*UPDATE* Congratulations to Sarah! She won the book, but make sure you check back for the next couple of weeks where I'll be sharing more parenting tips and giving away more great resources! And go visit Family Matters, you won't regret it!
Our summer vacation was unusual for us this year. Family Camp is a new concept for THAT family.
So is sitting in a classroom setting for an hour a day, while on vacation.
But I've never been happier to be a student.
His specialty: Parenting. Specifically, Grace-based parenting.
The basic premise for this teaching is loving your kids the way God loves you.
It was profound. My hubby and I learned so much.
Dr. Kimmel started the series off by asking, "Do you have a parenting plan? Can you write it down?"
Gulp.
Not exactly. Sure, we have a five year financial plan. We've talked about our goals as a family and accomplishing our own personal dreams. But a plan to parent our kids? The job that we hold most dear? Nope.
Unless flying by the seat of your pants is considered a technique.
Start from the bottom up, building on a foundation:
Aim them at true greatness, rather than success
Build character in their heart
Focus on meeting their inner needs
Maintain a daily atmosphere of grace
Establish a foundation of faith in Christ.
Aim them at true greatness, rather than success
Build character in their heart
Focus on meeting their inner needs
Maintain a daily atmosphere of grace
Establish a foundation of faith in Christ.
(His books expound on each of these parts of the grace-based parenting plan).
This book is a must read for Christian parents! I'm giving away a copy today ($14 value), just leave a comment if you're interested and I'll be randomly choosing a winner tonight (Wednesday at 10 p.m CST). You can order one here.
Each week for the next month or so, I will be offering a Grace-Based Parenting Tip from one of Dr. Kimmel's many books or something I've learned. (I'll also be giving away one of the resources that Family Matter's donated for me to giveaway).
Towards the end of the week of Family Camp, we sat down to eat lunch. Dr. Kimmel, his wife and two grand daughters (that they brought along to give their daughter some time alone with her hubby!) sat down at our table for lunch.
I nearly had a panic attack.
Lunch with THAT family is always an adventure. Drinks are spilled (my hubby tries, but he's a bit clumsy); food is splattered; and the toddler? She doesn't exactly excel at staying in her high chair.
We made light conversation and I ate so quickly, I had bread stuck in the back of my throat.
I'm pretty sure God was watching that day, because do you know what my kids did?
I'm pretty sure God was watching that day, because do you know what my kids did?
Nothing. They were perfect. And that's no small feat.
But even if it had been a disaster, there's something special about grace that says, "Hey, it's okay. God loves messy people."
But even if it had been a disaster, there's something special about grace that says, "Hey, it's okay. God loves messy people."
Food for the Soul:
Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
79 comments:
Oh! Ooh! I'd really like to win this. Thanks so much!! :)
How amazing that your kids were perfect for that moment! Happens every now and then around here... and then it's gone. ;)
Thanks for hosting a give-a-way. I could REALLY use this book.
I have been reading your blog for some time, but haven't commented until now.
Talk about a book that is calling my name (especially today.) Sounds like it is a must read. In a few weeks we start a series called Discipline Them, Love Them (I think....) and I'm really looking forward to that too. I could use anything for my artillery.
Smiles,
Joni
Yes I'm interested in the book :-) I try to be a grace-filled parent, but sometimes I have trouble knowing the line between grace and being a pushover!
I'm definitely interested in this one. Hope I win.
needed this today. thank you.
Oh, grace.
How can I forget to extend a gift that I cherish daily to the little monsters I love so much?
This sounds like a wonderful book.
I have the book and am encouraged to sit down and read it now. I want to model Christ's love for my children and he is so very gracious in offering grace. I want to do the same for my own children.
This book sounds wonderful! I hope to win, but even if I don't I'm checking out this book!
Hair tip - try some of the detangler spray. It always tames my daughters hair.
Thanks for the chance to win! I am looking forward to all your tips.
This sounds like a great book. I need to learn to extend His grace.
Great givaway! I would love to win and will have to order it if I don't lol. Thanks!
Susan & John Yates also wrote a book on parenting. I believe it is called "Building a Home Full of Grace". it is EXCELLENT!! Where was your Family Camp? Kannakuk? The place in NY state whose name has escaped me? I know it was wonderful!!! I love your blog.
