Entrusted - Entries written by Betsy Corning
TueTuesdayJanJanuary31st2012
Silver Platters
I believe that the Lord gives us (and so do our children!) special opportunities to build into their lives. We might also refer to them as “teachable moments,” those moments ripe for training, connecting, and reinforcing life lessons. It is so... More
TueTuesdayJanJanuary24th2012
How to Help Children Deal with Anger?
Dear Betsy, I have a 6-year-old son who has struggled with anger and control issues since he was 3 years old. As a result, to this day he will stamp his feet, flail his arms and either cry, whine or complain in an angry tone VERY loudly when... More
FriFridayDecDecember2nd2011
How Should I Teach My Kids about Sexuality and Purity?
Dear Betsy, The main question I have right now has to do with talking to our children about sex. To be honest, I have no idea what to tell them at their age. My oldest is 7 years old, and she assumed people have babies starting the minute they get... More
FriFridayNovNovember11th2011
Hope for Discouraged Parents
The following two questions are similar in reflecting the discouragement we can often feel as parents. Though the details vary somewhat, the principles are similar and so I thought I would address them together. Dear Betsy, I am a home school mom... More
FriFridayOctOctober21st2011
Helping Children Develop a Devotional Lifestyle?
Dear Betsy: At what age would you suggest children begin to read their Bible and have a devotional life? Curious… Dear Curious: Obviously, the Bible is difficult for smaller children to read and understand. And since you want to develop a love the... More
TueTuesdayOctOctober4th2011
Seeing God at Work -- Moody Church, Chicago, IL
Thank you to Family Pastor Bob Gunter of Moody Church and his wife, Linda who hosted a dynamic evening for their YMYF (Your Marriage/Your Family) Entrusted with a Child's Heart weekly parenting class last week. Dave and Betsy were invited to teach... More
FriFridaySepSeptember23rd2011
Clingy Toddler -- Maturity or Discipline Matter?
Dear Betsy, I have a clingy, whiny, 20-month-old boy. He is content to play on his own for some periods of time but generally follows me around the house while I’m trying to get things done, crying to be picked up. When someone else is with him like... More
FriFridaySepSeptember2nd2011
Staying home with children?
Dear Betsy, I love your ministry and have learned so much! Thank you for being a faithful servant of God in this important area of parenting. My husband and I currently both work full-time. I am able to work FT from home but do require a sitter to... More
FriFridayAugAugust19th2011
How do I help my child learn to pray?
Dear Betsy, How do I help my 3 year-old daughter to pray? She often doesn’t want to pray. How do I foster sensitivity in her spirit towards God? — Praying Mom Dear Praying, There is something so sweet about a child’s prayer. They pray from the heart... More
FriFridayAugAugust12th2011
Sleepovers
Dear Betsy, How do you handle sleepovers with friends who have siblings of the opposite sex? What rules or expectations do you lay down without offending the other family? -Sleepless over Sleepovers Dear Sleepless, Think carefully whether you want... More
FriFridayAugAugust5th2011
Realistic Expectations for Children Sitting Still?
Dear Betsy, What are realistic expectations for a four year-old sitting still at meals, church, in restaurants, etc.? -Ants in his pants Dear Ants, A healthy, well-rested four year-old should be able to sit through a meal at a restaurant or an... More
FriFridayJulJuly8th2011
Is Secular Music Okay for Children?
Dear Betsy, Is it okay to expose our kids to secular music? They’re going to hear it anyway. -Rock On? Dear Rock, While it is true that you will hear every type of music even at the grocery store these days, it may not be what you would choose for... More
FriFridayJulJuly1st2011
A Working Mom
Dear Betsy, I'm a working mom who feels like I really need to work at this time. My job carries our family's health insurance and our budget necessitates my income. How do I juggle a full-time job with managing a home and being a wife and mother? I... More
TueTuesdayAprApril5th2011
Laundry, Laundry, Laundry!
