Category Archives: Parenting

Just launched: THRIVE AND SURVIVE, ZERO TO FIVE

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Thanks for your interest in our book, THRIVE AND SURVIVE, ZERO TO FIVE. It has just launched!

The book’s practical counsel is meant to encourage mothers of children from zero (birth) to five years old. These particular years can be intense with an overwhelming amount of hands-on labor, so young moms need a boost now and then. We’ve tried to provide that in THRIVE AND SURVIVE.

My sister Mary and I, who collaborated on the book, wrote about what worked and what didn’t in raising our collective 14 children. We didn’t quote any experts but simply shared what the two of us learned from 40+ years of active mothering. Included in the book are some of our worst failures, because we hope young moms will learn how to move forward by reading of our setbacks.

But the book is also chock full of encouraging words and examples to carry young mothers through rough days. And as they read, we hope they’ll realize afresh that mothering is the most significant job any woman can do.

THRIVE AND SURVIVE, ZERO TO FIVE is now available on Amazon, with the Kindle version coming soon. Availability at other booksellers will occur in the near future. Though Mary isn’t here to watch it unfold (having moved from earth to heaven three years ago), I hope she’s aware that our book has crossed the finish line.

May the Lord use it for good in the lives of young moms.

“Encourage each other and build each other up.” (1 Corinthians 5:11)

Sneak Peek #28

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Excerpt from THRIVE AND SURVIVE, ZERO TO FIVE

I (Margaret) used to be burdened by one particular verse in the Bible. As a young mother with no free time, it hung over me like a daily threat, and I felt I could never do what God was asking. Luke 12:48 says, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return.” I knew I’d been given many blessings, so I also knew God required me to give much back. But I didn’t know how I could with the minimal time I had.

The children He’d given me—who were indeed great blessings—subtracted the time I thought I needed to have a healthy devotional life with God. But the exciting insight He provided was that since I hadn’t been “given much” in the way of extra time, God was not requiring much of my time in return. Understanding the verse in that flipped way released me from self-imposed pressure and evaporated the threat. Since I didn’t have much time during those busy days, He promised to take what little I offered and turn it into something powerful.

All the Lord wants from you is a small amount of daily movement toward Him. In return, He’ll share His wise counsel and meet your every need with fresh ideas and unexpected provisions. Complicated devotional times never work for young moms. But if you’re eager to communicate with Him, He’ll make a way. And as you take advantage of the bits of time you do have, remind yourself of the old adage that little becomes much when God is in it.

SIDEBAR: WHAT MAKES FOR GOOD DEVOTIONS?

  • A bit of time
  • An open Bible
  • A tender heart
  • A ready mind
  • A willing spirit
  • A reliance on God

Sneak Peek #27

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Excerpt from THRIVE AND SURVIVE, ZERO TO FIVE

I (Mary) knew that as a mom it was my responsibility to “train up my child in the way he should go” as the old King James Version puts it (Proverbs 22:6). So I got busy with my kids, preschoolers included, teaching them to make their beds. I knew once they mastered that, they’d feel good about themselves, and I’d feel good about giving them a valuable habit they could use the rest of their lives.

Knowing young children can’t be expected to do well at chores beyond their capabilities, I simplified the process to include only a fitted sheet, a blanket, and a pillow, never expecting them to change the sheets, just to make the beds.

I gathered the children and said, “I’m going to show you how to make your own beds.”

They responded with enthusiasm. “I wanna try!”

But day after day the beds remained unmade, so I thought I’d sweeten the deal. “Who wants a candy treat?”

Again, enthusiasm prevailed.

“When I see your beds made, I’ll put a candy on your pillow.”

They all agreed.

I thought bed-making could be learned after just one lesson, but even with the candy, most of the kids worked at it for weeks before faithfully doing it, sometimes taxing my patience. In the end, only Andrew adopted it as a regular habit. His room was often in shambles, but his bed was always made.

SIDEBAR: TRAINING TOOLS TO USE

  • A fun challenge
  • Complimentary words
  • Rewards
  • Punishment
  • Gentle reprimand