Author Archives: Shannon

The Montessori Toy Rotation Method

Cut the Clutter & Increase Focus Most children either ignore toys when they’re stored in big toy boxes, or they’ll dump its contents out onto the floor and won’t focus meaningfully on anything. The issue isn’t the child, it’s the environment. Toy rotation fixes this. Instead of giving children access to every toy in theContinue reading “The Montessori Toy Rotation Method”

Screen Time

Helping our children build a healthy relationship with technology. We are the first generation of parents raising children in a world where technology is this accessible, this immersive, and this unavoidable. Which means it’s an unprecedented time in terms of parenting. Today, screen use requires regular evaluations as studies revel more about tech use andContinue reading “Screen Time”

Therefore No Condemnation.

An examination on why Christian parents need to move from punishment to discipline. Parents who spank generally do so with one of two goals: to teach a child right from wrong, or to gain control over undesired behavior. A third motivation, common among Christian parents, is the belief that spanking is a divine command withContinue reading “Therefore No Condemnation.”

King Santa or King Jesus: Who Truly Reigns in Your Home This Christmas?

I have the solution to the Santa dilemma for Christian families. For believers, Christmas is when we recognize the profound significance of Jesus’ birth, which contrasts sharply with our culture’s commercialism of Christmas. Christian parents have the responsibility to model and teach children the real reason for the season. Could it be that in ourContinue reading “King Santa or King Jesus: Who Truly Reigns in Your Home This Christmas?”

Let’s Talk Hermeneutics – Wait, am I a Theologian Now?

Well, yes, all Christians are theologians in the sense that they engage in the study of God. While believers engage in theology (simply, the study of God) , not everyone has a well-informed understanding of it. There is a common misconception that believers don’t need other books to learn how to read the Bible, thatContinue reading “Let’s Talk Hermeneutics – Wait, am I a Theologian Now?”

Ready for Potty Training? Standing Diapering is the Key to Success.

Here are some of my best toileting tips as a former Montessori Toddler Teacher. Believe it or not, “toilet work” was my favorite part of the Montessori classroom! Standing diapering doesn’t just mean the child stands up while a diaper is removed and replaced. Standing diapering is actually a procedure that requires diaper changes toContinue reading “Ready for Potty Training? Standing Diapering is the Key to Success.”

Boundaries with Kids by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend

Pass ❌ Let’s start by renaming this book something that better represents its contents: Punishments for Kids. I poked around on the internet and learned that both Dr. Cloud and Dr. Townsend earned Ph.D.’s in clinical psychology and then went on to co-found a healthcare company together. I was unable to find any indication ofContinue reading “Boundaries with Kids by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend”

Teach Your Kids to Fight.

“Kid’s, stop fighting!” This may be a common phrase, but it doesn’t make it an effective phrase. “Stop touching me!!” “I was here first!” “Give me that!” Ah, yes, the familiar sounds of sibling rivalry. Sadly, there is no formula to eliminate sibling squabbles, but it can help to think of fighting as communication—albeit notContinue reading “Teach Your Kids to Fight.”

What is “Biblical Discipline”?

We’ve got two words here, “biblical” and “discipline.” Let’s start with the easier one, “discipline.” First and foremost, it is not a euphemism. “Spanking,” “discipline,” and “the rod” are examples of euphemisms when they are used in place of hitting a child. These euphemisms are misleading and deceptive, designed to minimize the reality of whatContinue reading “What is “Biblical Discipline”?”

Gospel-Based Parenting by Angela Harders

Borrow 👍 A perfect title for a great little book! This compact book jumps right into why using Proverbs as a parenting book is problematic. Harders offers proper hermeneutics for Proverbs and profound insights into scripture—along with a couple respectful parenting alternatives tucked neatly in the back. She has a truly unique ability of writingContinue reading “Gospel-Based Parenting by Angela Harders”

Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

Pass ❌ I can sum up the book’s message in one sentence: In order to obey God, you must hit children (p. 30). Every bit of “Christianese” advice and instruction in Shepherding a Child’s Heart (SACH) is centered around this disturbing lie. Please be aware I won’t be using euphemisms like “spanking,” “discipline,” or “theContinue reading “Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp”