May 19, 2008

Wise Words for Moms

Only last year I discovered this unique resource called "Wise Words for Moms" by Ginger Plowman. I was searching for Biblical principles to apply to training our children. My search ended when I spent $4 on this tool.

The size and format of a calender, Wise Words for Moms is perfect to hang on a wall, bulletin board or refrigerator. You'll find 21 categories of wrong behavior or attitudes, along with Biblical ways to deal with them. Some of the categories are complaining, discontent, defiance, lying, arguing, tattling and worry. Each behavior has "heart probing" questions to ask your child, which helps them to recognize and admit their fault. In the next column, you'll see the sinful behavior with Scripture that teaches it's wrong. This is the thing you're reproofing, and asking your child to put off. Then comes the encouragement, the thing you encourage your child to put on. Again, the righteous behavior is coupled with Scripture that teaches on it. The final column lists additional verses that deal with the behavior.

I'm planning on using this as part of my home school curriculum in the coming year, as part of my goal to begin teaching Godly character. My hope is that I'll memorize these verses along with my daughter, and maybe even become a bit of a pro at coming out with these Scriptures to teach the younger two as certain behaviors come up. What a great resource for encouraging your children when you see them doing what pleases God as well!

I can't mention this tool without also mentioning Ginger Plowman's other resources. To better understand her parenting philosophy, and the way to use "Wise Words for Moms", check out either her DVD, called "Reaching the Heart of Your Child" or her book, called "Don't Make Me Count to Three". Both contain the same content, so choose the media form that suits your learning style best. For those of you who are familiar with the book "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp, Ginger Plowman's approach is similar, but for me, easier to identify with.

Parenting is a high calling. It's so much more than fulfilling your own desire to have children to enjoy or pass down the family name and traditions. It's more than seeing to it that your children are healthy and happy, and grow old enough to move out of the house. The resources Ginger Plowman has written really inspire parents to invest themselves fully in training their children in the fear and instruction of the Lord. If this is what you're looking for, you can find a myriad of resources at the website for The National Center for Biblical Parenting: http://www.biblicalparenting.org/

Ginger Plowman's resources can be found at her website, http://www.gingerplowman.com/. I've also only started to read her book, "Heaven at Home: Establishing and Enjoying a Peaceful Home". So far it's very good. I see she's also added a new book "No More Whining! Three Easy Steps to Whine-Free Living". I need to order that right away!

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