Another resource for teaching reading

I thought I'd pass along another great book on teaching speech, spelling, writing, and reading. (Please know that I think this is just one of many great resources and I am just going to explain why I have found it helpful for instructing Karis; I definitely do not think that it is the only or best way! But I am excited about it...)

As I've researched homeschooling, I've become more and more convinced that a Classical Education will be the best fit for our family. I am planning to enroll Karis in a Classical Conversations co-op next fall for kindergarten and I am trying to research it as much as possible before then. While reading The Core by CC's founder, Leah Bortins, I stumbled across a recommendation for The Writing Road To Reading by Spalding and immediately knew I wanted to read it! I had already noticed that Karis could spell better than she could read at that point... every school day we played with her magnetic letters and I started asking her to sound out a few words to put on her board and was surprised that she could actually do it! She has since figured out reading a bit better so the gap is not quite as large, but back when we first started school, she could spell most short vowel-sound words I gave her but could not read at all. So I purchased The Writing Road to Reading and read through a lot of it over Christmas break. It really made sense to me. Basically, the book instructs how to teach handwriting by using spoken phonograms, which in turn teaches the child to read. As you introduce a phonogram, you explain exactly how to write it, how many sounds it can make, and any rules that go with it. There are just 70 common phonograms in the English language and after mastering those, the child can figure out how to read almost everything! A key point is that spelling should be taught from the spoken word... children who only copy words do not progress as quickly because they often rely on visual recall alone and do not have to think through the rules of spelling. With the Spalding method, new words are always learned by studying the phonetic sounds of the spoken word.

When we started back with our schoolwork after Christmas, I decided that we would learn these phonograms and their rules before proceeding on our path with The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading. Karis can't really do the writing aspect very well yet (she wasn't at all interested in handwriting last fall so we are just now starting handwriting), but she loves to put new phonograms on the board and learn their sounds and rules. We have only done about 6 days of phonograms and I can already tell a great improvement with the words she can read. Because she is learning the rules for each sound a phonogram makes, she can immediately figure out most words containing those phonograms. For example, many reading programs keep children in the short vowel sounds for a while and they are limited in what they can read. After our first day when Karis learned the rules for all 3 sounds that "a" could make, she immediately could read words containing the long "a" sound as well as the "ah" sound. I found so many more words that she could read in our normal books than I did the day before. As she is sounding out words in her books, I ask her questions about the rules for the sounds and she can actually tell me. For example, I asked her why the "a" said its name instead of the short vowel sound and she could tell me that it was because it came at the end of a syllable. A bonus is that I am really learning a lot about English as I teach her! Some of these rules I never learned but they would have really helped me in school.

I still think that The Ordinary Guide to Teaching Reading is a great resource and we will probably go back to it for further reading instruction after learning the 70 phonograms, but I also plan to continue to utilize the Spalding method and its lesson plans to teach Karis handwriting and reinforce the correct rules of spelling.

Loving the Little Years...a post from Rachel Jankovic

I've heard this little book called Loving the Little Years recommended MANY times. I have not read it yet. (Stay with me...there is a point to bringing up this book!) I'm pretty sure Hollie just read it actually...Hollie? Did you like it?

Anyways...my friend Christy just sent me a link to the article I'm about to share. She thought it would be great to share with our readers and I couldn't agree more! I was very excited to realize that the blog post below was written by the author of this book, Rachel Jankovic! It's a blog written by her and three other ladies. (Sound familiar? Oh, wait...none of us have written a book. Ha! :)

I'm going to share the contents of the post below. It's titled On Women, Divisiveness, and Hobby Horses. Please, please, please go visit her blog, Femina. It seems as though it is a great read!! So, here it is. Let me know what you think!

We all know that women are pretty much the worst at getting tangled up in heated, personally charged arguments about things (things being pretty much everything pertaining to children). Someone comes along to say that breastfeeding is the way the truth and the life, and people start throwing stink bombs. Someone barges through saying that epidurals are the only answer to the problem of pain, and before you know it, churchwomen will be driving cars with “Ban Sally from Mothering” bumper stickers. Some poor woman makes a comment at a baby shower about how she is scheduling her baby’s feedings to try to get more sleep, and women will begin making pointed comments about baby wearing and co-sleeping, and when the next la leche league meeting is. People start using words that are too big for the situations and start alienating Christian sisters over whatever they have decided is a monumental issue.


But here is the real big issue: Christians are not allowed to have hot button issues which they use to stir up trouble. Sure, you may care about things. Yes, you should have reasons for why you are doing what you are doing.




But have you gotten so involved in an “issue” that you cannot fellowship with Christian brothers and sisters who think it is silly? Are you so caught up in teaching your kids phonics while they are in the womb that you need smelling salts when someone laughs about it? Does it stress you out to see a “christian” mother feeding her children easy cheese? Do you long to pelt her house with copies of Nourishing Traditions with important parts highlighted? Are you the wrath of God as pertains to birthing methods, educational systems, and nutrition?


Now here is the thing. Principles are the things that God lays out for us. Love your children. Serve the Lord. Bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Children are a blessing. Be fruitful. Methods are the tools we use to try to accomplish these things.


Methods vary, even when the people involved are all following God. Do not get caught up in method camps and chisel away at the number of saints you can fellowship with every time you read a new article about that thing that has become the most important thing. Do not build for yourself an arsenal of inflammatory topics. Do not be quick to fire off heated comments.


The thing about principles and methods is that if you agree on the principle, the method is not such a big deal. But most of us know this – we understand the difference between the two, and yet we still get all wangled into madness about it. Why is this?


