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By Admin with contributions by Courtney Rosenfeld

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Helping your children develop healthy habits is a cornerstone of effective parenting. Embodying the values you wish to instill creates a living example for your children to follow. This journey involves more than just setting rules; it requires fostering an environment where children feel empowered to make choices that benefit their well-being. From education to physical activity, every aspect of daily life offers an opportunity to teach resilience and adaptability.

Pursue Your Educational Goals

One of the most powerful ways to inspire your children is by pursuing your own educational dreams. If you’ve been considering pursuing a college degree, now might be the perfect time. Online programs offer the flexibility to balance studies with other commitments, allowing you to learn at your own pace. Whether you’re interested in information technology, business administration, or healthcare management, achieving your educational goals can set a powerful example for your children. It shows them the value of lifelong learning and the importance of balancing personal and professional growth.

Create a Flexible Learning Space

Creating a nurturing environment that evolves with your child’s developmental stages is crucial. By designing a flexible learning space, you provide your child with the opportunity to explore, make mistakes, and learn from them. This approach supports their current needs and prepares them for future challenges by promoting resilience and adaptability. Involving children in the design and decision-making processes of their surroundings empowers them and instills a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Teach Good Hygiene

Leading by example in personal hygiene is a powerful way to instill lifelong healthy habits in your children. By consistently practicing routines such as bathing, brushing teeth, and wearing clean clothes, you promote both physical cleanliness and mental well-being. These habits can boost self-esteem and confidence, as presenting oneself well often positively influences how others perceive us. Moreover, these routines can serve as calming rituals, providing stability and reducing stress in daily life.

Have Fun as a Family

Incorporating regular family activities that promote physical health can transform healthy living into an enjoyable and essential part of your family’s routine. Planning activities like hiking, biking, or playing sports together fosters a love for fitness and strengthens family bonds. Engaging in these activities can help instill a lifelong appreciation for physical health in your children, as they see exercise as a fun and shared experience rather than a chore. Setting specific and achievable goals, such as walking for 30 minutes three times a week, can make these activities more structured and rewarding.

Guide Children Towards Mindful Eating

Creating a nurturing mealtime atmosphere is essential for helping children develop mindful eating habits and a healthy relationship with food. Reducing distractions and focusing on the meal enables your child to better recognize their body’s natural hunger and fullness cues. This approach supports their physical health and enhances mental well-being, as mindful eating is associated with improved overall health. Involving children in meal planning, such as allowing them to choose between a few vegetable options, can boost their interest in trying new foods and make them feel more engaged in their meals.

Foster Open Family Communication

Creating a safe space for open dialogue within the family is crucial for guiding your children toward making lifelong healthy choices. Establish moments dedicated to conversation, where children feel secure expressing their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment. Demonstrating empathy and actively listening can significantly enhance trust and openness, which are crucial for resolving conflicts constructively. Overcoming challenges such as generational gaps and cultural differences requires patience and a commitment to fostering understanding. In today’s digital age, setting boundaries on technology use is vital to maintaining meaningful interactions and emotional connections.

The journey of guiding your children towards healthy choices is a profound and ongoing commitment. By integrating education, physical activity, and open communication into your family life, you lay a robust foundation for their future. Your actions today will echo in their lives, shaping their ability to make informed and beneficial decisions. As they grow, the values and habits you instill will serve as a compass, guiding them through life’s challenges with confidence and resilience.

Discover the heartwarming stories that bring people together at Our Angels Table today!

Guest Post by Courtney Rosenfeld

Advocating for vulnerable children requires a collective effort from individuals, nonprofits, schools, and organizations dedicated to making a meaningful difference. These children often face challenges impacting their safety, education, and overall well-being, so addressing their needs with compassion and action is crucial. By combining resources, expertise, and community support, advocates can create initiatives that empower and protect young lives. This article explores diverse ways to champion these efforts, offering strategies to uplift and improve outcomes for vulnerable children.

Supporting Children’s Mental Health: A Collaborative Approach

Ensuring children have access to mental health support is crucial for their overall well-being. Schools play a pivotal role by integrating mental health curriculums and offering resources like counselors and community programs; collaboration between schools, families, and mental health professionals is key to creating personalized strategies for each child. If you’re inspired to make a difference, consider pursuing a psychology degree to gain the skills needed to support children in need. Online programs offer the flexibility to balance studies with other responsibilities, enabling you to contribute meaningfully to this crucial field (check this out).

