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Showing posts with label Christian book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian book review. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 28, 2021

How to Listen So Your Kids Will Talk- A Book Review


I didn't like reading this book...


but I like the book. 


 

I know that may sound bizarre or weird, most definitely confusing. 

You see, it was hard for me to read this book because the parenting style in this book is the opposite of my parenting style. I would actually get mad as I would read. 

"You can't let your kids run the house like that!" or "You need to discipline the kids now, so they know they're not in charge!" would run through my head constantly. 

The thing is, as I would continue to read the book, I realized that the books style of parenting  was actually pretty effective and when those thoughts would run through my mind, I would decide to try out their different strategies. 

So it took me a while to finish reading the book and an even greater while to write this review because I was trying out the methods.

This is what I learned:


Every fiber of my being wants to get my kids in trouble the moment they act out. It was how I was raised and by letting them yell at me or complain, it felt like I was telling them it was ok walk all over me and that they were in charge, not me.

But Becky Harling says to wait it out. Using Biblical teachings, she points out that we shouldn't speak out in anger because when we do, we will shut our kids up. So take a minute to calm yourself before you react in a way that loses trust.

"But Becky! I can't let the kids win! Doesn't that let them think that they can get away with disrespecting me like that?"

Ugh- did I just use the word disrespecting? I heard that word so much growing up, it started to feel like the word was losing its meaning. 

But by taking a minute to calm down and come back to the situation, I was able to talk to my kids without using mean words that would possibly slip out while I was yelling back at them. (You know, a defense mechanism with that "fight or flight" response.) I was able to listen to their feelings and could get to the root of the problem a lot sooner. 

"Oh! School was really frustrating for them today. They weren't able to understand the math problem and when they tried to ask the teacher, the teacher misunderstood and yelled at them. This problem began and built up since class, earlier today."

Now I know how to approach the problem. I can tell my child, "Everyone is human and while the teacher yelled at you, it wasn't your fault." The teacher didn't take the time to understand the question and took it personally that his method of teaching wasn't understood. Now my child and I can work together to make the situation right. By not reacting to their frustration right away, I was able to figure out why my child was huffy and instead of lashing out, we were able to talk through it and now I know my child will come back to me with their problems and talk to me, perhaps more calmly than they did before. 

Another thing that I actually really liked and didn't feel insulted by or called out for was the talking suggestions that Becky gives in the book. 

I have three kids, so I know sometimes, when one of my kids is acting out, I take a look at what is really happening and I realize that this child has been feeling pretty left out lately. 

So it made sense when I'd read about taking time for each kid, perhaps during the nightly tucking in routine, right before prayers, where you'd just talk to your child. 

My favorite night was when I told my kids, "You can tell me anything without me getting mad. I want your honest answers." and then I asked, "What is something that you like that we do together?", "What is something you'd like for me to do more often?", "What can I do, to be a better mommy?" and my kids answered very honestly. For the most part, the answers were, "Spend more time together" and "Listen better."

So we did this every night. I'd ask them different weird and silly questions and tell them stories and let them tell me their stories. My phone was put away and I made a better effort to really listen. I noticed that they opened up to me way more when we did that every night. 

When we would all sit at the table and I'd have them put everything away for dinner, dinner was more interactive. The kids were talking more and we all really enjoyed talking with one another. 

Conclusion

I didn't like reading this book because it's completely different parenting style called me out. I though it was pretty "Hippy"ish and very "free range" but by giving some of the things a try, it did open up a lot of conversations with my kids. 

It was an interesting read and one that takes a lot of experimentation. Don't completely dismiss this book, especially when you start to get mad. Because while there were somethings I just didn't agree upon, there were so much more that was valuable and works.  

Saturday, August 29, 2020

Redeeming Love Book Review


If you have been paying any attention lately, trafficking children has been a real problem that many of us are becoming more aware of. Perhaps you've seen the hashtag #saveourchildren floating around Facebook and Twitter. Some hundreds of thousand of children are being taken every year for sex and slave trade, enough is enough.

Friday, June 5, 2020

Peace Pirates Book Review and Giveaway


I'm the mother of three kids, ages 10 and under. With the Corona Virus pandemic causing schools to be let out early, we've all been together, nonstop. My kids haven't had much of an issue staying home and have adjusted to remote learning easier than I had ever expected. Life has been wonderful and such a walk in the park.... Hahahaha! Who here believed me?

My kids have actually been viewing this time as quite the adventure and haven't really minded being home. Me, however, I've had some anxiety and mood swings since being home. With my husband working at home, too, I have to get the kids to do their homework and play nicely without interrupting video meetings by screaming like banshees. This time has been stressful and sometimes maniac mommy emerges only to be quickly stuffed back in, kind of like a mommy Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde.

 I couldn't have gotten the opportunity to review Peace Pirates, written by Ashley Willis, at a better time.

Monday, August 12, 2019

Such as Heaven Intended Book Series


If you're looking for a good book series to read, look no further.

The books in the Such as Heaven Intended series by Amanda Lauer are Christian historical romances taking place during the Civil War era, each focusing on different aspects that happened during that time.

Sunday, August 11, 2019

A Life Such as Heaven Intended- Book Review



About the Book


Brigid, a young woman who finds herself having to make a life decision that she isn't sure she wants. Her father gives her two choices: get married or become a nun. During a time of war, she realizes that her choice in a husband is sparse so she has a difficult decision to make.

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

A World Such as Heaven Intended Book Review

About the Book

Amara is 17 when she is thrust into a world that that she did not want. A world where her very own country was cut in half to fight with each other for duty, honor, and the rights of their states.

Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Book Review for A Love Such as Heaven Intended


Josephine is a woman who is accustomed to a certain way of life, one fitting for a woman who has been raised in a most prominent family. She's used to getting whatever she wants so when her dreams of becoming a feminist and also a famous writer are turned down by her father, she schemes to come up with an idea that her father can't refuse.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

More For Mom- A Book Review


As moms, I think we spend a lot of our time worried over whether or not we are doing this parenting thing right. I started this blog because at the time, my oldest was difficult to manage at home and at school and I worried that maybe it had something to do with me.

Being in a Moms group, helped me to see that God chose me to be my little one's mother and that many of the moms felt the same things that I did with my little one.

It's a question that resounds around the world and many books have been written to tell you how to be the best parent that you can be with tactics on how to raise your child. Some may be very inspirational and others, just pure doo doo.

So when I was given the opportunity to review a book that wasn't about parenting, but about giving ME more, I couldn't wait to read it.

About Me

My photo
Hello! My name is Brittany and I'm a writer, obviously. As a stay-at-home mom, there are many things that I have to figure out in order to run a house that appears to be more sane than insane. It's not easy to be a parent and I hope that this blog is able to encourage other moms out there to live life happily and to understand that there can be mishaps along the way, but those mishaps don't define you and anything can be overcome with perseverance and will.

How to Listen So Your Kids Will Talk- A Book Review

I didn't like reading this book... but I like the book.    I know that may sound bizarre or weird, most definitely confusing.  You see, ...