Sue's Imaginarium

  Every child is born with questions about who they are, why they exist, and what makes them valuable. In today’s world—where children are constantly exposed to social pressure, comparison, shifting trends, and confusing messages about worth—it’s more important than ever to give them a strong, unshakable foundation. That foundation is identity in Christ . When a child knows who they are in God, they grow with confidence, emotional stability, wisdom, and purpose. Their value becomes rooted not in achievements, appearance, or approval, but in God’s unchanging truth. This article will guide you step-by-step on how to help your child understand their identity in Christ. What Is Identity? Identity is the understanding of who you are —your values, your beliefs, your sense of self, your purpose, your character, and the truth you build your life upon. It shapes how you see yourself, how you respond to challenges, and how you interact with the world. Identity answers questions like: ...

Children do not automatically grow into responsible, kind, confident adults. They are shaped, taught, guided, corrected, and nurtured. In a world that is moving faster than ever, and where values are becoming blurry, it is essential that parents intentionally prepare their children with tools that will anchor them for life. If you do not teach your child the foundations of life, the world will teach them something else — and often, that “something else” is confusion, insecurity, entitlement, or fear. As parents, guardians, or mentors, we carry the privilege and responsibility of shaping the next generation. These ten foundational life lessons are not simply “nice to teach”; they are essential for building strong identity, character, emotional intelligence, and godly values. When these principles are planted early, they grow into lifelong strengths. 1. Know Who You Are One of the most powerful gifts you can give a child is identity. Identity becomes the foundation of every decision ...

  Do you find yourself rushing out the door every morning, shouting, “Hurry up! We’re late!” while your child is still trying to find their socks? If this daily chaos sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many parents struggle to teach their kids the value of time and good habits. But what if an imaginative approach could change all that? Welcome to the Time-Travel Tri ck — a simple, playful, and powerful method to help kids stop being late… without feeling bossed around or overwhelmed. The best part? You don’t need a real time machine — just a spark of imagination and a little consistency. Let’s dive into what it is, how it works, and how to turn your morning madness into smooth, confident routines. Why Time Management Matters for Kids Time management isn’t just about catching the school bus or making it to soccer practice on time — it’s a life skill that helps kids build confidence, responsibility, and self-control. When a child learns to manage their time well: They feel m...

Every parent knows the ache of seeing their child feel left out — the quiet walk home after not being invited to a birthday party, the tears after being picked last, or the silent dinner after friends at school left them behind. These moments can wound deeply because belonging is a fundamental human need. But they can also become opportunities to build self-worth , resilience , and compassion rooted in faith and love. This guide will help you navigate those tender moments and teach your child that their worth isn’t found in acceptance from others, but in the unshakable truth of who they are in God’s eyes. 1. Acknowledge Their Feelings — Don’t Brush Them Aside When your child feels excluded, their emotions are real and raw. Resist the urge to say, “It’s okay, don’t worry about it.” Instead, validate what they feel: “I can see that hurt your heart.” or “It’s okay to feel sad about this.” Acknowledging emotions helps children process them rather than bury them. When they learn tha...

  Children live in a world that often feels quick to judge and slow to forgive. They experience hurt, disappointment, and mistakes — sometimes caused by others, and sometimes by themselves. As parents, one of the greatest spiritual lessons we can give them is helping them understand the heart of grace and forgiveness — two gifts that lie at the very center of God’s love. But how do we explain something so deep and divine in a way a child can grasp? Let’s explore how to plant the seeds of grace and forgiveness early — through words, examples, and love that mirrors Christ. 1. Start with What They Already Know: Mistakes Children understand mistakes long before they understand forgiveness. They spill juice, break toys, forget to share, or hurt someone’s feelings. These are perfect opportunities to help them see that mistakes are a normal part of life — and that grace is what we receive even when we’ve done wrong. You can start by saying, “When you make a mistake, it doesn’t mean you’...

  Adolescence is a time of change — physically, mentally, emotionally. Teens are navigating identity, friendships, responsibilities, and expectations. With all of this happening inside and around them, it’s no surprise that emotions often feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth: emotions are not the enemy. Not understanding them is. As parents and caregivers, our goal is not to silence or control teenagers’ emotions, but to teach them how to manage them in a healthy, respectful way. And as teenagers, learning to recognize emotions rather than being controlled by them is one of the most powerful life skills. Today’s lesson is about emotional responsibility — understanding feelings, communicating them, and choosing responses that don’t hurt ourselves or others. Reacting vs. Responding – What’s the Difference? One of the first lessons in emotional responsibility is knowing the difference between reacting and responding. Reacting Responding Immediate, impulsive Thoughtful, contr...

Have you ever had a friend or family member who stood by you no matter what — even when life got tough? That’s what the story of Ruth and Naomi is all about. It’s a story from the Bible filled with kindness, courage, and the power of staying faithful — to God and to each other. The Beginning — A Hard Time in Bethlehem Our story starts in Bethlehem , a town you might have heard of before. A woman named Naomi lived there with her husband, Elimelech , and their two sons. But one day, something very sad happened — a great famine came to the land. That means there was no food anywhere, and people struggled to survive. To find food and a better life, Naomi and her family moved to another country called Moab . They hoped things would get better there. But while they were in Moab, more sad things happened. Naomi’s husband died. Her two sons married Moabite women named Ruth and Orpah , but after about ten years, both of Naomi’s sons also died. Now Naomi was left alone with her two da...