Empowering Children with Technology Education

Incorporating technology education into the lives of vulnerable children can profoundly impact their future by providing them with crucial skills for the digital era. By focusing on areas like coding and digital literacy, these educational programs ensure children are prepared for a rapidly evolving world. Organizations offer courses with significant tuition assistance, enabling most students to enroll for free, thus eliminating financial barriers to learning. This initiative helps bridge the digital divide and equips children with the tools needed for future careers in technology, fostering empowerment and independence.  

Equipping Communities with Mobile Health Units

Mobile Health Units (MHUs) offer a dynamic solution for delivering essential medical services to children in remote or underserved areas. These units, known as Mobile Health Clinics (MHCs), are designed to be adaptable and mobile, providing timely healthcare in emergencies and routine care in isolated communities. By integrating into the community and utilizing local resources, MHCs improve access to healthcare and help bridge the gap in health disparities for vulnerable children. MHCs open their doors directly into communities to provide tailored, high-impact, affordable healthcare that responds dynamically to the community’s evolving needs.

Enhancing After-School Programs for Vulnerable Youth

Investing in after-school programs is crucial for supporting vulnerable children, offering them a safe space to develop essential life skills. These programs, especially in economically disadvantaged areas, often face challenges like underfunding and high staff turnover. By advocating for increased financial support from the public and private sectors, you can help ensure these programs provide high-quality developmental experiences. This support is vital for fostering resilience and social-emotional learning among youth. Research highlights the importance of structured youth-adult interactions and reflective engagement in these settings, which are key to positive youth development.  

Organizing Engaging Fundraising Events

Hosting charity auctions or raffles with donated items or experiences is a powerful way to support vulnerable children. By tapping into the generosity of businesses and individuals, you can collect attractive prizes that draw participants and enhance fundraising efforts. A popular option is the 50/50 raffle, where half of the proceeds go to the winner and the other half to the cause, making it a simple yet effective method to engage donors. With the rise of online platforms, online raffles have become increasingly popular, reaching a wider audience and boosting awareness of your mission. By organizing these events, you raise essential funds and build a community of supporters committed to improving the lives of children in need.

Advocating for Children’s Mental Health

To effectively support vulnerable children, securing funding for mental health research is essential. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides grants to enhance mental health services for children with serious emotional disturbances. By investing in targeted research, you can contribute to developing more effective interventions than universal approaches, as demonstrated by recent studies. This research can guide policy and program development, ensuring resources are efficiently allocated to meet the specific needs of these children. Ultimately, such funding not only aids in their transition to adulthood but also alleviates the long-term societal impact of untreated mental health issues.

Conclusion

By adopting various impactful strategies, you can become an essential advocate for improving the lives of vulnerable children. From enhancing access to quality education and healthcare to fostering meaningful community engagement, your efforts can create lasting change. No matter how small, each action contributes to a stronger, more supportive foundation for children facing challenges. Together, these initiatives pave the way for brighter opportunities and a better future for the next generation.

Discover resources and inspiration for nurturing your family’s well-being and spiritual growth at Our Angels Table.

by Admin

SO WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO SPEAK IN TONGUES?

Speaking in tongues is the supernatural ability to speak a language unknown to us. We cannot learn it because it is a gift from God. We receive the gift of tongues when we were baptized in the Holy Spirit. As believers, we need to understand that this ability has a purpose and is very beneficial to our Christian lives. 

There are over 100 benefits to speaking in tongues. I will list 5 benefits here:

Speaking in tongues keeps you in tune with the Holy Spirit

“Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.“ (Romans 8:26 AMP).

When we pray in tongues, we are assured that our Spirit is in direct communication with our heavenly Father as he intercedes for us. This means that our prayer is spirit-Inspired. Having this in mind, we know that whatever we say is in line with the Word and will of God! When we pray in tongues, we may not understand what we are saying, but we know that the utterance the Holy Spirit is giving is ‘spot on’.

Strengthens our Spirit

Additionally, tongues are used as a means of spiritual edification.

1 Corinthians 14:4 says, “He that speaketh in an unknown tongue himself.” To edify means to build up ourselves spiritually. Yes, it’s a spiritual exercise that STRENGTHENS the inner man (Spirit).

