I love my eldest son truly and dearly. He’s a good person, cares and looks out for people, is passionate about plants and animals. His nickname off the basketball court is Dr. Doolittle! I fight for him fiercely, advocate for his rights and would die for him, as I know most parents would for their children.
All that being said, one of the things I wish I could improve in him is how he feels about school. He has the capacity to be a straight-A student, but doesn’t apply himself and just gets by. This coming from a former junior honor society, honor society and lady with a Master’s Degree. How can it not be important to him? Why can’t he be more like me!
Last week my mother asked me the question, “What motivates him?” Well I know he likes to win on the court, he likes expensive basketball shoes and what else? So when I was asked to review the eBook “Motivate Your Child”, I jumped at the chance. I thought it was a sign from above and it was something I was definitely going to read.
I downloaded the book to my Kindle and picked it up and put it down several times. Dang, I’m going to not make my deadline. It was NOT like reading the mystery and intrigue of James Patterson novels that I have grown accustomed to lately! This was a self-help book, a real book like going to back to college!!! Eh gawd! Where is my highlighter?? Oh yeah it’s not on paper. Who highlights their Kindle? I don’t. BUT to each their own…right.
Let me say the book has strong religious undertones. If that’s not your cup of tea……well…
I happen be a spiritual person and so it was fine with me.
So here are four points, among many that I took away from the book.
- Always rewarding kids for doing things doesn’t allow them to modify their behavior on their own. Hmmm. Maybe that’s why my wise mother often said, “By the time he’s 18, he’s going to want a Maserati.”
- Kids who are categorized as “strong-willed” already have high levels of internal motivation. What!!! And I thought they were just being stubborn!
- Parenting requires strategy. The author says, “If you are to0 afraid to put your foot down, your children will step on your toes.” It’s not easy, but worth it when you do. I call it putting my big girl panties on! Lol. I need to do it more often.
- End Discipline Time with Hope. Doesn’t it always feel yucky when you have to do something which is going to “hurt me more than it does you?” The book tells us that a parent’s affirmation during these times goes a long way to help children move past mistakes.
Overall I enjoyed the book. Would have enjoyed it more if it wasn’t so textbookey (is that even a word?), but that’s just me. Great examples given, so you can really get what the author means. I would suggest you read this book in doses and take notes. Notes that may help you finally understand how to motivate your child AND you just might improve yourself along the way.
How to get your free $150 of parenting materials?
Pre-order or purchase a copy of Motivate Your Child from any retailer. Once you’re made your purchase, follow the instructions below. Click here for some common retail options.
INSTRUCTIONS: Purchase the book. Send an email with MYC150 Promo in the subject line with a receipt of purchase to gift@biblicalparenting.org. Biblical Parenting will send you the link and a special code to access these downloadable video, audio and written products.
**Disclosure: I received a sample of the product to facilitate this post. No other compensation was provided and all views and opinions stated on this post are 100% my own.
By Eva B.