Recommended Reading- July

I actually was able to read quite a bit this month! We were outside alot so I just pulled out my lounge chair while the kids played and got a little sun while reading too!

The Telling by Beverly Lewis- the third and concluding book in the Seasons of Grace series. I read this book in one sitting! It was an easy read and although the ending was not as dramatic as I thought it would be, I still enjoyed it. Another great book by one of my favorite authors!

Good and Angry by Scott Turansky. This book was not exactly what I thought it would be but still had alot of helpful tips. Although I admit, I skimmed this book more than read every page because I waited too long after getting it from the library to start reading it, and had to return it before I could read it cover to cover. From what I did read, it was similar to what I had heard in a homeschooling conference seminar on how to get your children to listen. This book had some good ideas and practical steps to set up a system of giving and following through with commands. It also lays out the steps children should follow. I plan on checking this book out again so I can go more in depth about it. I'm sure it has alot more information I could use. I also just purchased another book by the same author called Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining and Bad Attitudes...in You and Your Kids! Now that one I will read cover to cover because we really need it! LOL!

Managers of Their Chores by Steven and Teri Maxwell- A while back I found the Maxwell's website Titus2.com and was very impressed with the family and the resources the website provided. One of the resources was the book Managers of Their Homes which helps you create a schedule for your home to make it run smoother. Another resource they offer is Managers of Their Schools which deals with homeschooling. That is the next one I want to get. Anyway, this book, Managers of Their Chores, shows you how to design and implement a chore system for each member of your family. Their system uses ChorePacks to help keep the kids on track. I described how we set our system up here and here. It is a very detailed system, but it works for me and my kids since we LOVE lists and schedules, and tend to work best with a routine in place (although sometimes that routine doesn't happen exactly like it should everyday). The authors discuss the short term benefits (learning cooperation and responsibility) and the long term benefits (being able to live on their own as an adult) of implementing chore habits in children, now while they are young. I am excited to see how this works for our family now and in the future. So far, so good!

Parents' Answer Book by Dr. James Dobson. It is a question and answer type of book that covers topics from birth to the teen years. The chapters include: Understanding the Nature of Children, Raising and Disciplining the Preschool/Elementary Child, Children's Health and Well-Being, Sibling Rivalry, Living with a Teenager, Building Self-Confidence in Children and Teens and more. This book is great for a wide range of questions parents might have. The questions and answers were very relatable and practical. I respect Dr. Dobson's views and agree with his approach to parenting. He is very wise and down to earth. I plan on reading several more of his books (probably starting with "Strong Willed Child" for help with a certain 2 yr. old). (:

Who Switched Off My Brain by Caroline Leaf- My husband recommended this book to me because for the last few months I haven't been feeling my best and I know it's from thoughts and feelings I have that build up and make me sick. The author of this book talks about this very subject and what we can do to "detox" ourselves from these controlling behaviors. She gives very in depth, but understandable, explanations of how thoughts become "toxic" in our bodies, and the detailed pathways they take in the brain. It was very fascinating. Later, she discusses ways to get rid of stress and how to use a straining process when it comes to filtering our thoughts- good from harmful. The author is also a Christian so I like how she gives reference to God in helping us control our thoughts and emotions.

To read next month:
Strong Willed Child- James Dobson
Parenting Is Not For Cowards- James Dobson
Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining and Bad Attitudes- Scott Turansky
7 Pillars of Health- Don Colbert