thank you for all of the thoughts about seasons and different kids and bedtime routines. This is very helpful!

Good idea!

What kind of motivation are you talking about? :bigear:

maybe try going to "edit" and then "advanced"

Is it better to wake them after a shorter amount of time?

Poll: For my kids (ages 5-10) to get up at 8:30 AM they need to be asleep by (on average). And if you want to add when to start getting teeth brushed, jammies on and other stuff, our bedtime has always been a mess...

Part of my problem with DD is that she has catastrophic thinking, so if I make it too difficult, she will give up altogether. I need to break it down into easier bits.

Thank you. I was trying to get an idea of reasonable times.

This is great! Thanks!

:lol: Well it is kinda necessary on this board isn't it? I am wondering if breaking it up will work. 3 school subjects= 1/2 hour computer time. 3 more school subjects= 1/2 hour tv. Playing outside or with brother= 1/2 hour tv. Maybe giving a ticket for each. What do you think?

My kids are 5 years apart, so I think I am okay with her watching his shows, but my husband thinks screen time is bad for her mental health. Period. So I am beginning to question this.

What is it? or what would you recommend? If you don't use a reward system for screen time and are opposed to it for whatever reason... Keep those thoughts to yourself. Thank you.

:grouphug::) I seem to disagree for sake of clarity. I think it may be the Aspie in me.

Yes, and no matter how many people misrespresent that, I love Him.

Jennifer, that is why we don't go to a church. Too many churches misuse the Bible... one of the issues for us is the terrible marriages that result from trying to follow a twisted headship model as taught in churches. I don't want my daughter exposed to that. (We might still find a church. We are still looking. ;)) But as for the sword, I know what that means. When I was free to talk to my sister, she came to visit and spent the whole time trying to talk me out of being a Christian. Now I rarely hear from her. Her choice. When I call I get voicemail. My mother, father, and brother have completely cut me out of their lives just because I worship Jesus. They did it, not me. Last time I visited my parents I said that I was just there to love them and check on them and see if they were okay and my mom said, "never do this again". They use that sword scripture as a weapon, thinking it is something that they are supposed to do... but I don't think Cindy meant it that way at all.

The purpose of the Bible is to testify Jesus Christ and lead us to Him. If we are not led to Him then our reading is useless. John 5:39-40. I used the Bible as a guide when I wasn't a Christian. The Bible does nothing without God's Spirit. I get very, very uncomfortable when I see people praising the Bible. "The Bible brings me such comfort." I saw someone post a Bible hugging someone in a picture... I see people saying that we should get our answers from the Bible... etc. NO! Don't you see? The cults have the Bible. They are missing God's Spirit. Scriptures that Christians post to give comfort didn't do much for me, they didn'tring true. God was not there to help me. I was alone. He was not leading me by still waters. He was not giving me strength. But with God's Spirit that does change. The Bible does bring comfort. His Spirit bears witness with my spirit as to the meaning. My spirit sings with communion with Him and our spirits rise together inside me. And yes! He does lead me, comfort me, strengthen me just as the scriptures say... I know that those who have not experienced the Bible without Him just don't understand. If we are lead to Christ, then we continue reading, but His Spirit teaches us. 1 John 2:23 His Spirit strengthens us, not the Bible.

:iagree::grouphug:

I am not picking on you, or assuming that you all disagree... just clarifying. But I do believe that the words in the Bible are from God. Taking God at His word has changed my life, and this rebirth has caused me to be MORE loving and LESS judgmental because I listen to Him and His Spirit instead of a church's interpretation. I can't manage myself. Fortunately I don't have to. I just have to fall on Jesus. Titus 3:3-5 and my joy comes from Him. Galatians 5:22 When I had religion but not Jesus, this is what I thought. Now I do have my best life now. Because communion with Christ is better than any human relationship. Because His Spirit provides everything He promised. Freedom, peace, love, joy, strength, help comfort... NOW. And I cannot overcome my sins without the help of His Spirit and I will not expect someone else to. True, but the guilt is there for a reason... to bring us to Jesus. Galatians 3:24 :glare: I have never understood that. It still makes me mad. But the whole world is condemned! It does not matter how much we try to do what is right, we will still be condemned. we can never follow enough rules to gain God's favor! It is impossible! John 3:18

How does he explain socially awkward people who went to school?

:thumbup:

Some religions really do teach hate.

Oh, sorry, I should have noticed this earlier. http://pastorbrendan.blogspot.com/2012/04/quit-sticking-your-morality-into-my.html http://www.worldvieweverlasting.com/2012/04/04/3377/ Check out my blog. I learned that there is ONE mediator between God and men and one teacher. (1 John 2:27) Jesus was pleased enough to give me His Spirit when I decided to listen to no one but Him, so I am not about to change that, until HE tells me otherwise! I honestly don't know if homosexuality is a sin that all Christians should try to avoid. I do know that we are transformed from the Spirit inside, not from our own efforts or imposing rules on the outside. God does want Christians to share their faith, but He is the one that cleans people up the way He wants them, and He knows what is best for each person, and the timing of these things. 2 Corinthians 3:18, Galatians 3:3 I don't need to worry about it.

I am a Christian because I belong to Jesus, not because I belong to a church (I don't). :iagree::001_wub::D

AMEN!:thumbup: