A Review: How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids

I recently had the opportunity to review How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids by Rachel Carmen with Apologia and I'm so glad that I did. It was a wonderful read for me as a homeschool mom just before we start back to school again.

I am familiar with Apologia's curriculum (our family loves their Exploring Creation series!), and I was curious to read this inspirational book geared toward moms.

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"As intentional parents we do not react, but we respond. We do not panic; we pray. We do not give sermons; we give scripture. And we are prepared to do so through our own pursuit of God, for His glory and by His grace."
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Rachel shares a lot of her family's homeschooling story in this book, but she also shares many nuggets of wisdom from God's Word in the five chapters.

She talks about:

• Have a heart for the things of God
• Enrich your marriage
• Accept your kids
• Release them to God
• Teach them the truth.

Each chapter is chock-ful of great truth and insight. I read eagerly with my highlighter! And at the end of each chapter is a *Heart Checkup*~three to five questions to help you go deeper and apply what you've read. This would help make this book a great Bible study for moms!

I just have to share some of the thoughts that really spoke to me.

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"When we attempt to rewire our children, we are actually rejecting them, even if we do not verbalize it. They can sense it. They feel it. Of course, we know not to tell a child we wish he were more like so-and-so, but if we're not careful, we can easily communicate this same negative message by our actions when we ignore or resent their strengths."

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"It is essential that we study our children and ask God to show us who these kids are for His glorious purpose. We need to learn their strengths and weaknesses so that we can equip them to be on guard, stand firm and not grow weary in doing good."
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The chapter on accepting our kids spoke to me the most. I personally often struggle with wanting to *improve* some trait in my children. This is not to say~and the book definitely does not say~that we are to be permissive and not train our children, but it was a wonderful reminder to me to constantly affirm my children and to encourage them in their strengths, helping them to grow and mature in them.

I love how Rachel puts it:

"Rather, acceptance means seeking His will and purpose for each child He places in your care. It means accepting and enjoying each one as a providential gift and a blessing from a Holy God, trusting that He will continue the good work He began by sending them to you and carry it through to completion

(Philippians 1:6)."

As I prepare to begin this new school year at home with my precious children~my gifts from God~I am once again encouraged by God's Word, this time through this book. It's full of wonderful verses that pierce deep into my heart and refresh my spirit to train my children lovingly and properly.

Even if you are not a homeschool mom, but especially if you are, I highly recommend this book! It is not a difficult read, being just 197 pages, but it is certainly a very worthy read. I am definitely putting it in my top 10 reads for moms!

You can head over to Apologia's site to check out a sample chapter and to order How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids for just $13.

And while you're there, be sure to check out their other great products!

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book through The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew and Apologia in exchange for my frank and unbiased review. The thoughts expressed here are completely my own.

Check out more reviews at The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew blog.