"PATTI'S BOOK NOOK"
Greetings! My name is Patti Monroe, and my “hobby” for over 30 years has been good books. I am married to my high school sweetheart, and we have been blessed with 3 children and 4 grandchildren. My husband is fully retired now from his school job but works hard in our garden, helping my parents, and making improvements around our home. We are both graduates of Mississippi State University. I taught in the classroom 7 years and have home educated our children more than 20 years. (When our first-born daughter was 14 and following several miscarriages, we were blessed to have a son and 4 years later another daughter– how they have enriched our lives!) We have read literally scores of books- still have many of them either in our home or at our support group's lending library- and continue to appreciate good books for children and families.
“PATTI’S BOOK NOOK” is about sharing some of our favorite discoveries. We sincerely hope the books you choose to read will be a blessing to you and the children in your lives. In case you are interested, our family web page about educational resources is http://users.telapex.com/~jmonroe.ftcweb.net/. We hope to update it soon.
(Disclaimer- we don't totally endorse or embrace everything in every book or resource we recommend here or on our webpage, but we do think there is something worth considering in each one. James 1:5; 3:17.)
“The man who does not read good books has no advantage
over the man who can't read them.” ~Mark Twain
RECOMMENDED READING ABOUT CHILD TRAINING
"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5
The Little Book of Christian Character & Manners by William & Colleen Dedrick is one of our favorites! http://www.amazon.com/Little-Book-Christian-Character-Manners/dp/1931343144
Wise Words for Moms and Don't Make Me Count to Three! both by Ginger Plowman.
Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham; recommended clip on You Tube about Manhood Part 1 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDR3xCaXiXc&feature=related and Womanhood Part 1 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6uNj7lauhA&feature=related. There are 8 parts to each.
What's the Difference?: Manhood & Womanhood Defined According to the Bible by John Piper
Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
No Greater Joy Ministries at http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/ has many outstanding articles and "food for thought" regarding child rearing and life. Read Michael and Debi Pearl's book To Train Up a Child. (The Bible teaches that we are all born sinners, so I have some questions in chapter 2 about a young child's heart, but the principles about training and the analogies and examples given are excellent.) The Pearls illustrate that time spent training diminishes the time needed to reprove or chasten; and as in the following article, consequences for actions teach better than nagging, http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/articles/general-view/archive/2009/may/01/how-to-get-kids-to-remember/.
The Wholehearted Child and Seasons of a Mother's Heart both by Sally Clarkson http://www.wholeheart.org/whmain.php
Missing from Action: Vanishing Manhood in America by Weldon M. Hardenbrook http://www.amazon.com/Missing-Action-Vanishing-Manhood-America/dp/0840731434
Genesis 18:19 says, "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him."
Abraham was faithful in training his children. In contrast Eli was not, and the Lord's judgement came upon him. I Samuel 3:13 says, "For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not."
Proverbs 20:11 says, "Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right."
Proverbs 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."
Proverbs for Parenting: a Topical Guide for Child Raising from the Book of Proverbs by Barbara Decker. We also enjoyed the companion coloring book when our children were younger.
Proverbs 29:15, "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."
Proverbs 18:2, "A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself."
Proverbs 15:21, "Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly."
Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Tripp
Colossians 3:21 says, "Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged."
The Heart of Anger: Practical Help for the Prevention and Cure of Anger in Children by Lou Priolo
"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31,32
For more information about dealing with anger, see audio/visual materials available from Dr. S.M. Davis entitled "Freedom from the Spirit of Anger" and "Deliverance from the Destructiveness of Anger" at http://www.drsmdavis.com
True Biblical use of the rod is not child abuse. To leave a child at the mercy of his or her own foolishness is destructive and irresponsible. Our job is not to entertain our children or to make them "happy" all of the time. Having a heart to serve others and doing a task well, bring joy and contentment that selfishness, laziness, and coveteousness cannot impart.
Proverbs 29:17, "Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul."
Proverbs 15:31,32, "The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding."
The Original 21 Rules of This House http://www.fortifyingthefamily.com/21_rules.htm, Uncommon Courtesy for Kids: a Training Manual for Everyone, and Rules for Young Friends: a Training Manual for Children by Gregg & Josh Harris.
Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by Alex & Brett Harris is an excellent book for preteens and teens; it was challenging to me as well!. Their blog is found at http://www.therebelution.com/blog/
"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20
"Associate yourself with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation for 'tis better to be alone than in bad company." -- George Washington
The Bold Parenting Seminar and The Bold Christian Youth Seminar "challenge many conventional assumptions" in our modern culture. The Bold Christian Living website gives information about Jonathan Lindvall's free e-mail newsletter, tapes on a variety of topics, and more. See http://boldchristianliving.com/
Have you ever heard the expression, "Everyone does it, has it, watches it, etc...?" Proverbs 11:21 comes to mind in response. "Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered." My husband has often said, "If everyone is doing it, it's probably wrong." We have not found a Biblical example where the majority chose right, at least not for very long!
"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in there at: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:13, 14
You have probably heard the saying, "Spare the rod and spoil the child;" the Bible uses much stronger language than that. Proverbs 13:24 says, "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes." Child training is hard work requiring observation and consistency on the part of the parents. Spend meaningful time with your children- training, instructing, learning, working, reading, reciting, listening, talking, playing, singing, encouraging, laughing, worshiping, and praying together. Read articles about Child Training at http://www.nogreaterjoy.org/
Some excellent examples of prayer in the Bible include the following: Matthew 6:9-13; Ephesians 3:14-19; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-11; Psalm 31:1-3; Psalm 51:10,12; Psalm 141:1- 4; Psalm 143:11,12. Read Philippians 4:6,7; Daniel 9:5,8,13,18 and James 5:16.
Use "A.C.T.S." as a prayer reminder for "adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication."
When our child rearing responsibilities are over and our children leave home, may they say, "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father." I Thessalonians 1:3
