Download - JENGA QUESTIONS EYES TO SEE … FAMILYMOMMY MULTI-TASKING Teams race through a relay of mommy tasks, adding a new task each time. Pushing a stroller, holding a baby, talking on a phone,

MOMSNEXT EXPERIENCE 1

MOMSNEXT EXPERIENCE 1 MOMSNEXT EXPERIENCE 1


JENGA QUESTIONS

Write getting-to-know-you questions on each Jenga piece. Stack

them up and play the game. As moms remove a piece, they must

answer the question. Play until the tower falls.

Visit mops.org/leader/GEK for question ideas

EYES TO SEE ... FAMILY

Where do you see potential gifts in your child — things that come easily to them?

What is a practical application for that gift they can share with the world around them?

How do you help your spouse flourish in his work or calling?

If you had a Year of ________ (you), what gifts do you think you would discover to share with the world?

As you consider the individual calling and gifts of the members of your family, how does this impact your calling as a whole family? What is your family uniquely positioned to contribute to the world?

ENAMEL PAINTED VASES

Use clear glass jars or vases from home or from other repurposed

sources. Fill with surface conditioner, then paint the inside with

enamel paint. Create a colorful decorative set with a variety of

paint colors.

Visit mops.org/leader/GEK for instructions.

EYES TO SEE … FAMILY

Gabe and Rebecca Lyons encourage us to explore the

biggest questions we have about the world today. They are

passionate about their family and encourage each member to

do what makes his or her heart sing. They focus on how to

flourish and build a strong family tone while they live out

their individual passions.




MOMMY MULTI-TASKING

Teams race through a relay of mommy tasks, adding a new task

each time. Pushing a stroller, holding a baby, talking on a phone,

carrying groceries, etc.

EYES TO SEE … RAISING ADULTS

Is it hard for you to sit back and let your children clean up their own messes and do their own chores?

Knowing that it will take more patience and time, what one chore are you willing to work with your child on this week?

What traits in your child annoy you? What nuggets of good could come from those traits?

Do you have a family culture that is distinct from other families? What do you want to be known for?

How can you address behavioral issues with your children while still nurturing the great things God built into them?

CANDLESTICK FRAMES

Paint and decorate picture frames to freshen up that family picture.

Visit mops.org/leader/GEK for downladable instructions.

EYES TO SEE … RAISING ADULTS

Sherry Surratt is the CEO of MOPS International and the mom of

two grown children. She shares how she learned to adopt a long-

term view for her kids and their behavior, realizing that she was

raising little people who would spend the majority of their life as

adults. She changed her mothering focus from how she wanted her

kids to act to who she wanted them to be. How would this shift in

thinking impact your own mothering?




WOULD YOU RATHER?

Place cards on each table with “this or that” phrases on them. Each

mom must take a card and answer. Suggestions: Would you rather

drink your child’s backwash or eat their chewed food?

Visit mops.org/leader/GEK for question ideas.

EYES TO SEE … THE TALK

How did your parents deal with The Talk? How has this shaped how you feel about sex and how you talk with your child about sex?

What advice would you give other moms at the table?

What is your family culture when your child asks difficult questions? What is your knee jerk response? What would you like it to be?

How can you set yourself up as your child’s best resource?

How do you help your children protect their heart (“keep their kid” - as Tasha puts it)?

DRY/SPRAY SHAMPOO

A DIY dry shampoo mix that can also be made into a spray. A blend

for brunette, blond and red hair. Perfect for those days you can’t

quite make it into the shower.


EYES TO SEE … THE TALK

Tasha Lavert is a counselor, youth pastor’s wife and mother of

three who understands how some parents cringe when they think

about having “The Talk” with their kids. She’ll help you reframe the

notion of the talk and claim the opportunity you have as a mom to

take part in celebrating and shaping your child’s understanding of

sexuality.




REMEMbER THAT ONE TIME…

Share your most exciting OR most embarrassing moment with the

mom next to you. (You pick which type of moment you want to

share!) Think about stories from your childhood, teen years, young

adult/college years or as a mom.

PROGRESSIVE CONVERSATION

Salad/Fruit: If you had $5.OO and 3O minutes of time, what would you do with it? $5OO and 1O hours?

Main Course: Share your mom story. How did you start on this motherhood journey? How did you feel when you first found out you were pregnant/adopting?

Dessert: What was the last thing you celebrated? What is your favorite way to celebrate? Consider how you can add celebration into your life. What would you like to do?

CELEbRATE THE EVERY DAY ExTRAORDINARY

Provide strips of paper and a small Mason jar or pretty box for each

attendee. As moms share their celebrations and fun ‘every day ex-

traordinary’ activities during the meal, have moms jot down the

things they might like to try. Put the strips of paper in the jar/box.

Everyone leaves with lots of ideas! (Examples include: Getting out

the door on-time: celebrate with drive-thru ice cream! Found the

lost ‘other’ shoe: 5 minute crazy dance party!)

Visit mops.org/leader/GEK for downloadable instructions.

PROGRESSIVE bRUNCH

… or lunch or dinner or dessert depending on when you meet!

Set up tables for each course (salad/fruit, main course, dessert). At

each table, enjoy the food and discuss one topic. Move to the next

table for the next course and topic. (Some moms will get to eat

dessert first!)




PICTIONARY-MOM VERSION

Divide into teams. Give each team a stack of “mom words.” One by one,

teammates have to draw a word and try to get their team to guess.

TAKING CARE OF MOM

What comes to your mind when you hear the term ‘self-care’?

On a scale of 1-1O, how would you describe your level of self-care? (mental, emotional, physical, spiritual)

What gives you physical or emotional energy? What’s working for you?

If you had a free half-hour each day dedicated to your own well-being, how would you spend it? What’s keeping you from doing this? How can we, as a group, encourage you?

WOOD SLICE MAGNETS

Cut branches that are an inch or larger in diameter to ¼ to ½ inch

thickness using a miter saw or hand saw. (Wear eye protection!)

bake slices at 2OO degrees for 2 hours to make sure you kill any

bugs! (You can also buy pre-cut wood slices at a craft store.) Attach

a magnet to one side of the wood slice. On the other side, stamp,

sticker or draw an object or letters or try some other decorative

treatment. Use them to decorate a mirror, frame, or other metallic

surface.


SELF-CARE

Ask a counselor, personal trainer, minister’s wife or someone in

your group to come and lead a discussion about ways we can take

good care of ourselves – so we can take good care of others.