Category: Parenting

MOM • Reverence Begins with Googly Eyes

6/4/2015

Diapers, bottles and quiet toys. Those days have been long gone for me. Or so I thought. I'm 52 and mothering a toddler.

Mom 2.0

As mothers sometimes we wish we could do it over again. Do it better. Avoid some of the mistakes. Have more fun. Or be more serious. Whatever it was that we weren't.

We've also learned from experience. A fascinating, sometimes frustrating teacher. That in itself, already having gone through the ups, downs and outcomes, gives us an advantage and a different perspective the second, third or ninth time around.

Reverence begins with googly eyes • LDS NEST

Sorry for the blurry photo. I was picturing taking in stealth mode since it was Sunday School in the Chapel.

My Mom 2.0 tip: Reverence begins with googly eyes.

I know. Not the profound tip you might be expecting. But one that'll work. Small, compact and keeps a kid's attention for about 10 minutes. Anything that can entertain quietly for that long should be shared.

The eyes were sticky backed and I stuck them on his legs and fingers during sacrament meeting. This photo is during Sunday school where I was starting to entertain myself by sticking them on his head. (I wouldn't recommend this for sacrament meeting as it had all the adults snickering. Who keeps the adults quiet? Another day.)

A bonus grandparent tip: These aren't bulky and can be put in your pocket for last minute moments when you're asked to watch a grandchild or any child. You'll be a hit.

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MOM • Kiss O' The Irish Print & Teen Kissing

3/13/2015

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Happy St. Patrick's day next week. Don't let the Polynesian looks fool you - I'm Irish. And the part of me that's the most Irish is the kissing part. Yeah I like to kiss. Probably has a lot to do with the Boyfriend I kiss. But I digress.

Since we're talking about kissing, some of my kids (they're 8 of them) have come to me in their teens and asked, "How old do you have to be to kiss?", "When is kissing alright?", or "Is kissing wrong?" That's such a loaded question for a parent!

On the one hand you don't want to encourage it, like it's all good, go ahead, kiss whoever you want. Then on the other hand you don't want to discourage it, make them all freaked out and repressed as if it's wrong. And sometimes kids just want to find out what their parent's are going to say just so they can do the opposite. But you're not sure when they're going to use that tactic. See the problem? So I've always handled it this way - with the truth.

I tell them kissing is fun. Very fun. That I really haven't met too many people who are just starting out on the relationship road say that kissing is boring. I tell them it's exciting. I tell them it drives a mix of emotions. I tell them it's meant to lead us to greater intimacy. I tell them once you start you really don't want to stop. I tell them that it's very hard to go in reverse once you start. Lastly, I don't tell them when it's okay to kiss. I just say, "Put it off as long as possible." That's it. I put it back on them to decide. Risky I know. But to my surprise most of them have put it off much longer than... well never mind. My kids read my blog sometimes.

DIY St. Patrick's Day Print - Kiss O' The Irish

Okay, so we were talking about St. Patrick's day. See how sidetracked I get with the kissing stuff? Go get my gift Kiss O' The Irish print here. Then kiss someone. And then tell me how you've handled the kissing question in your family.

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MORALIST • Family Proclamation Subway art

2/10/2015

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The Family • A Proclamation to the World turns 20 this year. All grown up.

Its birthday makes me think of when it was announced and the subsequent comments from some people. At the time they said it was so "vanilla". Meaning that it was an ordinary. A common knowledge flavored document.

Well, prophets being what they are weren't exactly intending it for the generation it was given to. Of course it was meant to guide the 1995 generation but it was given then, when it was so "vanilla", so it would have time to sink in before today's full frontal assault on its principles began. It gave us time as a people to prepare our minds and hearts to really understand God's mind.

Print Family Proclamation Subway Art Download • Fits in your Scriptures

Gift Download 5" x 7"

It also makes me evaluate how I've passed on those principles to my kids. They're the ones that are really going to have to get out there and articulate the Proclamation's point of view. We've tackled some of the tough subjects - gender, same sex attraction and marriage, gender roles - but we'll continue to talk.

