How to Have a H.E.A.R.T for your Kids- TOS review

How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for your Kids  

This is one of the best books I have ever read.  It's a warm hug for mothers combined with a wake up call.  Through true life stories and the Bible, Rachael Carman captured my attention from the first page and made me think long and hard until the last sentence.  She made me laugh and cry, a sure sign of a wonderful book!  This would be a blessing to both home schoolers and non home schoolers as she covers, in detail, why we have been blessed with our children.  Not only that, she discusses the importance of these topics:

H- Have a Heart for the Things of God

E- Enrich Your Marriage

A- Accept Your Kids 

R- Release Them to God

T- Teach the the Truth

Wow.  This was quite an undertaking and she did it beautifully.

H- Have a Heart for the Things of God- Before you have a heart for your children, you must start at the beginning- with yourself.  Reading the Bible, recognizing God's presence in nature, praying and spending time with the Lord is the way to start.  Also, be aware that the way you live your life speaks volumes.  If you want your children to live a godly life, you must lead by example.  How do you talk about people when they are not around?  Your little ones are listening.

E- Enrich your Marriage- This chapter discusses how it's so easy to neglect your spouse and your marriage in the rush of life.  The foundation of your home starts with a strong marriage and this takes work.  Rachael Carman encourages parents to have fun together!  Take a stroll down memory lane, write love letters, go on dates!  Not only will your marriage grow stronger but you will be setting a loving example for your children.  

A- Accept Your Kids- This chapter discusses how it's vital to love our children.  Rachael Carman tells us how she was, by her own definition, a strong-willed child.  Her mother accepted this and did not try to change her.  Instead, she "set out to properly direct this part of my design to be used for God's glory."  Our children know when we truly have accepted their uniqueness.  

R- Release them to God- Sounds scary, doesn't it?  We do have to remember that God made all of us and has a plan for each and every one of us.  Rachael writes, "Release them to God.  They are His, and He will take great care of them."  I loved reading this.  Such a comfort.

T- Teach the Truth- When I began home schooling my girls, I did not take on the adventure because of religious reasons.  That is so sad!  Through this book I see how important it is to teach the truth of the Bible.  The world wants us to be tolerant of so many things and yet we need to remember what is right and what is wrong.  Read biographies of missionaries, sing hymns, memorize Bible verses!  It's not just for children- it's for adults, too.  Learning does not stop when you become an adult.  You can be a student and a teacher at the same time!:)

Whether it's for parenting advice, marriage guidance or personal reflection, I will be reading this book again and again. It's *that* wonderful.  Throughout the book I just kept thinking that Rachael Carman wrote this book just. for. me.  She truly wrote it for all parents, and it came straight from her heart.

How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for your Kids is available from Apologia for only $13.00.  Click on the book title above to read a chapter for free!

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*I received this book at no cost from Apologia in exchange for my honest opinion.*