Book: Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday

About the book:
Most days motherhood often looks like bottomless piles of laundry; a sink full of dishes; sleepless nights; and unshowered, nonstop, endless days. If that’s all there is, then no wonder “Grumpy Mom” sometimes sneaks into your heart and home.

If you can relate, you’re in good company—Valerie Woerner gets it and has experienced Grumpy Mom more often than she’d care to admit. In Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday, Valerie shares what she’s learned so far about sending Grumpy Mom packing and embracing a joyful, intentional motherhood that is so much better than you thought possible.

As you journey with Valerie, you’ll be inspired and equipped to find energy in the most unlikely places, pursue your own dreams, be set free from mom guilt, feel content despite unfinished to-do lists, spend purposeful time with God amid the daily chaos, and discover more joyous moments of motherhood.

So, take a holiday from Grumpy Mom, and enjoy life as the mom God made you to be.


My thoughts:
This has been a book I am reading slowly.  I have caught myself several times rereading a paragraph and letting it "soak in."

I have those moments when I feel like "Grumpy Mom."  The things the author writes about are many of the same experiences or thoughts I have had myself.  She writes so readers can relate and know that she understands where you are coming from. 

As Moms we face these difficult situations on a daily basis...how do we respond in these moments? Do you know how to look for the joy in the situation?  This book will help change your perspective and challenge you if you have those days when you are "Grumpy Mom."

You can visit the author's website here.  Visit Tyndale here.

I'm glad I had a chance to review this book.  It would make a nice gift for yourself for Mother's Day!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Tyndale Blog Network for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
  Bethany

Book: Lunch Notes to our children

Do you ever put notes in your child's lunch box?  I do from time to time for Caleb. During football season the past three years I'd write a note each Thursday. One year I put a joke in his lunch box.  That was fun as I would find them and do themes sometimes for a week.  

About the book:
Between school, extra-curricular activities, work, and countless other distractions, how can we fulfill our calling to not just raise “good kids” but raise followers of Christ? The reality is, sometimes it’s not easy to figure out how to regularly speak into our kids’ lives while leaning into our relationship through the process! In fun and simple ways, using the power of words, this book equips parents to connect with their child, while sowing God’s Word into them. It includes 10 biblically-based missional values crucial to teach children; concrete illustrations for speaking encouragement; 100+ ready-made notes; and blank notes.

My thoughts:The book Lunch Notes to our Children by Nicole M. Hewitt, PhD, is a great tool for parents to encourage their children while they are at school.  Each chapter has a different topic for parents to focus on in their notes. These include "Character and integrity matter," "Never doubt you are loved," "Emulate Jesus Christ ," and "Understand God has a purpose for your life."  The titles of all of the chapters actually spell LUNCH NOTES. (Loved that little touch!) The encouragement is practical for what our kids are facing and will hopefully encourage them to know they have parents who care and are praying for them during their school days.

I liked that this book has short, to-the-point chapters without a lot of fluff. Example notes that you can copy related to each topic are shared at the end of each chapter.  This book provides a very easy yet effective way for parents to encourage their children during the school day. 

I look forward to writing these notes for my son. As the new semester has started I have started including these with his lunch box. 

Find out more here.

I was provided a copy of this book from the BookCrash Reviewers program.  

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Book: The Better Mom

About the book:

In The Better Mom, Ruth Schwenk invites you to grow out of the "mess" of motherhood and into a place where you can grow as a better, happier mom. Ruth encourages you to embrace the refining work of the Holy Spirit to help you and your family not just survive, but thrive through the parenting years.

She says, "It's okay to come as we are, but what we're called to do and be is far too important to stay there! The way to becoming a better mom starts not with what we are doing, but with who God is inviting us to become."

About the author:
Ruth Schwenk is the founder of The Better Mom, and along with her husband, Patrick, the creator of For the Family. She is a pastor's wife, a mom of four energetic kids, a lover of coffee, and a dreamer of big dreams. She loves leading, speaking, and blogging. A graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Ruth is the coauthor of Hoodwinked and Pressing Pause. The Schwenks are the coauthors of For Better or for Kids. Ruth, Patrick, and their children live in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

My thoughts:
This is one of those books that it was a blessing to read as a Mom.  I guess I am often drawn to books on mothering and some are of course better than others.  This one did take me a little while to "get into."  I did enjoy reading it overall.

I like how each chapter focuses on a different pressure or issue a Mom may have. For example some of the chapter titles are: "I Want the Perfect Home," "I Have No Idea What I'm Doing," and "I Want to Make a Difference."  Moms will be able to relate to this book. It is real about the struggles Moms face, but it isn't overly negative (like another book on motherhood I recently read).  Another aspect I appreciated in this book was the biblical truths that are tied to each chapter. 

