A strong reader makes a strong writer—which is challenging as a homeschooling mom of many. We all have responsibilities both in and outside of the home on varying levels but it is important to take some time out to refresh and recharge. Recently I have been doing that in the form of reading.
This winter, I grabbed some easy reads: Becoming Free Indeed and People Pleaser by Jinger Duggar Vuolo, a more difficult book with challenging vocabulary: The Hidden Hand by E.D.E.N. Southworth, and a relevant resource book: How to Teach Kids Theology by Sam Luce and Hunter Williams.
Jinger's books hit home for me in a way that I was not expecting. As a fan of the show as a new homeschooling mom, I remember going to a Valentine's Day event with my husband to hear her parents speak. I remember leaving the event encouraged, refreshed, and inspired to keep on homeschooling my three little ones all under the age of five! Those were challenging years and encouragement was (and still is) always welcome. I also have vivid memories of a majority of the family visiting our state's homeschool convention back in those early days. It was my first homeschool convention and it was surreal passing by the family pushing strollers and visiting the booths in the vendor hall. Hearing Jinger play a song on the piano following her parents' keynote speech was also memorable.
Now that I've read some of her memoirs, it is interesting to get an inside look at what was really going on behind the scenes. Things are not always as they appear on the outside. This should be reassuring for homeschooling parents who are tempted to believe that the Instagram-perfect and Pinterest-worthy posts are the real deal but it actually is sobering. I truly believe the Duggars had and have good intentions raising their children using the teachings of Bill Gothard but if the foundation of the teachings are flawed, the fruit will reveal it.
Even though I never used or experienced Bill Gothard's teachings, it it blew me away to see how similar it is to the NAR teachings that I used to ascribe to. So many similarities kept popping up such as spiritual covering (she used the term umbrella), fear-based tactics, and so much more.
I noticed that she had two different authors help her with her books and I will say that I preferred the way the first book flowed much more than the second. I highly recommend both books and was inspired by each of them in different ways but the voice in Becoming Free Indeed was more engaging and seemed to flow better.
Both of Jinger's books were quick and easy reads that were inspiring and encouraging, but while I was sick on the couch for several weeks, I found myself enjoying a more challenging read—The Hidden Hand. My daughter had already read it and so had some of her friends. She continually told me that I needed to read it. When your teenage daughter tells you that you have to read a particular book, it is probably a good idea to listen! I am glad I did. This book was so complex, beautiful, and filled with so much suspense that it helped me to keep my mind off of being sick. It was the perfect read this winter!
I always have big plans when it comes to reading and I don't always meet my benchmark. Fortunately, I was able to get four books in this winter, which surprised me! You can read my review of How to Teach Kids Theology from earlier this month and be sure to enter my giveaway—the author gave me an extra copy!
I have several books on my bedstand waiting for spring. We shall see how many I actually get to! Have you read anything recently? Do you have any you are planning on getting to soon?
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