Here is my theory: If principles are the content of what is being said, methods are the languages used. We agree that a good principle is “love your children.” So we each say it to them in our own language. Some of us might say it in schedule feeding, and some of us might say it with a sling. The problem comes in when someone overhears someone else “talking” to their children. Quickly translating into her own language, she overhears something like, “I do not love you, and you are a fink!” Outrage ensues.


We want to hear people speaking in our own languages. We have labored over all our translation manuals, worked to have just the right accent, and so it grates on us to hear someone come say the same thing in pig latin. We often refuse to admit that it is the same thing – it just can’t be.


Now the point of this is certainly not to say that there are not objectively better ways to communicate to our children. Some people may be speaking in pig latin, some in a random smorgasbord of cliche sayings, and some only speak to their children in Italian sonnets. Some methods are better. Some methods are dumber. My point is not that we shouldn’t have an opinion about methods, but that we should be comfortable with different languages. When people speak in different languages, it ought to give us joy. The world is a crazy place. The church is a crazy place.


So, next time someone says the clearly outrageous, just remember this: there is a wrong way to be right. There is also a right way to be wrong. And there is always a greater right than being right.

Give Them Grace

I am currently reading Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Jessica Thompson. Though I have not finished reading the book yet, and cannot write a full book review, I highly recommend it! The authors' proposition is that anytime we try to "make" our children be good we are merely extending the law--a law that cannot and will not save them, and will instead turn them into hypocrites and rebels. What children need, what we need, is grace. We need to realize that we can do nothing on our own--we cannot even be good on our own.

There is much to process and digest in this book. I am humbled and convicted and see so many areas where I do not preach the gospel to myself, let alone to my children. I look forward to finishing this book and probably re-reading it again to fully integrate the principles inside it.

If I have not piqued your interest enough, here is a quote that gets to the heart of the matter (and the book):

We are commanded [to teach our children God's law] but not to make them good. We are commanded to give them the law so that they will be crushed by it and see their need for a Savior. The law won't make them good. It will make them despair of ever being good, and in that way it will make them open to the love, sacrifice and welcome of their Savior, Jesus Christ.

Have you read this book? If so, what did you learn from it? Do you find it true that too many times we try to make our children obey the law without pointing them to the grace of the cross, the grace that has been given to us, the grace without which we would be dead no matter how good we are?

Handmade Gift and Book Suggestion

I love giving one-of-a-kind gifts. It doesn’t always work out that I can give handmade gifts every time I have the opportunity, but believe you me, I’m thinking about it and trying to figure out how I can pull it off.

My precious niece Kinley celebrated her first birthday, and I wanted to send her something from Auntie Hollie. So, I made this sweet bunny out of scrap fabric I already had.  I had so much fun making it!

I got this project out of the book “Sewing for Children” by Emma Hardy. 

Not only do I love this sweet book and the message behind it, my little Laney LOVES to look through it, study the pictures and say, “Mama, let’s make this! Oh, I want to make this!” I can’t tell you how much seeing her desire to create, makes my heart smile.

How did I make bunny? I used:

-old pink glove
-brown and pink polka dot courderoy
-buttons
-embroidery floss (thread)
-needle
-two long socks for legs (I didn’t have those on hand so I used a dollar store scarf that I already had)
-scrap cotton lace for bottom of dress
-scrap fabric as scarf around neck
-fiberfill (stuffing)

I simply hand-stitched this together and added my own little additions to the bunny.  Laney ADORED this bunny, snuggled with it, twirled it around like in Toy Story 3, and loved on it before I had to package her up and send her off.  She was so sad when she realized bunny had been mailed off, so I’ll be making Laney and Mattie a little bunny for themselves.

Very easy to make and so fulfilling to give as a gift. I also sent her a little outfit I picked up, so I don’t always send handmade gifts, but I wish I could! Maybe one day....

Maybe give this book as a gift? I highly recommend using it as a means to teach your kids the love of creating and inspiration.

What have you made recently to be given as a gift?

One Thousand Gifts - Book Review

I am reading (almost finished) with One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Have you read this book? It is excellent! I mean, really, really good. Even for those who don't have time to read, this book is worthy of finding time. If you're like me, then when I tell you this book is about finding joy and thankfulness in the living of life, you might think you are already joyful and don't need a book to encourage this. But, it really is much, much more. Yes, it's a book about thankfulness and joy but it is challenging and convicting and encouraging and grace-filling and more. Voskamp's writing style is, at times, a stream of consciousness and nearly every paragraph has a statement that will make you think. I could read this book a few pages at a time, ponder them, and then pick it back up - it's that meaty. Yet, it's not a textbook and it's not a hard read. It's just a mom of six kids, living on a farm, doing the mundane, everyday, sharing life, and learning to passionately love and live in His grace in every moment.

" 'When one is thirsty one quenches one's thirst by drinking, not by reading books which treat of this condition.' If we are dying of thirst, passively reading books about water quenches little; the only way to quench the parched mouth is to close the book and dip the hand into water and bring it to the lips. If we thirst, we'll have to drink.

I would have to do something.

But I hadn't known at all the day I laid aside the books about eucharisteo [giving thanks] and picked up a pen to begin that list that I was really taking down, swallowing, the first real drink and how I'd transform. Or that the transformation would be so visible." -p. 44.

From this Voskamp sets out to write a list of 1000 things she is thankful for. The naming of gifts transforms her and what God showed her - is showing her - she shares in raw, beautiful, heart-felt words that have challenged me in my walk.

Later she writes the following: "A hunter trying to capture. And none of the shots are close enough, wide enough, radiant enough for the hunter. What is this that I feel sitting here, coursing through me relentless, hot, ardent? I have to seek God beauty. Because isn't my internal circuitry wired to seek out something worthy of worship? Every moment I live, I live bowed to something. And if I don't see God, I'll bow down before something else. . .

