Exhortation for Parents

Precious, no doubt, are these little ones in your eyes; but if you love them, think often of their souls. No interest should weigh with you so much as their eternal interests. No part of them should be so dear to you as that part which will never die. 

This is the thought that should be uppermost on your mind in all you do for your children. In every step you take about them, in every plan, and scheme, and arrangement that concerns them, do not leave out the mighty question, "How will this affect their souls?"

-J.C. Ryle, "The Duties of Parents"

Preach the gospel to your children.

How to Avoid the Worst Kind of Socialization

While academic and teacher qualification objections to homeschooling are pretty much a thing of the past, the age-old question of “What about socialization?” continues to increase.

Just as we should be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is within us, we should also have an answer to the socialization question. Having answered this question in many different ways, I thought it might be smart to see what the dictionary defines as “socialization,” as it can mean many different things to folks asking the question (that’s probably why we should ask them how they define socialization before we answer).

The common theme in dictionary definitions is that the individual conforms to the beliefs and actions of a larger group.

Most people agree that socialization is essential for the development of individuals so that they can effectively function within societies and for ensuring that society’s cultural features will be carried onto the next generation. That being the case, peer socialization, especially in the teenage years, would be the worst socialization today, if we want our children to be responsible adults.

I ask you in what setting, other than school, will a person be exposed to long hours, days, months, and years with people of their same age? Only in school. So this socialization, at best, prepares a person to get along in school. At worst, it prepares him for drugs, sex, rebellion against parents, and fuzzy thinking. You don’t receive training in responsibility from peers, only from adults. Therefore, the key to positive socialization is more time with parents and other uplifting adults.

I’m not negating the need for peer interaction, but it should be controlled and monitored by the parent so that peer interaction will not counteract the training and teaching of constructive values and beliefs that you do in your home. Homeschooling gives you this opportunity.

Taken in it's entirety from here. 

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Book Review: Momumental

I received this book from Worthy Publishing to review. Momumental is labeled as a Christian Life book for women, but I'm not really sure why. I didn't read a single reference to scripture in the first half of the book. It is intended to be an encouragement for moms, sort of a "This is hard and I have crazy days just like you, but don't quit, it's worth it all!" kind of theme. And I would have really loved it except for the fact that I'm a Christian. 

The author mentions by name several TV shows and movies, all which glorify premarital and extramarital sex and sexual innuendo as it's main source of humor. Frankly, I was not only disappointed, I was stunned. 

Our work as mothers requires minute-by-minute dying to self, sacrificing our convenience for the sake of taking the time to disciple and train our children, and learning to keep our mouths shut when patience and compassion are more needed than efficiency. As much as we may enjoy laughing at the things we all experience, it doesn't give us the gas we need to keep going. Scripture alone has that power. 

When you need encouragement, go the Word of God. When you need to know you're not alone, go to the Word of God. When you need wisdom, go to the One who promises it to you if you only ask. 

There are plenty of edifying parenting books. This isn't one of them.

Habit Training

This book is available here free, and you need to read it. You'll love it and you'll be thanking me later. Just trust me. If you're a stay-at-home mom, you need this book. 

Here's what I learned:

If I take the time to train my children in good habits (obedience, thankfulness, respect, etc.) my days will go smoothly. If I don't take the time to train my children in good habits, every day will be hard and exhausting. 

It's worth it.

The Best Adoption Book

Have I mentioned before that this is the best adoption parenting book out there? Well it bears repeating. And if you've only read it once, it bears re-reading.

The Connected Child by Karyn Purvis.

Slight Misunderstanding

Several nights a week, we do family devotions after dinner. While we're still sitting around the table, Kyle will ask for this book:

For some reason, we can never remember the title so it's become a family joke. "Can you get the "Small Book for Big Heads" book?" or "Can you hand me the "Small People at a Big Table" book?"
A n y w a y . . .
Last night, Kyle was reading about reformers and the uproar they caused among the Catholic church. Lydia asked:

What's the Pimp?

I stifled a giggle as Kyle tried to explain who the Pope is. Before he could get it out, Daniel, having noticed that Mom was entertained by something, corrected Lydia:

I think you mean the Pulp.

Now Kyle was stifling giggles (and definitely not as successfully as I had). "No, that's the stuff in orange juice."


Does this happen at your house too or is it just mine?