Tag: children

How you can bless OneChild

If you already sponsor a child elsewhere, or support other charitable causes, please continue. But if you aren’t, or are able to take on something else, I recommend OneChild without reservation. Check out their website and see if OneChild can be a blessing to you.

The Christmas Gift Fund

The Christmas Gift Fund allows the OneChild Hope Center staff to purchase a gift for each child in the program. For many of these children living in the depths of poverty, it may be the only present they receive this Christmas. So that every child receives a gift, all donations are combined and distributed equally to children registered in our program.

  • $35 will help provide a gift for 1 child.
  • $70 will help provide a gift for 2 children.
  • $105 will help provide a gift for 3 children.
You can bless a child this Christmas at this link.
How Jesus blessed children
One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
 
 
But Jesus said, 
 
“Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
 
And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Volunteer trips outside the U.S.A gives me the chance to treat needy people without charge
making friends with children during his trip back
Kids always love bubbles
A student nurse distributing new shoes to children
young team members sing and act for kids.
 
 
 
 
Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois, 60188. All rights reserved.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

 

How I bless children

My husband and I have had the privilege of blessing children here in the United States and on travels to other countries. In the collage above I’ve shared photos of us in VietNam, Mexico, and El Salvador serving on volunteer medical teams.

But we also bless children without even leaving our house. Through monthly financial support we have helped children in India, Mexico, Honduras, and now Ethiopia go to school, get medical care, and receive regular meals through an international organization named ONECHILD.

Like many similar organizations, OneChild, has seen a decrease in donations this year due to the financial hardship that the pandemic caused. But the children’s needs have not decreased and neither has the organization’s commitment to taking care of them.

“We advocate for children in poverty and they are paying (and will pay) a huge price for the economic and social policy decisions being made in the US. It’s our job to speak up on their behalf.”

Scott C. Todd, PhD, President of OneChild

 How you can bless OneChild

For a monthly commitment of $39 U.S. you can help a needy child. If you’ve been wondering what you can do to help in this crisis, you can start making a lasting difference in the life of a child and family. If at any time you need to stop, OneChild will understand and still appreciate the investment you made to support their work.

OneChild doesn’t stop with receiving your donation. You receive a photo of your sponsored child and regular updates written by the child; you may get drawings, and pictures of their family and activities. The featured image at the top of this post is one side of a postcard sent in response to a letter I sent my child.

If you already sponsor a child elsewhere, or support other charitable causes, please continue. But if you aren’t, or are able to take on something else, I recommend OneChild without reservation. Check out their website and see if OneChild can be a blessing to you.

HOPE CENTER TOUR

sharing the HEART of faith, hope, and love

 

Dr. Aletha

 

1 Corinthians 13:13, photo from the Lightstock.com collection (affiliate link)

 

 

 

 

 

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Another post for you to enjoy
complimentary medical clinic

Sharing the HEART of health in Panama

I have volunteered on several teams with CompassionLink, an organization that serves to provide

HEALTH RESTORED-HOPE SUSTAINED.

Exploring the HEART of Grandparenting

This post discusses the significance of grandparenting and the impact it has on children’s well-being. In an interview, Dr. Aletha shared her ir experiences and insights as a grandparent, highlighting the role grandparents play in creating lasting memories and passing on traditions. Practical advice on caring for grandchildren is also provided, emphasizing safety and health.

updated September 2, 2024

Early in my blogging, I was grilled. Grilled as in “intense questioning or interrogation.”

And that’s not a bad thing, it was all in fun and I’m sharing it with you here. It’s about being a grandparent which we celebrate the second Sunday in September every year.

Grandma’s Briefs

Lisa Carpenter writes a blog called Grandma’s Briefs where she

shares my snippets, er, briefs on the good, bad, humorous, and heartwarming of being a grandmother, baby boomer, parent to adult children, wife, and writer.

