What a Difference a Mom Makes by Dr. Kevin Leman

I could not put this book down.  It really was THAT.GOOD. 

In his book, What a Difference a Mom Makes, Dr. Leman talks about the imprint a mom makes on her son's life, an imprint like no other.  He discusses the importance of how a mom relates to her son.  Leman also touches on how a mom affects all of her children, boys and girls, but this book clearly focuses on moms and their boys.

Dr. Leman comes out on a more strict side of the parenting spectrum and it was refreshing to read!  While many books and websites today sound the same, this book was wonderfully different.  I found words being put to many of the parenting choices that I've made and was given new ideas for dealing with situations that are sure to come up as I walk with my son through life (what to do when I find a porn magazine under my son's bed??).  I had never heard of Dr. Leman before picking up this book, but my respect for him did nothing but grow as I turned each page.

In the book, Leman touches on topics such as teaching your boy to be aware of women and their needs/desires (while not trying to make him into your little girl), being the type of woman that you would want your son to marry, parenting styles, who is your son, discipline, ages and stages, sex and sexuality, fathers, being too busy as a mom/woman, and who you want your son to be as an adult. 

I highly recommend this book to any mom who has a son.  In fact, I cannot recommend it enough.  While it may not perfectly conform to your parenting style, it will surely challenge you, encourage you, and give you some insights into this journey of raising boys.  I will certainly be seeking out other books that Dr. Kevin Leman has written...

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group." I was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

The MoneySmart Family System by Steve and Annette Economides

I was very excited to get this book from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze blogger book review program!  I snatch up every money/budgeting/financial book that I can because these pique my interested and it's always interesting to read about a new angle of financial stewardship.

This book was inspiring from the start.  This book's goal is to teach parents about "Teaching financial independence to children of every age." The first few chapters outline how the authors raised their kids and various ideas behind why they chose to do things the way they did when it came to parenting.  I found the first couple chapters quite inspiring and also found that they encouraged me to think twice about parenting decisions (in the financial realm) that we're making already, even though our son is still under 2.

As the book progressed, it started to get a bit more into parenting choices and ideas.  While other areas of parenting do relate to raising financially independent children (responsible children will tend to be more financially independent, self-motivated children will tend to be more financially independent, etc), I did find that I didn't agree with some of the ideas presented.  I found myself wishing that this book had more to do directly with family finances and less to do with parenting.  I realize that these are closely related and perhaps that's just what this book is. 

This book is well-written and gives some good ideas for teaching children of all ages about being financially responsible.  Each chapter gives practical suggestions for each age group, making it easy to come up with ideas that will work within your family and also making it possible to start the "training" at any stage in parenting, whether your children are infants or nearing the end of high school.

If you are looking for a book devoted solely to family financial matters, this probably isn't THE book to pick up, but if you are open to sifting through another family's parenting techniques and coming up with a way to teach your children to be financially independent, this book has great ideas and values.

I received this book free from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze blogger book review program and am under no obligation to give a positive review.

The Ben Ripple by Lisa Elliot

The Ben Ripple by Lisa Elliot is one mother's story as she walks with her son through his Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  It is a sad story, though full of hope and joy as well, the hope and joy that we find in Christ!  This book was made up of Lisa's facebook updates from the duration of the illness, her personal diary writings, as well as a running commentary to keep the story flowing.  I found this book an encouragement to read.  Ben's positive outlook and obvious joy in Christ is easily felt through the reading.  You will definitely want to have a box of Kleenex beside you as you read, especially knowing that this is a true story that is played out far too often and far too close to home.  I could see this being a good book to read if you are going through a similar situation or really any situation of living through loss and it keeps Christ the focus throughout and is an encouragement in that way.  This story flows from the time right before the diagnosis to after Ben's heavenly graduation and touches a bit on how the family has dealt with Ben's death.  I enjoyed this book alot (is "enjoyed" the right word?) and found it hard to put down, making for some very late nights!

7 Money Rules for Life by Mary Hunt

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It outlines 7 financial principles that, when applied as a whole, will help anyone discover a life of financial freedom.  I read this book with my computer (financial software) beside me, ready to make changes to the budget as needed.  It was SO good.

Hunt comes at some topics with a Christian perpective which, for other Christians is helpful, but which, for non-Christians could easily be ignored and the book could still be found helpful.  What I'm saying is that while this book does have Christian values, it is not an overtly Christian book.  It would be a valuable read for anyone.

