Day 21 - Boys Town - Daily Dose of Digital Support

Why do I feel like such a slug?   That’s a question a lot of us are asking ourselves. How can we be feeling so exhausted when we’re no longer battling our fellow commuters, scrambling to get the kids off to school or even pushing our muscles to the max at the gym? Our home should make us feel comfortable and whole, not completely wiped-out. So what’s going on? For some, the stress of the last few weeks is simply exhausting. Others, who don’t feel stressed out, have still experienced loss… the loss of movement, routines, rituals and normalcy. Fatigue and a lack of energy are common symptoms of anxiety and sadness, so it’s important for your family to practice stress-reducing strategies and remember that these disruptions are temporary. In addition, you can’t ignore the role sleep plays in your mental attitude. For your family’s physical and emotional well-being, keeping up good sleep habits is essential. Maintaining regular sleep-wake schedules and bedtime routines has many benefits for the body and the mind…     Lowers stress and reduces inflammation Improves memory Boosts your mood Sharpens your attention span Improves concentration and creativity Fatigue often fuels irritability, and that can lead to the kinds of disrespectful, grumpy and unkind behaviors that were touched on in yesterday’s Daily Dose. To keep exhaustion from turning your family into a bunch of crabs, cranks and curmudgeons, check out our Guide to Bedtime Routines and help everyone bounce out of bed in the mornings with more energy and a better attitude!

Monday’s mental health message… Float into a happier emotional space by packing up all the negativity and sending it on a permanent vacation. Get the directions here.

Waymaker, Miracleworker, Promise Keeper

Waymaker

He leaves the 99

Reckless love

Oh the overwhelming reckless love of GOD........ close your eyes and just listen, soak up the meaning of this song. 

I will follow my Shepherd

                                       

         The past few weeks I have really struggled not being able to go to church, see my church family, hear God's word and worship. I look forward each week to my time there with like minded followers that look to serve God but with the Covid-19 virus we are challenged to do so.  We have gathered in small groups by phone and Facebook to talk, pray and see any needs our church family has but it has still left me longing for more of what I have so desperately missed in my fathers house.  I have found myself being in a funky mood so I looked around at what I was missing other than the obvious, where Has my Joy gone?  I decided to step back away from social media and tv with so many negative things going on and replaced it with music and scripture time.  I decided to spend more time at the barn enjoying sunshine, hearing the birds sing, watching the kids ride horses and the sheep grazing.

          This time of year we have lambs being born and I cant help but think of the sacrifice of the lambs that is spoke many times in the bible.  Today, we noticed a  sheep with her lambs and something appeared to be wrong. I watched my husband go to the sheep and take her lamb, she followed him and looked for him to help her lamb.  At that moment I thought this is how I feel looking to God for help.  I watched how she followed him to the gate watching to see what he was doing next, she stood patiently waiting as he tended to the baby then he sat the baby back by her side.  He is the shepherd to our herd, they depend on him for food, shelter, water, care when sick, and to keep them safe... this is how our relationship with God should be.  We should come to him for everything; from our spiritual needs, guidance, love, to keep us out of harm, when times are hard, when we are lost, thanksgiving, again EVERYTHING.  He cares and wants to be our shepherd.  When we take our needs to our father and surrender, follow where He leads.......the oh the peace that follows to be in your shepherds flock.
 
  I don't know where the next few months will lead but I do know that no matter the storm I will follow my shepherd where he guides me.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters;
He restores my soul;
He guides me in the path of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Psalm  23: 2-3

 




                                             

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Day 20 - Boys Town - Daily Dose of Digital Support

“SHUT UP!” was the scream that echoed down the stairs. “MOMMMM! “Charlie took my math book and won't give it back,” wailed Carley, Charlie’s 11-year-old twin. “Knock it off and get your butts back in your room. I’m not gonna say it again!” Dad commanded as he slammed the closet door moments after Molly whapped Nick on the head.   That is what being cooped up and confined can look and sound like when patience runs short and nerves get frayed. If you’re starting to see and hear more disrespectful behaviors (or you’re starting to get a little short with the kids and spouse) stop and remember this seven-letter word: R-E-S-P-E-C-T Don’t let the arguing and fighting get out of hand. Remind your family of the values and behaviors you expect from them, and then show them with your own actions. If you treat your children with consideration and respect, the odds are good that they will treat others in a similar way. When you demonstrate how to be charitable, forgiving, patient and understanding, it’s more likely they will be charitable, forgiving, patient and understanding with others, too. And those behaviors are crucial now, especially as schooling and working at home continues.    To reinforce and remind the family of your expectations, create a “Respect Dos and Don’ts” visual reminder. It can look something like this: Do Treat others the way you want to be treated. Show tolerance and be accepting of differences. Be courteous and use good manners. Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements. Don't Insult or make fun of others. Offend others with bad language. Threaten, hit or hurt anyone. Argue, pout or throw things. Respect Be tolerant of differences. Use good manners and language. Be considerate of others' feelings. Don't threaten, hit or hurt anyone. Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements. Add your own “Dos” and Don’ts” to match the behaviors happening in your house and the ages of your children. Here's a download to help you get started:

Sunday’s emotional health boost… Knowing where you are on your emotional timeline can help you get in touch with your feelings and reset your attitude. Learn how here.

Day 19 - Boys Town - Daily Dose of Digital Support

Yesterday’s Daily Dose was a recipe for making mealtime an essential staple of your family’s routine. Now, see how you can nourish and strengthen everyone’s emotional well-being by spicing up mealtime with splashes of humor and dashes of love.   If you didn’t already know, regular family meals serve up a smorgasbord of healthy outcomes. Mealtime provides a shared experience that builds a greater sense of unity and identity among everyone gathered around the table. It’s a way to add more structure into the day, which feeds a sense of security and belonging in children. And it’s a moment when cherished, lifelong memories can be made. To help your family make the most of mealtime, read our seven-day menu of fun. There are options for every taste, and every item is guaranteed to bring your family closer together and leave everyone feeling satisfied. Enjoy!

Let your cup runneth over… Nourish the soul and soothe the spirit by spreading a little praise. Start by giving everyone in the family an empty cup. Then give small slips of paper to each person (and yourself). The challenge is to write a short sentence to each person about what you admire about them and then place the slips of paper in their cups. The cup is theirs to keep and will be a source of comfort they can “drink” from whenever they need an emotional boost. You and your family can continue to add to the cups as the years go on, too!

Day 18 - Boys Town - Daily Dose of Digital Support

As unfortunate and upsetting as the dark Covid-19 cloud is, there is a silver lining. You can find it, if you try, at your family’s kitchen table. With everyone confined close to home, there has never been a more natural or appropriate time to reestablish the ritual of family mealtime. Each breakfast, lunch and dinner you prepare and share together is an opportunity to communicate, connect with and care for one another. It’s a moment to have positive experiences, tell stories, share laughs and strengthen family bonds. Plus, the effects of eating together last long after the table has been cleared, much like Aunt Edna’s kale and cabbage casserole, but in a far more pleasing way. Children who regularly join their parents around the table are more likely to experience…    Lower levels of anxiety.  Lower rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.  More resiliency and optimism about the future.  Healthier relationships with Mom and Dad.  During this unsettling time, family meals should be a welcome respite and a safe space from all the craziness going on outside. See how easy it is to turn mealtime into fulfilling family time (and dish up a few surprises!) by checking out Boys Town’s complete At the Table Guide.

A little Friday fun to mentally reset…Don’t let all the cancelled parties and social plans make Friday night a dull and depressing experience. See how much family fun you can have with this boredom-busting Bingo game!