I know it here kneeling, the twilight so still: nature is not God but God revealing the weight of Himself, all His glory, through the looking glass of nature. I had told it once to a questioning son that theology is but that born of theos and logy - God and study - and theology is to study God. I had always thought of the hefty concordances on the high shelf in the study, but isn't this, too, the deep study of the Spirit God? The revelation of God over the farm?" - p.110

Well, that's just a tidbit of Voskamp's writing style and the depth of the topic of giving thanks. If you can get your hands on this book, I can't recommend it highly enough!

Third Culture Kids Book Review

One of the books I am currently reading is Third Culture Kids by Pollock and Reken. It's research-based and, at times, reads more like a textbook than novel, but it is full of thought-provoking stories of Adult TCKs (ATCKs) and the benefits and challenges of growing up as TCKs. For reference, a TCK is a child who is from one country (passport country) and lives overseas in a host country during his formative years (birth - 18). While he is still growing and figuring out the world, he is heavily influenced by a mix of these two cultures, and, therefore, has become known as a Third Culture Kid. A TCK can be a TCK for a variety of reasons - perhaps his parents are in the military, business, or missions to name a few. As adults,they are often most comfortable around other TCKs - even if they have had totally different experiences in completely different countries. The basic characteristics of a TCK lifestyle are what unite them and create this third culture in their lives.

While it's always in the back of my mind that my children are growing up as TCKs, I guess I've thought, too, that since they are still so young this is not something I need to give great thought to now. However, after diving into this book, I'm seeing how, even now, my kids are impacted by us living overseas. Not that these impacts are negative - but I do need to be realistic and know that there are struggles and challenges unique to TCKs and how I help and respond to my children in these situations is crucial.

The two biggest things that help define life for a TCK are cross-cultural living and high mobility (not just for them, but others coming and going in their lives too). TCKs tend to identify more with people than with a place. Yet, because they are always saying goodbye's to people there can be guilt and grief that should not be left unresolved. My children, aged 2, 2, and 4 currently, have already had more worldwide travel experiences than their grandparents, aunts, and uncles have ever had. In the past year alone, they have had six homes, lived in four countries, and been immersed in three languages. As such, I want to do everything I can to help them not only survive, but thrive, in the lives we live. Listening, listening, listening is so important. Taking cues from them as to how they are feeling and trying to talk about relationships and potential issues before they become problems is crucial. Ultimately, I want my children to know they are loved, valued, and cherished by their parents and we are always, no matter what, there for them to support, listen, and help. When they grieve in the goodbyes - both in their traveling as well as others moving away from them - I want them to run to us and know we are there to listen and not "preach." This was one of biggest things I'm taking away from this book - they will face hardships and grief; it is how I allow them to process it that could either point them closer to Him or further away. Sharing a higher cause for why we go is not always the most appropriate response in the goodbyes.

Ultimately, my goal is for them to know and love our Lord and Savior and long to make Him known to the lost. It is my prayer that our lives would point them toward Him and not away one day in an act of rebellion to their TCK upbringing. I know many of our readers with TCKs also long for this. . . and I would encourage you to read this book in this journey. It brings up good ideas to think through as we travel together on this road of raising children overseas.

R.C. Sproul Jr. on Homeschooling

I recently checked out this gem at our library. I started it last night and am really excited to recommend it. It is R.C. Sproul Jr's When you Rise Up: A Conventional Approach to Homeschooling. So far, it has been a super encouraging read. He gives a lot of godly perspective to the why's of homeschooling. I haven't finished it, so I can't give it a full review, but wanted to throw it in here in the middle of all the schooling posts this week!

JC Ryle on Parenting

Recently, I was looking for some new cheap (or free!) reads for my Kindle. I came across a sample of JC Ryle's writing entitled "Duties of Parents." JC Ryle was an Anglican bishop who lived in the 1800's. Prior to this writing, I had only read a few quotes attributed to him. I was blown away by the parenting wisdom in this short little read! Though it was written over 100 years ago, the biblical truths and challenges presented in this were so timeless and convicting!

Here is a quote (from the free Kindle sample portion) in reference to the scripture he opens with...

 "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Proverbs 22:6

Ryle says,

"It cannot be said that the subject is a new one. The world is old, and we have the experience of nearly six thousand years to help us. We live in days when there is a mighty zeal for education in every quarter. We hear of new schools rising on all sides. We are told of new systems, and new books for the young, of every sort and description. And still for all this, the vast majority of children are manifestly not trained in the way they should go, for when they grow up to man's estate, they do not walk with God." 

This part especially stuck out to me as many of us POH Moms have (almost) five year olds ready to start their schooling this coming year! (Stay tuned for more on schooling later this week!)

Later Ryle says,

"It is a subject, too, on which all concerned are in great danger of coming short of their duty. This is preeminently a point in which men can see the faults of their neighbors more clearly than their own." 

How true is that!?  I hope these quotes have enticed you to check out the rest of practical and biblical wisdom he shares on parenting! (If you have a Kindle, it's only .99!)

A Healthy Read

For Christmas, I asked for a few books that would deepen my understanding of health and the incredible way the Lord fashioned our bodys to work. I have always been fascinated by health in general. I thought it was so funny when I opened up my present of two liver books. Who asks for liver books for Christmas? Ha! I do!

I'm almost finished with Sandra Cabot's, The Liver Cleansing Diet. I am absolutely loving it and plan to start eating in such a way to improve the function of my liver. Why did I choose to read about the liver?

