Proverbs for Kids

Proverbs for Kids - Parenting Like HannahProverbs is one of the Bible books I encourage kids and teens to read first when they attempt independent Bible reading. Proverbs is an awesome book. I know, every book in the Bible is wonderful, Proverbs is special. I love it because it is full of hundreds of tiny bits of wisdom, any of which can be life and eternity changing for those who heed them.

A proverb can say clearly in a few words what other authors may take a long story or a sermon to try and communicate. This is great for little ones with relatively short attention spans. They only have to attend for less than a minute to learn godly advice which can help them the rest of their lives.

Proverbs are also great because they often paint vivid images or have a touch of humor. Who doesn’t remember the Proverb about an annoying, nagging woman being like a constant leak in a roof? (27:15) You can close your eyes and picture the cartoon God’s words create. Yet at the heart of this humorous image is an important truth for women to avoid becoming an annoying “leaky roof” in the lives of others.

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Mothering From Scratch

Mothering From Scratch - Parenting Like HannahIsn’t it interesting one of, if not the most important job in the world comes with little or no training? For all of the jokes of a “Mom manual”, there really isn’t one official training program to help new moms. So, we take the few classes suggested by our ob/gyn and read one of those “What to Expect” books. Really proactive (or possibly neurotic in my case) parents may even read a book on Christian parenting. Then that precious little one appears on the scene.

Funny how our daughter must not have read the parenting book whose authors were convinced she would love napping from the beginning. Google (okay she was slightly pre-Google) couldn’t explain why our precious infant insisted on screaming bloody murder at the same time. Every night. For weeks on end. Even the most prepared parent feels off kilter for a great bit of the parenting journey.

Which was why I was interested when asked to review a brand new book called Mothering From Scratch: Finding the Best Parenting Style for You and Your Family by Melinda Means and Kathy Helgemo. The authors do a wonderful job of covering a lot of topics many parenting books skip entirely. Whether it is acknowledging your personality type as a part of parenting , scheduling your dream fulfillment or examining your priorities and your own mother’s parenting, the authors cover a lot of new ground.

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When Your Kids Think They’re Smarter Than You

When Your Kids Think They're Smarter Than You - Parenting Like HannahIt starts innocently enough. A teacher in school teaches your child something you have long since forgotten. You are too lazy to look up how to do the special shortcut on your phone or the meaning of the newest acronym. Suddenly, your children begin to believe they may just be smarter and wiser than their rapidly aging parents.

The first signs are often deep sighs accompanied by eye rolls. You can hear the exasperation in their tone as they impatiently explain probably for the SECOND time how to accomplish the ever so simple task you obviously are unable to master. Suddenly, everything you say is suspect. If Mom can’t master such a simple task, how can she possibly know what’s best for me in my complex social situation? Or how to add triple digit numbers? Forget about anything cultural or spiritual. Surely, any information she can share is from the dark ages before Apple.

If you have been a parent for very long, you probably have or will see signs of this in your children from time to time. Some of you may see it multiple times on a daily basis. Most parents internally roll their own eyes and think, “Life will knock you down a peg or two and then you’ll come running back to me for advice.” And they are probably right – to a point.

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Teaching Kids Service Begins at Home

Teaching Kids Service Begins at Home - Parenting Like Hannah
Dad had to “serve” for an entire day so our daughter and I could enjoy this special side trip!

Let’s be honest. Every child has the potential for beginning to believe you, Mom, are their personal servant. No matter, how much we make them do chores or serve others outside of the home, even the sweetest, most loving, generous child would often rather be served than to serve.

Christian parents will often turn themselves inside out making sure their children are involved in serving the Church and their communities in hopes of raising a child with a servant heart. Unfortunately,  I have seen children and teens who will haul boulders in broiling heat for strangers and then will go home and become the most selfish, demanding task master to their mother and siblings.

You see the trick to true, godly service is that it comes from the heart. Not a heart that feels momentary pity and wants the “high” of helping others. No, godly service comes from a heart full of love for others. A heart willing to put the needs of others before the wants of itself. A heart that loves the pauper as much as the prince. A heart willing to serve mom, dad and siblings as much as total strangers.

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Choosing Christian Books for Kids

Choosing Christian Books for Kids - Parenting Like HannahA quick glance at the dark content of many books marketed to kids and teens today may drive you to your local Christian bookstore to find a better alternative. Most of us probably assume because a book is sold by a Christian bookstore it is automatically a great book for our kids to read. Unfortunately, bookstores don’t have the staff or time to vet every book they sell. Often they depend upon publishers known to specialize in religious books to do some sort of vetting before agreeing to publish a “Christian” book.

After a couple of years of reviewing Christian books, I will tell you it is important to be very aware of the content of Christian books marketed to children and teens. Most are perfectly fine and as good or better than secular alternatives. A few teach a theology so far removed from mainstream Christianity as to be almost unrecognizable as Christian by most. A larger number are okay, but can be confusing to small children or introduce topics at potentially inappropriate ages.

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