Showing posts with label Children. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Children. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Motivate Your Child | Review

This post contains affiliate links.

Have you ever tried a new system thinking it would help motivate your child to take responsibility of certain chores or just to be an active and involved member of your family, only to find that the system works for a few days or (if you're lucky) weeks and then the thrill and excitement wear off. (Yes, my hand is raised!)

After reading Motivate Your Child: A Christian Parent's Guide to Raising Kids Who Do What They Need to Do Without Being Told, I realized that the methods I was using were only using external means of motivation. And quite honestly, external means only motivate us for so long. Motivate Your Child teaches parents through real life example how to give our children the gift of internal motivation.

There are so many books on the market that give general ideas, blanket answers, and a one-size-fits-all answer for raising and teaching children how to do what is asked of them. Motivate Your Child is the first book I have read that gives at least two to three examples per chapter of real life families and situations and  how to approach each situation in a way that will not only correct the behavior in the present but will also impact the child's heart for the future.

Have you ever read a situation and thought to yourself, "That is my family they are talking about! I dealt with that same situation last week!" I cannot tell you how many times I had those same thoughts run through my head as I read this book.

Every once in a while a book comes your way that really impacts and changes the way you approach what you "normally do." "Motivate Your Child" has made me realize that we need to teach our child to be motived by internal means (conviction) because our ultimate goal of correction and loving discipline is to bring them to Christ.
Although I read this for the review, I can tell you honestly that I will be rereading it again in the next month with my husband. As parents, it is so important that we are on the same page when it comes to raising our children for the Lord, and using the same techniques and having the same information can make a huge difference.

Child raising books are everywhere, but this one deals with more than just raising a child. It deals with the heart of child with the ultimate goal of bringing our children to Christ- not just having "good" kids. I don't just want kids that obey and are good. I want kids who have a relationship with Christ, and because of that relationship are motivated to obey and be good.

If you are tired of trying a new technique every few weeks to keep your children motivated, I would recommend that you pick up a copy of  Motivate Your Child today. The first time your child shows motivation because of what is happening in their heart, you will reap the benefits of your investment.

To learn more about this book and its authors, check out their website.




Monday, July 14, 2014

The Tuttle Twins Learn About the Law

I was recently given the opportunity to read The Tuttle Twins Learn About The Law by Connor Boyack (http://connorboyack.com)

Here is a quick blurb about what the book is about.

Children are often taught that government protects our life, liberty, and property, but could it be true that some laws actually allow people to hurt us and take our things? Join Ethan and Emily Tuttle as they learn about property, pirates, and plunder. With the help of their neighbor Fred, the twins will need to figure out what they can do to stop the bad guys in government!

I personally enjoyed this  book. It was so well-written and so easy to understand that I could see how a book like this could help children understand our government, the way it is supposed to work, and, sadly, how it is changing.

The views expressed in The Tuttle Twins Learn About the Law are written from a Conservative point of view. As a Conservative parent wanting to find ways to explain the government and its workings to my children, I do hope there are more books to come with the Tuttle twins and their neighbor Fred. I think it is a great way to expose children to how the government works/is supposed to work, and it is written in a way that makes the complex world of government easy for children (and their parents) to understand.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the respect shown for adults by the children, and the wisdom shared from one generation to the other. Too many times in the books our children read and the shows they watch, kids are viewed as the intelligent ones and adults are made to look like bumbling idiots. This book portrayed respectful children having a great relationship with an older neighbor.

The author, Connor Boyack is president of Libertas Institute, a public policy think tank in Utah. He is the author of several books on politics and religion, along with hundreds of columns and articles championing individual liberty. His work has been featured on international, national, and local TV, radio, and other forms of media. A California native and Brigham Young University graduate, Connor currently resides in Lehi, Utah, with his wife and two children.
Purchase link: http://tuttletwins.com/buy

I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The opinions shared are my own and have not been influenced in any way.

    Thursday, July 3, 2014

    Books My Six Year Old Enjoyed in June

    This post contains affiliate links.

    Since discovering the world of reading, our six year old cannot get her hands on books fast enough!

    When I pick out books for her, I try to find books that span across reading levels. I want her to read books that are super easy, books that are at her reading level, and a few that are just a bit harder. I loved giving her books which did not come from the I Can Read series because she read without the preconceived idea that this was an "easy book or a hard book."

    The majority of the books we picked up this month fall into the first two categories. They are easy and at her level. I want her to love reading.

    And it's the summer.
    The summer is for fun. 
    She will read harder books during the school year.

    Some of the books were super easy because they were meant for Addie to read to our two and a half year old. He loves having Addie read to him.

    Here is a list of all the books she read to herself this month. It is not an exaggeration. I had to explain to our librarian (when I saw her skepticism) why we were constantly taking out large quantities of books and bringing them back a few days later.

    Her momentum has actually slowed a little, especially towards the end of the month. And that is fine! She has wanted me to read to her a bit from books that are a little harder right now. We are finishing up  Pedro's Journal: A Voyage with Christopher Columbus, August 3, 1492-February 14, 1493 and she is working her way through Pocahontas Indian Princess Weekly Reader Books Edition.

