnings and evolution of the American Thanksgiving holiday here

BOOKS TO READ:

Cranberry Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in the Woods

Milly and the Macy’s Parade

 

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A Christmas to Remember

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

A Christmas to Remember

Podcast #40

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” Luke 2:8-15

 

In this episode, Florida Parent Educators Association’s (FPEA) Chairwoman, Suzanne Nunn talks about the importance of passing on family traditions. Why it’s important to remember where our family traditions came from. This season, spend some time looking back on your family traditions and maybe create some of your own. It will be a special season of creating and remembering. Make this a Christmas to Remember. 

Check 0ur Pinterest Board for lots of Holiday Ideas and Inspiration.

Please join us as we travel along this journey on our podcast adventure. Let’s get connected! Learn more about the Florida Parent Educator’s Association and homeschooling in the beautiful state of Florida.

Visit www.fpea.com to learn more about who we are!

 

Some Great Christmas Movies to watch with your family!

Creating New Traditions

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Creating new traditions is on the agenda for Roadschool Moms in Episode #158. The replay is a live recording by the Roadschool Moms team from the road. Kimberly Travaglino, co-founder of Fulltime Familiesbroadcasts from on the road in Mobile, Alabama. Across the country, Mary Beth Goff, the Road Trip Teacher calls in from west central Indiana. The OTR duo are together for the 5th of 6 shows in their annual holiday mini-series. Hit the replay to hear more creating new traditions for your family during the holidays.

 

Creating New Traditions in Six Steps

Family traditions create wonderful memories for children to pass down to their children. But what happens to holiday traditions when you sell it all and go on the road to live in a few hundred square feet? Repurposing and remodeling these comfortable and cozy memories if you leave your expectations at the door. Creating new traditions is the best way to celebrate a new lifestyle while creating new memories.

Create a new tradition around a common idea or event is.  Such as,  going to see The Nutcracker or a version of Scrooge. Christmas programs such as those are live productions in all areas of the country. So create the tradition around that one idea, going to see Nutcracker for example, no matter where you are in the country. Expand on that to fit your family. Maybe you make lasagna or some family favorite meal before you go. Or, maybe you find the best deep dish pizza in town wherever you are located before going. An alternative to this is going TO THE MOVIES on Christmas Day, the day after Christmas – each year, a few movies are released on Christmas Day. That is another easy way to create a new tradition. The point is:  Find an idea and make it your own.

  • Decorate the RV
  • Plan an annual trip to see The Nutcracker no matter where you are in the country
  • Advent calendars are a perfect holiday remembrance no matter where you live
  • Celebrate the 25 Days of Christmas with a basket of holiday reading alouds
  • Immerse the whole family in Christmas Around the Country

 

 

 

More about Roadschool Moms

Looking for a roadmap for your next learning adventure? Scroll through the RSM library on iTunes to find more than 150 podcast replays.

Homeschool enrollment is on the rise. As a result, more and more families are moving into a home on wheels. Further, the Roadschool Moms record this broadcast to present resources that meet the challenges of today’s roadschooler. Kimberly Travaglino, co-founder of Fulltime Families, and Mary Beth Goff, the creator of Road Trip Teacher, team up every week to offer listeners a fresh take on homeschooling while traveling full time across America’s backyard.

Roadschool Moms:  Season 11


Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!


We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor Sony and their new movie, The Star, the Story of the First Christmas – Coming in Theaters November 17th!

Visit TheStarMovie.com to learn more.


Start Strong and Finish Well With Christmas Traditions

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

FW Radio - Podcast #55 - Start Strong and Finish Well With Christmas TraditionsIn “Start Strong and Finish Well with Christmas Traditions” with Meredith Curtis, Episode #055, Meredith shares ways to establish Christmas traditions that work for all ages and will be enjoyed by the whole family now and in the future. She shares specific traditions that her teens loved long after childhood was over.  Traditions can be used to celebrate God’s goodness, instill godly character, and refresh our spirits—Meredith puts traditions through that filter. She also shares how to ebb and flow with traditions, as children grow up and have families of their own.

Curtis Family Christmas Traditions

Merey Christmas from Merey & Laura. We want to bless you this Christmas with a copy of our Christmas devotions, Curtis Christmas Family Devotions. Download your copy FREE on our JoyfulandSuccessfulHomeschooling.com website on the Free E-book Gifts Page.