Every family has it. Some of us like to let it pile high throughout the week before tackling it all in one or two days. Some of us prefer to wash smaller loads each day. And some of us like to just close our eyes tightly and wish for the Laundry... More
TueTuesdayMarMarch1st2011
What's the Latest?
Ever had a doctor ask you when your last cholesterol check was and you just glazed over? How are we supposed to remember such things when it's challenging enough just to remember the size of every growing foot in the family! After one occasion of... More
TueTuesdayFebFebruary15th2011
Dear Readers...
Dear Readers: We have come to a point in our Read Through the Bible Challenge reading that may seem to get bogged down with heavy details and repetition. We need to keep in mind that the book of Genesis spans from Creation to 1804 B.C. (with the... More
WedWednesdayFebFebruary9th2011
Seeing God at Work - Davenport, Iowa
Having just traveled through the snowstorm of the decade to arrive back in Chicagoland, Betsy and Nancy wish to thank the women of Harvest Bible Chapel - Davenport for having us as their guests. Last week Betsy addressed their Monday evening and... More
WedWednesdayJanJanuary5th2011
"Purse-suit" of Order
Are you constantly digging in your purse for a little piece of paper to make a note? Or do you find a crumpled phone number at the bottom of your purse that you've been searching for, for a month? One great way to eliminate this frustration is to... More
ThuThursdayDecDecember30th2010
The "Corning Top 10"
Every year at our house, as we approach the end of the year, we like to pick the "Corning Top 10" things that we are thankful for from the year. We make a simple list that includes all the significant events of the year. And before we start to... More
FriFridayDecDecember10th2010
Splash Event with HBF Wives
I had the pleasure this past month to share Entrusted with a Child's Heart with this year's Harvest Training Center Wives. The Harvest Training Center is the church planting school of Harvest Bible Fellowship for pastors who will be planting Harvest... More
TueTuesdayNovNovember23rd2010
With a Heart of Thanksgiving
For those of you who have taken the Entrusted with a Child's Heart class, you may be familiar with the list of benefits God heaps upon His children. Lesson 8 lists 24 wonderful ways that God provides for families who trust in Him. As part of your... More
FriFridayNovNovember19th2010
Giving of Thanks
Have you ever felt depleted as a mother? Exhausted, as if you just couldn't give any more? Certainly we all have. We're heading into the season that can be especially taxing on a mother. The Bible says in Psalm 127:2, "It is vain for you to rise up... More
TueTuesdayNovNovember16th2010
Blueprint for Family Life
Have you been taking an Entrusted class this Fall? If you have, you know the first memory verse is Psalm 127:1 which says, " Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake... More
SatSaturdayNovNovember13th2010
Mr. Sticky and Mrs. Freshandfluffy
Having trouble wiping sticky faces and fingers? This is one of our favorite family cleanup solutions that we have done for years and years. You're not going to believe this, but I have a rag that is over 30 years old. Yes, it's raggedy and frayed!... More
FriFridayNovNovember5th2010
Thinking Time
As little ones begin to outgrow their afternoon nap time, it is still beneficial for them to enjoy some time alone each day. When our children reached this age, we established a daily Thinking Time as a way to train them to quiet their thoughts and... More
TueTuesdayOctOctober26th2010
What will your statement be?
“This Fall we’ll go to a Bears game.” These words casually spoken a few months back land solidly in your child’s memory. They bank on them as a promise and look forward with great anticipation to their fulfillment. Imagine their dismay and hurt... More
TueTuesdayOctOctober12th2010
Non-Negotiables
At every season of life, it is important to define 5 to 7 non-negotiables. Non-negotiables are those foundational commitments that you make to your family that "come what may" you will hold firm to them. Understandably, at times life will... More
TueTuesdayAugAugust10th2010
Inexpensive Family Activities
Looking for a few more activities to round out your summer? In this time of economic crisis, money for family fun may be limited. But that's okay, here are some fun yet budget-friendly activities that our family has enjoyed. Visit a shop or factory... More
TueTuesdayAugAugust3rd2010
Will You Tie This for Me?