Here is a quote I appreciated as I have been thinking about my oldest son having four more years of high school.  I shared it on my Facebook page as I was reading this book. 
"Time is not our enemy. While it is often sobering to think about the future and the fleeting time we have, this is why we are raising our kids! We are not raising our kids to keep them. We are raising our kids to release them to God for his purposes." 

I received a copy of this book from Handlebar review program for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings! 
   Bethany

Book: Parents Rising

About the book:
Raising kids in today’s society can be daunting. Wrong is called right, smartphones replace human interaction, families are fractured, and children aren’t maturing as quickly as they used to. In our ever-changing culture, parenting can sometimes feel like a losing battle.

“We want our much-loved children to grow up into a life of godliness and morality,” says Arlene Pellicane, author of Parents Rising: 8 Strategies for Raising Kids Who Love God, Respect Authority, and Value What’s Right (Moody Publishers/April 2018). “But our children won’t drift into a life of godliness and morality by accident. Because of the morally bankrupt world we live in, it takes a great deal of intentional parenting to provide structure and spiritual handrails to guide our children towards lives submitted to God.”

Pellicane, an author, speaker, popular media personality, blogger, wife, and mother of three, believes there’s too much at stake in eternity to sit on the sidelines or get sidetracked on a smartphone when it comes to parenting.

“The greater culture hangs on what happens in the microcosm of our homes,” says Pellicane. “We need to not be afraid to step up and lead our children. Our decisions won’t always be popular with our kids. But I think someday, our kids will thank us for being parents.”

“Parents, we must rise!” says Pellicane. “There is no better time than now. With every birthday, we get another year to influence our children to love the Lord and shine. Let us not waste our moments.”

About the author:

Arlene Pellicane is a speaker, author, media personality, and blogger. She has written seveRaising kids in today’s society can be daunting. Wrong is called right, smartphones replace human interaction, families are fractured, and children aren’t maturing as quickly as they used to. In our ever-changing culture, parenting can sometimes feel like a losing battle.

“We want our much-loved children to grow up into a life of godliness and morality,” says Arlene Pellicane, author of Parents Rising: 8 Strategies for Raising Kids Who Love God, Respect Authority, and Value What’s Right (Moody Publishers/April 2018). “But our children won’t drift into a life of godliness and morality by accident. Because of the morally bankrupt world we live in, it takes a great deal of intentional parenting to provide structure and spiritual handrails to guide our children towards lives submitted to God.”

Pellicane, an author, speaker, popular media personality, blogger, wife, and mother of three, believes there’s too much at stake in eternity to sit on the sidelines or get sidetracked on a smartphone when it comes to parenting.

“The greater culture hangs on what happens in the microcosm of our homes,” says Pellicane. “We need to not be afraid to step up and lead our children. Our decisions won’t always be popular with our kids. But I think someday, our kids will thank us for being parents.”

In Parents Rising, Pellicane guides readers through eight cultural trends parents faceoliuytrewqn books:  31 Days to Becoming a Happy Wife, 31 Days to a Happy Husband, 31 Days to a Becoming a Happy Mom, Growing Up Social (with Gary Chapman), 31 Days to a Younger You, Calm, Cool, and Connected, and her latest, Parents Rising (Moody). Arlene has appeared in major media outlets including the Today Show, Focus on the Family, Fox & Friends, Family Life Today, The 700 Club, The Better Show, The Hour of Power, Turning Point with Dr. David Jeremiah, and Home Made Simple on TLC, been interviewed on numerous radio programs, and written for several national magazines. She and her husband have three children.

My thoughts:

Wow what a book!  Parents need to read this message AND apply it.  There are tons of parenting books out there but this one is worth your time.

Each chapter of the book is about a different strategy.  The 8 strategies are not hard to implement, and they are all very practical.  As I read I thought that they all seem to be parenting strategies that were once popular and  you saw used by many parents.  Now they are rare it seems.

I like that the author shares some facts but doesn't overshare facts and statistics like I've found in some books. One thing that made me sad (and I read aloud to my family) is how much reading books aloud  to children has decreased since the introduction of screens.  We read a lot of books at our house so this made me sad to read these statistics.

I recommend this book to all parents.  I have a teenager and a toddler, and the information in this book is helpful to me as a parent of both of these ages.

I read another book (Calm, Cool and Connected) I enjoyed by this author and reviewed it here.

I received a copy of this book as part of a blog tour with Moody Publishers.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
Bethany

Book: Why Motherhood Matters

I was not familiar with author September McCarthy, but when I read this book description I knew it was a book I wanted to read.

Here is a little about the book:

Do you ever wonder if your efforts as a mom make any difference?

