JANUARY/FEBRUARY
Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours by Kevin Leman
One I've read before, yet always a good reminder. Dr. Leman incorporates a lot about birth order which is especially helpful to us right now with our two first born sons trying to work things out. It is FULL of practical and useful ideas for how to "pull the rug out from under the little buzzards" (as in natural and logical consequences). Focus is on authoritative parenting and encourages against authoritarian and/or permissive parenting. One that will stay on my shelf through these next few years!
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
I can't believe I had never read this book before. From the same author of The Witch of Blackbird Pond (scheduled to read soon), this is a GREAT book that "Mr. Z" and I both really enjoyed. It is a coming of age story of a young boy who braves the wilderness alone while his father goes to pick up the rest of his family. Lucky for him, he is not really alone. . . I won't give it away, but it is VERY similar to The Courage of Sarah Noble (another wonderful book), only this one is for more advanced readers. It makes a very good read aloud and
would be a great "Daddy read-aloud."
MARCH/APRIL/MAY
Created to Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl
Well, you pretty much will either love it or hate it (just check out the reviews on Amazon and you will see what I mean!). I happen to be in the "love it" category on this one. This book is not for the faint of heart and Debi Pearl does not tread lightly so as to be politically correct or to not hurt feelings. On the contrary, she is downright blunt at many points and I found myself WANTING to argue with her about certain subjects but, after searching scripture and praying, knew that I could not.
One of the most compelling reasons I am giving this book a "love it" review is that I have seen the impact it has had on the 6 of us who have been reading it together. The challenges and encouragement to have a cheerful, merry heart, to "know what we bought" (check out the chapter on the different kinds of men - invaluable insight!), to focus on the 8 callings in Titus 2, and to serve joyfully have literally CHANGED marriages of people I PERSONALLY know from good to GREAT!
I know lots of people disagree with some of the Pearl's theological positions and/or parenting philosophies, but it is a shame that so many people simply dismiss this book based on these things - I mean, really, is there anyone out there who has it all figured out and isn't probably a *tiny* bit wrong on some theological point about something. . . and I have yet to find a parenting book that isn't a part of some heated internet "mommy wars" debate at some point on some site somewhere. So, if you can just read this book as it was written - from an older, godly woman to a teachable, younger woman, I think that you will probably glean some (if not a LOT) of insight, wisdom, and a bit of a "kick in the pants" encouragement to stop whining and complaining and to start to joyfully serve those around you with a happy and contented heart!
2 comments:
I'm a little late in catching up on blog entries, but I finally got to this one.
I definitely want to check out "Making Children Mind Without Losing Your's". That has been a big problem this last week in our house.
"Sign of the Beaver"...sounds like a movie we rented on NetFlix that was SSSOOOOO good. It may have been based on the book. The movie is "Keeping the Promise".
Lastly, I am still trying to finish "Created to be His Helpmeet", but I totally agree with you. GREAT book!
Love ya,
Frances
I finished up studying Created To Be with 5 other ladies just this past March. Life changing book. And very challenging, in a good way.
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