Focus on the Family Magazine - August/September 2023
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics. Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
It can be a struggle to raise a family while balancing your work life, social life and relationships. Focus on the Family magazine is here to help! Each complimentary issue delivers fresh, practical Biblical guidance on family and life topics.
Every issue comes packed with relevant advice to build up your kids, strengthen your marriage, navigate entertainment and culture, and handle common challenges you may face in your marriage and parenting journeys. Plus you'll find seasonal advice ranging from back-to-school activities to date night tips for you and your spouse.
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KIDS & TEENS / HACKS & FACTS<br />
Back to School<br />
Extra<br />
Snack<br />
or Side<br />
getting organized<br />
Before school began, I talked<br />
with my children about what<br />
morning and after-school organizati<strong>on</strong><br />
would look like in our house.<br />
We chose a designated space for<br />
all school materials (backpacks,<br />
books, lunchboxes, etc.) near <strong>the</strong>ir<br />
homework area. Since school items<br />
needed to stay in <strong>the</strong> defined space,<br />
items were easy to find in <strong>the</strong> chaos<br />
of <strong>the</strong> morning. We even rehearsed<br />
retrieving <strong>the</strong>ir items in <strong>the</strong> morning<br />
and returning <strong>the</strong>m to <strong>the</strong> designated<br />
locati<strong>on</strong> up<strong>on</strong> arrival home.<br />
The designated space helped eliminate<br />
time-c<strong>on</strong>suming searching<br />
and decreased <strong>the</strong> amount of time<br />
I spent picking up school items.<br />
—Tania Alward<br />
Fruit or<br />
Veggie<br />
Main<br />
Protein<br />
LUNCH-PACKING CHART<br />
Before school starts, my kids and I make a lunch packing chart.<br />
The main food groups serve as headers with examples of healthy<br />
foods listed underneath. Each child adds some favorite foods to<br />
<strong>the</strong> list. This guides me as I grocery shop, and it helps give <strong>the</strong><br />
kids ideas of what to pack. The chart helped my kids learn to<br />
make <strong>the</strong>ir own lunches at a young age.<br />
—Shann<strong>on</strong> Lea<strong>the</strong>rman<br />
help board<br />
We have created a Can You Help<br />
Me Out? board that hangs in our<br />
laundry room. Both parents and<br />
kids write down ways <strong>the</strong>y may<br />
need help in <strong>the</strong> coming week. For<br />
instance, my youngest needed a<br />
shoebox for an upcoming book<br />
report, my middle child asked for<br />
some<strong>on</strong>e to proofread his paper,<br />
my oldest needed a baked item for<br />
a swim team party and I frequently<br />
ask for help in <strong>the</strong> garden. Our<br />
board provides a visual reminder of<br />
how we can all lend a hand.<br />
—Lauri Diamantis<br />
PHOTO BY SALLY DUNN - FOTF / ILLUSTRATIONS BY KATIE AEBERTS<br />
10<br />
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY CANADA<br />
AUG / SEP <strong>2023</strong>
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