A year ago, I was having some tests run, and we just happened to find out that I have a "fatty liver". I had never even heard of a "fatty liver" before. I never really followed up on it until now. Basically, having a fatty liver means your liver is bogged down with toxins.  I have no symptoms, but if I don't take active steps to improve my liver now, then it could possibly lead to cirhosis of the liver later in life. Yikes! I'm one that wants to eat well NOW, in my early 30's so that later in life, so that I can enjoy a life of health and not trying to turn over a new leaf in eating patterns when I'm in my 50's or 60's due to this or that health problem (that could possibly have been avoided). 

The liver is the only organ that can regenerate completely! Is that good news or what?! I'm continually amazed at the Lord and how He fashioned us together. What a Creator.

Everyone, not just those with liver problems, needs to cleanse the liver. It's functions as a filter for your body's blood, just like the drain in your kitchen sink is a filter for all that leftover food from dinner. Think of how icky and clogged your drain gets and the same is true about any other filter in your body. It will get bogged down if you don't cleanse it occasionally. Dr. Cabot also says that this is a great way of eating for school-aged kids as well...indefinitely, if you so choose. Or you can just choose to do the eight week cleanse every now and then. However, eight weeks of eating a certain way really helps you take a hard look at your eating habits.

I'm pretty much finished with reading the chapters. I'm now filtering through the recipes that Dr. Cabot gives for this 8 week diet that nourshes the liver with the foods on which it thrives. I plan to blog about it, so I'll let you know how it goes.

Have a great week choosing to eat well!

Your ______-Year-Old

A friend at church recommended this series of books a while ago. We were talking about difficulties I was having with both kids and she encouraged me to check these books out. The author is Louise Bates Ames and the series starts with one year olds and goes through 14 year olds! 

I was able to find the three above at our local library. I have not finished reading them - so I can't do a full review on each, but wanted to go ahead and put them out there. Obviously, we have a little girl that just turned 3. Our son is 4.5 and will be 5 in June. My friend suggested these on the basis of encouraging me that all I was experiencing with my kids was normal behavior for their age. It doesn't mean that its right, it just means that I'm not the only one to have to deal with it, discipline for it, etc. 

So far, they are really helpful in understanding a little better what to expect with each age. Obviously, all children are different, have different personalities and may not fit every description. But for the most part, I've found the book to be pretty accurate to both of my kids (who are still very different!).

I've been reading the three and four year old ones...and if you notice the subtitles of each, three year olds are "friend or enemy" and four year olds are "wild and wonderful." I'm looking forward to age five now! :) "Sunny and Serene" here we come! 

Leah F's "lite" reading suggestions

I love to read, and can easily be drawn into a book to the neglect of other things (like, say, laundry :-). I have always loved to read, and have wonderful memories of filling a tote bag to the brim with library books every week. My parents used to punish me by taking away my books. When I spent the night with my best friend, I took a book (or two) with me, and we read all night. Yes, I am that nerd.

So, I thought it would be fun to give you a list of books that I have enjoyed over the past couple of years. These are generally not educational, theological, or spiritual books (though those themes can be found in many of them). Most are novels. All have been read by me :-) Oh, and if you want to find a list of my favorite "reads" of 2010, check out my post here

Guernsey Potato Peel Pie and Literary Society--written as a series of letters, this book is a very engaging and unique read .

Kite Runner--I have wanted to read this for several years and finally did last year. The story of two boys from very different backgrounds in Kabul will move you to tears.

Seabiscuit and Unbroken--both of these books by Laura Hillenbrand are non-fiction works that read like fiction. I cannot recommend her enough! Seabiscuit is the story of a horse that defied all odds and captured the heart of America, and Unbroken is about a man who defied all odds and survived being shipwrecked and held as a Japanese POW. These are amazing stories!

The Elm Creek Quilt Series (start with The Quilter's Apprentice)--this series of novels revolve around a group of ladies who run a quilting retreat. Each book includes wonderful descriptions of quilts, and the author has published a couple of companion quilt pattern books as well :-)

The Mitford Years series (start with At Home At Mitford)--I will confess that I don't care much for Christian fiction, and so I dismissed Jan Karon's Mitford series before I read it. Then I picked it up 'just because' after Georgia was born, and I was hooked. Her books are very enjoyable, and highly amusing, too!

Lord Peter Wimsy mysteries (start with Whose Body?)--I love mysteries, and just this summer discovered Dorothy Sayers' Lord Wimsy. He is a delightful character who makes a hobby of solving mysteries--the novels are pure fun.

Mrs. Pollifax series (start with The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax) --More mysteries, this series is about a retired grandmotherly woman who decides in her retirement that she wants to be a secret agent. And through a series of implausible happenings, she becomes one--a good one!

Percy Jackson and the Olympians series (start with The Lightning Thief)--I will confess that I enjoy reading children's and young adult fiction, and this series is one of my favorite to date. It revolves around children who are demi-gods (half god, half human), and what happens to them. The writing is witty and amusing without being crass.

And what would the list be without some classics? If you haven't, you should read Jane Eyre, Count of Monte Cristo, anything Jane Austen, Vanity Fair, and The Moonstone.

One last thing--did you know that you can download an Amazon Kindle application for your computer, smart phone or IPad? That means that even if you don't have a Kindle, you can take advantage of free Kindle books and read them on your computer or phone!

The Red Sea Rules

This little gem of a book was recommended to me numerous times as we've walked through a tough time over the last six months. (Regarding what I wrote in this post, but the story continued when we found more tumor on my other ovary...then found ourselves pregnant in October and faced surgery to remove my last ovary in January while I was 18 weeks pregnant!)  

I purchased it for our Kindle right before my second surgery and I'm so glad I did! The Red Sea Rules by Robert Morgan is definitely one I'll recommend to others. And I'd even recommend it to someone just facing everyday anxiety and worry as well. (Because ALL Moms face those fears at some point, right!?) 

