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.

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.