Where to Invest a Child's Time and Wise Woman Linkup!

"Think long and hard about the way you invest your children's time. 

Time is treasure. 

And where your time investment is, there you will find the heart of a child. 

Invest the majority of his time in entertainment, and his heart will be turned to love of pleasure.

 Invest his time in peers rather then family, and his heart will be with the peers more than his family. 

There is a time and place for all good things in balance, but wise parents will steward the treasure of time, and in so doing, shepherd their children's hearts."

-Doug Phillips

Balance is always needed when approaching the investing of time of our children--we never go wrong when we invest time in teaching them about our Lord, His Word, the character He expects from us, and His mission of  loving others and sharing the gospel with them!

" But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." -Matthew 6:33

Now onto our linkup:

A Wise Woman Builds Her Home is a place to be encouraged in your high and noble calling of role of wife and mother and daughter to the King and we want to encourage each and every single reader out there to build up strong Christian homes to the glory of God.

We would love for you to link up with us---share your posts on  building up your home, homemaking, character, hospitality, femininity, family, tea, recipes, parenting, marriage, etc. we would love to have you share it with us!

If you link up here please use the image below or link back to let others know that you have linked up here so that they might join in the fun and be encouraged as well:

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Will We Fight For Them?

Today's we are featuring a guest post by Michelle from  She Looketh Well...

I had quite a sobering conversation in my head yesterday.  

Yesterday I sort of reached the ‘end’ of my limit with a certain teenage son, who simply is going through what I would call typical ‘growing up pains’.  Each of his brothers before him did too, I know this, but somehow forget and get frustrated.

My normal M.O. is to just get ticked and say, ‘fine, figure it out on your own then.’  (yes, I know not so spiritual nor mature)  I want to just wash my hands of the whole stinkin’ mess.

Well, I called Brian, ranted something about ‘just being done with him’.  I believe I let him know that this particular son was HIS, and I was just done.  He, of course, was shocked by my words and encouraged (begged) me to stop the foolishness coming out of my mouth.  I just sat there and stewed while he talked.

When we got off the phone I went about my business, still stewing and a brewing, repeating my above foolishness in my head.  What I heard next just about stopped my in my tracks, literally.

“So, you’re done?  Well, you might as well be putting him right into the hands of the enemy.”  Giant gulp!  I literally could picture just handing my son over to the enemy because I was too selfish, lazy and prideful to deal with everyday issues!  Ugh, it pains me now to even think about it.

If we don’t fight for our children, who will?  There is an enemy who prowls around seeking whom he may destroy.  He comes to steal, kill and destroy.  A very REAL vicious, relentless killer after our children and I am willing to just say, ‘forget it, too hard, don’t want to deal with this today’???  

NO!!  I am not willing to give up!  I choose to fight with every ounce of my being.  I will not let the enemy take my children on my watch.  If we don’t fight for them, who will, ladies, who will?

Yep, I repented yesterday.  I told God I see that I am wrong, I don’t really have the fight and the love in me to battle this, but I know that He does and I am counting on HIM to equip me.

Let the very cry of our hearts be . . .

Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:10)

May we be willing to endure ALL things for our children’s sake!





Thank you, Michelle for your encouraging words to keeping us focused on fighting for our children!
You are a blessing!



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Keeping Hearts, Biblical Training and Sibling Rivalry

 Recently I received a letter for help in my inbox:

Hi June,

I was wondering if you have ever thought about doing some posts about keeping your children's hearts.  Ways that you can build relationships with each child.  I am meaning practical things you can do.  

We are trying to raise our children differently then how we were raised and sometimes it is a struggle to know the how and why of things.  I would love to hear your ideas. Also do you have any suggestions about where I could gain some help about child rearing issues.  Sometimes I struggle with what to do.  Like what is a good way to handle ways when children continually do what they are told but only 1/2 way and so sloppy that it is not really done well at all.  Also I need some help on the sibling rivalry issues.  I want my children to be best friends and grow up to love each other not be so disconnected the way I feel with my brothers.  Sometimes I feel like I am lacking so much and I really don't know where to turn for the help I need.  That Titus 2 help I so long for. I hope you don't mind me asking these things. 

Blessings to you------A Sweet Reader

Thank you so much for this question! I know many readers would like to hear my answer to this so I am happy to share this question and my answer with the rest of my readers.  I have actually touched on some of these topics in the past- you can find some here at these categories in my sidebar:

• Keeping Hearts
• Parenting
• Raising Daughters
• Raising Sons

Since these are heavy topics that cannot be fully covered within one post or a few series of posts adequately or thoroughly I am going to offer my favorite list of resources instead that our family has personally used and learned from and still refer to today.

Keeping Your Child's Heart: Your Vital Priority
if you need steps--this books gives plenty of steps, warning signs and how-to's on both mom and dad's roles
VERY good reading and food for thought also for some basics I recommend:
Shepherding Your Child's Heart--Ted Tripp

Biblical Parenting by Don Gilchrist
This book explains biblical parenting very practically and step by step in various circumstances.
We used to sell this book at our HomeBuilder's meeting and our online store, and many families benefited from it.