Gift Download 5" x 7"

This little download is a Family Proc summary at your finger tips. Puts it in kind of a fun format. Usually I make downloads for My Ring Thing but this one was a special request for a particular purpose and needed to fit inside the scriptures (5" x 7"). Maybe you can use it in yours. Go to our download page here for your gift copy.

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ME • For 38% of you This Post Will Mean Nothing

1/2/2015

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For 38% of you this post will mean nothing. Because that's the percentage of people who never make a New Year Resolution. My Boyfriend is one of them. (So you can stop reading now Love)

I've always been into making them. When I was younger I'd have several goals each year. It helped me accomplish many of the things I wanted. I really enjoyed the process back then.

But the past few years things have changed for me. First, I'm very content with a lot of my life. Second, I realize how not in control of some of my life I am. Third, because I'm not in control of a lot of things that affect me deeply I started leaning in a different direction looking to strengthen my character to deal with those things. And fourth, it's pretty easy to focus since there's just one.

So I made a switch. Some of you are probably familiar with the One Word New Year Resolution.

One Word New Year Resolution Defined -
A single word resolution or promise made to one's self, thoughtfully chosen and used for a personal development guide for the entire year.

You can read about my previous One Word Resolutions here -

2014
BRAVE

2013
Was a rough year

2012
FINISH

2011
FOCUSED

BRAVE for 2014 was a perfect fit. Some of the reasons why I've shared and some I haven't. But it was very fitting. Now on to 2015.

I've been wondering what word I wanted and needed for 2015. I've been thinking about it for a couple of weeks and yesterday I went through a process I have to come up with a word that "fit". Then today I hit on...

defined: the act or an instance of setting again; to restore; a push button you press to activate the reset mechanism; set to a certain position or cause to operate correctly

Leila's death has taken it's spiritual toll on me. Getting back to the basics of stronger praying, scripture reading, and pondering will reset my spiritual foundation. I know the Primary answers work.

Then there's Leila's son, Joseph. He's been with us on and off since he was born. It looks like it will be more "on" from here on out. I have 8 children and my youngest is 14. There were still several years left for a few of them at home but I was on the downhill side of the motherhood mountain. And I was coasting.

With the prospects of Joseph being here for an undetermined while, I'm needing to reset my motherhood button. At 52 that's an immense undertaking. I totally get why we have babies while we're young. But, I also know we get good at things we do and I've been doing the mom thing for 29 years. I'm pretty good at it but I need to restart that engine. With all that Joseph is missing in his little life having lots of love and people who know what they're doing will bless him. It could go without saying but he's already been a huge blessing to us.

So that's my 2015 One Word Resolution and a little of why I chose it. Does anyone else do One Word Resolutions? Resolutions at all?

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MORALIST • Recapping General Conference

10/6/2014

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We posted a General Conference FHE last conference here. Here it is as a reminder. Included is a memory game that can use this conference's talks. It can be used anytime, maybe even become a family tradition. Maybe even include root beer floats. Yay! Click on the images for the download.

FHE General Conference RECAP lesson • LDSNEST.com

FHE General Conference Bottle Cap Memory Game • LDSNEST.com

Even if you don't have bottle caps we've got you covered. Included are paper caps. Just
Print • Cut • Write • Play

Go to the link here.

How do you recap conference with your family?

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LOVE • Love is All You Need, Really???

6/26/2014

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It's been camp, camp, camp on my brain. And I have a few things to share with you about that. But, for today, I've got a print in our Esty shop that I did before the camp rush.

All You Need Is Love, Oh And... DIY Print • LDSNEST.com

Esty Print

The Boyfriend and my anniversary is next month (we're celebrating 32 years) so marriage has been on my mind. I kept seeing "all you need is love" or "love is all you need" everywhere on Pinterest when I was doing a little research. Anyone who's been married any length of time (or even for shorter periods) knows it takes more than love. Sure it's the basis, but if it were all up to love we wouldn't have any broken relationships. Married or otherwise.

DIY Print • All You Need Is Love, Oh And... • LDSNEST.com

Etsy Shop

"Love is all you need" is such an over simplification. Love is the start and the driver but it better get some other passengers on board (forgiveness, patience, fidelity, kindness, etc.) if it wants the fuel to go anywhere for any length of time. Can you tell I have strong opinions about this? Do you?