I would love this book! Thanks for the giveaway!
Would Love, Love, Love this book.
So glad your family was able to have that fun/learning time together. And I'm glad God blessed you with a peaceful lunch that day.
Please count me in...we need all the help we can get! :)
Sounds like a great one!
I'd love to get this book. I'm raising my very first! He is 10 months old.
That sounds like a helpful book; I'd love a copy!
Hi!
I read your blog religiously every morning while drinking my coffee, but have never posted before.
Anyhoo, just wanted to say that I really appreciated this post and definitely need this reminder on a daily basis. I am a mother of three sweet kids (11, 9 and 5)who make me crazy, but I would have it no other way!! LOL...
Well, I just thought that today seemed like a great day to finally *introduce* myself. :)
We could so use that book. Daily I ask myself- "am I doing the right thing" or "boy did I screw that up!" *sigh*
I think we really need that book. I feel like we are not consistent enough. I just bought the book Children are From Heaven and I haven't started reading it yet. I just feel ill equipped sometimes.
We have good days and then there are the days when I have to apologize to my oldest daughter for being too harsh. Mommy guilt at it's finest.
Wow - I'm continually impressed with your family camp. :) I can't wait to hear more!
I'm with Cheri; I love to give grace but most of the time I'm a pushover. I need help!
I would definitely be interested in that book. Though my kids are not little anymore, we still have a few years with them and we always need godly parenting advice! Thanks for the giveaway!!
Sounds like a wonderful book!
Congrats on the perfectly behaved children at dinner...lol Those days are so few and far between at my house--but what a blessing when it does happen!
Yes, I'd love to win! Another great parenting resource is Chip Igram. I went through a weekly bible study at our church a couple years ago and it really hit home. The idea of a parenting plan & goals, YIKES! And, yes, flying by the seat of my pants plus not trying to hurt anyone, is what I'm up to lately!
Yes, I'd love to win! Another great parenting resource is Chip Igram. I went through a weekly bible study at our church a couple years ago and it really hit home. The idea of a parenting plan & goals, YIKES! And, yes, flying by the seat of my pants plus not trying to hurt anyone, is what I'm up to lately!
Oh I can relate to speed-eating "just in case" the family has a meltdown. Cranky toddler + hungry infant has me scarfing down food most days.
I'm glad everything went smoothly! There's nothing worse than trying to eat dinner with a parenting guru while your kids run wild! HA!
We just started going to a parenting group and the first night our toddler was in meltdown mode due to not getting a nap and it being past his bedtime. Ah, oh well.
So happy for you that the children behaved. How great to get to meet Dr. Kimmel- now that is a man I would love to have a chat with!
I would love the book, and think I just may buy it if I don't win.
I just posted yesterday about this very book! How great would that be to hear him teach! If I win, I know just who I'll give the book too.
I'll send my readers (the few that there are) over here to check it out...can't wait to read your tips!
Thats great. They came through in the crunch
My parenting could certainly benefit from the sounds of this book!
This sounds like a great book! I haven't ever thought about a family parenting plan.
Hi!
I found out about your book give away from Jamie at Purposeful Pursuit.
She highly recommended it, so I would love to win a copy.
Thanks for the opportunity!
God Bless,
Amy:)
Thanks for the chance to win. I would love this book!
I NEED this book!!! Thanks!
Whoo wee! Thanks for the chance to win!
I have been NEEDING a copy of this book for a while now. I so hope I win! Thanks so much for hosting this great giveaway!
Kimbrah
I loved this. Thank you and I sooo need to get this book
I have this book and love it. Great giveaway (don't pick me!)
That sounds like a wonderful book. We don't have a parenting plan either...
Wow--sounds like a wonderful book! This is something that's really near and dear to my heart right now. I just purchased a family devotions book and am trying to parent more "deliberately" instead of just, as you said so well, "flying by the seat of our pants." Even if I don't win, I'll definitely be checking it out! Thank you!
I could use any help I can get. I am also open to and new ideas and a new direction in parenting. Thanks so much for this opportunity.
Summer S.
We're supposed to have a plan? I thought I did until you said...can you write it down. Thanks for a chance to win this book.
Pick me! Pick me!
Gulp is right! Write it out, double gulp! Please pick me! Have a great day!
I would love this book!!!!!
I bet that is an awesome book---count me in! Thanks! I guess I never really thought about making a plan on raising my kids....hmmm...
This sounds like a great resource!
Thanks for the offer.
This sounds like a great book that many parents could use! I would love a chance to win it! Thanks! It sounds like you had a very nice dinner with them, even if it was a quick one!
Jessica
I'll take any help I can get!
I saw this book in the church bookstore when my kids went to a local Bible School. I looked at it online but didn't purchase it. No money in the book budget this month. I can't wait to hear more from you on the book. Maybe I will win one!
I love that last line! "God loves Messy People" that is so so true :)
Have heard great things and would like a chance to read it myself! :)
Thanks
Count me in. I sure could use some more grace in my mommying!
OOOOH! OOOOH! OOOOOH! [lifting bottom off chair and waving hand crazily in the air] PICK ME! PICK ME!
We can definitely use this! My husband is a worship pastor and I am a teacher, and in our busy lives we want to be sure we are putting our children first and raising them as God would. Thanks for the chance!
*waving frantically in the air* pick me, pick me! If anyone needs to know how to parent with grace it is ME. I came from a rather authoritarian home and that is how I revert to when under stress (which is most of the time...lol)
We just started homeschool for our two boys 5 and 4. Need I say more? :)
God DOES love messy people. I tell you true, we also subscribe to the flying by the seat our pants technique.
This book sounds FANTASTIC!
Oh how easy it is for me to forget about "treating others how I want to be treated"...just because they are little people they are not exempt from this. May I be more aware of the grace I need to give today!
Thank you for making this important to all of us
Sounds like a really great book! I would love to win! pick me! pick me! :O) If I don't win....I'm going out to buy the book! :O)
That book sounds awesome!
Count me in! Thank you for the reminder to give my DD more grace and to allow myself to accept more grace from the Lord.
This really sounds like a great book. A must for a mom of 4 boys, when some days you just want the day to end, uneventfully you hope... We need to be treasuring each day with our family.
Thank you!
Great giveaway.....camp sounded like fun!
God is so good.....he is the ultimate gracious parent!
I'd love to throw my hat in the ring for this! An actual written-down parenting plan? Wow - we need to get on that.
Sounds like a great giveaway, would love to win. I could use a little grace-learnin'.
This sounds like the book I need right now. We went through "Growing Kids Gods Way" a couple years ago, and it was great. But we've gotten really 'lax' about doing the things we learned. And it shows! Our kids are just wild lately. So I think this book may be just what we need. I go to bed beating myself up sometimes b/c of the way I've talked to/treated my kids that day (not physically, but emotionally and verbally). I really want to be a better mommy, but I'm just not sure where to start.
Anyway, thanks for offering this book. It sounds great.
sounds like a great book...count me in!
Wow. I have 'What's so amazing about Grace' and I was changed because of a study of it with my church. I'm gonna go get this one too. Thanks!
our small group is doing "Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World" it's a good one too!
I hope this doesn't get lost in all these comments, but you have been awarded on my blog! ;)
kris
I think we all can use more grace in our lives! Sounds like a great book.
Take care,
Julie
Who couldn't use this book?!
What an awesome book. As the mom of 2 girls (ages 6 & 10), I definitely would like to read this book and use it as a resource! Great giveaway - thanks for offering!
~Tanya
the4moyers(at)msn(dot)com
NOTHING has exposed more of my sinful nature than the way my children can make me so angry. Some of my young married friends were sharing how their "ugliness" came out once they got married. I thought, "Just wait until you have kids!"
My poor children! I am desperately trying to change (and continually asking God for patience)!
I think I might be too late! I hope not! If not, count me in !
I hope there are some grace-based parenting tips for parents of teens and tweens!
Sounds like we both survived family camp this summer. Ours was in the Sequoias in California. Nothing like taking the family to 7,500 ft. for a little togetherness LOL! It was a blast - although my husband prefers to call it our "land cruise" LOL! :)
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