Take heart. Whether you're struggling through sleepless nights with your toddler or endless battles with your teen, September McCarthy's story offers practical insights and powerful inspiration to encourage you on your own mothering journey.

As a mom for 25 years who continues to raise young children and love her young adults, September imparts words of wisdom and grace in key areas of Christian parenting, including...

• faith—getting honest with your family about your need for Jesus
• wellness—learning to take care of your kids...and yourself
• education—raising a new generation with creativity and character
• relationships—speaking to the heart of your children in unique ways

In these pages you'll find sweet anecdotes and gentle guidance for those moments you need both a breather and a lifeline. Motherhood is an incredible labor of love—and in the scope of eternity, it matters more than you know.

My thoughts:
I loved reading this book!  It has so much packed into it.  I kept writing down pages with quotes I wanted to save and share.  It gave me such encouragement to read this book.

As mothers we all go through similar experiences and challenges.  Sometimes we just need someone to come alongside us and remind us that it is going to be okay and we are doing a good job on this mothering journey.

I appreciated how the author shared from her own mothering experience with honesty.  I highly recommend mothers to read this book.  You will be encouraged!

#WhyMotherhoodMatters

Visit the website here.

I received a copy of this book for my review from the publisher.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings! 
Bethany

Book: Slow Down

Are you familiar with the song called "Slow Down" by Nichole Nordeman? If not, I highly recommend that you click over and listen to it!  I loved it when I first heard it and used it in the birthday videos I made for our boys this year.

Today I have a book by Nichole Nordeman to share with you called Slow Down Embracing the Everyday Moments of Motherhood.

Book description:

The days are long, but the years are short.

No matter if it’s your child’s first step, first day of school, or first night tucked away in a new dorm room away from home, there comes a moment when you realize just how quickly the years are flying by. Christian music artist Nichole Nordeman’s profound lyrics in her viral hit “Slow Down” struck a chord with moms everywhere, and now this beautiful four-color book will inspire you to celebrate the everyday moments of motherhood.

Filled with thought-provoking writings from Nichole, as well as guest writings from friends including Shauna Niequist and Jen Hatmaker, practical tips, and journaling space for reflection, Slow Down will be a poignant gift for any mom, as well as a treasured keepsake.

Take a few moments to reflect and celebrate the privilege of being a parent and getting to watch your little ones grow—and Slow Down.

My thoughts:This book will resonate with any Mom I believe because we all soon come to realize that time passes quickly as we are raising our children.  I really enjoyed reading this book and the reminder as a Mom to slow down and to accept our children as they are.  The days pass and soon a new stage comes before we realize it....sometimes we are ready for that stage to be over and other stages we don't want to let go of.  But either way we need to enjoy the moments we have with our children, not trying to change them or worry over things that don't really matter.

The book has 14 chapters on a variety of wisdom and insight for mothers using stories about her children. Then it follows up with a few questions about that topic for you to consider.  There are also short little inserts from other Moms too. The pictures of children are beautiful as well and add to the beauty of the book.

This book will encourage you as a Mom!  I highly recommend it to you.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers <http://booklookbloggers.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Have a day of blessings!
  Bethany

Long Days of Small Things

Wow!  Reading this book has blessed me so much!  Let me tell you about it.

About the book:
Rich, soul-inspiring practices for moms who have neither quiet nor time. Dirty laundry, crayon-smeared bills, and smashed crackers . . . And there’s your Bible—buried under a pile of diapers. Bleary-eyed from lack of sleep, without a moment of peace and quiet, you wonder if the spiritual life you crave is even possible. But God sees you. He designed this parenting journey, after all. He understands the chaos of motherhood. And he joins you in everything—whether you’re scrubbing the floor, nursing a fussy newborn, or driving to soccer practice. Catherine McNiel invites you to connect with God right here, in the sacred mundane of every mothering moment.

My thoughts:
I could relate so well to this book.  There is so much we do as mothers that we can easily be depleted.  The idea the author presents is that while you are doing these daily tasks....wiping bottoms, washing dishes, folding clothes, cleaning messes.....that you can praise God and focus on Him in the midst of all of this.

One quote that I absolutely loved at the beginning of this book:  "I hadn't know that I felt invisible until I felt seen.  I hadn't realized how thankless the ceaseless sacrifices of motherhood felt until someone gently pointed me to their honor and value."

Please consider blessing a young mother in your life with this valuable book.  It would be a beautiful gift for a baby shower or Mother's Day.

On a side note...A ironic thing is I was going to read this one night as I took a bath.  My little boy came running into the bathroom to see me and bumped the book, knocking it into the tub and soaking it.  I had to laugh how perfect it was that he knocked THIS book into the water.   So I had to let it dry out before I continued reading.

It took me a while to read this book simply because it was beautifully written, and I wanted to read slowly and absorb what I read, if that makes sense.

