Being a mom is one of my biggest responsibilities, blessings, and challenges. These resources help me be the parent I can be.
Parenting is a blessing. Yes, and amen. But it’s also hard. Really hard.
I had 3 kids in less than 3.5 years. Needless to say the first 5 years were a sleep deprived blur. As I watch my kids (now teens/tweens) grow I’ve learned that finding people and resources to help makes all the difference.
Here are 4 of my favorite parenting resources:
Super Simple Prayer Calendar
I taped a prayer calendar inside my medicine cabinet years ago. Why? I know the importance of praying for my kids but sometimes I forget, I don’t know what to say or I just don’t do it. Having a visual like this right there when I brush my teeth every morning helps me start the day praying for my people.
I love that it’s scripture based and hits on all the foundational things my kids need.
Helpful Books
There’s no shortage of books on parenting, but a few have stood out for me through the years:
The New Strong-Willed Child — a valuable, encouraging resource for parents of passionate kids.
Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World — full of practical tips for all ages to foster gratitude over entitlement while focusing on faith.
She’s Gonna Blow!: Real Help for Moms Dealing with Anger — this book made me feel less alone and equipped me to bring me big emotions to God.
Steady Days: A Journey Toward Intentional, Professional Motherhood — full of encouragement and real mom tips like developing routines that work for you.
Family Favorites
Paying attention to what your family loves is important. My crew loves watching movies together and going to our favorite family places. These things become a treasured memory, an escape from daily life, and time we look forward to and protect.
A few times each year we go to this park that my hubby and I have gone to since we started dating or we visit UConn for special treats since my hubby and I went to school there.
My very favorite thing when the kids were little was to read books together (these are some of our favorites.) Now that they’re older and read more on their own we love watching movies like this one together.
It’s simple, but it’s how we stay connected. Yes, it takes some work, but having a mental list of special things for our family helps me parent my people well.
None of these things makes parenting easy or perfect. But each of these things help. The final one you need more than any other is something that’s completely free, and you have it whether you know it or not.
Grace
Accepting the grace God offers equips us to offer grace to one another. Because in a family we need a lot of grace.
Check out these great sites I’m linking up with: Literacy Musing Mondays, Purposeful Faith, Tea & Word Tuesday, Abounding Grace, Tell His Story, Porch Stories, Let’s Have Coffee, Worth Beyond Rubies, Moments of Hope, Tune in Thursday, Dance with Jesus, Fresh Market Friday, Faith ‘n Friends, Blogger Voices Network, Grace & Truth, Heart Encouragement
Always on the lookout for goodness that will help me to be a godly mum!
I can tell that you are a great mom!
I’m excited about the prayer calendar. I always need help guiding my prayer time and that sounds amazing.
It’s so simple and it really has helped me a lot!
Love the prayer calendar! I have one that’s similar but that is for praying for certain people groups on different days. Immediate family is on everyday. Ohhh yes, the grace of God is a must have resource! It’s so great how you tied that in with this list!! #instaencouragers linkup
That grace is the only way I get through most days!
I love this Rebecca! What a great resource. 🙂
Tweeted. Pinned. And will share to the InstaEncouragements Facebook tomorrow.
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Thanks friend!
I love how this isn’t just a list of things to purchase, Becky! So much wisdom. I’m sure you’re an amazing mom!!
Thanks Bethany! That means so much to me!
Rebecca,
I love taping up resources/scripture in your medicine cabinet – one of the first places you look in getting ready for the day. I was infamous for post-a-notes all around my bathroom mirror to help me keep my sanity some days. I could have used the book on the “strong-willed-child” as I had one who definitely fit in that category. Mostly…I prayed… A LOT and still do. The best way to encourage and be the best mom to my children was to go on my knees. “When you’re too weary to stand; kneel”
Blessings,
Bev xx
Our knees is always a good place to be! I’ve been known to stop and yell out the name of Jesus when I need help in the middle of all the crazy.
Hi! Hopping over from today’s link up. Thank you for the great list of resources. I have heard of these books but I have not read them. My children are grown now but I’ll add these to my reading list.
They are great! And there are also other versions of some of them to check out!
Some excellent suggestions that I’ve bookmarked. Many thanks! #TheHappyNow
Great!
My daughter is about to have her second child less than 2 years apart and I can’t imagine it. ha. I love your resources, especially the prayer calendar. And grace! We all can use plenty of that. 🙂
Your daughter is in for a wild ride! LOL It is great though because they are close together and that makes it fun and easier to do somethings as a family.
A very helpful post! Love the prayer calendar as a visual reminder! And the book recommendations! Thank you!
Hope you enjoy them!
I always loved reading books to and with my kids, and now do this with my grandkids. Of all the wonderful things you mention here, I think starting out the day praying for our people is one of the best and most powerful things we can do for our family.
Reading together is the best!
Thanks for sharing these favorite parenting resources with us! I love the way you started with Prayer and end with Grace. The stuff in the middle often seems more important, but God is the one than makes a difference!
#faith’n’friends
He sure does! We may have lists of things that we think help, but really it’s all Him!
Audio books! They gave us down time, great conversation fodder, bonding when there we had friction.
That’s a great tip! My kids love audio books!
Books are helps us to grow our child.
These are great resources, Becky. I find it a bit challenging finding solid parenting books (and marriage books) that aren’t just a bunch of fluff and stuff. One of my absolute faves is Rivers of Grace by Mark & Patti Virkler. It’s a bit hard to find, but one of the best parenting books I’ve ever read.
Thanks for sharing on Grace & Truth this week.
I will have to check that one out! Thanks Aimee!
Excellent parenting resources. I especially love the prayer calander—amazing! Thank you for this.
Excellent parenting resources. I especially love the prayer calander—amazing! Thank you for this.
These are great resources Rebecca! I’m always looking for book recommendations, and your list has some I haven’t heard of before. I agree on the importance of having fun and building traditions and memories together. It can be easy to get lost in all the To-Do’s and miss out opportunities for fun. And amen to grace! I’m so grateful for that eternal gift. It’s the only way to make it. I’m visiting today from the Inspire Me Monday link up. Have a great week!