Christian Character by Gary Maldanar (my children still use this today) and humorous book they might enjoy would be

Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends

and if you or your child struggles with anger I cannot recommend this book highly enough:

The Heart of Anger by Lou Priolo
Read it once for yourself and then read it a second  time to understand how it applies to your child! This is the best book I have seen on how to manage and deal with anger so far.

I will probably do some more posts to go more into depth into these topics if there is interest.

Hope this helps!

Have a blessed day building up your sacred home!

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Duggar's New Book! A Love That Multiplies

I know that many of you just love the Duggar family just as much as we do 

and that is why I know you will be DELIGHTED to know that they have a brand spankin' new book that is available for preorder now entitled 

A Love That Multiplies:
An Up-Close View of How They Make It Work

Here is are the publishers comments:

In this second book from the Duggars, they focus on the principles that equip them to face life's challenges—drawing from their most recent challenge with the 3-month premature birth of their newest child, Josie. They also share the new challenges their older children are facing as they prepare for adult life. Central to the book is a section on the principles that the Duggar's have consistently taught their children. These simply worded principles are basic to the Duggar family and are shared in a way that other parents can incorporate in their own homes. A special chapter on homeschooling gives valuable information to parents who are considering this route or are already invested in it. The world continues to be amazed by their nineteen well-groomed, well-behaved, well-schooled children and their home life, which focuses on family, financial responsibility, fun—and must importantly, faith. The Duggar's show how parents can succeed whether they’re rearing a single child or several.

Table of Contents

Preface: Our Biggest Test Begins

Part 1: Little Baby, Big Challenges 
 1. Little Eyes Watching
 2. More Babies on the Way!
 3. A Surprising Test Begins
 4. Praying without Ceasing
 5. Miracles and Milestones
 6. Difficult Priorities
Part 2: Shaping Hearts and Minds
 7. Living under the Microscope
 8. Opportunities to Reach Out to Others
 9. Developing a Servant Heart
10. Making Faith Fun
Part 3: Big Hope for Our Children’s Future
 11. Homeschool, Duggar Style
 12. Vocations, Goals, and Roles
 13. Daily Training, Tips, and Practicalities
 14. Life Is a Classroom
Part 4: Big Hearts, Full of Love
 15. Protecting and Cherishing Our Relationships
 16. Michelle’s Heart for Children and Moms
 17. Jim Bob’s Lifelong Hobby
 18. Do the Duggars Date?

 P.S. Answering the Big Question




What an encouragement it is to have a mom of 19 children take time in her day to minister to women!
It is wonderful to see Titus 2 women rise up and bless those around them even with busy schedules like Michelle's and especially be a testimony to the lost.

Be sure to get your copy and

preorder new the book here!

(they have it in hardcover, Kindle and audio)


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Wise Woman Tip:

Family movie nights are a great learning experience and kept wholesome when watching the Duggar family in action in their hit TV show 19 Children and Counting.

 You can get their movies here 
starting from ONLY  $4.49!

Using Praise to Build Up Your Home

Today I would like to share with you some wisdom gleaned from here.

At the tea, Mrs. Duggar was asked if she had any advice to give to parents, the advice she gave was:

"Be sure to praise your children and praise them alot because whoever praises them will win their hearts."

And when asked;

"What do you do with the lazy child?"

Her answer again was to praise them, of course she meant in honesty when they were doing good things (not to be confused with flattery which might puff up pride in a child).

This is valuable wisdom since the flesh is prone to do the opposite. I see a remarkable change in my children when I praise them for the things that they have done right. It is so easy to overlook the ten good things they did in the day and see only the multitude of mistakes and criticize. Children are children and are still learning and we as parents need to be patient and practice long suffering with them.. Grace and mercy needs to be factored in abundantly--we cannot run our home like a drill sergeant spewing forth commands and be merciless to the weak. Our children are still learning when and how to obey and we cannot expect perfection. 

Think about ourselves----how many times in a day do you sin against God? Even in small ways sin is sin and therefore: disobedience. God is graceful and patient towards us--we must apply this to our children as well. 

The Bible reminds us that:

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Proverbs 10:19

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise bring healing. Proverbs 12:18

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Proverbs 25:11

So today, mothers, I challenge you to put into place-
The Praise Project!
I have heard it  said that for every negative thing you say to a person it takes ten positive things to make up the difference. Vow from this day on to purposefully praise your children and to hold your tongue when you are tempted to lash out, yell or complain.  Give it a whirl and see how it transforms your home. Praise empowers souls to holy heights. It arms them with confidence and can point them towards honorable nobleness, while the opposite--tearing them down, utterly incapacitates.

If you are prone to criticizing and grumbling towards your children make a promise to change today
--it is not too late. 






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Fathers, Daughters, Butterflies and High Tea

Daughters

need time

with their fathers...

I've heard it's wonderful. 

If you are able to attend, definitely do!

You can sign up here.

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If you are looking for a set of beautiful heirloom teacups to buy for your daughter or her hope chest
look no further! Click here for the perfect set.