Please excuse my absence, it's not that I haven't had little gems on my mind to share with you, but we recently added a new member to our family and he really likes his mommy! However, having a new member of the family also means that I read a lot more than usual.... like during nighttime hours that I was previously sleeping through :-).
Anyway! My readings lately have focused on parenting. There's nothing like the transition period after a baby is born to make you feel inadequate, and there's nothing like being married to someone that leaves for long periods of times to make you all the more reflective of your abilities to be a parent! I got both this time! So, the internet has been my friend during late nights as I've scoured article after article and found book recommendations.
In fact, my "mean mom" post came from one such book: "The Power of a Positive Mom" by Karol Ladd. I was reading a homeschooling email that came from TOS and saw that one of the authors was currently reading this book. Since being positive is my philosophy I decided that I wanted that book! So, we went out and bought it that day. Why? Because I wanted to be with someone else that was speaking my language! I enjoy finding like minds that I can share similar thoughts and goals with as well as receive encouragement and perhaps find ideas that I have yet to find on my own. I will be rereading this book over and over. There's so much negativity in this world, and the reminders to stay close to God and be positive is invaluable! My philosophy is all the more strengthened and my resolve to look at things differently feels better than ever!
The other book I have been reading is the Duggar Family: 20 and Counting. Say what you will, but there is a special spirit about that family and much that can be learned. Things don't go perfectly in their home, but they strive to stay close to the Lord and to teach their children in His ways. Their boys are still rambunctious, there's still fights and craziness, but isn't life all about how we look at things? My motivation for buying this book was because I wanted to learn more about how they interpret things in their life. I know having little ones in their home is no less chaotic in their home then it is in mine.... so how does one respond and what do you do to keep a child's heart close to God. I also appreciate this book because they are so family oriented and homeschool as well. I doubt that we'll be having 20 children, but at 4 and knowing that we want more (despite my initial thoughts at various times during pregnancy and certainly the first few weeks post baby of thinking I'm about done with this phase of my life), I feel it so important to be mentored by someone who's walked this path before. My children are here to receive bodies and return to their Father in Heaven and it's my God given responsibility to give them the tools to do so... it's no small task! I appreciate the Duggars because they hold fast to what they know to be right despite the disparaging remarks that many have to say to them. They truly fear God more than man, and what an example that is! That makes me think of a quote I have on my fridge from Thomas Jefferson, "Lay down true principles, and adhere to them inflexibly. Do not be frightened into their surrender..."
Lastly, I found a post on my blog buddy DeAyn's blog (she's a mom to 6 almost 7), and she was writing about a book that she had picked up. It's called A House United: Teaching Self-Government. The website has been really fun for me to research on, I love Nicholeen Peck's approach to behaviors and "attitudes" within the home. My copy is on its' way! Anyway, if you've ever been brave enough to ask me about homeschooling, I'm sure you've heard a good rambling as to why we've chosen to and what it means to us. I think the most important thing that we've learned is that we much teach our children to govern themselves.... that's what all adults should know right? So, I feel like in addition to teaching our children to be good leaders and learning how to think as opposed to when and what, we're teaching them principles that will help them in life. Just the idea that this book is about parenting by Teaching Self Government gets me all tingly!
I'm so glad that I have the opportunity to hold close instruction that is right up my alley, it's like I have best friends sitting on my nightstand ready and waiting for any moment that I need just a little extra to get through. What's even more wonderful is that all these resources refer to the reader to a higher power. If you are looking for scripture passages just for you and are having a hard time getting started, these wonderful writers give some good pushes in the right direction for your exploring so that you can gain the inspiration that your family needs.
I'm sure this won't be the last post on my "mean mom-ness" or insights. As I sit here with my 8 week old tomorrow baby and 3 other kids under 4 running around, I'm filled with a spirit of peace, love, and adoration for each little spirit. The world is really good at helping moms to forget that! Stay true, be strong, and be mean! If you want to help your child succeed in life you really must know how important your job is and realize that letting them do whatever they want is an injustice. Want to be your kids best friend? Teach them right from wrong, hold to correct principles, and never stray :-).