The author of the book uses the story of Moses, the Israelites and the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14) to illustrate how (as the subtitle goes) - "The same God who led you in will lead you out." He has written ten "rules" or strategies for facing fears, anxieties or difficult times specifically.

1. Realize that God means for you to be where you are.
2. Be more concerned for God's glory than for your relief.
3. Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord.
4. Pray.
5. Stay calm and confident, and give God time to work.
6. When unsure, just take the next logical step by faith.
7. Envision God's enveloping presence.
8. Trust God to deliver in His own unique way.
9. View your current crisis as a faith builder for the future.
10. Don't forget to praise Him.


Many of these seem obvious and simple, but when you're in the midst of a struggle these are often the first things we forget! It was wonderfully refreshing to read these truths spelled out in practical ways. He uses tons of scripture, antecdotes, quotes and more to teach and encourage us how to trust the Lord in all kinds of situations. 


I urge you to check out the amazon link here to find the first chapter. It includes a journal excerpt from a South African pastor, Andrew Murray, that sums up the book very well. Included in that excerpt is this quote:

"So if you find yourself in a difficult spot, remember: you are there by God’s appointment, in His keeping, under His training, and for His time.

And all evidence to the contrary, there’s no better place to be."

Book Review - "Every Child Needs A Praying Mom"

Hello fellow POH readers! My name is Melanie. My husband, Aaron, and I have two wonderful boys. Josiah is 3 going on 30 and Casey is 20 months old. Our family currently has the privilege of serving the Lord in Thailand. I have been reading POH for the last 5 years and feel honored to be here today.

My friend, Krista, asked me to do a review on the book “Every Child Needs a Praying Mom” by Fern Nichols. Fern is the founder of Moms In Touch International - which is a really great resource for Christian moms. I recently read this book and I have to tell you…it has changed my life. Maybe I’m on my own here, but I have days when I’m pretty sure that nothing I’m teaching my children is getting through. Days when I go to bed and feel like a complete failure. Days when I am not proud of the way my children acted or the way I reacted to them. Days when I feel completely defeated…

Prior to reading this book, I was having one of those weeks where I was really struggling with wondering if I was doing the right thing with my boys. Then God brought Psalm 127:9 to mind. “As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth.” As I began to think about this verse I thought about how arrows are aimed at a target before they are let go. Obviously, for our children this “target” would be a life that glorifies God. But then I started thinking about the person holding the bow and arrows - us as parents. What if we lose our focus and our eyes are not fixed on the target? When we let go, we’ll more than likely miss. What better way for us to stay focused than through prayer? That is why I picked this book off the shelf to read and I am so glad I did.

Reading this book has made me realize, more than ever, that we as Mothers have another role to play in our kids lives. Caring for our kids, disciplining, discipleship and showing love are all so important but what about prayer? There is a very real battle going on over the lives of our children. If we believe that, why are we not consistently on our knees fighting for them?

Fern encourages all moms to pray for their children as well as their husbands. She reminded me what a privilege it is to be able to bring my family before the Lord and uphold them in prayer. I love how she really emphasizes praying Scripture for your family. She also gives some very helpful prayer charts and scriptures in the back of the book.

Fern says “I found that if I’m to keep my zeal and passion for God, I must “plan to neglect” anything that would hinder me from prayer. Like anything that brings about great results, prayer requires discipline.”

She also says “How often are you coming into God’s presence? The privilege, the power, the authority is yours. Do you think that Satan could be running rampant in your homes because you are not bringing your husband into the Holy of Holies as often as you should? Are you taking your children in, claiming the Word of God for them?” Ouch.Talk about convicting...

I found her “Four Steps of Prayer” (which are basically taken from The Lords Prayer) so helpful. I think that sometimes I get stuck on one area of prayer (usually asking for stuff) that I forget to praise God and give thanks. 

I believe that every Christian mom should read this book. It offers hope and encouragement as we fight this spiritual battle over our homes and our families. I know you will not regret it.

Book Reviews Week

Hey POHers! It's great to be writing a post. . . it has been awhile since I've written on POH. This week we are doing book reviews. Two books I'm reading currently are Bringing Up Girls by James Dobson and The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding 2010 edition.

A fun, easy, and interesting read for any parents of girls. I like Dr. Dobson and his ministry, I think he has a lot of wisdom and insight, and this book is similar to others he has written. It is nothing earth shattering that will cause you to do a 180 in how you parent; it will confirm the things you are doing right and challenge you in areas you have to grow to raise a godly, beautiful-in-the-Lord's-eyes, confident young woman that seeks to live her life for the glory of His Name. I did find myself laughing and crying and dreaming as I read the book and I have even come up with the rough idea for Josh's father's day gift this year. (No, I'm not giving him this book. . . ) There is a chapter, though, with wisdom and insights from dads of daughters. They are one or two sentence snipits and they will bless your heart. . . and put a lump in your throat! Things like, "'Relish the moments when she toddles up and for no reason at all throws her arms around your neck. Resist the urge to buy her the world.' 'Trust her mom to understand the mystery of little girls. You have yet to figure out the mystery of big ones.' 'Be prepared to watch Walt Disney movies with her some 200 times. Each.' 'Read to her often. Very soon, she'll be reading to you.' 'Take her for a walk in the woods. Show her what poison ivy looks like, how to cross a steam, how to find her way back.' 'There will be days when you think you've raised an alien. Those are the same days she feels she's being raised by one.' 'Teach her how to look a boy in the eye and say "No."' ''Visit college campuses with her in her junior year. (This is not the time to get emotional. There will be plenty of time for that.)' 'Tell her she is the daughter you always dreamed about.'" And so many more. I'm thinking of taking these words of wisdom and making it into something creative. . . actually, I'd welcome ideas of how I should do this - all you creative women out there!!)

