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in this issue...
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newsletters for kids Did you know that SpringHill has three different newsletters for students? Is your child receiving one? If not, subscribe to one today!
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| family matters
Materialism. The word implies the desire to possess large amounts of worldly possessions in order to be truly happy. Yet this process falls far short of creating true happiness. If we, who know this truth, still fall prey to the seductive power of “things,” how can we teach our children? Learn what other parents in the trenches have to say in these practical articles: |
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on our radar |
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dear springhill parent,
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Now that your children are back to school and your family is finding its regular routine, we want to help you with some of the big issues and challenges you face. For instance, when your kids become status conscious and are begging for the latest and greatest, where do you draw the line? How do you instill God-honoring attitudes when the culture tells you and your kids to honor your stuff? We hope you find encouragement and practical advice in this issue
of The Source. You’ll also find great reviews, thought-provoking resources, all the latest news about SpringHill and so much more! Be sure to 
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what's happening at springhill michigan Ladies, there's still time to register for the SpringHill Fall 2007 Women's Retreat. Let go of your busyness, your schedule, your worries and your responsibilities for one blissful weekend at SpringHill, October 12-14! If your child will be entering 4th, 5th or 6th grade this fall, be sure to tell your child's Sunday school teacher or youth leader about the SpringHill Juniors Retreat November 16-18 or November 30-December 2. Get all the details online!
This is a chameleon generation, which is why the Middle School and High School Winter Retreats are designed to help students identify who they really are and know why God loves them so much! Tell your child’s youth group leader about the SpringHill Winter Retreats
in January, February and March 2008. Live music from well-known bands, powerful words from hard-hitting speakers and the usual parade of extreme SpringHill activities make these weekends an absolutely incredible way to launch the new year!
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moving away from material things · Serve others. Finding opportunities for kids to serve in the community is a great way to teach them that showing God’s love and helping others is what really makes a person happy. Plus, serving those who are less fortunate can really help kids appreciate what they have and not feel like they have to keep up with their peers. Also, sponsoring a child through a child advocacy ministry like Compassion International can allow your children to make a personal connection with a needy child in another country. When a regular healthy meal and an education can help significantly improve a life, a pair of designer jeans may not look quite so important. · Give stuff away. Another way to teach your child the importance of thinking of others who might not have as much as they do is to encourage your kids to “hand down” items they no longer use to charitable organizations. Pick a day each season to clean out closets, bedrooms, the basement and the garage. Also consider swapping and sharing toys, videos, games and miscellaneous “kid stuff” with other families. · Borrow, don’t buy. As soon as they can write their names, help your children apply for and use a library card, which gives them free access to books, videos, music, computers and other resources for entertainment and learning. Using the library is a great way to learn that many of the things they like don’t need to be purchased. · Set limits. Agree to certain parameters about what you’ll spend money on: clothes, entertainment, and so on. If your children want higher-end options, help them make a plan to use their own money to make up the difference in cost. Ask your kids about their goals and dreams. Help them think about the resources (financial and otherwise) they will need to make these goals a reality. · Explain why. Talk with your children about how you make spending choices based on more than just affordability. For example, if a child asks for a toy you feel is overpriced, explain your values by saying, “We’re not going to spend our money that way because…” or “It’s not a good value because…” rather than just saying, “It’s too expensive,” which may give the impression that you would buy it if you could afford it. Also, think about what you buy and why, and talk with your kids about your values when you shop. Are you influenced by advertising? Price? Quality of the product? What factors influence your choices? Engage your children in conversations about how you make decisions about money. Knowing you are modeling and explaining may help you keep your own spending in check! |
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