Comments on: Munchkins Part II: Mealtime

By: willzmom

willzmom — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 15:31:00 +0000

Thanks so much for addressing this issue. We have friends in different stages in life and we all want to spend time together. One thing we’ve found that is helpful is to have time together with couples with smaller children when we call all be outside. Have space to get that extra energy out makes for a nicer time. Have plenty of balls and sidewalk chalk available! Keep the great ideas coming.

By: tearjerker

tearjerker — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:45:00 +0000

Yep, was watching 700 club yesterday and, guess who I got to see? Yup, you and your darling hubby. I wasn’t even aware you were going to be on, but when you came on I was like “That looks like Sandy!” and then, sure enough, it was. It was great seeing the two of you!

By: kristen

kristen — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 04:07:00 +0000

Thanks for the great advice. We have just done an outdoor eatery area and can’t wait to have our friends over every weekend.

By: Dee Light

Dee Light — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:14:00 +0000

Great ideas!! Thanks for sharing.

Love your coments on respect. When my 10 year old was small we had good friends who had a little boy just a year older that our daughter. I would baby sit him in our home quite often. He knew our rules and would obey them unless his parents were there. They would sit back and enjoy their time and let me discipline him, very frustrating. Eventually we just met with them at resteraunts.

By: Tammy

Tammy — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:09:00 +0000

Such great advice here.
You know, we go to a life group just started up in the fall by a sweet young couple (much younger than hubby and I) but we all have young children in common. Theirs are the youngest at 3 and almost 5, but ours follow close since my youngest is 5.
Our young hosts tell us what dinner they’re planning and we and the other couple bring food to go with it. The adults eat casually in the living room while the kids eat at their table…then the kids sing worship songs with us, before doing a craft and then playing in the other room.
It’s amazing how well this all works for us! The kids are generally well-behaved and respect our Bible study time.
But what impresses me most is their willingness to open up thier home with such graciousness and yet with a relaxed attitude. Alhtough she is younger, she has taught uptight me so much by this example!

I also read part 1…not only great advice, as usual, but adorable pictures of your kids!

(Come see my little ones’ 3rd birthday pics if you can!)

By: Bev

Bev — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:27:00 +0000

I loved reading every bit of this! We had an 18 month old at our table tonight, and such fun – belly laughs, tickling and giggles, blowing bubbles and man did he enjoy the ice cream cake – so much we can learn from having little guests join us!

By: Leigh Ann

Leigh Ann — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 16:59:00 +0000

Great series, Sandy! I'm living all this now with a 4 and 6 year old. It is good reinforcement.

I also like your thoughts on respect and entertaining. I'm finding not everyone or their children respect us. I'm glad to know others have this problem and have ways of dealing with it.

Cheers! LA

PS You must be going down memory lane with all these baby pictures. What fun!

By: Barb

Barb — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 14:55:00 +0000

Gasp! 700 Club's schedule sez that Mr Paul and Miz Sandy are going to be the show tomorrow (Monday)!

3 Money Monday

Guest: Paul and Sandy Coughlin will come on live to discuss how the prayer challenge is affecting their marriage (book, Married But Not Engaged).

Why didn't you tell us, Miz Sandy???

By: Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 19:47:00 +0000

Hi, Sandy, always enjoy stopping by to see what topics you are on today. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend.

xo,
Rhoda

By: G.

G. — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 16:21:00 +0000

I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts. I have a 4 year old and a 2 year old and entertaining can at times be challenging. Thanks for your awesome ideas and a reminder that everything doesn’t always need to be perfect!

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 14:27:00 +0000

That is such great advice. We don’t entertain as much in cold weather because as my husband says..he doesn’t want all the kids destroying the house. We cant send them out as it gets too cold here. We have a big group of friends…..8 couples and with all kids….your looking at 35 people at a time….that gets really crazy. Our friends had a Super Bowl party and invited everyone over with kids….it was really crazy…and stressful. Esp since her house is only about 1600 sq feet….aghhhhh…but we managed. And the ages range from 11 to infant…..we enjoy entertaining in the summer though….

By: Kim

Kim — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 13:59:00 +0000

Sandy,

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog – truly an honor! I’m enjoying your posts about entertaining, especially with a 3 1/2 & 5 1/2 year old. I remember doing the cover up nursing thing with another girlfriend while we tried to play games. I wouldn’t trade those times!

By: Dawn

Dawn — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 02:44:00 +0000

You offer such great advice Sandy. My family lives in a very small house so we do most of our entertaining during the warm months of the year so the kids can play outside.

By: Org Junkie

Org Junkie — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:59:00 +0000

Thank you for such great advice! I think dealing with my son’s severe food allergies stresses me out more than I know. My priority is keeping him safe. One thing that we have found has worked for us is to skip dinner with friends altogether and just have them over for dessert. Usually the kids are so busy playing that they don’t even want any which means I don’t have to worry about food residue contaminating toys and the like.

Thanks for such thoughtful posts Sandy, I’m really enjoying them.

By: momrn2

momrn2 — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 18:53:00 +0000

These are Great! Keep em coming! Looking forward to part 3!