Dr. Laura

I wasn't expecting much with this book because Julia said she didn't like it as much as Proper Care and Feeding. Sometimes timing is everything with books--and I needed to read this book just now. It's not that I don't have a testimony of motherhood or that I don't love what I do most of the time, but sometimes . . . and those "sometimes" were coming more frequently of late. Not because of the children, but because of other things and other people and my being easily offended. This book was a great reminder that motherhood is the thing, not the thing we try to avoid while we do other things.

Positives: I loved how brutal she was to working moms. Hardly anyone will really lay it on the line like Dr. Laura. Yes, there is a huge difference between children who are at home with their mom and those who are not. That's just the way it is and all the sugarcoating in the world won't change it. I was a working mom at one point and it is extremely hard on the mom emotionally as well. I think that's why I buy into the Hurried Child point of view that child competence is an idea created to justify two-income families. Women have to make it okay in their own heads somehow because emotionally it is devastating to leave young children with other people.

Also, I loved all the letters from women who talked about spending time with their children. I needed to be reminded that it doesn't matter what other people think of my house or children or parenting style--it is about me and my children enjoying our time together. Would it be easier to remember that if I didn't live by family? . . . Hmm.

At first I thought the organization was terrible because she makes all the same points in each chapter. However, by the end I liked it. I liked to be reminded over and over of the same main points (yes, moms, you are making a difference by being home, no one can take your place, you miss out if you aren't there, your children need you, your marriage will be better if you stay home) because it was what I needed to hear.

So . . . can't think of any negatives right now. Like I said, I think TIMING played into how much I liked this one.

I'm still working on Hurried Child.

The Hurried Child

I just finished The Hurried Child.  It was okay.  There were a few quotes that I really appreciated, but was too lazy to write down.  :-)  This book did make me think of how much playtime I allow my children and it's made me look at some things differently.  For example, the fact that kids and adults wear the same style of clothing!  I've noticed this trend in bathing suits but never really paid attention to the everyday fashion.  Well, at least when I've looked at it I've thought more about how adult women are trying to still dress young, rather than the other perspective of children trying to dress older.  Make sense?  Anyway, I did think that was interesting.  Overall, though, the book was a bit repetative and wordy for me, so I lost enthusiasm for the points the author was trying to make. 

My turn to tell

Okay - so first of all I am currently reading 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" (with J. while my son reads 7 Habits of Happy Kids).  Fun!  And I'm reading The Art of Teaching writing by Lucy Calkins.  Loving it!  I wish I'd read it when my oldest was TWO!  I also just finished a biography of Eleanor Roosevelt.  I'm in a non-fiction mood, if you can't tell.  However, I am going to start the 39 Clues series because my son has been telling me all week, "This is the best book ever"!  Gotta find out for myself.  :-)

With that said, Their Finest Hour FINALLY came in at the library, so I'm hoping to start/finish that before it's due again.  :-) I just put Hurried Child on hold at the library and I've already read Stay at Home moms. 

Kelly, I loved The Wheel on the School a lot better than Sixty Fathers.  Maybe it's the timing or order in which they are read?  But I do love that book!

And I am waiting for two books to come in:  the sequel to The Hunger Games!  Agh!!  I can't wait!  And the sequel to The Red Necklace  by Sally Gardner.  Again, can't wait!!! 

Has anyone read the Golden Compass?  It's been sitting by my bed for awhile, but I just can't get in the mood to read it.

Well, happy reading.

P.S. My son John just started a GoodReads account.  If your kids have emails send 'em to me so he can invite them.  Right now he has no "friends" and I would like him to have more to choose from than just what "Mom" says is cool!  :-)

What I'm Reading

Hello Everyone,

I am not finishing the Colombia book right away because I could only get it on library loan and I didn't finish it fast enough. I'm going to try and get it from Weber State.

In the meantime, for October we're supposed to read I Am the Clay, but I find that uninspiring. INSTEAD, I'll be reading two books. Feel free to read them with me, or not. I'm just switching two months and reading

1) The Hurried Child (because my Dad looked down his nose at me when I said I hadn't read it--apparently it is one of his fav education books)

2) the Praise of Stay At Home moms.

Really, I'm just SO TIRED all the time and Potok takes so much out of you emotionally. I'm just not up for it this month. So, switching Oct and Nov books. If you want to you can read along with me.

PS--I'll also be reading Alexander's biography of Wilford Woodruff, if you want to read that too!

Hi Folks!

Are you all still working on the Columbia book?

I've been reading "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers. I've also just finished "Lighting Their Fires" by Rafe Esquith. It was pretty good, but I liked his first book, "Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire" better. Oh! And I read "The Wheel on the School" by Meindert DeJong (who wrote Sixty Fathers). It's on my daughter's reading list for her current history study. Nice children's book - not nearly as intense as Sixty Fathers.

My baby has been sick 2.5 of the last three weeks. First a cold, then a flu virus. Feel sorry for me, please. :-) I have been too tired to stay up late reading.

Become a Movie Critic

Hey Friends!

I just got back from Education Week at BYU and while there I went to an amazing class entitled "Great Cinema for Families." It was so inspiring and made me want to watch movies all the time. :-) Anyway, if you got to www.campusstudios.com you can take an online course on becoming a movie critic and learn what really makes a great movie. There you can also find a list of about 50 movies or so that the "team" on campus has deemed "great movies." Pay in mind that they also publicize for ClearPlay (a movie editing system), so don't be too shocked by some of the movies you might see on there. And one more thing is that you can write movie reviews. I thought this would be a great resource or "class" for older students. I may even have John do some this year, he would love any excuse to watch movies!

So, any GREAT movies you would recommend??? Share!

LOL

What we're reading response

I have the Colombia book right now and I'm working on that.

So--for September the Colombia book.

For October, I Am the Clay.

Yes, the list is current and correct.

What Are we Reading?

Hi All!
What are we reading now? Is the current list up to date? I'm ready to have some more discussion/essays going on! :-)

JULIA

Sequels

I'm totally in agreeance with you, Kami, on the 3rd book downfall thing! I have to admit, though, as a youth I did get to #6 of Work and the Glory before feeling "done." :-) hee-hee

HEY! Have you all read "A House of Many Rooms" ?? I just picked it up off my shelf and realized it's about a little Mormon family. I think it's one from the Newberry Award Winning list (maybe one of the honor books??), can't remember. Anyway, it is a very delightful book! :-) I like this better than Little Britches.

Bye!

Also

The sequel to The Name of the Wind comes out this month!!! SWEET! Ands, will your husband be buying it? I'll pay for media mail if he'll let me read it after him.