Another great chapter is on the princess movement and it's impact on girls. Dobson had some interesting insights and, while he notes it is a 6 billion dollar-a-year business for Disney, he sees many positive influences it can have on our girls - modesty, inner beauty, waiting for her prince charming/husband and so on. It really made me think about it, maybe because my daughter loves the Disney princesses, but there really are many, many positives to this creative, imaginative play.

And, as with Bringing Up Boys this is a good book for both moms and dads to read.

Specifically, this newly revised 8th edition. It reads like a song and is really an enjoyable, easy read, with all updated research and information on every aspect of breastfeeding - pregnancy, getting started, the first year, starting solids and weaning, and all the trouble-shooting problems that could possibly happen. Yes, it is a wonderful reference BUT it is also a must-read for every pregnant mom who either is having her first baby or whose past breastfeeding experiences weren't all she had hoped for.

This newly-revised edition is a more enjoyable read than past editions. Don't hear me wrong, I definitely consulted my WAB 7th edition many times through my breastfeeding experiences but this 8th edition is one I enjoyed reading from cover to cover. It deals more with the relationship you have with your baby rather than just a how-to or problem-solving nursing reference. The beginning poses this question: "What if you had to choose? You can either bottle-feed your baby with scheduled feedings and little body contact, but with your milk in the bottle. Or you can breastfeed your baby, responding to his cues, but only formula comes out of your breasts. . ." What a choice! (And one I'm personally glad we don't have to make!)

It is a great book of encouragement, help and information. It really is the most helpful and research-based breastfeeding book written. Please, moms, if you are pregnant or nursing, make sure you get a copy of this book and read it.

My "to read" list includes Created to Be His Help Meet by Debi Pearl, The Mission of Motherhood and The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson, and Living a Life of Fire by Reinhard Bonnke. (I'm also hoping to add to this list by reading your recommendations and reviews throughout the week.) What are YOU reading? Please share books that you are enjoying, that have challenged you, that have given you a good laugh and breath of fresh air, or that you consider "must reads" for every mom.

Happy reading!

[Closed] Book Review and Giveaway!

"Likewise we ought to read simple and devout books as willingly as learned and profound ones. We ought not to be swayed by the authority of the writer, whether he be a great literary light or an insignificant person, but by the love of simple truth. We ought not to ask who is speaking, but mark what is said. Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord remains forever. God speaks to us in many ways without regard for persons."
-Thomas à Kempis

Kevin Harvey is a friend from church. We've known him and his family for at least five years now. We see them weekly at a dinner club started by my mother-in-law (years ago when my husband was in middle school! but that's another story for another day). Our kids are close in age and play together weekly. We appreciate their friendship and the ways they minister to our church! Recently, Kevin wrote a book. He asked me if I would read it and do a review on POH....

I'll be honest, I was not super excited about the idea because I am FAMOUS for not finishing books for various reasons. But, Amy (Kevin's sweet wife) assurred me it was an easy read! And I'm here to say now that she was so right! I finished the book in less than two days and really enjoyed it.

The quote I posted above was taken from the blog of my friend, Jenn. (Also a friend of the Harveys and also did a blog review of the book. :) When I read it, I thought it was perfect. She was sure to point out that she is not calling Kevin "insignificant." But it was meant to be a reminder to not dismiss a writer you've never heard of. This book is a truly refreshing read and Kevin is a great writer!

Before I get to my quick review, here's the description of the book from Kevin's website:

For too long, the body of Christ has been focused on too many things that, quite simply, haven’t been working. The answer to a lasting, true revival in today’s world isn’t going to come from a continued focus on what we can and cannot do, which denomination has the most biblical theology, or achieving victories in social issues such as definition of family and the right to life. Instead, what our attention should be fixed upon is that the Son of God said the second greatest commandment we’ve been given is to love our neighbors as ourselves.

In this book, Kevin Harvey has taken a biblical approach to help the body of believers define just who their neighbor is and what it means to truly love them as Jesus intended. If the body of Christ began to focus daily on following that one simple idea, then maybe—just maybe—the world would finally begin viewing the church as the salt of the earth and light of the world that Jesus had in mind.

Basically, Kevin related to seemingly unrelatable books of the Bible. Jonah and First John. He uses the story of Jonah to illustrate how we are fleeing from God's "second greatest commandment" to love our neighbor. It was a really wonderful and different look at the book of Jonah. I definitely walked away with some fresh convictions on how I fall short in loving my neighbors. The verses from First John were especially convicting when used to supplement the story in Jonah.

Here's how the book is set up. Each chapter looks a different part of the book of Jonah and is broken into three sections. The first section in each chapter is basically Kevin's summary of what the scripture from Jonah is saying. The second section he calls "The Unavoidable Red Letters" and are the teachings of Jesus that relate to the passages of Jonah covered in that chapter. The third section is "A Friendly Reminder" and is a breakdown of passages from First John that also relate to Jonah.

Kevin uses tons of scripture - even apart from the passages of Jonah, the teachings of Jesus and the verses from First John. He does that too, while writing in a way that you'll feel as though you're sitting in a room with him discussing Jonah. (And I'm not just saying that because I know him and can literally hear him saying many of the lines I read in the book!)

The end of each chapter contains a section he calls "Take it Personally" with questions for individual and group reflection. This book would be great to read on your own or with a group!

If you'd like to get your own copy - you can go to Kevin's website to purchase the book.

OR you can win it here! Kevin gave us a copy of his book (titled Jonah, John, and the Second Greatest (but most avoided) Commandment - since I haven't written that once in this review!!) to give away to one of our lovely POH readers. Be prepared to be challenged in your view of who your neighbor is and whether or not you are loving them as God calls you too!