This book was provided to me by Tyndale for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
    Bethany

QUEST: Parenting in a Sexualized Culture + Giveaway

There is no question that we live in a sexualized culture.  New challenges face parents that were not around just a few years back.  Parents are wise to seek help and a community of like-minded parents to help them make wise choices.

Because we live in a sexualized culture, we need to teach and equip our children for what they will face.  We shouldn't just throw them out there for them to figure things out on their own. They will find answers to their questions somewhere.  Don't you want them to get facts from you instead of incorrect information from their peers or the internet?  This video series will help parents navigate through this important topic but one that is often difficult for parents to discuss with their children.

About this study:

Our job as parents is to share God’s more compelling story of sex with our kids. But first, we need to understand this story ourselves, and why it is the better story, indeed the best story. Parents, you have what it takes to help your kids not just survive in a sexualized and digital age, but to thrive and lead others.
Join us on this quest through God’s Word of why He created us as sexual beings, how we are to steward this gift, and how we can share His story with our kids.

Quest: Parenting in a Sexualized Culture will answer questions like:

• How can I model purity to my kids?
• How do I talk to my kids about sex?
• What can I do about all of the technology invading my kids’ lives?
• As a parent, how will I leave a legacy?

My thoughts:
This DVD series would be a great resource to do in a church group/class. I think it can make a difference for parents just to have an outlet to talk with other parents in confidence and get ideas and encouragement from other parents regarding how to share with their kids about the topic of sex.  

You can find more information about this study by watching the clip and also enter the giveaway at the link below.

Watch the trailer here.
Quest | Parenting in a Sexualized Culture from pureHOPE on Vimeo.


Be sure to enter the giveaway located at this link.  (You enter the giveaway on the link, not on this blog.)

Or you can purchase materials here. @findpureHOPE

I received a copy of this video series small group study for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Book: Things I Wish I'd Known....

About the book:

In Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Became Parents, Chapman and Warden share wisdom gained from raising their own children and from the many families they’ve counseled through the years. They explore numerous topics like how children change your life, how to accept your child’s uniqueness, potty training (yes!), why kids need boundaries (starting as infants), the importance of modeling, why social skills are as important as academic skills, and why emotional health is critical. While much of the book focuses on parenting, Chapman and Warden also spend a chapter focused on marriage, encouraging couples not to put their marriage on auto-pilot when the kids come.

About the authors:

Dr. Gary Chapman is an author, speaker, and counselor who has a passion for people and helping them form lasting relationships. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The 5 Love Languages® and the director of Marriage and Family Life Consultants, Inc. Gary travels the world presenting seminars and his radio programs air on more than 400 stations. He and his wife have two children and several grandchildren. Dr. Shannon Warden is an assistant teaching professor at Wake Forest University where she teaches in the graduate counseling program. She is also the director of counseling and director of women’s ministries at Triad Baptist Church in Kernersville, NC. As a professional counselor, Shannon has counseled children, families, young adults, women, and couples since 1998 and has served as an assistant to Dr. Gary Chapman since 2003. She and her husband have three children.

My thoughts:

This is an easy to read book that would make a nice gift for a couple expecting a child.  The authors give good, practical advice on various topics such as the costs associated with raising a child, educational decisions parents need to consider, and how the husband/wife relationship will change once a child is born.  There were several things they shared that I agreed it would have been nice to know before we had children!

One chapter I particularly enjoyed was about how all children are different.  I have seen this with our two boys, and it was nice to read and be reminded how ALL children truly are unique and different. What works for one may not be the best approach for another. One may learn something faster than another.  That's all okay and important for parents to realize before they start comparing their baby to other babies.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it to couples expecting a child.

I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher for my review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
  Bethany

While My Child Is Away

About the book:
Parents and children are separated for many reasons: divorce, school, camp, even work. It might be for just a few days or indefinitely. These 140 prayers give voice to all that you are hoping for your child when you can't be the one to meet their needs. Prayers of blessings, protection, instruction and grace. Or prayers for those around your child to choose wisely, see their needs, and love then as you would. Prayers for friends, teachers, coaches and mentors to step in and fill every need. Knowing that a loving Father God is caring for your child, even when you can't, gives you the peace and assurance that all will be well.

My thoughts:
I have enjoyed reading these prayers plus devotional thoughts for parents.  As our children age they spend less time at home.  These prayers are applicable for any parent experiencing time with a child away for whatever reason.

This book has been a reminder to me of the importance of praying for my children.  The prayers in the book are written from the heart and helped me consider things I had not previously prayed for my children.

This is a nice resource for parents and will be a comfort to those with children who are away.

