Book Review - More Than Just The Talk: Becoming Your Kids’ Go-to Person about Sex

Do I need just one big, huge Talk with my kids about sex?  Of course not.  There is too much to cover and teach in just one conversation.    A good relationship with your children and ongoing conversations about sex will help your kids see sex as God designed.  More Than Just The Talk: Becoming Your Kids’ Go-to Person about Sex by Jonathan McKee is the book to help parents communicate that sex is good between married couples.  

Do not present sex as something that is bad because it is not.  It is wonderful in God’s plan.  We have to be careful not to say sex is naughty because it is right in a covenant, married relationship with your spouse. When kids have sexual thoughts, will they think they are bad because of the message we communicate about sex? The author gives clear examples of how to react to TV shows and music with sexual content.  We can either overreact or calmly explain what might happen to a character on a show that is acting irresponsible.

This book is right for this time in my life.  I have twins who just turned 10 years old.   I know a willingness to talk openly about sex will help my children.  Some things that are discussed in this book may make you uncomfortable because you are not ready to discuss such a personal subject.  This author wants us to know that kids and the messages around them is already talking about sex.  It’s just that the messages are filled with lies.   The world boldly declares that sex when you want it is good.  Parents have to be bold enough to speak the truth about sex.

The task of talking about sex with your children can be difficult.   More Than Just The Talk is what can get you through this awkward subject with your kids.  

Rating: 4 stars

I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for a review...good or bad.

Book Review - Raising A Daughter After God's Own Heart

What do I want to pass on to my children? I can think of many things, but having a heart that truly loves God is the best inheritance. I picked up Raising A Daughter After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George to figure out how. The author tells me plainly that I must be what I want my daughter to be. It sounds obvious, but anyone of us can be so busy trying to fix someone that we forget our own flaws.

George helps us by going through the roles we must play as mothers to get our daughters to a right relationship with God. We are first given the illustration of a bell sheep. The sheep that stayed neared the shepherd was given a bell around their neck. The bell would ring as that sheep followed the shepherd and other sheep would follow. Mothers must stay near The Shepherd and allow their lives to speak about God so their daughters will follow.  At the end of each chapter is a Mom's Think Pad.  The Think pad helps you to stop and think about how you will take action.

The author describes 10 more jobs that a mom will do that will help her daughter draw close to God.   The chapters that stand out for me are about the prayer warrior, the church lady and the social secretary.   Being a prayer warrior allows you to lay everything before God.  Your worries, your questions, your failures about parenting can be given to God.  I need to pray and watch out for my daughter's welfare.

The author describes for us the importance of a mother's role as a church lady.   Church attendance is important in your daughter's spiritual growth.   The church lady attends church regularly and brings her daughter with her.   She is active and looks for opportunities for her daughter to serve with her and other members of the church.

The social secretary mom knows her daughter's friends and the activities that she is involved in.   She allows her home to be a place where her daughter and her friends would want to come.    This mom knows about the environment of the homes she visits.   She is not afraid to say no to certain people in her child's life for her protection.   The social secretary's function is to allow for fun and relationships with others, but not at the expense of her spiritual life.

I like this book and would recommend it to anyone who wants to develop their child into a spiritual champion in God.  I did have one issue with this book.  I wish it was written for boys and girls.   I have a son and two daughters and I can say that most of the information in this book can be applied to parenting your son.  I think those who only have sons will miss important information.  Besides that issue, this book is well written.  It helped me to think about my relationship with God more so I can be a mom after God's own heart who raises daughters that chase after Him.


I received this free eBook from the publisher through NetGalley.  All opinions expressed are my own.

No Power...No Energy

I am sorry that I have not posted in over a week.   I had no electricity from Saturday night to Monday night, but it seemed like a long time.  I really appreciate the small things now.   I try to read my Parenting by Design Devotional at www.youversion.com every day.  I need some help with this thing called parenting.


Monday was my first day back to work as a school bus driver and we were still without power.   I did not sleep well and woke up too early, but I decided I should just get my day started.  I read my parenting devotional on my smartphone.  The title of Monday's devotional was Plugging In To Power.  LOL!    I needed power right then...spiritual and otherwise. 


My phone and laptop can last as long as they are plugged into an outlet.  After losing power on Saturday, I could see my phone and laptop telling me to plug into a power source.


I was reminded I need God's power so I can do God's will for my life.  If I depend on my strength then I will run out of steam.  If I depend on my "genius" and strength to raise my children then I will run out of ideas and energy.  I have to stay plugged in to Jesus through prayer and Bible study.    I need God's wisdom to do everything especially parenting!