Focus on the Family Magazine - April/May 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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HACKS & FACTS / IMAGINATION<br />
snack map<br />
To prompt imaginative play, I would hide<br />
stuffed animals around <strong>the</strong> house for a pretend<br />
safari. Then I’d sketch a treasure map<br />
leading my kids to <strong>the</strong>ir snacks. I found that<br />
<strong>on</strong>ce I initiated a creative activity, my kids<br />
c<strong>on</strong>tinued to play <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own.<br />
—Jessika Seppala<br />
who’s at <strong>the</strong> door?<br />
I sometimes dress up in a funny costume, ring <strong>the</strong><br />
doorbell and pretend to be some<strong>on</strong>e different. Or I’ll<br />
leave unexpected notes around <strong>the</strong> house “from” <strong>the</strong><br />
backyard squirrel or an imaginary friend. These tiny<br />
introducti<strong>on</strong>s allow my kids to take <strong>the</strong> imaginati<strong>on</strong><br />
prompt and run with it.<br />
—Lori Zenker<br />
“this could be . . .”<br />
Our fun, made-up game starts with some<strong>on</strong>e picking<br />
a small object like a paper clip or a random item from<br />
a purse. The first pers<strong>on</strong> says, “This could be . . .” and<br />
suggests an idea of what it could be used for. We pass<br />
<strong>the</strong> object, and <strong>the</strong> next pers<strong>on</strong> thinks of a different<br />
idea. A pencil could be a drumstick, a rolling pin or a<br />
flagpole for miniature people. Oftentimes, we have<br />
to stop our game prematurely because every<strong>on</strong>e is<br />
laughing too hard to carry <strong>on</strong>.<br />
—Marielle Melling<br />
painting <strong>the</strong> fence<br />
As a fun outdoor activity, I would equip each of my<br />
kids with a bucket of water and a few paintbrushes<br />
in varying sizes. The children stood al<strong>on</strong>g <strong>the</strong> fence,<br />
spaced far apart to give <strong>the</strong>m room to create large<br />
“paintings” <strong>on</strong> <strong>the</strong> wood slats. The brushstrokes of<br />
water showed up darker so my kids could clearly see<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir work.<br />
I gardened within earshot and took a few peeks.<br />
Before l<strong>on</strong>g, <strong>the</strong>ir art would dry up and disappear and<br />
<strong>the</strong>y could re-create a new masterpiece in <strong>the</strong> same<br />
spot. Little supervisi<strong>on</strong> was required, and, best of all,<br />
<strong>the</strong>re was no messy paint to clean up.<br />
—D<strong>on</strong>na Elizabeth Love<br />
CAMILA GRAY<br />
8<br />
FOCUS ON THE FAMILY<br />
APRIL / MAY <strong>2023</strong>
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