I received this book from the FirstLook blog tour program for my review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
   Bethany

Hope Unfolding

I recently finished listening to Hope Unfolding by Becky Thompson.  I had seen this book on several blogs and when I read the description I thought it would be a good book for me.  I had read some blog posts from the author's blog in the past so I was familiar with her writing.  You can visit her blog here.

This book is very encouraging to moms with stories filled with hope.  It reminded me that other moms feel the same way I do, experience the same highs and lows, face the same challenges, and that we are all loved by our amazing God.  The author shares many personal stories from her childhood, marriage, and motherhood that will help the reader relate to her.

The audio version is read by the author herself.  She does an outstanding job reading this text and I really appreciated that for this title it was read by its author.  It felt like she was right there talking to me, encouraging me through my day.

I cannot say enough good things about this book and highly recommend this book for moms.

This book was provided to me through the christianaudio reviewers program.  Thank  you.

Have a day of blessings!
 

Busy, Busy

Eileen Spinelli has written a delightful book called Busy, Busy!  This board book illustrated by Elina Ellis shows animals who are busy doing a variety of activities.....Mole is digging, Puppy plays with a ball, Ant drags away crumbs.  Even Mommy is busy in her garden, but she is never too busy to stop and give a hug.

This is a fun little rhyming book.  I loved the illustrations (the peacock is beautiful I thought!) and also appreciated that a variety of different animals were used that aren't always in children's books necessarily like peacock, ants, and a mole.

I would recommend this book for you to read with a very young child.
(Isn't the raccoon on the cover so cute?)

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review as part of the First Look blog tour.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
  

Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full

I recently received an email to review a book called Treasuring Christ When Your Hands Are Full by Gloria Furman.  Wow!  This could not have come at a more appropriate time for me!

About the book:
Grocery shopping. Soccer practice. Dirty dishes. Motherhood is tough, and it often feels like the to-do list just gets longer and longer every day—making it hard to experience true joy in God, our children, and the gospel. In this encouraging book for frazzled moms, Gloria Furman helps us reorient our vision of motherhood around what the Bible teaches. Showing how to pursue a vibrant relationship with God—even when discouragement sets in and the laundry still needs to be washed—this book will help you treasure Christ more deeply no matter how busy you are.

My thoughts:
This book is perfect for the busy Mom who has days filled with serving her family day in and day out.  Mothering is a difficult role; however, in the midst of the routine and the regular, it is important for moms to realize the eternal reach of what they are doing. There is a bigger purpose, and as Moms we need to be reminded of this instead of being weighed down in the worries of today. We miss so much when we get so focused on the "now" instead of the eternal. We lose our joy. We don't show grace to our children.  

This book is so encouraging.  I will be listening to it again.  I recommend it for Moms who need the reminder of bringing the focus of their mothering back to Christ.

This audio version is read by Sarah Zimmerman.  She did a wonderful job and made listening to the book enjoyable.

I received a copy of this audio book from the christianaudio reviewers program. Thank you.
Have a day of blessings!
 

Better Together

I was excited to find out I am on the launch team for a new book by Jill Savage with Anne McClane. I can't tell you how much I've been encouraged as a Mom through several Jill Savage books in the past and I knew this one would be beneficial to me as well.

I'm learning so much as I am reading.  There is just a lot of good stuff in here for Moms.  We need other Moms to help us along.  So far I've learned some things about myself with the Mothering Personality Inventory.

It will be out at the beginning of March, but I encourage you to preorder it now.  You can preorder it here or here or several other sites.  Also, there will be over $50 of freebies as a bonus if you preorder the book!

It would be great to read in a Mom's group or with a group of friends too.You don't want to miss out on this valuable book if you are a Mom!

#bettertogether
#bettertogetherbook

Have a day of blessings!
 

Raising Grateful Kids In An Entitled World

I have completed a wonderful book called Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch. Visit her website here. I've read her blog for many years as well as her previous book Rhinestone Jesus so I was excited to be able to read this new book.

There's no question our society as a whole has an entitlement mentality. I've witnessed this multiple times in my life, and it's just everywhere really in all different age groups.  In this book the author shares her experiences with her own family off  what they do to raise grateful kids. She admits it is not easy to be different from the world, but as Christians that is who we are supposed to be. I appreciate her honesty as a Mom that she is not an expert and doesn't have everything figured out.

The book is easy to read with 4 parts divided into ten chapters. Each ends with practical ideas of how to implement the ideas in your own family with ideas for parents, toddlers/preschoolers, elementary aged, and tweens/teens.

I marked a lot in this book as I read and gained some wonderful ideas to incorporate in our family. I want my husband to read it next, and I plan to reread it too at some point because it just has so much good stuff.

You can pre-order a copy for yourself today. Visit this website for more information about the special offer for when you pre-order.

This book was provided to me by the Tyndale reviewers program for my honest review. Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!

