MOPS Recap - Positive Parenting

We always love when the ladies from Positive Parenting come and share with us! I love how, during Alpha week, Anne said I know all of this sounds too good to be true and we understand this doesn't always work, but she just wants to encourage us with new ways to approach our kids.

A few take-aways from their talk:

• 3 prevention tools for siblings' misbehavior when welcoming a new baby
• Don't blame the new baby
• Make special time
• Observe and empathize
• How can you be with kids in conflict and not be in the middle of it?
• Coaching instead of controlling
• Take a deep breath and try to get calm
• Describe the situation without judgment
• Find solution that works for both kids
• Children don't need to be treated equally, they need to be treated uniquely.

If you missed this talk, see your mentor mom about getting the handout with some other great tips!

Resources:
http://www.positiveparentingseattle.com/
Dr. Laura Markham - Peaceful Parenting, Happy Siblings
Adele Faber - Siblings without Rivalry

MOPS Recap Week 4

What a blessing to have Kendy Easley remind us how gratitude changes our perspective. I hope as you celebrated Thanksgiving this past week with family and friends you had a chance to slow down and reflect on how many blessings we all have.

Are you a person who lives in the past? the present? the future? How can you focus on being grateful while living in each of those "times"...instead of regret, worry, fear. Focus on this: whatever is TRUE, whatever is NOBLE, whatever is RIGHT, whatever is PURE. If we aren't bestowed a grateful heart, we have to develop and cultivate it.

Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Follow-up questions:
-How do we find a rhythm or posture of gratitude in these years as a new mom or while mothering small children?
-How do we support each other with forms of gratitude?
-How do we find gratitude in the midst of hard or dark days/seasons?
-How will we hold onto gratitude in the midst of a busy, emotional holiday season?

Kendy also recommended the devotional Savor by Shauna Niequist. You can get in touch with Kendy at kendye@churchbcc.org.

MOPS Recap Week 2

What great reminders Scott and Heather Sund brought to us in Week 2 about Navigating Marriage in the Little Years.

No matter what our relationship status is, tuning into each other's emotions (spouse, child, parents, friends) is key to creating a healthy dependence on one another.

1. Trust the Compass
Our tendency is to trust what we see or feel, but straying just 1 or 2 degrees from God's course for us can get us miles away from where we should be. God is our "true north".

2. Reckoning: Getting Back on Course
The best changes happen in small, repeatable steps. Choose kindness, do small things often, put one foot in front of the other. Model grace to one another - accepting the other's experiences.

3. Three Steps for Navigating Season Ahead
-Attach: Get away from the false narrative. Our marriages should be primary so that our children will see healthy love relationships of interdependence.
-Communicate: Speak to each other and ask good questions. Find spiritual practices that work for you "How can I pray for you today?" There is POWER in the Word of God in your home.
-Play: Spending time together will make the times apart easier. Laugh and be each other's best friend.

And try to say "YES" during this season. We are all busy, busy, busy. But let's make time for relationship.

Follow-up questions:
-Which of the 3 steps (attach/communicate/play) is most exciting (or most difficult) for navigating your next season?
-What is a way you can PLAY as a family in the month ahead?


You can get in touch with Scott and Heather at Navigate Family Therapy (www.navigatefamilytherapy.com).

2017-18 MOPS Dates

Below are the 2017-2018 MOPS dates for Alpha and Omega!

ALPHA
October 3, 17, 31
November 14, 28
December NONE
January 9, 23
February 6, 20
March 6
April 3, 17
May 1, 15

OMEGA
October 10, 24
November 7, 21
December 5
January 16, 30
February 13, 27
March 13
April 10, 24
May 8, 22

MOPS Testimonials

Here is what some moms had to say about their experience with Green Lake MOPS:

"I joined MOPS within weeks of moving to Seattle, and it was one of the best decisions I made! I didn't know anyone upon first moving here, but I quickly met a community of women who I loved getting to know. We enjoyed our Tuesday mornings at MOPS with prayer requests and listening to the speakers, but our table members also got together for playdates and became friends outside of MOPS, as well. MOPS truly helped me to feel at home in this new city."

"I moved to Seattle a few years ago with a new baby and not knowing a single person outside of family. It felt so isolating and scary at first. How do I make new friends, where do I take my baby to play, how am I going to get around this big city?! I knew of a few people back home who had done MOPS, so I looked into it and found the Bethany Green Lake MOPS. They looked like they were pretty active, so I took a leap and registered. At the first meeting, I instantly loved it! At my table, I was able to meet new friends, have play dates with their similarly aged children, and get useful parenting tips from other moms. It was amazing to see friendships formed and meet other ladies who cared about my family, prayed over us, and loved on us. I also learned useful tips from the speakers at MOPS and feel like I've been able to be more positive, knowledgeable parent and spouse. I'm really grateful for finding MOPS and these women."

"I joined MOPS with my toddler son as a casual way to get to know some other moms in the area, but it quickly became something we looked forward to every week. I found a community of women who have supported me through the lows of multiple miscarriages and the highs of a pregnancy and new baby. My son has made new friends in the kids program and comes home telling me stories from the Bible that he learned while he was there. MOPS is such a joy to my weekly routine and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to connect."

We would love it if you would join us this year! Contact glmopsreg@gmail.com for registration inquiries.