Well I didn't want anyone in this house thinking that all they had to do was have a little love for a strong relationship so I put my thoughts to paper. And tried to make it handsome. You can find it here.

What are 3 qualities besides love that you think a relationship, any relationship, needs?

PS • You might want to give it as a wedding gift. Just a thought.

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MORALIST • FHE Father's Day - Cracker Jack Dad

5/20/2014

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Here's a little FHE for Father's Day - Cracker Jack Dad. It's all about the Dad in your family.

FHE Cracker Jack Dad Father's Day • LDSNEST.com

Download File with the Image Link Above

Here's a lesson outline and a cracker jack box project. Have a fun evening with dad.

Download File with the Image Link Above

Let us know how you appreciate the Dads in your life.

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Homeschool Preschool Bucket List for Spring and Summer

2/21/2014

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I like to do stuff. Caeden (our 2 year old) likes to do stuff. We are both happier when we are doing SOMETHING! I've been looking into "homeschool preschool" and discovered two things: you can be one of those moms who has a curriculum or you can be one of those moms who says "life is learning!"

I'm a little bit of both because I'm inherently lazy. I know if I say something like, "Letters from 10:00-10:15" it won't happen...but I still want to have some sort of activity schedule for this Spring and Summer. Enter: the homeschool preschool bucket list! (You can download a weekly activity planner at the end of this post!)

Munchie Monday: Where we make a yummy food! Probably a breakfast food or other food (like rolls! or freezer meals--which I might do since I'm expecting in May) that can be used throughout the week. Specifically these:

Blueberry Oatmeal Bread
Baked Oatmeal Casserole
Lemon Raspberry Muffins
Vegan Banana Pancakes
Utah Scones
Honey-nut Granola
Rainbow Bread
Homemade Poptarts
Biscuits
Whole Wheat Honey Oatmeal Bread
Homemade Flour Tortillas (I slightly changed this recipe to my own liking, but once you make these you'll never be able to eat store bought tortillas again. Seriously. I just...I can't.)
Easy White Bread. Let me just reiterate that this is EASY.

Tactile Tuesday: Where we do or make some sort of touch-sensory thing.

Work-out Wednesday: Exercise day! Go for walk, do some pilates or yoga, ride a bike, run, whatever! This can obviously be done on other days of the week too, but just in case it doesn't we have a specific day for it.

Swimming/run in sprinklers
Go for a walk
Go to the park
Run outside
Ride bikes
Fly a kite
Do Yoga stretches together
Kick a ball around

Thinking Thursday: Choose a learning activity; numbers, letters, reading, puzzles. Something that makes him think.

Alphabet Matching
Homemade Volcano
Pom-pom activities
Just read
Learn sight words. I've been using DVDs, flashcards, and books from the Preschool Prep Co. They are awesome! Caeden knew all of the words after a month. He's still learning that the words he learned on the DVD/flashcards are in his books.
Alphabet flashcards. Preschool Prep Co also has these, but I haven't used them yet.
Learn numbers. You can download a DIY numbers quiet book here.
Puzzles

Free-for-all Friday: The day where you do whatever you want! Things we want to do this spring and summer as a family:

Stargazing
Fishing
Backyard camping
Have a bon fuego (bonfire)
Get a chicken or two
Go to the zoo
Go on a mini weekend get-away

Photo from Spring 2013

I've made a weekly activity planner that you can fill out weekly. Download it here, or click on the image below and save as. What would you add to the list?

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MOM • February FHE Planner

1/28/2014

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Okay, I seriously do not know where January went! Maybe you feel the same. I've been away from home a lot this month. With that, I've missed FHE with the family. It makes me feel a little disconnected from the kids.

I happen to really like FHE but it hasn't always been that way. For one, I didn't really know why it was done. And two, I didn't have FHE as a kid so I didn't know how it was done. Then three, I lacked motivation to get it done.