Special offer for "No More Perfect Kids"

Guess what??? It's time! I've been telling you about the No More Perfect Kids book and encouraging you to wait to get it until Bonus Week and it's finally here!

Hearts at Home, Celebrate Kids, Inc, and Moody Publishers have put together an incredible package of parenting tools for anyone who buys the book during Bonus Week!

Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the bestselling book The Five Love Languages, says, "Few things in life are more satisfying than succeeding as a parent. No More Perfect Kids will help you do just that!"

If you pick up the No More Perfect Kids book (e-book or hard copy from any brick and mortar store or online retailer) anytime between March 13 - 23, 2014, you will be eligible to receive over $100 in free resources! Here's how it works: 1) Buy the No More Perfect Kids book between March 13 and March 23 2) Scan or take a picture of the receipt 3) email a copy of your receipt to freebies@nmpk-extras.com 4)Within 24 hours your will receipt a reply with a link and password to unlock you free resources! So what is included in the bonus offers? It's over $100 of incredible parenting resources! Here's what you'll get: 4 Printables:

• You're Special Poster
• I Corinthians 13 for Parents Poster
• Compliments and Corrections Booklet by Dr. Kathy Koch
• Conversation Starters for Parents and Grandparents Booklet by Dr. Kathy Koch

4 Hearts at Home Audio Workshops:

• When You Feel Like Screaming--Sue Heimer,
• Getting Inside the Head of Your Kid--Shaunti Feldhahn
• Raising Grateful Kids--Marianne Miller
• Real Ways to Connect with Your Kids--Kathi Lipp

3 E-Books:

• A Perfect Pet for Peyton by Gary Chapman,
• How Am I Smart? by Kathy Koch
• The 10 Commandments of Parenting by Dr. Ed Young

You'll also want to check out www.NoMorePerfect.com where you'll find free videos to accompany the No More Perfect Kids book and other great resources! What a wonderful opportunity this is to get some great parenting resources at an incredible price! Tell your friends, your moms group, and any other parent who would benefit from this wonderful opportunity!


Have a day of blessings!

Review: No More Perfect Kids

I was excited to be part of the launch team for a new book called No More Perfect Kids.  I've posted some excerpts from the book here on the blog and wanted to share my own review of the book with you today. 

I have loved and appreciated every book I have ever read by Jill Savage, and this one is another to add to that list. The basic idea of this book is to show parents that children are each unique beings with special talents. As parents we need to accept that reality and accept our children as they are, not as we dream them to be. If we do this, we are allowing our children to grow and develop the God given talents and gifts they have. Our children are not perfect and we should not expect them to be.  They are going to make mistakes and do things differently than we may desire.  This book helps you see your children as unique individuals created with a purpose by God. 

This books is a great encouragement with ideas for ways to improve as parents.  If you begin reading and see ways to improve, the book encourages you to do just that. Don't dwell on the mistakes of the past or feel guilty because of how you have handled certain situations.  I found many ideas to try in my own parenting...ways to rephrase questions, discussions to have as a family, and several others.

Another thing I want to mention is I feel this book is appropriate for both Dads and Moms. Personally I'd like to read it again with my husband and see what we get out of it together.  I believe teachers could also benefit from this book in how they deal with their students. There are also discussion questions at the end which would be ideal for a small group.

There is a special going on through the 23rd when you buy the book. I will post more about that tomorrow.  If you pick up the No More Perfect Kids book (e-book or hard copy from any brick and mortar store or online retailer) anytime between March 13 - 23, 2014, you will be eligible to receive over $100 in free resources! I hope you will take advantage of this offer and check out this wonderful resource.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this book for my honest review.

Have a day of blessings!

No More Perfect Kids

I'm so excited to announce that the No More Perfect Kids book is now here! Jill Savage and Dr. Kathy Koch have been working so hard over the past year to bring parents this powerful book! I am part of the launch team and have already had the opportunity to read the book and can highly recommend it! However, they say good things come to those who wait. This saying is especially true where No More Perfect Kids is concerned. The official release date was March 1, BUT if you are willing to wait to get your copy until March 13 - 23, you will be eligible to receive over $100 in free resources! I'll provide all the info you need during release week to get the book and the bonus offers so stay tuned for the details. You’ll also want to pop over to www.nomoreperfect.com where you can sign up to receive weekly antidotes to the perfection infection on the No More Perfect Blog, or learn how to better love your kids for who they are through our free 13-day No More Perfect Kids e-challenge.

