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.