Reviews

book review: regret-free parenting by catherine hickem

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Regret-free Parenting, book review

I requested a copy of this book from Booksneeze in February + it actually took awhile for me to receive it + write about it.  When I received this book, I realized that it was such a good decision to request a copy of it as it is chockfull of invaluable insights about motherhood + parenting. I think each parent should get a copy of it.

The son of the author, Taylor, sums of this book by saying “kids start off as clay: they’re very impressionable. Moms don’t get second chances; they have to do it right the first time. I’m grateful my mom got it right.”

Like so many things in our lives, we do not get a second shot at mothering + we ought to do it right the first time as a lot is at stake with it, our children’s psyche, their future + their complete view of themselves + the world around them. I know, just the sound of it makes you want to take a few steps back + ponder whether being a parent is actually a job that you want + if it is something that you can do right.

In this book, Catherine, a mother of two, talks about how we ought to be intentional mothers with clear goals. These goals will set as your compass or your guide to determine what type of parenting technique you would like to adapt. She also enthused that motherhood is more than just a feeling + teaching our children the basics in life.

She also laid out the Principles of Intentional Motherhood, which includes the following:

  • Be intentional about your purpose
  • Be intentional about knowing your children + your vision for your children
  • Help your child develop emotional intelligence
  • Maintaining your position {authority/influence}
  • Addressing your fears properly
  • Be God-dependent
  • Do not fight the differences or difficulties
  • No matter what type of child you have {which can be easy, challenging or difficult}, your job as a mom is to know each individual child you raise by studying your kids

To be clear with your purpose and goals, she also encouraged mothers to jot down their purpose in being a mother. This way you can always have a tangible reminder of your goals and aspirations for your children, making them more manageable + ultimately, achievable. You can also include the non-negotiable qualities that you want your children to manifest as an adult. Place this list in a prominent place so you will be reminded daily of the goals that you are working toward.

Motherhood is the best job I’ve taken so far + I would love to make it right the first time as there would be no take-two’s or second shots. Therefore, I am glad that I came across this book, I give it my 2 thumbs up + pray that every mother anywhere in the world start to become intentional mothers, too!

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review + the opinions I have expressed are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

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mum musings

teaching toddlers some manners?

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Mind your manners

Don’t we just love our little angels when they are being exactly that? Of course, they can’t be mister + miss nice 24/7 + there will be times (a lot of them, really!) that they will get into our nerves. It would’ve been heaven on earth if our little ones behave nicely on every single occasion, but,  alas, they don’t + in comes our little problem.

If you were like me who’s a mum to a toddler (an almost -two-year-old-bundle-of-jostling-energy), it really isn’t a bad idea to be thinking of teaching our little ones to mind their manners this early. In fact, the earlier we instill the value in them, all the better, since they are not born with an innate ability to mind manners + it will require  constant teaching + reminding before they get the hang of it. Now is simply the best time to instill this in them.

Here are a few things you might want to try to encourage your kiddos to learn about manners:

  • be a good role model to your tots – children’s minds are like sponge, they absorb everything around them + are sensitive to what is going on around them, the best way to inspire manners with your toddlers is to set a good example for them. they simply love to mimic what mum does anyway, right?
  • bust the myth: it is never too early to teach it – as early as when your toddler started mumbling his words, you can try teaching him some pleasantries. My son started saying his “thanks” (or something that distinctly sounds like it) when he was a little over one year old, right after he heard us saying the word.
  • inspire your tot to talk to adults -notice how they’d automatically recoil in front of an adult stranger? Mine does almost all the time. To make them feel comfortable, you can try practicing at home by teaching him some gestures when seeing someone for the first time, like shaking hands or giving high fives or just waving “hi”. At home I’d usually ask Jared to wave to anyone who arrives to say hi, that way, he’ll be accustomed to the gesture + it will also be a cool way to break the ice during first meetings, too.
  • inspire your tot to share his toys + shine during playdates – sometimes they can be just so uncooperative + won’t simply share their toys no matter how you coax them. Real pain, right? But to encourage them to share their toys, expose them to a lot of different kids they can play with + after each playdate session, ask all the kiddos to put the toys away. That way the kiddos will realize that it will be a whole lot of fun to play with other kids + to share their toys with them.
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mum musings

someday i'd like to teach my son….

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When SAHMone Speaks

As a mother, what do you think will be the best teachings you can pass on to your children?

I guess I have loads of stuffs I want to teach my son + a lot of invaluable teachings that I’d like to pass on to him, that hopefully he will teach his own children when his time comes. I’d like to teach him to be God-fearing, to always put his faith in the All, believing that it is through Him that everything is possible.

I’d like to teach him how to sing + read, I’d like to teach him to not take himself very seriously + to learn how to laugh at himself too. I’d like to teach him how to be a citizen of the world, not merely satisfied, snug + secure in his comfort zone, but to also think of other people out there who are in need + extend help in his own little ways.

I’d like to teach him how to do his share in taking care of this Planet  we’ve inherited. I’d like to teach him to follow his dreams + be guided by his passions. I’d like to teach my son how to run, how to swim, how to fly kites and write poetry, I’d like to teach him how to be street-smart (even if I am not ;)) +, more importantly,  to live his life to the fullest! 😉

Love + Light,

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