While you're waiting for those bonus offers, here's an excerpt from the book: Ten Ways to Encourage Your Child An excerpt from No More Perfect Kids by Jill Savage and Dr. Kathy Koch

Parenting is hard work and sometimes it seems our kids do more wrong than right. Add in household responsibilities like laundry and meals, spilled milk at the breakfast table, a child who comes in from playing outside and is covered in dirt, and sibling rivalry where the kids pick at each other all night and sometimes life just isn’t easy. Fatigue is normal and frustration is, too. Learning not to act unkindly in our frustration is a journey requiring grace for ourselves and our kids. Even in the midst of real life, it’s important to say far more encouraging words to our kids than correcting words. When we encourage kids, we give them courage. It’s empowering, freeing, and strengthening. When encouragement is the norm, children will learn they can take risks, try new things, ask for help, and make mistakes without the fear of losing the acceptance, love, and support of their parents. It’s not easy to give encouragement, especially on the hard days. There are, however, steps we can take to increase encouragement in our home.

Here are 10 Encouragement Enhancers you can use in your family:

1. Don’t expect perfection. When we expect perfection we notice every little thing that’s wrong and that creates an environment of discouragement.
2. Encourage childlike behavior. There’s a difference between childish behavior and age-appropriate childlike behavior. Discourage the first and encourage the second.
3. Value what your kids learn. We need to pay at least as much attention to what’s being learned as we do to grades being earned and performances at games and concerts. This is one way we communicate that our kids are more than what they do and how they do.
4. Resist the urge to judge all performances. One way to emphasize learning rather than performance is not always to ask about their scores or grades.
5. Ask them how they feel. When talking about one of their athletic competitions, concerts, or tests, sometimes ask first how satisfied they were with the outcome. Two-way conversations about grades, concerts, and competitions will be more profitable than one-way judgments.
6. Notice their strengths. Point out their character, attitude, and action strengths to help them when they work to make progress in weak areas.
7. Don’t worry about their challenges. Understand some areas will remain challenges for our kids no matter how hard they try. Trying to get kids to change what they can’t improve is a sure way to discourage them.
8. Celebrate what’s real. When one child deserves to be celebrated for something significant (e.g., no C’s on a report card for the first time in a year, a soccer championship, art being displayed in the county library), don’t create fake celebrations for your other kids in order to be “fair.” Use these opportunities to teach children to genuinely celebrate their siblings.
9. Introduce them to overcomers. Discuss relatives and local people your kids know who have overcome great odds. Read biographies and autobiographies of people who have been highly successful even though they also struggled. We can often learn our greatest lessons from our greatest challenges.
10. Have fun together. Play with your kids. Relationships are deepened while building forts and having tea parties with your little ones and going shopping and watching ball games with your older ones. The fun, relaxed moments you share make tough times easier to walk through and go a long way to creating an encouraging family culture.

Be patient with yourself as you work to increase the encouraging environment in your family. If you choose too many things to change, you and your kids will be overwhelmed and little progress will be made. Don’t look back with shame or guilt either. Today is a perfect day to look forward with hope, choose one Encouragement Enhancer to start with, and walk in a positive direction!

Have a day of blessings!

Why do kids make mistakes?

Why Do Kids Make Mistakes?
An excerpt from No More Perfect Kids by Jill Savage and Dr. Kathy Koch


