What a Son Needs from his Mom by Cheri Fuller

I had a mixed reaction while reading this book.  First, I'll say that I found it incredibly helpful, inspiring, and helpful as I think about raising my now 2-year old son.  The book highlights such topics as a son's personality, helping your son in school (as many boys struggle with the typical classroom setting), praying for your son, overcoming your own fears (of your son being hurt or doing something wrong, etc), nurturing your son's faith, and much more. What I found most helpful in this book was how it talked about boys are different than boys and, as a result of that, how they need to be related to and parented differently than girls.  Because all moms are girls, we don't necessarily know what our boys are thinking and feeling (and they can't necessarily tell us).  There are some things I wouldn't have guessed and others that didn't surprise me but that I might not have thought of on my own. 

When I say that I had a mixed reaction to this book, I was referring to the dread (is that the right word?) that this book brought to the surface of my son growing up.  I've always known that my son is going to grow up and that there will be struggles with that, but having a book talk about the ways that this will happen naturally makes me want to take every moment as it comes!  So I guess that is also a positive for this book.

I would recommend this book for mothers of sons.  There are also helpful suggestions for raising daughters, but the main focus is certainly on how mothers can nurture their sons. 

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

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.

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)