In these days of Velcro shoe fasteners and other latest things, are we losing the fine art of tying a shoe and other simple skills? We no longer darn socks, we just buy new ones. We forget how to add we just use a calculator. Who needs to learn how... More
FriFridayJulJuly23rd2010
Dinner Pants
Have you ever thought of an invention that you think the world must have? My daughter and her husband think that their idea of "dinner pants" is a household necessity. Adam and Emily have four children eight and under. They have mentally invented... More
FriFridayJulJuly16th2010
Monthly Tasks
A good way to remember those once a month tasks (i.e. giving the dog his heart worm medicine, adding salt to the water softener, touching up paint on a finger printed wall, etc.) is to do them on the date of your birth each month. For instance, if... More
FriFridayJunJune25th2010
Training Children to Stand Strong
One of the favorite verses my husband and I claim for our children is Jeremiah 15:17 which says, "I did not sit in the circle of merrymakers nor did I exult. Because of your hand upon me, I sat alone, for you filled me with indignation." As we raise... More
FriFridayJunJune4th2010
Traffic Jam of Children's Artwork
Do you have a traffic jam of children's artwork trying to make its way to your refrigerator? If so, try taking your children's beautiful art pieces to a printer (Office Max or Kinko's). Here you can have the art reduced down to a 4 x 6" size that... More
FriFridayMayMay28th2010
Thank-you notes
When someone is kind enough to give our children a gift or do a service for us, it is important to write a note or make a phone call to thank them. In our family, we had a rule that these gifts should not be played with until the person who gave the... More
FriFridayMayMay21st2010
Taming the Tantrum, part 2
Some children are more prone to throwing tantrums, and the behavior may begin around 15 to 18 months. This needs to be addressed and corrected immediately upon onset so that it is completely done away with. They may test you for a few months, but if... More
FriFridayMayMay14th2010
Taming the Tantrum
Every spring, near the end of our ministry year, I visit our Harvest campuses for "Question & Answer" Day. I appreciate the thought-provoking questions that women submit which are a true reflection of their earnest desire to become godly wives and... More
FriFridayAprApril23rd2010
In Due Season
As hard as it may be to believe, some of my favorite gifts have been things that I have had to leave behind when we have moved. It all began when we first moved into a historic house with giant maple trees lining the street and dotting the yard.... More
TueTuesdayAprApril20th2010
The Excellence Award
Go beyond verbal praise and make great memories too by creating an Excellence Award for your family. You can make a handmade plaque, create an award from poster board, or even give new life to an old trophy (thrift stores have lots of these). Slip... More
FriFridayAprApril16th2010
First things First
A common phrase in our house was, "Do the things you have to do first." You can ask any of my kids today and they will still tell you that this was a phrase they heard often. We want to be teaching our children to develop a good economy of time.... More
FriFridayAprApril9th2010
Bullseye!
Did you know that you create a target for your child's behavior? You determine how large it is by what you will accept from them. You might want them to hit the bullseye, but you accept behavior "close to the mark" or "not so close to the mark."... More
SatSaturdayAprApril3rd2010
Clashing with the Relatives at Easter Dinner
Having the relatives for Easter Dinner? It is one of the greatest joys in life to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus with family and friends. Whether you go all-out fancy or prefer simplicity, the details of your hospitality create a... More
TueTuesdayMarMarch30th2010
It Happened at our House
Ah yes, April Fools' Day. That day when every school-aged child discovers the license to stretch, bend or reinvent the truth for a full twenty-four hours with no likely penalty. Certainly the excitement of pulling off the bluff, “Your shoe’s... More
WedWednesdayMarMarch24th2010
Words that Edify
I find memories to be very curious stockpiles of retained experiences. You will have great memories with your children in which you can recall every detail and treasure the moment. But they will have their own memories and things that were of great... More
FriFridayMarMarch19th2010
Mom's Home!