Does it ever feel like your child does more wrong than they do right? As a parent, we know our kids aren’t failures. They can fail a quiz here and there, not win a tournament, and not earn a raise during their first job review, but none of that makes them failures. They will make mistakes, though, because they’re human! To best help our kids overcome their mistakes and not feel like failures, we need to understand why they make mistakes. When a parent understands, it increases their compassion and decreases their frustration. As you listen closely and observe intently for the “why” behind their mistakes, you can know how to best support them.
Let’s explore eight reasons kids make mistakes.
1. They need more experience. When kids complain that school is hard, remind them that if it were easy, they wouldn’t need to go. School—and much of life—is about trying new things. We must let our kids know they’re not stupid when they get things wrong. Mistakes are a part of life, and they often show up when we need more experience.
2. They need to be taught in order to be successful. Mistakes can occur when content and tasks are new and teaching hasn’t yet occurred. Kids might enjoy trying things on their own, but then can get very frustrated when their independent approach doesn’t go well. Protect their self-esteem when you notice that the reason they did something wrong was simply because they need help or more instruction.
3. They need more time to learn something. Errors occur because kids didn’t learn something well enough, although teaching has begun. These mistakes are a part of learning. They happen, and it’s no one’s fault. How did you learn to drive? By driving imperfectly for a while. How did you decide which barbeque sauce you prefer? By cooking with one and then another. Did you make a mistake? No. It was a “learn by doing” experience, not a “mistake by doing” experience. The language we use to discuss mistakes matters; this includes what we say to our kids and what we say inside our heads when thinking about them.
4. They need healthy motivation to do things well. Sometimes kids make mistakes because they don’t want the additional pressure that comes with excellence. Maybe your son’s teacher keeps calling on him because he’s always attentive and right, but your son wants to take a break from that. Maybe your oldest is feeling like all your happiness is on her shoulders. That’s unhealthy motivation and creates a lot of pressure for any child.
5. They need our understanding and attention. Kids will occasionally fail at something or make mistakes just to push our buttons. Let’s face it: They are smart little people even at a young age, and they learn the power of manipulation early. In these cases, responding with understanding is important. When the time is right, and depending on their age, let them know you understand they’re angry or frustrated but you’d rather have them talk with you about their feelings than to act their feelings out.
6. They need more modeling and instruction related to character and obedience. Sometimes mistakes are an issue of character. Kids might hurry through a task or assignment so they can get back to their video games. They can choose to not double-check their work because pride is in their way and they’re just convinced they haven’t made any mistakes. As parents, we need to discern whether our children are making occasional errors in judgment or if they’ve developed consistent character flaws that need to be addressed.
7. They need self-respect, self-control, and respect for others modeled for them and taught to them. Sometimes kids’ strengths get them into trouble. Too much of a good thing is not a good thing! For example, word-smart kids might talk too much. Logic-smart kids with a heightened curiosity may ask questions to keep you distracted and to extend bedtime. We don’t want to paralyze their strengths by overreacting and being too critical, but we do need to teach the concepts of self-control and respecting others.
8. They need sleep, food, and/or emotional stability. Do you sometimes underperform or make unhealthy decisions when you’re tired, hungry, or emotionally vulnerable? So do kids. You might discover your daughter should start her homework after having a snack. Your son may not be handling the long day of school well and may need to go to bed thirty minutes earlier than you originally thought. To track patterns, you can keep a written record of their misbehavior using a calendar or a list. After recording a few days of when mistakes and misbehavior occur, who was present, if it was near mealtime, or if they were fatigued, you can often identify possible strategies to decrease the misbehavior.

It’s okay, in the midst of mistakes, to verbalize that your child is not failing or a failure. Look for impressionable moments when kids need the reassurance that making mistakes is how people learn. You may not be happy with their choices, and discipline may be necessary, but also let them know they’re not stupid. In fact, letting our kids know they’re not mistakes even when they make mistakes is very important for us to communicate, especially in the hard days of parenting!

This excerpt is from No More Perfect Kids, a new Hearts at Home book by Jill Savage and Dr. Kathy Koch! Pick up your copy of the book between March 13-23 and you'll get over $100 in bonus resources! Find out more at NoMorePerfect.com!

Book: Hands Free Mama

About the book:
If technology is the new addiction, then multi-tasking is the new marching order. We check our email while cooking dinner, send a text while bathing the kids, and spend more time looking into electronic screens than into the eyes of our loved ones. With our never-ending to-do lists and jam-packed schedules, it’s no wonder we’re distracted.

But this isn’t the way it has to be.

In July 2010, special education teacher and mother Rachel Macy Stafford decided enough was enough. Tired of losing track of what matters most in life, Rachel began practicing simple strategies that enabled her to momentarily let go of largely meaningless distractions and engage in meaningful soul-to-soul connections. She started a blog to chronicle her endeavors and soon saw how both external and internal distractions had been sabotaging her happiness and preventing her from bonding with the people she loves most.

Hands Free Mama is the digital society’s answer to finding balance in a media-saturated, perfection-obsessed world. It doesn’t mean giving up all technology forever. It doesn’t mean forgoing our jobs and responsibilities. What it does mean is seizing the little moments that life offers us to engage in real and meaningful interaction. It means looking our loved ones in the eye and giving them the gift of our undivided attention, leaving the laundry till later to dance with our kids in the rain, and living a present, authentic, and intentional life despite a world full of distractions.

So join Rachel and go hands-free. Discover what happens when you choose to open your heart---and your hands---to the possibilities of each God-given moment.

My thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and felt it was very eye opening to me as a mother.  We know that time goes quickly, and before we know it our children are grown.  When they are grown will we truly know them? 

The author realized she was missing out on things that mattered most in life because of her constant distractions and the ways she was over committed.  She offers honest, painful stories of things she realized through her journey.  She offers some amazing realizations that happened for her along the way and shares these through her creative writing style. 

I think the message of this book is one that needs to be heard by our society that is constantly attached to a phone or to-do list.  It's important to realize that becoming hands free wasn't something that happened overnight, it is a continuing process, and we can't live in guilt when we do mess up.         
I appreciated the ideas she shared on ways to help readers become hands free based on things that had happened on her own journey.   

I hope others will read this book and realize the need to pay attention to the most important part of life instead of letting life pass by without meaning and value. 

This is the Hands Free Mama website.  Be sure to check out this book. 

This book was provided to me through the BookSneeze reviewer program for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!