Today, we put so much emphasis on strengthening our bodies or minds but neglect our spirits, which explains why most believers are spiritually weak and prone to enemy attacks. Believers who ignore their spirits remain weak in faith, whereas those who feed and develop their spirits through prayer and the study of God’s word remain strong and continue to rise in faith.

Stimulates our Faith

Jude 20

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.

When we pray in tongues, we activate our Spirit to be in the position (Faith) to receive God’s blessings. Faith is of the Spirit, and if the Spirit is weak, faith will be weak. When we pray in tongues, we are strengthening our spirit. And by so doing, we stimulate our faith.

Speaking in tongues confuses the enemy.

1 Corinthians 14:2

For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Tongues are a direct means of communication with God. It’s called a mystery because it’s a supernatural language that cannot be taught, learned, or written in any institution. It’s also the only language that confuses the enemy because he doesn’t understand it. Tongues are our divine weapon against the devil’s plans and attacks. When we pray in tongues, we activate the Holy Spirit within us to raise a standard against him, indicating that we have won. Why? Because we prayed without any interference from the enemy.

Brings forth a revelation of God’s plans for our lives.

 I truly believe that the Spirit of God will reveal things to you, as you seek Him, read His Word and obey his commandments. And it will come from the Holy Spirit to your spirit. Trust and expect the Holy Spirit to guide you into all the truth and reveal His plans for you!

Conclusion

Speaking in tongues, praying and fasting were often top priorities for the early church. Activate your spirit by praying constantly in tongues.

In 1 Corinthians 14:18, Apostle Paul confidently says, “I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.”

In 1 Corinthians 14:5

I would that ye all speak with tongues …

In verse 39, he taught and instructed that they should not stop believers from speaking in tongues. 

1 Corinthians 14:39 

Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Ephesians 6:18    

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…

God equipped and gifted you even as he saved you. I encourage you to use the gift that he so richly bestowed upon you by building up yourself on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost (in tongues) Jude 20.

As you do so, you will become more aware of God’s presence and begin to walk in the other gifts of the Spirit. You will become spiritually strong and equipped to quench the fiery darts of the wicked one.

Some books that I would recommend:

1. Smith Wigglesworth on Manifesting the Power of God: Walking in God’s Anointing Every Day of the Year.

• Tongues of Fire:  101 Supernatural Benefits of Praying in the Holy Spirit by Jennifer LeClaire.

Have you been blessed?

I’d like to hear from you.

Guest Post by Courtney Rosenfeld

Losing someone close to you is without a doubt one of the most painful experiences we go through. During this time, it’s important to take care of your mental, spiritual, and emotional health. Here are some practical tips that will help you cope with loss, honor your loved ones, and care for yourself during this difficult time, courtesy of Our Angels Table.

Allow Yourself Time to Process Your Emotions

Taking the time to process your feelings after a loss is crucial for your emotional well-being. It’s important to avoid suppressing or denying your emotions, and instead, allow yourself to experience them without judgment. This may entail taking a break from your daily routine, seeking support from loved ones, or practicing self-care activities like journaling or meditation.

Practice Self-Care Daily

When we experience loss or grief, it can be easy to forget to care for ourselves amidst the pain and sadness. However, engaging in self-care during this time is vital for our well-being and healing. Self care can look different for everyone, but it can include things like taking breaks when needed, practicing relaxation or meditation techniques, reaching out to supportive friends and family, and seeking professional help if necessary.

Spend Time with Supportive Loved Ones

It can be comforting and helpful to spend time with people who recognize what you’re going through and can offer support. Tribute Archive recommends reaching out to close friends, family members, or even online grief support groups if there isn’t anyone close by who has gone through something similar. If those people don’t exist in your life right now, consider speaking with a therapist who can provide an ear and nonjudgmental advice as you navigate these difficult times.

Try Alternative Relief

Many people find the natural support offered by THCA helpful, potentially easing emotional distress and promoting a sense of calm. If you find a reputable source of THCA, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, this may help reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality, aiding in emotional recovery. When used mindfully alongside other self-care practices like therapy and physical activity, THCA can contribute to a holistic approach to navigating grief.

