News
Blog Comments
Article - How to get a Real Answer to "How was your Day?"
Final Thoughts

Sponsor Ad
Here is a good place to get started on your Christmas shopping.

Browse the latest in Kids products at FamilyChristian.com  

News

How to you like the new look of the newsletter? My fearless Webmaster, Jeannette, at www.jnetcreations.com designed the look. I like it and hopefully it will be easier for you to navigate. You can click on the topics you want to read.
Also, soon will be putting the newsletter and interviews on the website. There will be a newsletter and interview archive. That will help if you have deleted an email and wanted to read a past issue. Currently, many of the articles are posted under Free Articles on www.christianworkingmom.com. Thanks Jeannette!

It is that time again for me to need more Christian Working Moms to interview for the CWM Interview of the month. If you are interested in being interviewed, send an email to Kimberly@kimberlychastain.com and put interview in the subject heading. I will send you a list of questions. Thanks for your help in advance.

Blog Comments

We have had some interesting discussions on the blog recently. We have discussed the Daycare Dilemma and all the "studies" that are published giving various viewpoints. Also, visit and share what you do to relax. Click here to go directly to the Christian Working Mom Blog.

Article - How to get a Real Answer to "How was your Day?"

Do you have a daily routine that goes something like this at your house? You ask your children, spouse, friend, etc. "How was your day?" Then, do you either get a grunt in return, a fine or whatever? Maybe ever once in a blue moon you will get a rather long and involved answer. Sometimes when we ask co-workers that question we truly want to know the answer, but sometimes we really don't. Often, the How was your day comment is just a pleasantry.

I have a new question for you that will open up the lines of communication and get to the heart of what is going on in your children's lives, spouse's life, friend's lives, co-workers lives, etc. I cannot take the credit for this question. The Children's Director at our church shared this with me and it has been very helpful. Are you ready for the question? How can I be pray for you? When you read that question what did you think? You have to stop and think for a minute and almost catch your breath. This question gets to the heart of what is going on with your children, the big and the little. I try from time to time to ask my children this question at bedtime and I get some amazing answers. Often, about things that are going on that I did not know about. One time the answer was, pray that I get one of the big lockers and not one of the small ones. Another is praying that my friends and I won't fight on the playground. Often the answers can be to pray for their friends and their situations.

The beauty of this question is it often takes the focus off the trivial stuff and what is really important in your child's life. Lockers can be a big deal when you are in middle school and busy parents cannot always hear or see that issue. Your children will also feel special knowing that their Mom is praying for them on a specific issue.

This would be a great question for an unsaved co-worker. I had a client call me who I had not seen for sometime. She asked me to pray for her, due to having breast cancer. She said I knew you prayed so I decided to call you. When you see someone having a hard time, you can ask, "How can I pray for you?" How soothing and caring.

So, give it a try today with your children, spouse, friends, and co-workers. You will get some answers you did not quite expect. You can also develop a deeper relationship with the person you have asked. How can I pray for you today?

Final Thoughts
If you don't mind I would like for you to share if you tried the question above and what response you received. Go to the Christian Working Mom Blog and the article will be posted there and you can leave your comments. Also, in the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving this month. I would encourage you to start a tradition this year with the little ones and the big ones. Give everyone a piece of paper to write what they are thankful for; you can help the little ones write their thankful thoughts. Then, put them in a hat or bowl. Have everyone pull one out and read them, one by one. What a great way to share Thanksgiving and to give thanks to God for all our blessings.

Till next time,

Kimberly Chastain

Kimberly Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She is the author of 2 ebooks that can be found at www.christianworkingmom.com. For a free, initial coaching session send an email to Kimberly@kimberlychastain.com.