All you have to do is leave a comment here! (Be sure to leave a way for us to contact you - especially if your blogger profile isn't public!) I'll pick a winner next Sunday, May 30th.

Book Review: A book on manners

I mentioned last week that I had just finished a great little book on manners. Elbows Off the Table, Napkin in the Lap, No Video Games During Dinner by Carol McD. Wallace is a straight-forward guide to teaching your child manners. Her book is broken down into age ranges (3-5, 6-9, & 10-12) as well as categories (i.e. Meeting Adults, Table Manners, Manners of Speech, Play Dates, etc.). I read the entire book in one day (that is to say, it's a quick read - not that I have hours on end to read an entire book in a day!). I really like the way she broke down the expectations by age range so that I can have a good idea of what to expect from my children now (at ages almost 2 and 3.5). She also points out that manners are always a work in progress and won't be magically mastered at any age. But the idea is to be consistent in your expectations so that a small reminder will suffice to prompt your child to exhibit the correct behavior.

The expectations at the Basic Training level (ages 3-5) are indeed pretty basic. We are currently working on Meeting People (say hello, say your name, say nice to meet you) as well as table manners (sit still, ask to be excused, clear your place).

As a side note, I checked this book out from my local library. We have a Parenting section alongside the kids' books that makes it easy for me to browse through and pick a few each week we visit the library. Thank God for our library - it saves us tons of money and provides endless books for our enjoyment!

Book Review: Stepping Heavenward

My friend Sally gave me this book a few years ago when I left North Carolina. It is a great read that I just pulled back off the bookshelf. It is written in the style of a journal/diary. From the back of the book:

"How dreadfully old I am getting! Sixteen!" writes Katherine in her brand-new journal on January 15, 1831. Her heartfelt words mark the start of your own unforgettable journey following Katherine as her life unfolds from sweet sixteen to her grown-up later years. As she learns that true happiness is found in giving oneself to others, you, too, will be immeasurably encouraged to step heavenward - to live with greater godliness, humility, tranquilty, and hope.

I highly recommend this great book! It is a good story and it will definitely challenge you in your walk with God as well.

Stepping Heavenward by Mrs. E. Prentiss

Book Reviews: Christian Fiction Favorites!

Every year our church hosts a big book swap. This past year, I picked up a book by Christian Fiction writer, Karen Kingsbury. I'd heard great things about her books from several ladies and thought I'd give them a try. I'll admit, I was skeptical. I'd never read Christian Fiction, assuming it would be cheesy.

Well, I wasn't 100% wrong about the cheesy part. The books definitely have their share of cheese. But I can't begin to explain how much of a breath of fresh air they were! Scripture is woven throughout the pages and throughout the characters lives. So encouraging compared to other fiction novels I've read.

The book shown here is the one I got from our book swap. It's called Redemption and is the first book in a loooong series. It's 1 of 5 in the Redemption Series which is the first set in the "Baxter Family" series. The other two Baxter series are "Firstborn" and "Sunrise." So far I've read the first 10 books (!!!) - completing the Redemption and Firstborn series. I can't tell you how many times I've cried through these books and how I've been completely unable to put them down!

I'm currently waiting to get my requested "Sunrise" (1st book in the last Baxter series) at the library.

Here's the summary of the first book, Redemption, from the author's website:

"When Kari Baxter Jacobs finds out that her husband is involved in an adulterous relationship and wants a divorce, she decides she will love him and remain faithful to her marriage at all costs. This book shows how God can redeem seemingly hopeless relationships, and it illustrates one of Gary Smalley's key messages: Love is a decision."

Anyone else have a favorite Christian Fiction author? Or another favorite Karen Kingsbury book?

Don't Make Me Count to Three!

We have often referenced Shepherding a Child's Heart in the past on POH. If Tedd Tripp's book is the "heart" (no pun intended), then Ginger Plowman's book "Don't Make Me Count to Three" would be the "how-to" of discpline. Sure, Tripp's book includes some of the practical applications - but this book really gives the details behind ways to train your child.

I had intended to do an extensive book review, but this week has become out of control for us! Will is healing from his tonsillectomy (and subsequent pneumonia) last Friday - on top of an unusually busy week for my husband and I. Instead, I did a quick google search to see if anyone else had reviewed the book and found a great review by a pastor's wife. To get an idea of the book, go and check out this review of "Don't Make Me Count to Three." (I feel that I should add a quick disclaimer: I know nothing about the church from which this review is coming. But from a quick read over of the review, I feel that its accurate.)

In addition, I'd like to point out another GREAT resource from Ginger Plowman that complements this book. "Wise Words for Moms" is a easy to read chart that you can hang up to give you a quick reference for scriptures to use with discipline and encouraging your child to "put on" the desired behavior. I have mine hanging on my refrigerator and can quickly glance at it for reminders of how to deal with heart issues such as whining, tattling and disobeying (these are biggies in our house right now!) I can't recommend this resource highly enough!

One church that I do feel confident in promoting is Covenant Life Church. This church was previously pastored by CJ Mahaney, husband of Carolyn Mahaney. (Remember the Girl Talk blog and our book club book?) Like many churches, they have an extensive collection of online resources. There are sermons and "talks" that are searchable by subject or scripture reference. The list of parenting sermons has been extremely valuable to me! I download these onto my ipod and listen while doing chores during naptime. Here are several specific ones that I have listened to. They have been a huge encouragement to me as I seek to "train up" Will and Adeline.