    My approach to summer reading is to encourage it with books she enjoys at reading levels that appeal to her so the skill does not get lost and even has a chance to improve itself in speed and comprehension. Once school starts again, her reading will be more directed by what we are learning.

    But for now.... reading is all about fun!

    Digger the Dinosaur and the Cake Mistake: My First I Can Read
    Digger the Dinosaur: My First I Can Read
    Marley: Marley Learns a Lesson: I Can Read Level 2 (I Can Read Book 2)
    Marley: Firehouse Dog: I Can Read Level 2 (I Can Read Book 2)
    Marley: The Dog Who Ate My Homework: I Can Read Level 2 (I Can Read Book 2)
    The Talent Show: A Mr. and Mrs. Green Adventure (Green Light Readers Level 2)
    Fishing: A Mr. and Mrs. Green Adventure (Green Light Readers Level 2)
    A Dog Named Sam (Easy-to-Read, Puffin)
    The Day I Had to Play With My Sister (My First I Can Read)
    The Geese March in Step
    Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake
    Pat-a-Cake
    Here Comes the Easter Cat
    What's Wrong, Little Pookie?
    Little Bo Peep Can't Get to Sleep
    Maisy Goes to the Museum: A Maisy First Experience Book
    Hamsters Holding Hands
    Once Upon a Memory
    The Bicklebys' Birdbath
    Good Boy, Fergus!
    Hello Kitty, Hello Winter!
    Colonial Clothes (Colonial Quest)
    Fancy Nancy: Fancy Day in Room 1-A: I Can Read Level 1 (I Can Read Book 1)
    Young Cam Jansen and the Spotted Cat Mystery
    Young Cam Jansen and the Goldfish Mystery
    Young Cam Jansen and the Substitute Mystery
    If You Give a Dog a Donut
    Peck Slither and Slide
    Fancy Nancy Sees Stars: I Can Read Level 1 (I Can Read Book 1)
    Splat the Cat with a Bang and a Clang: I Can Read Level 1 (I Can Read Book 1)
    Amelia Bedelia Sleeps Over: I Can Read Level 1 (I Can Read Book 1)
    Splat the Cat
    I'm Mighty!
    I Am a Backhoe
    Tell Me Some More.. (An I Can Read Book)
    Marley: Marley and the Runaway Pumpkin: I Can Read Level 2 (I Can Read Book 2)
    Tick Tock Clock (My First I Can Read)
    Come Back, Amelia Bedelia (I Can Read Book 2)
    Little Critter: To the Rescue!: My First I Can Read
    Pinkalicious: Puptastic!: I Can Read Level 1 (I Can Read Book 1)
    Fancy Nancy: Apples Galore!: I Can Read Level 1 (I Can Read Book 1)
    Little Critter's This Is My Friend (Road to Reading)
    Little Critter: Just a Little Love (My First I Can Read)
    Amelia Bedelia Hits the Trail: I Can Read Level 1 (I Can Read Book 1)
    OLIVIA Goes Camping (Olivia TV Tie-in)
    Goose and Duck (I Can Read Book 2)
    Big Bird's Copycat Day (Sesame Street) (Step into Reading)
    Flat Stanley and the Firehouse: I Can Read Level 2 (I Can Read Book 2)
    Scholastic Reader Level 1: Clifford Goes to the Doctor
    Merry Christmas, Ollie! (Gossie & Friends)
    What's the Matter, Bunny Blue?
    School Friends (Strawberry Shortcake)
    No Fighting, No Biting! (An I Can Read Book, Level 2)
    Amelia Bedelia, Cub Reporter (I Can Read Book 2)
    Thank You, Amelia Bedelia (I Can Read Book Level 2)
    Amelia Bedelia Tries Her Luck: I Can Read Level 1 (I Can Read Book 1)
    Marley: Snow Dog Marley: I Can Read Level 2 (I Can Read Book 2)
    Best Friends for Frances (I Can Read Book 2)
    Fiercely and Friends: The Big Something
    Iris and Walter and the Field Trip (Green Light Readers Level 3)
    Iris and Walter and the Substitute Teacher
    Oops!: All about Opposites (Beastieville)
    Birthday Beastie: All about Counting (Beastieville)
    Penny and Her Doll: I Can Read Level 1 (I Can Read Book 1)
    Arthur's Birthday Party (I Can Read Book 2)
    George and Martha: Round and Round [GEORGE & MARTHA ROUND & ROUND] [Hardcover]
    George and Martha Early Reader (Green Light Readers Level 2)
    Little Critter: This Is My Town: My First I Can Read
    Splat the Cat: Up in the Air at the Fair: I Can Read Level 1 (I Can Read Book 1)
    Bones and the Roller Coaster Mystery
    Sleeping Bootsie (Step into Reading)
    Carl and the Sick Puppy (My Readers Level 1)
    Rose and Riley
    Biscuit Visits the Big City: My First I Can Read





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