Book Review #1

52 Things Kids Need From A Mom by Angela Thomas

 It is so bitter sweet to finish a book. As soon as you really get into it is when it seems to end. I have really enjoyed reading this book '52 Things Kids Need From A Mom' by Angela Thomas. While reading I like to highlight favorite passages, flip the corner of the page and mark  favorite things with a post-it.

The majority of the things I marked in this book would pertain to me if my children were older. I would definitely recommend this book to someone who has teenagers and is having a hard time communicating or understanding them. This book has given me plenty of pointers to raise a teenager and things you can do to raise them right. Being that I have small children it has given me some insight into what to expect, how to not take offense and love them anyways, and some parenting tips for any stage.

The biggest thing I took from this book was #20: Kids need their mom to give grace-filled consequences. I (like every parent with a toddler or any age I'm sure) struggles with communicating effectively when the child is doing something wrong. Here is a clip from the book that I really enjoyed; 

'When the children were little, I remember hearing Dr. James Dobson say, 'Mama, don't just shout an instruction to your kids. Get up, go across the room, and address the behavior.' After the fourth child, I realized why Dr. Dobson had said that. When you are exhausted, it's so much easier to stay where you are and just bark at the kids. And the sound of your voice rarely accomplishes anything. Even when you turn up the volume and say the same thing over and over. It really takes a commitment to get up, go to the child, and either remove them from their misbehavior or look them in ht eyes to give a consequence. Going to where my child was making a wrong choice usually gave them a few extra seconds to decide to obey, and it also gave me a few seconds to choose grace-filled words.' 

-52 Things Kids Need From A Mom by Angela Thomas

I believe this quote speaks volume to a parent with young children. Another chapter of this book I really enjoyed was #13: Kids need their mom to learn their unique love language. Love languages are different ways a person can express and interpret love. These different ways are: words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service and physical touch. I have learned that it will help you greatly once you know each child's love language. If you want to know more you can pick up the book yourself, it is definitely a good read!

*Another favorite quote of mine can be found on my previous blog when just picking up the book here.

One thing that is communicated throughout the book is that you need to want your child to become not what you want them to be, but what God wants them to become. This message speaks volumes to all parents. A friend of mine posted this picture and I believe it is exactly what this book wants you to remember at all times, as well as something I have taken away from it.

I would definitely recommend this book to mothers of children of all ages looking to make a lifelong difference in their child's life. 

Best wishes and happy reading!

Stuck in a book

I love to read.

I don't know if you knew this, but I have loved to read for a long time. Besides art, reading is the one thing I wish I could do more of. I use to get stuck in a book and not come out of the chair until I was done, take a book on a trip and read nearly the entire thing. What I don't need to tell you is that having kids changes everything. Now I read the labels, read 'What to expect the toddler years' and read (quickly skim) my monthly magazines. We have invested in a Nook Color, as well as the Nook reader for me and it is very well used. Don't get me wrong, I do have time to read like when I'm completely exhausted from my day but for some reason can't fall asleep I will read, or when I'm sitting alone in the Doctor's office I read, but not like I use to. Now, the only books I seem to read start to finish in no time flat are parenting books, or anything about potty training I can find online- more on that in a later post-.


I have just recently wanted more, I have wanted to find a book about how to raise children in the eyes of God, and how to stay spiritual myself. Like the quote 'a family who prays together, stays together'. I want my children to be raised knowing God is always there for you and loving him is nothing to be ashamed of.
So naturally, I decided to look in a book and headed to my local B&N (http://www.barnesandnoble.com).

After reminding myself that I left my husband and 2 screaming kids waiting in the car and I couldn't spend all day in B&N like I would like to, I found what I was looking for and got out as soon as possible (only 32 minutes this time, like some kid of record!).

This is the book I left with. It is titled '52 Things Kids Need from a Mom'. I am up to #12 on the list and my review thus far is that I LOVE it!

'In this book the author, Angela Thomas, draws on personal experience and biblical principles to help you raise healthy, responsible kids and establish strong family ties'.
What I like best, is that it is designed to be read in short parts with 2-3 pages per 'chapter' or  number on the list which is perfect for my busy schedule.


*My favorite line so far is in the beginning where Angela writes to all the readers before starting;

'Before you jump into the chapters, I just want to give you the pre-thing before the 52 things. This is the biggie that matters more than all the rest: Love. 

Love those kids with all your heart, soul and might. Love them through their mistakes. Love them in their changes. Love them when they're dorky. Love them when they are accomplished. Just open your heart and don't hold back... ever. Our children need one person on this earth who will love them fiercely, no matter what this life holds. That task has been assigned to you and me. So let us learn to love with a healthy love. A godly love. A mushy love. A powerful, transforming love.'

-Angela Thomas '52 Things Kids Need From A Mom'

Cliché but..I LOVE this! I also love in one of her chapters where she says she wants her kids to know they will never outgrow their mama's love. This is so very true to how I feel about my kiddos also. While she is speaking from a mother who has teenagers, she still does refer back to those moments of being a young mother (where I am today) that are absolutely touching the heart. I would highly recommend this book to all the mother's I know who are looking for a good read. Have you read any good books lately that you can recommend? I'd love to hear them!

Until next time, LOVE your kids and

Best wishes.