Training, Discipline and the Rod by Brian Chesmore

Biblical Principals of Parenting by Brian Chesmore

What a Mother Can't Do Without by CJ Mahaney

The Lord is in Your Boat by Carolyn Mahaney

Cross Centered Parenting by CJ Mahaney

I promise these are all worth your time! It is so easy to become discouraged during this phase of having young children in the house. And even if you don't have time to sit down and read a book, you can always find time to multitask and listen to one of these while finishing something else!

Any other recommendations for parenting helps, specifically discpline related - whether book, sermon or other resource?

Book Review: The Discipline Book

Nothing will prick the interest to read up on discipline than a temper tantrum from your two year old. And the fact that I am presently 23 weeks pregnant and due this summer, I am all the more eager to try to discern what is our preferred method of discipline and/or how to refine our discipline even more so before the blessed arrival of our second sweet bundle of joy.

I have read two books by Dr. Sears that I have really enjoyed and from which I learned a lot: The Successful Child and The Vaccine Book. Since we want to become experts in different means/methods to discipline our children, I thought I'd try reading another one of his books: The Discipline Book. Unfortunately, I am no where near completing the book, but I can reflect on what I've read thus far.

The thrust of this book makes the correlation between how you tenderly care for your child during the first two years of your child's life and how that care directly impacts the way your child responds to your instruction, direction and guidance (discipline). The term he constantly uses is "connected," being connected with your child. That connection in turn builds trust in you from your child and when there is complete trust, obedience is likely to follow easily. "The deeper the parent-child connection, the easier discipline will be." (The Discipline Book, p. 15).He elaborates on exactly how to build that firm foundation and "connection" with your child, and I will say, that it's the complete opposite of what most of the baby/child-rearing books that are popular these days. He's a big fan of attachment parenting and to be quite honest with you, since I haven't finished the book and haven't read up on the nitty gritty of attachment parenting, I cannot elaborate in detail at this time on that topic. (But if any of you would like to enlighten us, I know I'd enjoy hearing from you.) I will, however, be reading up on it in the months to come before my baby arrives, since Dr. Sears has pricked my curiosity. I feel like I am a fan of attachment parenting to a certain degree. However, there is a part of me that likes having a loose-schedule to my days and from what I know so far about A.P., it does not endorse "scheduling".

1.) I like this book. What makes me like this book so much is that it gives information and instruction in areas that just don't seem to be "popular" these days or at least in my area and amongst all the younger parents that I know.
2.) As with every book, I don't 100% agree with everything he says, but I do agree with and will try out most of the things he suggests.
3.) He describes the three styles of discipline and the pros and cons to each style. Read these excerpts and discern which style describes your family best. Again, I'm only including an excerpt, the description of each style, not the pros and cons to each.

• The Authoritarian Style: "The traditional way of disciplining, authoritarianism, focuses on parents as authority figures whom children must obey or face the consequences. This style regards discipline as something you do to a child, not a learning process you go through with a child." (The Discipline Book, p.2)
• The Communication Approach: "This philosophy teaches that communicative rather than punitive parenting is the way to discipline. Dissatisfaction with the authoritarian/punishment approach to discipline spawned several schools of discipline based on teaching parents how to better communicate with their children. Most of today's discipline books and classes are based on this approach. This philosophy suggests there are no bad children, just bad communication; and that children are basically good; parents juts have to learn how to listen and talk to them." (The Discipline Book, p.4)
• The Behavior Modification Approach: "Behavior "mod," as it is known, teaches that children's behavior can be influenced positively and negatively according to how parents structure their child's environment. If the child continues to hit other children even after you've given him all of the psychologically correct communication you can provide, you simply remove him from the group. Most children respond well to behavior modification; some regard the techniques as contrived. Although somewhat mechanistic in its approach (it's strikingly similar to training pets), behavior modification gives parents techniques, such as time-out, positive reinforcement, and the teaching of natural consequences, that can be called on when the authoritarian and communication approaches are not working. Behavior mod may be especially useful for children with emotional problems or difficult temperaments who don't respond to other methods. The trainer focuses on shaping behavior, conditioning the child without judging her. (The Discipline Book, p.4)
• The Attachment Approach: "Parents who rely on any of the three approaches to solve a discipline problem may find that their child's behavior improves, but only temporarily. Without a secure grounding in parent-child attachment, the other discipline approaches are merely borrowed skills, communication gimmicks, techniques that are grabbed from the rack and tried on in hopes of a good fit. None of these approaches incorporates the idea that discipline must be custom-tailored to the age and temperament of the child and to the personalities of the parents. Every family, every child, every situation is different, and parents must take all these things into account when they are working to correct their child's behavior. To do this, they must know themselves and know their child. We use the best from all of the three approaches outlined above, but only after going much deeper to construct a firm foundation: Discipline depends on building the right relationship with a child. " (The Discipline Book, p.5)

Interesting, isn't it? After I read these descriptions of these styles of discipline, I was excited to read what he had to say about the little things you do within the first two years of your child's life to build that "connection." Believe it or not, most of it happens from birth to one year, when most just think they their child is just "sleeping all the time." "How a mother and infant spend the first year together makes a difference, probably for the rest of their lives" (The Discipline Book, p. 16). Some of the things he touches on during that first year are: responding to your baby's cries (no CIO), breastfeeding, baby-wearing, sleep-sharing..etc.. Being a Pediatrician for almost thirty years, he instantly tell if a child was connected or not as soon as he walked into the door of the patient's room. He also goes on to compare the behaviors and competencies of a connected and unconnected child: "Infant/toddler behaviors, obedience, getting along with peers, in preschool setting, empathy/caring, problem-solving capabilities, self-worth/confidence, show of emotions, sense of right and wrong, adult outcome" (The Discipline Approach, p. 31).

Regretfully, I haven't finished this book, but I do hope that I was able to shine some light onto thrust of this book, so as to create some curiosity in you. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!