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.

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!)