I believed there were blessings to be had from having FHE so I did a few things. First, I joined a FHE group of about 5 women where we each made part of a lesson. For example, I'd make 5 lessons, or 5 activities, or 5 songs. We met regularly so FHE was always on my mind and having others to be accountable to made sure it got done. It helped a ton. Then I made a plan of topics that I wanted to talk about and teach. When I had a topic already in mind I would get excited to teach it.

I can't be in a FHE group with you but I can help you (and me) to continue to parent deliberately. Here is a FHE Planner for February to download. Some topic ideas are at the bottom of the page to get you started. If you need some of our other ideas you can go here.

FHE Planner February • Shannon Christensen for LDS NEST

Click on the image above. It will direct you to our Download page. Once there click file: PROJ 2014 Planner FHE Feb.jpg

After having FHE for over 20 years with our family I now understand the wisdom of the counsel. Here's a little extra motivation from the prophet.

Family Home Evening
"We cannot afford to neglect this heaven-inspired program.
It can bring spiritual growth to each member of the family,
helping him or her to withstand the temptations which are everywhere. T
he lessons learned in the home are those that last the longest.”

Thomas S. Monson

Do you have a FHE idea for February to share with us?

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MORALIST • Stop the Contention with Compliment Kits

12/7/2013

91 Comments

Update 4/2019:
There's been so much trouble with the free download site that I've put this on my
ShannonsStudio.com Etsy business site for $3. Hope this helps

Contention. I hate it. Ironic huh?

Contention is a part of what happens in families but something we all try to stop in our homes. I was thinking about it and what I could do to help our family lessen it when I came across Gordon B. Hinckley's quote -

"There's a sad tendency in our world today for persons to cut one another down.... Try the opposite of that. Try handing out compliments."

Compliments. How easy. I thought this would be a super first step for me to take. And then I had this idea (the Boyfriend calls me "the idea woman"). I could make little Compliment kits. I love kits. (You can see a collection of kits on my Pinterest board.)

Compliment Kit • © shannon christensen for LDSNEST.com

CLICK ABOVE FOR DOWNLOAD

I was heading down for a trip that some of our family had planned when we had Leila's funeral. We also decided to do devotionals when we got together. I wanted to do the compliment kits for them as part of mine. Here's what's inside and how we use it.

CLICK ABOVE FOR DOWNLOAD

I really like how they turned out. I Mod Podge® fabric to the outside of an Altoid® tin. Inside, I added some fun things. Here's the nestibles for you. Print. Cut. Put together.

CLICK ABOVE FOR DOWNLOAD

Here's a FHE lesson to help talk about with your family.

CLICK ABOVE FOR DOWNLOAD

CLICK ABOVE IMAGE FOR DOWNLOAD PAGE

You'll have to tell us what you think and any of your experiences in using it.

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Short and Sweet Family Home Evening Idea: Obedience

10/14/2013

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Short and Sweet; quick and easy FHE ideas from LDS Nest #lds #ldsnest #fhe

Did any of you use last week's Short and Sweet FHE idea? Here is one for this week!

SING: Nephi's Courage
SAY: 1 Nephi 3:7
SHOW: Tools needed to build a boat (like a hammer). You can liken the boat to testimony.
SWEET: Swedish fish (or gold fish!)

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MENTOR: Come Follow Me • 10 Commandments

9/16/2013

3 Comments

This month's doctrinal principle in Come Follow Me is "Commandments". Alisha did a handout here for her class.

Sometimes I don't think we talk about the 10 Commandments enough. I thought that about my own family so I designed and had a printed fabric wall hanging about the 10 Commandments made. It says the commandment then what my interpretation is for following that commandment. I redesigned it here for you, our Nesties. It's an 8.5" x 11" downloadable for printing. Maybe you can use it this month.

All you have to do is say is whether you downloaded it or not. That's not a commandment, just a simple request.

Come Follow Me • 10 Commandments B/W
File Size:	64 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

Come Follow Me • 10 Commandments Color
File Size:	67 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

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MOM - The Challenge • 25 Words to Your Children

4/26/2013

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When I heard this while listening to General Conference I knew I'd share it with you Nesties. I'm sure alot of you remember this.

