Homepage
Archives
Profile
RSS FeedShould Young Adults Read Parenting Books?
Friday, June 29, 2007
I was reading "To Train Up A Child" by Michael and Debi Pearl last night and it got me thinking... Should young adults read "parenting books" or books about marriage, finances, and the home? Mom has a list of such books she wants us to read before we can graduate. Books that will help train us to become better adults and parents. We are already learning how to be a mother/father by helping with cooking, cleaning, taking out the garbage, or caring for younger siblings. Those are things we will do when we have our own children - so don't you think that books like TTUAC should be in with the school books?
Will reading it harm you in some way or make your childhood go too fast? I don't think so... We do not spend the majority of our lives as children. We spend the majority of it has adults. Now, is the time when we should be preparing to become a mature adult at a young age. The Bible has many 'heroes' and leaders who were just... 'children': Josiah (7), Joash (8), Mary mother of Jesus (14), Daniel (14), Joseph (17), Samuel (4) and David (not sure when he began to serve King Saul).
They were are trained to be mature, obedient, God-honoring children and in turn were given great responsibility. So again, I ask should young adults read "parenting books" or books about marriage, finances, and the home? I would answer yes. Most definitely.
I told you in a previous post that I like using the unschooling method for school but that doesn't mean we're hillbillies and use sticks and the ground to write out our math. We still use books (even pens and pencils)... lot's of books.... My mom is a book-collector! She has dozens of books (textbooks, literature, parenting, devotional, magazines, and PLENTY of notebooks). Books are a big part of schooling. No doubt. There is such a wide variety of books to read, but which ones do you take the time to read and study? Which ones will benefit you the most in life?
You can't spend all your reading-time on story-books. You also have to get a good filling of training books. The best training book, of course, is the Bible.
As you read this genre of books you'll be better prepared for the future. You'll have a greater understanding for what lies ahead once you've taken the time to study it. Homeschooling gives both the parents and the children a good opportunity to teach/learn how to be a good parent, teacher, and a better spouse.
Our society today would make you think that a child turns into an adult at the magical age of eighteen, but we all know that is not so. "For everything there is a time and a place under heaven". When a child turns sixteen that doesn't necessarily mean they are responsible enough to drive 2000 pounds of metal or get a job. I think they should be, but most of the time they're not. It is funny to me how people tell you that "this is just a 'stage' they're going through" - like when the teenager won't talk to his parents or as a bad attitude. There is no place, time or reason for things like that to occur. There should never be such a thing as a 'stage'. I do believe that as we grow we all change and sometimes children can't handle some things that another child did.
Perhaps some children aren't ready yet, to read some of the parenting books but when the times comes, shouldn't they? I'd rather have to read all these 'boring' books now then regret it later when I am so stressed out about not knowing what to do - in school, training or marriage. Parents of today miss that. They don't want their children to be overwhelmed with all this 'adult stuff' or even bored... and so both the parents and the children suffer later when they don't know what to do and weren't taught.
So... on my reading list, to read before I graduate or get married, I will need to read:
- The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Aproach by Robin Sampson
- The Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Anderola
- To Train Up A Child by the Pearls
- Teaching the Trivium by the Bluedorns
- The Fallacy Detective by the Bluedorn Boys
- So Much More by the Botkin Sisters
- Daughters of Destiny by Noelle Goforth
- The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace
- The Little Book of Christian Manners by William and Colleen Dedrick
- Educating the Whole-Hearted Child by Clay & Sally Clarkson
- Christian Modesty and The Public Undressing of America by Jeff Pollard
I truly think that by reading these books, I will be a better wife, mother and Biblical Woman. I can't count how many times I've heard my mother say how she wished she had been trained because then I would have been trained better. She wasn't given the chance to learn the things she should have to be a wife, mother and Biblical Woman.
Childhood isn't about playing and going to the mall with your friends. It's about learning how to be a servant of the Most High God so you can train more servants that will better His Kingdom.
Don't make the same mistakes your parents did... train your children to be all they can be... because they're worth it!
(27)Of Those Who've Spoken
Comments
Thursday, July 5, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Patti
AS I said in the comment to the previous post, I just today found your blog, so that is why I'm commenting on an old post. Just wanted to say that my daughter read So Much More, and she has called it the best book she has ever read. It was so inspiring and affirming. It helps her to know that she is not alone as she walks "the road less traveled." She has also listened to some CD messages that the Botkin sisters have recorded, available from Vision Forum. I am sure you will be blessed reading it as well.
Friday, July 13, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Anonymous
I just found your blog and have enjoyed reading it! It's neat that you should post about this. I've been reading parenting help books for a few years now, and really enjoy them. It's a great way to prepare to one day be a parent, and helps one think through how they want to raise their future children.
Keep up the good work!
Anna - http://maidensofworth.blogspot.com
Entry 21 of 29
Last Page | Next Page