 


Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor, Kiwi Crate!

 

We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, Kiwi Crate!

KiwiCo has monthly subscriptions of hands-on projects that make learning fun! Their core offering is projects that make learning about STEAM — science, technology, engineering, art, and math — accessible and are designed to spark creativity, tinkering, and learning. Some recent favorite crates are the Slime Lab, Physics Carnival, and Paper Circuits.

Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network is excited to be able to offer you the chance to try them for FREE. To learn more about their projects for kids ages 2 to 16 AND to redeem this exclusive offer, click here to get your first month free today (just pay $4.95 for shipping)


Show Notes

Baking cookies with Mom.

Christmas Traditions are Awesome & Fun!

Celebrate God’s Goodness/Bringing the Story Alive

Blog Post: “The Wonder of God’s Love at Christmas” http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/the-wonder-of-gods-love-at-christmas

Blog Post: “Christmas Traditions: The Traveling Dinner” http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/christmas-traditions-the-traveling-dinner

Teach Truth & Cultivate Godly Character

Blog Post: “’Tis the Season to Be Generous I” http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/tis-the-season-to-be-generous-i

Blog Post: “’Tis the Season to Be Generous II” http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/tis-the-season-to-be-generous-ii

Blog Post: “Christmas Tradition: Shoebox” https://powerlineprod.weebly.com/blog/christmas-tradition-shoebox

Establish Family Identity

Blog Post: “Living, Loving, and Learning at Christmas” http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/living-loving-learning-at-christmas

Be Refreshed

Blog Post: “Keep Christmas Well” http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/keeping-christmas-well

Start Strong

Be Proactive

You are Creative (don’t believe Satan’s lies)

Think in terms of honoring Christ

Blog Post: “Christmas Traditions: Advent Wreath” http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/christmas-traditions-advent-wreaths

Blog Post: “Christmas Tradition: Caroling” http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/christmas-traditions-caroling

Think in terms of fun for all ages

Blog Post: Christmas “Picture Books to Read Aloud” http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/christmas-picture-books-to-read-aloud

Never too late to start.

Traditions can be silly.

Blog Post: “A Very Barbie Christmas” http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/a-very-barbie-christmas

Persevere

Stay the Course

Make Family Time a Priority

Keep it Simple

Blog Post: “Simple Gift-Giving for Christmas” http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/simple-gift-giving-for-christmas

Blog Post: “Simple Christmas Pleasures” http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/simple-christmas-pleasures

Blog Post: “Financial Sanity at Christmas” http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/financial-sanity-at-christmas

Keep it Fun

Be willing to Let Go if It Saps Life, rather than brings Life or Adapt

Blog Post: The Family Christmas Photo http://www.meredithcurtis.com/blog/the-family-christmas-photo

Finish Well

Merey’s Easter Basket Story

Our Children Always Need Our Love

Allow Children to Take Over Traditions they want to Take Over

Pass the Baton

Be Willing to Let Go and Try New

Remember the Wonder of Christmas

The Birthday that Cut History in Two

The Wonder of God’s Love for His Enemies

The Reason we Sing, Dance, and Rejoice.

Christmas Resources

Christmas Resources

Celebrate Christmas with Cookies by Meredith Curtis

 

 

Merry Christmas!

 

 

FW Radio – Christmas Traditions Teens Love

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

fw_028_christmas_smChristmas isn’t just for little kids! Teens love Christmas too! Listen to teens share their favorite ways to make Christmas meaningful and fun! You just might find some new Christmas traditions to add to your family’s celebration this season.

MBFLP 92 – Family Unity

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

MBFLP - Family Unity

If sibling rivalry is the negative side of family relationships (see previous episode!), family unity is the positive! The Bible uses so many illustrations of family life to describe our relationship to God and to each other in the church, it’s worth the work to build those positive, joyful relationships at home. This episode, we’ll share concrete examples of things we found helpful keeping a family of ten heading the right direction (and all together).

MBFLP – Celebrating Thanksgiving

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

MBFLP - Celebrating a Christ-Centered ThanksgivingHolidays are meant to be times to remember and celebrate God’s work in the lives of our family and nation, but too often we let the celebration overrun the memory. This episode we talk about how to make your family’s Thanksgiving more meaningful – and more fun, too!