The Christian Mama's Guide to the Grade School Years by Erin MacPherson

After reading (and quite enjoying) The Christian Mama's Guide to the Parenting a Toddler, I quickly grabbed this book when I had the option to review it.  I don't know if it's because I don't have a kid in the grade school years yet, or because I just don't like to think about my kids heading off into the big wide world on their own, but I just couldn't get into this book.  That is not to say, though, that it's not worth reading if you are in this stage with your children (or heading into it soon).

MacPherson covers topics such as choosing a school (private? public? homeschool? other?), setting a vision for your family so your kids can be grounded when everything else is pouring perhaps less than life-giving messages into them, how to handle your kids who are struggling in school, how to prepare your kids for school, how to help them succeed and much more.  MacPherson's mother has alot of experience in early childhood education so MacPherson draws on that experience as she writes.  Throughout the book, there are "From the Principal's Office" sections which include notes directly from MacPherson's mom.  It is nice to hear the inside scoop from someone who has seen more than a generation of children go through school and succeed (or not succeed) and who has a pretty good idea of what helps children succeed.  There are also "Time Out For Mom" sections, just as in MacPherson's other books in this series, that provide a scripture passage and prayer that relates to the current topic being discussed.

MacPherson's writing style is very easy to read and feels much more like a good friend sharing her stories than a top-down, instruction style book.  I did very much enjoy that aspect of the book!

I would recommend this book to mothers of school-age or nearly school age children.  If you're like me and you can't handle thinking about sending your two-year old out into the big, wide world just yet, maybe skip this book for now and pick it up in a couple years when school time is near.  This book would probably be a good read right up until your child is nearing junior high. 

I received this book from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze blogger book review program and am under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Simply Delicious Amish Cooking by Sherry Gore

As a young Mennonite home-maker, I jumped on my chance to review Simply Delicious Amish Cooking.  I was not disappointed! 

Some things I appreciated:
- I recognized all the ingredients in the recipes, and most things were in my home already!
- Recipes are simple and well-written
- Interesting stories and snippets from Amish/Mennonite life in Sarasota, Florida
- Beautiful and colourful pictures (not nearly a picture for every recipe but there are a few groups of "picture pages" throughout the book
- Index of recipes (not all cookbooks have this!)
- Relevant "Tips" in each section (ie. how to brown butter, a guide to flours and how to substitute)

The copy that I received (I assume they're all the same) is also coil bound which is my preferred binding for cookbooks as they easily lay open while cooking for easy reference to the recipe.  I have a feeling this will be a cookbook that I turn to again and again for new recipes as well as old favourites!

If you are looking for a gourmet cookbook, that is not what this is.  If you are looking for exotic recipes with complex flavours, that's not necessarily what this is either.  But if you are looking for a cookbook full of delicious and "homecooked" meal ideas, this is a great option.  It would also be a wonderful wedding, bridal shower, or graduation gift for a new cook as everything is clearly laid out.

I received this book from Zondervan's Booksneeze blogger book review program but am under no obligation to provide a positive review (it's just that good)!

The Christian Mama's Guide to Parenting a Toddler

My first impression of this book (when I saw the cover and title) was that it was a joke.  I didn't take it seriously.  But seeing as I have a 2 year old and the description on the front says that this book contains "everything you need to know to survive (and love) your child's terrible twos," I figured it was worth a shot!

This book surpassed my expectations.  It is a helpful collection of one mom's suggestions, along with input from her nutritionalist sister and early childhood educator/parenting coach mother.  I found many ideas that I plan to put into practice (including bedtime battles, tantrums, food fight, etc)!  It has helpful lists of creative discipline ideas, healthy snacks/meals, and more.  This book also includes special "time-out for mom" sections in every chapter which include a scripture and prayer relating to the chapter.

Now, some parenting "experts" come across in a know-it-all (annoying) way.  Erin MacPerson is quite the opposite.  She is quite willing to share her REAL life and parenting experiences with the reader.  Reading this book is more like having coffee with a good girlfriend rather than hearing a lecture from a well-meaning "veteran" mom who has all the answers.  It is an easy read, as well as humorous and helpful!  I hope to read the other books in this series as I have an infant, will soon have school-age children, and hope to be pregnant again too!

I would highly recommend this book.  Look past the cover and dig in.  You won't be disappointed!

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze blogger review program.  I am under no obligation to provide a positive review. (I actually think this is a good book!)

Love No Matter What by Brenda Garrison

Are your children making decisions that you don't agree with?  Are you struggling to find a way to grow your relationship with them while not condoning their poor choices?  Are you just not sure where to turn in your struggle to love your child unconditionally? 

Brenda Garrison tackles the issue of children making decisions that their parents don't agree with.  It is unavoidable and refreshing to read someone's thoughts on the topic.  Garrison, along with her daughter Katie, explore different facets of this topic, including: decisions parents don't want to make, types of decisions we disagree with, getting yourself out of the way, common mistakes parents make, lies that parents believe about their parenting, showing the real God to your child, practical ways to build lifelong relationships with your kids, giving your child room to grow and more.

Throughout the book, Garrison has included words from her daughter, Katie, who is the child the book is sort of centered around.  It is helpful to hear thoughts from the child who is making the decisions.  At the end of the book are questions for reflection and discussion on each chapter.

I would recommend this book especially to parents of youth/young adults, whether or not your child is making decisions that you don't agree with.  There are helpful suggestions for any parent of children who are learning what it means to be their own person and make their own decisions.  It could also be a good read for parents of children who are nearing adolescence, but not yet making many of their own decisions.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze blog reviewers program.  I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.

Unglued Devotional by Lysa TerKeurst

How many times have you picked up a new devotional and felt disappointed after the first 2-3 days because the book just felt like another devotional cliche?  It is full of devotionals that convey truth, sure, but don't challenge or come across as very relate-able.  I had given up on devotional books years ago but, for some reason, decided to give this one a try.  What a refreshing change from the dry devotional books I was used to!

Unglued Devotional is written in such a way that it doesn't feel like the author is preaching to you or talking down to you.  I would describe it as reading an encouraging, challenging daily blog post from someone who is going through the same sort of days that you are.  She often shares her own experiences and shares how she is working on life, just like the rest of us. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who is DONE with the typical boring devotional book.  Each day's reading has a verse from the Bible, a quote and a short (1-2 page) reading from the author.  It is easy to get through for those with busy schedules and give you something to think about for the rest of the day.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze blog review program.  I am under no obligation to provide a positive review.