President Thomas S. Monson shared the experience of Jay Hess, an airman who was shot down over North Vietnam in the 1960s: “For two years his family had no idea whether he was dead or alive. His captors in Hanoi eventually allowed him to write home but limited his message to less than 25 words.” President Monson asks: “What would you and I say to our families if we were in the same situation—not having seen them for over two years and not knowing if we would ever see them again? Wanting to provide something his family could recognize as having come from him and also wanting to give them valuable counsel, Brother Hess wrote [the following words]: ‘These things are important: temple marriage, mission, college. Press on, set goals, write history, take pictures twice a year.’”7

What words would you write to your children if you had 25 words or less?
General Conference April 2013 • Rosemary M. Wixom

Before conference was over (in all honesty probably before her talk was over) I had written my 25 words. Quick. Raw. From the gut. Doing something like that, spontaneously, gets to the instinctual, real thing. Here's what I felt I would say to my family if I were in that circumstance -

My 25 Words

Love, learn of, and follow God.
Love yourself and others.
Repent. Forgive.
Have a family and serve them.
Have vision, see eternally.
I love you.

At that moment, if I had 25 words that would be it.

Sometimes it's just good to hear what others say. One of our blog commenters Pebbles & Pigtails had the same idea about 25 words too. It would also be good to here your words.

Have you taken the challenge?
What would you write to your children
if you had 25 words?

Share your 25 words below if you've already done it. If not...... do it now!!!!

Don't worry about how it flows. Don't worry about how it sounds. Don't worry what others think.
Be spontaneous. Be raw. Be vulnerable. Be real.

Write to your children.
25 words.
Go.

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10 Quick Tips - Interacting with Your Teen's Friends

4/19/2013

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1) Do acknowledge them
Hello.
Pretty simple. Talk to them when they come in. Show some interest. Get to know them.
2) Do show respect
Grown up.
Kids want to be treated like an adult, this is one area in which that works.
3) Do provide food
Yum.
Food always works. Feed them. Even let them have access to the kitchen.
4) Do be fun
Duh.
Do something unexpected from the normal routine. Be a little playful.
5) Do avoid confrontations
Yield.
This isn't the time to correct your kid. Do that later, where you can discuss.
6) Do remember them
Notice.
Names, siblings, & unique things about them. Also, how your kid knows them.
7) Do make it peaceful
Zen.
An environment that's void of contention makes a place people want to be.
8) Do leave a little space
Exit.
Give them some room. Not the bedroom. But, some talking space to be private.
9) Do like them
Enjoy.
Everyone has annoyances. Overlook them. See what your kid sees. Be open.
10) Do keep long hours
Nap.
It doesn't have to be 'open all night' but kids like late nights. Especially weekends.

I always like a little extra.

Bonus: Do treat them like family
Include.
Everyone wants to belong. Somewhere. Make it you and yours that they think of as 'family' when they need to connect. How you interaction with your kid's friends, and your kid, will benefit everyone.

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LDS NEST BLOG

MOM • Reverence Begins with Googly Eyes

MOM • Kiss O' The Irish Print & Teen Kissing

MORALIST • Family Proclamation Subway art

ME • For 38% of you This Post Will Mean Nothing

MORALIST • Recapping General Conference

LOVE • Love is All You Need, Really???

MORALIST • FHE Father's Day - Cracker Jack Dad

Homeschool Preschool Bucket List for Spring and Summer

MOM • February FHE Planner

MORALIST • Stop the Contention with Compliment Kits

Short and Sweet Family Home Evening Idea: Obedience

MENTOR: Come Follow Me • 10 Commandments

MOM - The Challenge • 25 Words to Your Children

My 25 Words

Have you taken the challenge?
What would you write to your children
if you had 25 words?

Write to your children.
25 words.
Go.

10 Quick Tips - Interacting with Your Teen's Friends

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LDS NEST BLOG

My 25 Words

Have you taken the challenge?What would you write to your children if you had 25 words?

Write to your children.25 words.Go.

Enter your email address below to only get blog posts emailed to you. If you want special offers and updates then subscribe using the green button:

Have you taken the challenge?
What would you write to your children
if you had 25 words?

Write to your children.
25 words.
Go.