I typically enjoy books of this nature (and this is no exception) but even someone who has no interest in financial topics - but who perhaps needs a few financial hints - would find this book an easy ready.  It explains the "rules" plainly and thoroughly so that anyone could easily see how they could apply them to their life.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who handles money in any way, whether they are up to their eyeballs in debt, or living paycheque to paycheque, or sailing through life without a second thought financially.  It is that good.

 

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.  Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

(I was under no obligation to provide a positive review)

Real Marriage: The Truth about Sex, Friendship and Life Together by Mark and Grace Driscoll

You'll either love it or hate it.  That's how I feel about this book after spending an evening with it.  Where do I come out?  Well, you'll have to keep reading to find out.
I was warned about this book and it didn't take me long to find out why.  By page 29, I was banging my head on a metaphorical wall, trying to figure out how I was going to make it through the rest of the book with an open mind.

Driscoll is fairly opinionated about specific gender roles and makes these opinions very clear.  In his chapter written to men, Driscoll tells men not to be "dumb" and to act like men.  Ok, fair enough.  Men should be men.  I agree.  But he also says that it is the man's job to provide enough income so that the woman does not have to work, but rather has everything she needs to stay at home with the children.  I quote, "A wife who finds a way to make money from home or without neglecting her first God-given responsibilities of Christian, wife, and mother is acceptable.  But men, you should make money.  You should feed your family."  He also tells men that if they want other men, their wives, and their children to respect them, they need to pay the bills.  Simple as that.  Well, life isn't always as simple as that.  This chapter is full of this and other "wake-up calls" to men that yes, are worth considering, but perhaps would do more harm than good to read.

Throughout the book, Driscoll includes Scripture references.  Wonderful!  I love when authors, pastors, TEACHERS back what they're saying with the Bible.  I took the time to look up many of the references on my trusty iPhone Bible app and was blown away by the interpretation of some of the passages.  Some of the verses were taken completely out of context and seemed to be stretched and twisted to somehow fit what Driscoll was trying to say.  I urge you to do your own research into the passages used and study the context surrounding them to understand what they are really saying.  Find a good commentary...

I noticed a few instances where something Driscoll writes contradicts with something earlier in the book.  For instance, Driscoll says that a marriage is about being mutually loving and then later in the book he says that a wife should submit to her husband because the husband is the head of the household (not SHOULD be the head, IS the head).  This gets quite concerning in sexual matters, as it isn't quite clear what this would mean when the husband and wife have different opinions on such topics.

I was cringing when I reached the "Sex" portion of the book, not really knowing what I would find inside.  I was pleasantly surprised, for the most part.  Driscoll's ideas about sex seemed fair and worth consideration.  At times he seemed to go a bit far, such as when he suggests that one should have sex with their spouse, despite not wanting to.  At the end of the book, there is a section that goes through various sexual acts and Driscoll lays out his thoughts (and "biblical" groundwork) on each.  I won't go into detail, but please, PLEASE read these with a grain of salt and talk to someone you trust such as a pastor or spiritual director if you are unclear or uncertain about anything that you see here.

Overall, I wouldn't say that this book was a COMPLETE waste of my evening, but I wouldn't say that it was the best use of my time either.  I found myself frustrated, annoyed, and disappointed that this book is getting all the press that it is.  With all of its contradictions, poor biblical interpretation, and unfair gender stereotypes, I find that even the good and helpful parts of this book get lost in the harmful and distinctly wrong ideas, leaving it doing more harm than good.  There are better options out there in terms of books on marriage (ask your pastor for suggesions), but if you want to read this book and see the "car crash" for yourself, by all means... 


"Advanced Reader's Copy of the book has been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Thomas Nelson". 

Love You More by Jennifer Grant

Love You More by Jennifer Grant is a beautifully written book that tells the story of the author's personal walk through adoption.  Every adoption story is worth hearing and this one is no exception.  Grant starts at the point where she heard/felt God telling her that their family would be growing and walks through the process, highs AND lows, and continues through to having her daughter home in her arms. 

As someone who has considered adoption myself, I thoroughly enjoyed this "sneak peek" into someone else's adoption story but I would also recommend this book to those who have never considered adoption for themeselves.  While this book is not written as an "instruction manual" for adoption, it does have a few tips for navigating the process, but it is also just a beautiful, interesting story of a growing family.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys hearing other's stories.  It is well written, a good read.

I received this book from Thomas Nelson's Booksneeze program but am under no obligation to provide a positive review.