One of the features on her blog is Grilled Grandmas, where she interviews other women who are both bloggers and grandmothers. Her blog challenges the stereotype of rocking chair grandmothers way past their prime in life.

a woman with her arms around 2 little girls on each side
Establishing a bond with grandparents is great for kids in many ways.
photo from Lightstock.com

Why talk about grandparenting?

Why would I talk about grandparenting on a medical blog? Health professionals consider the family a vital factor in health, both positive and negative. You probably know that family medical history contributes to physical health, but family interactions also play an important role in child development, learning, and emotional health.

Grandparents can play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren. In some families, they are the caregivers; in others, they help make lasting memories through special visits.

Grandparents pass on family traditions and give children the fundamental sense that they are loved and valued.

Research has shown that when grandparents are involved with their grandchildren, even from a distance, all the generations are often much happier.

Building Bonds with Your Grandchildren

My grilling

When Lisa “grilled” me, I had two grandchildren. Since then I have had two more. So now I have two boys and two girls. The older two live near me so I see them often. The younger two lives several hundred miles away.

Some of Lisa’s questions challenged me to answer. Some answers I knew right away, others required reflection. For example, this question

What is the most challenging part of being a grandma?

my answer-

Not having had a role model. My grandmothers died before I was born, so I never experienced having a grandmother in my life.

This question was easy.

What is one thing (or more) you’re proud to say you do right as a grandma?

We (including the grandpa) offer advice and help when asked, but we don’t butt in, interfere, criticize, or make demands. We let the parents be the parents.

Lisa asked me to submit a few photos of me with my grandkids; perusing my photos sparked many happy memories.

Lisa’s final question was –

What one bit of advice would you give a new grandma?

Learn the answer at Lisa’s post which you will find at this link-

Grilled Grandma: Grandma Aletha

The First-Time Grandmother’s Journal: Inspiring Prompts to Celebrate Your Experience with a New Grandchild

Lisa Carpenter wrote a book/journal about grandparenting. This beautiful guided grandmother’s journal will help you capture your thoughts, feelings, and memories as you embark on this thrilling, life-changing journey. (affiliate link, may earn a commission)

Read sample here

Taking Care of Your Grandchildren

Even though they are my grandchildren, I keep in mind that they are someone else’s children, even though the someone else is my child. I need to be mindful of their parenting plans and any special needs of the kids.

This article from Nemours Kids Health gives grandparents a refresher course in caring for children. Whether they are with you for just a few hours, several days, or live with you, this gives practical tips on keeping them healthy and safe when they are in your care. Here are some highlights.

It’s important to know a child’s medical history, including any allergies and any medicines your grandchild takes.

Always place infants younger than 1 year old on their backs to sleep to reduce their risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Never put babies on their stomachs or their sides to sleep.

Babies and children should be in child safety seats that meet current standards. All kids younger than 12 years should ride in the back seat with the appropriate safety restraint.

See that your grandkids always wear a helmet when riding a tricycle or bicycle. Make sure that the helmet fits well. Be a positive role model (and protect your own head) by wearing your helmet too.

Supervision is always the best way to keep grandkids safe. But it’s also wise to childproof your home.

Washing hands well and often — particularly after going to the bathroom and before preparing or eating food — is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of any illness, from the flu to stomach bugs.

Offer your grandkids a variety of free-time activities to try. Turn off devices and TVs during meals and homework, and set a good example by limiting your own screen time.

Learn CPR

If you don’t already know CPR, consider taking a class or refresher course. CPR is done differently in children than in adults. Infants and children are more likely to suffer respiratory arrest -quit breathing- than cardiac arrest-heart stopping. Common causes include choking, drowning, and trauma. Sources for training include

  • American Red Cross
  • American Heart Association
  • your local schools’ adult education programs
  • local hospitals and medical training programs

sharing the HEART of healthy grandparenting

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Dr. Grandma Aletha

cheesy-free faith-focused stock photos

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