Not a Mom book: Beth Moore's Feathers From My Nest

Sometimes I am too tired to read a mom book. I know I fall short daily and need the wisdom they offer, but I can't even keep the house clean. Reading a book with twelve reminders of what else I am not doing is too much some days.

I know, I know, mom books aim to be helpful and inspiring and to let you know you are not alone. When my mommy brain is calm or desperate, I've find mom books to be helpful. Feathers From My Nest came along at a time when I was neither calm nor desperate. It was like a long note from a friend.

So Beth Moore isn't my in person friend (but Beth, if you you'd like to be, I'll accept), but I've done a few of her Bible studies and listened to her on video. I've laughed with her and cried with her on those videos. And I've always wondered about her. She teaches scripture with gusto and enthusiasm and vaguely references hard things in her life but never specifically. I get it. When the eyes of Christian women across the nation are on you, you want the lessons to be about God's word, not a coffee shop discussion of Beth's life.

Beth raised two daughters (like me!) and a son (for 7 years). And unlike Beth's other books, this one is personal. It isn't a biography, but you feel like part of the Moore household since she says her whole family wrote the book together (and you wish you could come over for dinner).

Each chapter is a feather (or a memory) of raising her children. And nestled in the sometimes laugh-out-loud stories is a lesson that God taught them through it. For Pruning Princesses the chapter entitled "Magazines" about one her daughter's struggles with eating is especially relevant.

When you finish the book, you will want to make Beth your friend on Facebook and your conviction to raise your kids with scripture and love will be strengthened.

The First Parenting Book You Should Read

First. Yes first. Assuming you get the facts and medical advice you need about having the birth process, newborn care and nursing from a class, a book, or even smart friends, I know what book you should read first. All those facts about the first moments of mommyhood are important. But they are worldly. Pain in childbirth originated with the fall, and God has allowed us humans, in an amazing act of mercy, to get really smart at helping moms and babies survive and thrive. You don't need my help finding practical information for the beginning of mommyhood.  You will be handed more books and pamphlets than you can keep organized.

But in six short months after the birth of your precious little one, decisions more complicated than diapering choices start to show up. And with each passing year, the choices you make regarding how you discipline and what you teach your child become more critical. Do not just go with the flow here. You need a plan, a philosophy, a long range goal, a mission statement. Good news: the best possible expert is available to you in God. Bad news:  most moms and dads do not have time to sit down and search God's word for His parenting advice. Because God didn't put all his parenting advice in one chapter or even one book and because sometime we aren't good at seeing the big ideas of scripture and applying them to our personal lives, I have a book for you to read.

Image from Amazon.com

Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp.

Dr. Tripp is the one who taught me that discipline isn't about getting a child to behave. Effective discipline needs to deal with the heart. He reminded me, using scripture, that I am in charge and it is not my job to make sure my kids are happy and chummy with me all the time.  His book begins with several chapters outlining Biblical parenting, everything from the big picture to Biblical punishment (yes this include spanking). The rest of the book is divided into age groups: infancy, childhood, teenagers.  For each age group he gives training objectives and ways to accomplish them.

Normally, I am a library girl. We already own too many books. I don' t advocate adding more stuff to your house. But this book, I return to over and over. When I need a reminder of what I am doing, when a certain issue with my girls is overwhelming orwhen they suddenly change age categories and I am confused about how to change my parenting with them, I reread parts of this book.  You can buy the book used or even new for between $6-7. Or for $4 on Kindle.

You and I, we might not share the same world view. But if you believe the Bible contains wisdom, and you would like to know more about what is says regarding raising kids, check out Tripp's book. You don't have to agree with everything he says, but he might inspire you some areas or challenge to develop an altered philosophy with some Biblical roots. Whatever, you do, parenting isn't easy. And I love people who help me think through and plan issues I didn't know were important.

Books to read: Six Ways to Keep the "Little" in Your Girl

Dannah Gresh is one of my go-to authors when it comes to raising girls. I didn't discover her until I had a tween. Yes, my oldest is nine and marketing people call her a tween.

Dannah inspired me to continue working hard to protect my girls from growing up too fast. Honestly, it feels like culture is moving so fast and pushing so hard that my old fashioned values don't stand a chance. Her book Six Ways to Keep the "Little" in Your Girl was easily the best read of 2010 for me.

This is a book I can't keep on my shelf. Literally, one mom brings it back to me and on my way home, another spots it and asks to borrow it. I would read the book first when my girl was four and probably again when she turned eight.

I won't spoil all six ways because this is a book you should read and own because you will return to it or just want to lend it out to friends. I will share the way that hit me the hardest. Dream with her about her prince. I had never talked to my girls about their future husbands. I imagined bringing up the subject might turn her the girls who has crush after crush and is always chasing boys and kissing them even though she is in second grade. I was afraid it might make her think a husband was her ultimate goal. But Dannah reminded me of the importance of this subject. If I don't talk with my girls about their future husbands, some other little princess will. And she won't say what I would.  I think the ultimate goal for anyone, man or woman, is to follow God with his/her whole heart whether that includes marriage or not. Staying silent about boys won't get my message across. Starting the conversation when the girls are young might mean it won't be so awkward when she is older.

And if you have a boy, Dannah will be releasing her new book for boys in February 2012. Since I don't have a boy, I will borrow this from a friend or the library, but I will read it. Dannah's ideas are insightful and worth my time.

Sharing with Mama Loves: