Thrifty Thursday: Total Money Makeover

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Sneak (Book Review)

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What About Heaven? (Book Review)

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A Season For Tending (Book)

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Book Review: The 5 Love Languages of Children

     I was recently asked to review the book "The 5 Love Languages of Children" by Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell. The book "The Five Love Languages" was originally written by Gary Chapman for couples, but found that the same principles could also be applied to how you love and treat your children.
     The premise of the book is that there are five love languages and everyone "speaks" one more dominantly than the the others. Whatever your child's "primary language" is, that is the one that will be more effective at communicating with the child on an emotional level, and will thus make him/her more responsive.
     The five love languages are physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts and acts of service. There is a whole chapter for each of the love languages as well as chapters on discovering your child's language and how they affect discipline and learning.

     Here is a basic summary of the five languages, though you will want to read the book for more detail and how to apply them effectively. 

     1. Physical Touch--These children will be more responsive to physical contact, such as hugs, a pat on the back and even play-wrestling.

     2. Words of Affirmation--This means the children need to know you are proud of them and that their efforts are appreciated, even if they don't do something perfectly. 

     3. Quality Time--This child responds more to getting to spend time with you. Even if it's just tagging along with you to the store you are doing something together. 

     4. Gifts--These don't necessarily have to be expensive, or even bought gifts. Just a token that shows them you were thinking about them while you were away. 

     5. Acts of Service--This includes things like packing their lunch before they go to school, helping them with homework or bringing them a snack. 

     All of these things are important, of course, and are generally appreciated, but certain things mean just a little more than others. And these principles can be applied to any relationship--especially marriage. There is even a chapter on Marriage and the love languages and I think the original book was written for marriage.

     So I found it a very useful book and look forward to applying the principles as my children get older. For now, they really need them all equally. I'm still trying to pinpoint my husband's "love language" and even my own. I'm sure I will be holding onto this book for a while, and may even try to get him to read it! 
     *I received this product in exchange for my honest review through Mom Spark Media. All opinions expressed are my own.*

Momaholic: Crazy Confessions of a Helicopter Parent Book Review

     I recently got the opportunity to Review Momaholic: Crazy Confessions of a Helicopter Parent though booksneeze.com

     Momaholic was written by Dena Higley, who was the head writer for the soap opera "Days of Our Lives." When I first got it, I was mildly interested and expected to trudge through it just to say I had read it.

     However, I found it very compelling and easy to read. It is not exactly a self-help book, and the author herself says so, so if you're picking up this book to find any kind of answers, you may be disappointed. 

     This book is more like hearing from someone who knows what you're going through, someone who can sympathize., with the final result being that we (moms and wives) aren't perfect and can't do everything, but that's okay. We're not alone. And Dena Higley just wants all of us wives and mothers who often feel stretched to our limit to know we are not the only ones. 

     The book is a reflection by a wife and mother who feels her life is spiraling out of control when her young, unwed daughter finds herself pregnant. Dena (the author) wonders where she went wrong that her daughter would get herself in such a situation. On top of this, she has a son who is autistic and a teenage daughter who must be physically carried everywhere, due to a surgery.

     I feel many mothers can relate to the way she feels, no matter how old her kids are. Mothers of teenagers or young adults may wonder what they should have done different. Mothers of young children, like me, may worry about how not to make such mistakes. And I'm sure we can all relate to the feeling that we have to be everything to everyone and often spread ourselves to thin and end up on the edge of a mental breakdown.

     So, while this is not really a self-help book, it is more like a sympathy book. It is good for a light read and you will probably find yourself laughing at some of the things she says. 

     I'm not much of a non-fiction reader, so I probably would not have picked this book up on my own, had it not been for my membership through bookneeze. So thanks, booksneeze. 
    
*I received this product for free from booksneeze in exchange for my fair and honest review*