Think about the amount of stuff that is brought into your home. Other than the day you moved in, what percentage of all the weekly items collected for the home, are brought to it by Mom? If your home is like mine, I find that I, Mom, bring about 90%... More
WedWednesdayMarMarch17th2010
Testing the Anchor
As we parent our children and practice biblical principles of discipline, we may still find that at various ages of development, many children will “test the anchor” to see if it will hold. They are testing to see if you will respond as you did in... More
FriFridayMarMarch12th2010
Make Travel Easier
When packing your kids' things for a trip or vacation, consider placing each day's outfit (including hair pretties, socks, undies, pants/shorts, shirt) in a large ziplock bag. Each evening, you just pull out the next day's bag for each child. They... More
WedWednesdayMarMarch10th2010
Hurry Up!
“I’m hurrying as fast as I can!” They may be "moving fast" but only because they waited until the last possible moment to "move". Procrastination can be a form of manipulation used by children. It can become a bad habit; a character weakness that we... More
MonMondayMarMarch8th2010
Choosing Worthy Role Models
“A lady always leaves a place nicer than she found it”. This was one of those things my mother was known to have said; one of those adages that made its way into the core values of my life. I recall my mother saying this to me, and my sisters as we... More
FriFridayMarMarch5th2010
Words of Encouragement
What a wonderful boost a word of encouragement can be! So many people crave verbal affirmation for their daily efforts, and when they receive even a small token of praise, their spirits are revived. This is even more true for our children. "...but... More
WedWednesdayMarMarch3rd2010
Mind, Will, and Emotion in Discipline
A biblical picture of the heart includes a child’s mind, will, and emotions. In our role as parents, we are charged with growing our children up in all three of these areas so that they will grow up to be committed to Christ. Anytime your children... More
FriFridayFebFebruary26th2010
Mom's Voice
Many moms feel like they are always shouting at their kids in order to be heard and they wind up exhausted at the end of the day from the effort. It is so important that your children learn to respond to your voice. They must be taught that your... More
FriFridayFebFebruary19th2010
Hugs and Kisses
Do you show affection to your children every day (even several times a day)? And do they do the same to you? It does not have to be public. It may be a little kiss on the cheek before they jump out of the car or a hug the first moment you see them... More
WedWednesdayFebFebruary17th2010
Practicing the Presence of God
As you interact with your children, make God real and ever present at the earliest possible age. Talk to Him in their presence and talk about Him to them even before they can understand. Make the mundane moments (like diaper changing) occasions in... More
TueTuesdayDecDecember1st2009
Christmas Packages
Christmas is a favorite holiday for my family. I love wrapping gifts and displaying them under the tree several weeks before Christmas. But I have curious kids so I never put a card on the gifts. Instead, I make up a “code” for each child and write... More
ThuThursdayOctOctober1st2009
The 4 Gold Chores
We made the decision not to pay our kids for general chores because we prefer that as members of the family, they learn to help out around the house. But there are four things that I can't stand doing, and I am happy to shell out money to get them... More
TueTuesdaySepSeptember1st2009
Have a file or folder for everything
I thrive on being organized. A professional organizer once told me that organization is not necessarily being clean, but how fast you can retrieve something. For me, a file for everything is the easiest and fastest way to get to the information... More
SatSaturdayAugAugust1st2009
Pop Probation
Shopping for a family of five can be a full time job, especially when three are teenagers. When my kids were growing up, "Pop Probation" became a necessity in our family. Every month, I would buy all the soda, water, gatorade, vitamin water, etc.... More
ThuThursdayJanJanuary1st2009
Milk in the Fridge/Gas in the Tank
No matter our season of life and how we are adjusting to find a new normal for that season, there are standards that we need to determine to keep. Dramatic changes will come, yet for every season there will be things that press in on you and try to... More
Applying Biblical Truth to Everyday Life
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