Join a Grief Support Group

Grief support groups offer a safe space where individuals can openly express their feelings about the loss of a loved one without fear of being judged. Members of these groups often share similar experiences and can provide comfort and understanding to one another. By connecting with others who are going through a similar grieving process, individuals can find solace and feel less alone during this difficult time.

Write Cherished Memories to Honor

Writing down cherished memories of our loved ones can help keep their spirit alive, per FHE Health. From funny jokes shared at the dinner table to endearing pet names given by close relatives, these small moments serve as a reminder of the love and connection shared with our loved ones. Even though our physical connections may be gone, the memories we hold onto can bring comfort and joy, and keep our loved ones close in our hearts.

Be Kind to Yourself as You Grieve

During the grieving process, prioritizing self-care is essential for healing and moving forward. Although it’s a challenging and painful experience, there are practical tips that can ease the burden of losing a loved one. By taking care of ourselves and incorporating self-care practices, we can find solace and resilience in the face of loss.

Our Angels Table is here to give parents the help they deserve. Feel free to reach out with any questions!

This is a guest article by Courtney Rosenfeld

Anxiety isn’t just a personal struggle; it casts a wide net, affecting those around you, including your children. Understanding the interplay between your anxiety and your children’s well-being can lead to healthier outcomes for your family. In this article, courtesy of Our Angels Table, we’ll go over several things you can do to manage your anxiety effectively and foster a supportive environment that nurtures your children’s emotional growth.

Take Proactive Steps in Your Parenting Approach

Being proactive about managing your anxiety involves more than just addressing its symptoms. It means setting a positive example for your children by actively engaging in stress-reducing activities and making mental health a priority. This proactive approach can help prevent the cycle of anxiety from continuing in your family.

Recognize the Impact of Your Anxiety

Your emotional state as a parent plays a critical role in shaping your child’s psychological landscape. Anxiety can manifest in various ways, often subtle, that might influence your children. Symptoms like irritability, constant worry, and an inability to relax can create an atmosphere of tension that children, sensitive and perceptive, can easily pick up on. It’s vital to recognize these signs and understand how they could be mirrored in your child’s behavior.

Enhancing Career Prospects with an Online Degree

If job-related stress is a significant source of your anxiety, consider educational avenues that could lead to a more fulfilling career. Take a look at this: pursuing a master’s degree in family nurse practitioner online can equip you to take on a more interactive role in patient care, potentially reducing job-related anxiety. Online programs offer the flexibility needed to balance education with parenting responsibilities, allowing for a smoother transition to a new career path.

Fostering a Space for Open Communication

Creating a dialogue where feelings are openly discussed without judgment can reassure your children that it’s safe to express their worries. This practice helps in building trust and can provide you with insights into their thoughts and feelings, making it easier to address any issues they might be experiencing. Encourage your children to share their concerns and ensure them that it’s okay to feel anxious sometimes.

Prioritize Self-Care

Self-care is often touted, but its implementation is crucial in managing anxiety. Simple activities like reading, spending time in nature, or practicing meditation can significantly reduce stress levels. When you take care of your mental health, you are better equipped to provide the emotional support your children need.

Encourage Problem-solving Skills and Resilience

By involving your children in problem-solving activities, you help them develop resilience and the ability to handle life’s challenges. Whether it’s resolving a conflict with a friend or overcoming a difficult homework problem, guiding them through the process of finding solutions empowers them to handle bigger issues independently. Teaching them to view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow can change their perception of anxiety and stress, fostering a mindset that embraces rather than fears challenges.

Reflect on Your Anxiety and Its Origins

Taking time to reflect on your feelings and where they stem from can provide valuable insights into how they affect your parenting. This self-reflection is essential in recognizing patterns that might be contributing to your anxiety, such as stress from your job. Additionally, understanding these patterns can guide you in making necessary changes to your lifestyle or thought processes, which can result in a more serene home environment and more effective parenting.

The journey of managing anxiety is continuous and evolving. By acknowledging its presence and its impact on your family, you take the first step toward change. Your commitment to creating a healthy environment will equip your children with the tools they need to thrive emotionally and develop into resilient individuals. Remember, taking steps to manage your anxiety not only improves your quality of life but also sets a foundation of well-being for your children.

Our Angels Table provides support and resources to help parents be their best selves. Have a question? Get in touch today.