Shannon

Part 2: Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child

The Book of Proverbs is not divine commands to obey, nor promises to claim. Those who claim spanking is Biblical are in fact going outside the concrete (or specific) words in Scripture by making a number of changes; age limits, severity, location, and instrument, to name a few. These positive changes represent growth in theContinue reading “Part 2: Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child”

Part 1: Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child.

This is a quote from an erotic poem entitled, “Hudibras” and written by Samuel Butler in 1663. “Spare the rod, spoil the child’ is not a verse in the Bible. Let us commit to studying scripture so we can better identify half-truths such as this. I call this a half truth because there are versesContinue reading “Part 1: Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child.”

Feelings: Don’t fight them. Don’t feed them.

Feelings are neither good nor bad. They just are. We know we shouldn’t suppress and stuff our feelings down, but how do we do that without getting stuck in them? So glad you asked: Practice to observe and describe what you are feeling. When you first have a feeling that catches your attention, a flickerContinue reading “Feelings: Don’t fight them. Don’t feed them.”

Good Inside by Dr. Becky

Borrow 👍 Or buy it if you don’t currently own any of the other secular books I recommend. Either way, you will not regret reading it. I’m going to give you a short-as-I-can-review and I plan to address the Christian Elephant in the room- the four-letter word in the title: Good– the concept that childrenContinue reading “Good Inside by Dr. Becky”

Siblings Without Rivalry by Adele Faber

Buy 👍 Faber’s book offers a wealth of relatable, actionable scripts, and stories. It includes cartoon illustrations that showcase helpful vs. unhelpful responses to fighting, the pitfalls of comparison, and the problem with trying to make everything “fair.” The author highlights an interesting paradox to sibling harmony: when negative feelings about a sibling are dismissedContinue reading “Siblings Without Rivalry by Adele Faber”

Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick

Pass ❌ Another Christian book falls victim to great name, terrible content. Although I noticed red flags early on, the Bible doesn’t actually include a parenting “method”, so faithful Christian parenting can look different from home to home. I would never expect an author to agree with me on every detail, and I like toContinue reading “Give Them Grace by Elyse Fitzpatrick”

Elevating Childcare, Your Self-Confident Baby, & Being With Babies

Buy All of These ✅ Ok ok. Buy one of these. My favorite baby book? I won’t choose and you can’t make me. But, maybe you’re not koo-koo for parenting books like me, and you’d really just prefer to read one. Sigh. Ok, I’ll help you narrow it down: Your Self-Confident Baby and Being withContinue reading “Elevating Childcare, Your Self-Confident Baby, & Being With Babies”

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp

Pass ❌ Sadly, this was the 1st baby book I read- after reading What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Neither one particularly helpful. I hope this review saves one parent-to-be from wasting their time and, instead, invests in one of the baby books I do recommend. I found Karp’s book to be a bit repetitive,Continue reading “The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp”

Redirecting Children’s Behavior by Kathryn J. Kvols

Borrow 👍 Are you looking for ways to create win-win situations with your children so neither you nor your child is a loser? You should be! Kvols explains how children are more respectful and cooperative when we don’t act like control freaks. It’s a short book, and while it hits the high notes, it mightContinue reading “Redirecting Children’s Behavior by Kathryn J. Kvols”

The Whole-Brain Child by Siegel & Bryson

Borrow 👍 The Whole-Brain Child hit the shelves before by Siegel & Bryson’s No Drama Discipline, and between the two, I say borrow this one and buy No Drama Discipline. That doesn’t mean this book isn’t fabulous! But let’s be honest, do you want to make your husband build another bookcase to hold your obsessionContinue reading “The Whole-Brain Child by Siegel & Bryson”

Children: The Challenge by Rudolf Dreikurs & Vicki Stolz

Borrow 👍 A parenting classic. This book is the guide for respectful parenting that focuses on inviting cooperation and effective, long-lasting discipline. The book’s fundamental concepts are so powerful that they have been adopted by many experts in the field. Sadly, when I read this book (many, many years ago) I had not yet learnedContinue reading “Children: The Challenge by Rudolf Dreikurs & Vicki Stolz”

No Drama Discipline by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson

Buy ✅ No Drama Discipline is the book that really ignited my passion and pursuit of respectful parenting. This book not only takes you on a deep dive into a child’s neurological development, but also provides insights into how well-intentioned parents can inadvertently make misbehavior worse. The book uses well placed cartoon illustrations to makeContinue reading “No Drama Discipline by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson”