Here's what each of us had to say about this section:
For the rest of August, we're be blogging through Kim Brenneman's book, Large Family Logistics
!This week we're discussing sections one, chapters 1-17.
Chapter one- This is an excellent stand alone Bible study on Proverbs 31, and let me tell you, I have seen a lot of Proverbs 31 studies and didn't think I could get through another one without yawning. Funny story- I hadn't had time to look at the book, it's been an insanely busy few weeks. I was told the chapters were very short, mostly just a couple of pages. So during one of our busy driving days, I asked Miss Jenny-Any-Dots, who is being courted by a nice young man so is more than usually motivated, if she wouldn't read this chapter aloud to me. "The chapters are short," I said," just two or three pages." She cheerfully agreed and some fifteen large pages later, as we reached the end of our 45 minute drive, she finished. I apologized. She told me it was fine, she'd found it very interesting.
Chapter 2- how your goals help you control your days rather than the other way 'round. My goals, and failures, are many. But as I've said before, I do better when I realize that these are outpourings of time spent at the feet of the Savior, they are part of the 'fruit of the Spirit,' and fruit is the natural outcome of a well watered and fertilized plant.
Spend more time at the source, with the Master Gardener, and He tends to take care of the fruit.
Chapter 3- Systems, everybody's got one, we just don't all have a good one. Building detailed cleaning charts, such as this one, is one part of a good system.
Chapter 4: Self Discipline Starts With You.
I skipped this chapter.
Chapter 5: Attitude is Critical
I went back and read chapter 4.
Chapter 6: Where Does the Time Go?
I stopped playing Triple Town
on my Kindle
to give this some thought. Hm. I really have no idea.Chapter 7- The Interrupted Day- In other words, the schedule is plan B.
chapter 8- Why you should read the Psalms. Amen and Amen. Even the long ones.
Chapter 9- Give your kids a work ethic- love this. Hard work builds character (at least in my kids.) Initiative is important, too.
Chapter 10- Tips on dealing with repeating yourself (to no avail). Before I read this chapter, having reached my limit on that this week with a certain 13 year old boy and his propensity to sit in the seat of the scoffers, I have confiscated all knives, airsoft weapons and ammo, and home made armor and weapons for something called Castle wars. Three hours of scorn free civility and he can pick one item back. That's the first day. Day 2 is 4 hours. Day 3 is five hours. The day that I hardly see him because he's mowing lawns is a day that he gets no weaponry back because he has to be free of mockery around the family, where I can hear him, or rather, hear the absence of 13 y.o. withering boy-scorn.
Chapter 11: Teaching a new chore- Ayup. Important reminders in the chapter about not crushing spirits, too.
Chapter 12: The 'me' time that really matters. Excellent, excellent chapter.
Chapter 13: Life with Littles- very good tips here from what chores and routines they can do to how to get mental stimulation when everybody in your home from breakfast until supper time still needs supervision to use the toilet.
Chapter 14: Babies- feeding them, napping them, increasing your milk supply, and grace for other parenting choices.
Chapter 15: Family Dynamic- figuring out who needs to do what to keep the household running smoothly (hint: the who ain't Mom and the what ain't everything).
Chapter 16: Cleaning the bathroom, Your Own Personal Spa
Chapter 17: Your wardrobe- choosing your style, organizing your closet.
I chose a quick overview because that's how we've been reading through the book, Jenny and I. Check out what the other four moms have to say and see what they decided to focus on. And what about you? What stood out for you in this first section? Has something particularly blessed you this in this section? Have you implemented ideas from your reading? How is it working? Be sure to join us and share in the linky below!
Oh, and don't forget that today is the last day to use the 4MOMS promo code for a hefty discount on this book at Vision Forum!
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I linked up with you today! I have not yet ordered the book, but have been reading the posts and came up with a new idea regarding reading the Psalms and Proverbs with my littles daily...
ReplyDeleteHaven't read the book ,but I just had to comment to say how much I appreciate your succinctness. As a mom of 11 (ages 12-33), I've read so many self-helf books that these days I would much rather have the Spark Notes version. There truly is nothing new under the sun, although reminders and fresh looks are always, always welcome and needful.
ReplyDeleteHow do parents qualify having so many children when the resources of the planet are in such peril? This is not a jab, I honestly would like to open a forum for families of large size to explain their position. Please do not justify using religion since ultimately this is the parents decision to procreate. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi, Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteI am not trying to be snippy in the following response, but I am trying to save time, and haste unfortunately comes across as brusque. Please understand that my replies are good faith responses to your question.
I'd like to begin by asking you a question or two as well.
What resources are in such peril?
Why do you believe that?
Would it be acceptable to you if I required that you answer that question without reference to the most significant influence that has led you to this belief?
I cannot answer your question without a discussion of religion because ultimately my faith frames my world view and teaches me that children are a blessing and not a curse.
My faith, unlike what passes for science in the popular press and the propaganda in the public schools, has also shown itself to be more reliable than the scare mongering that sells in the popular press.
IOW, my decision to procreate was not made without reference to my religion, so assuming you actually do want an honest answer, your conditions for that answer are more than a little.... odd. It is a red flag.
I enjoy discussing the topic with people who are truly interested in a civil discussion, but experience makes me wary. I have seen that most people who ask this question (and I have been asked on this blog and by random strangers in the grocery store) are not seeking to understand why we do what we do, but rather, seeking an opportunity for argument and misinformed propaganda, if not insults. I do not mean to be dismissive or rude, but asking that a Christian not discuss her religious reasons for doing something as deeply personal as having children is a red flag.
Since you chose to be anonymous rather than use a name or even a pseudonym,I am left to assume you've never commented before and the fact that you seem unaware of the fact that two of our kids are adopted confirms this impression.
That means that right now, the jury is out on whether or not you are a drive-by poster attempting to set up large families or whether you are actually asking for the reasons you claim.
Before I take the time to compose a thorough and thoughtful answer to a question that you might not even be asking sincerely, I'd like to know that my time is justified.
If you are truly interested in an informed discussion rather than a jab, then you might start by reading this post and the links within.
As a busy mom, grandma, and unofficial foster parent as well, you understand that I would rather save ground by not going over material I have already covered.
Once you've read those posts, if you're still interested in an honest discussion (which would mean a discussion where you do not set the perimeters and tell me what I can and cannot discuss), then come back and let me know, and I'd be glad to discuss this further.
Thanks.=)
I appreciate your quick commentary. I liked your synopsis of chapter 15 and wish that the "hows" of the book were more explained. I need to finish it and reread it again.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I think I understand what a linky is. :) Back to that later... haven't formulated any thoughts on what I've read yet beyond the "hows" comment.
Okay, I tried linking... please let me know if I need to do something else. :)
ReplyDelete