Don't Make Me Count to Three, by Ginger Plowman

Having a two year old, I've only read so many parenting/how to discipline your children books. At the same time, having a two year old, I've read so many parenting books. Don't Make Me Count to Three: a Mom's Look at Heart-Oriented Discipline (published by Shepherd Press) currently rests very comfortably at the top of my Favorite Parenting Book list. (That list, btw, is very short.)

The reason I liked it was this: Ginger Plowman does a great job being honest and real with her own faults and shortcomings while constantly pointing people back to what really matters: God. Her "approach" to child rearing means looking to the heart of the child and not just to the behavior of the child. To use a rather extreme example, she doesn't want robots for children - she wants to raise adults on fire for the Lord. In order to raise responsible, honorable and reliable adults means investing in a life time of heart training and that begins at a very young age. It's not just about teaching children what to do or what is expected of them. It's about listening to their heart, giving them truths in the form of scripture to apply to their thoughts, actions and emotions, and growing them in that.

To summarize that: she isn't as concerned about the outward, physical aspect of parenting. She is concerned about the heart. (Does that sound remotely familiar to anyone?) This is an approach to parenting that is worth listening to.

Plowman is also extremely funny. I laughed out loud several times while reading this book. She uses a great deal of self deprecating humor and seems to have at least a bit of a sarcastic streak which I find humorous. At the same time, she has a great deal of wisdom to share and I'm happy to drink that in. I have a lot to learn and a long ways to go in my parenting journey and I found this book helpful and useful.

Sarah at Library Hospital also reviewed this book and also walked away feeling very positively towards it.

This book is a keeper for me. I think it's practical, motivating fun and encouraged me to look beyond the frequently (*ahem*) irritating disobedience of my son to see what's in his heart. As I see what's in his heart, if I hit the pause button on my own instant reaction, I have opportunity to replace his misconceptions with truth. I'm not saying that I've tried this method and it works. I'm saying I'm a work in progress, continuing to learn and to grow. Just like my son.