Parenting From the Heart
An original founding mother of the modern home-school movement, Marilyn Boyer is simply one of the most inspirational women I have ever met .Ever! I am captivated by her insights on family life, encouraged by her infectious joy for motherhood, and inspired by her indefatiguable spirit. Now through this magnificent book , you can experience the vision and life message of a woman who gave birth to and home educated fourteen children while lovingly serving her husband, and , through her example- blessed and entire home school movement. --Doug Phillips, Director of Vision Forum MinistriesReading Parenting From the Heart is like a friendly visit at the kitchen table over a steaming cup of tea with a godly, older sister in the Lord, gleaning from her many years of experience and gentle wisdom. How I wish Marilyn had written this book when my oldest were little! Be prepared to receive an encouraging hug- you just simply supply the cup of tea! --Tracy Klicka, National home school speaker and writer, and wife of senior counsel for Home School Legal Defense AssociationParenting from the Heart by Marilyn Boyer, the mother of 14 children, has been such a helpful book for me. I have collected the Boyer s books for years and admire their family so much. I have always wanted a chance to sit down and talk with Marilyn about how she does it all! This book gave me that chance.     Marilyn has such a humble God seeking heart that you will find helpful encouragement on each page. She writes, Anyone can be a successful parent. The only ingredient required is a heart wholly devoted to Jesus Christ in whom we place our trust for eternal salvation. You will find tips in each chapter covering vast issues from babies, to toddlers, to teens.    She encourages us to enjoy those nighttime feedings with an infant, and to not be afraid to respond to their cries. After all, doesn t God respond to our cries? Toddler years pass quickly and Marilyn gives many tips for keeping them happy and busy during home school (without plopping them in front of the TV.) Her tips on keeping home education simple gave rest to my soul.   We may not share the minute or magnificent details of Marilyn s life, such as 14 children, and she assures the reader that God has a unique plan for each family. If He gives you one child, this is part of His marvelous plan for you and that child. In this you will have challenges not known to Marilyn, but the over arching plan of seeking God s direction for your child/family will hold fast.    Her Beware of Bitterness chapter was a big help to me, and I can still hear her kind admonitions ringing in my ear. Marilyn writes:    I think there is a strong tendency to become bitter when we feel like we ve invested so much and our kids don t appreciate it, or haven t done what we expected them to do. In some ways, we have added pressure from others to see that our kids conform to expectations of excellence, etc. We are tempted to put pressure on our kids to conform to what others think they should be doing. We must guard against this and let God lead each child as He sees fit, not what others pressure us to do.       I have read a vast number of parenting books through the years and place this one at the very top because Marilyn stays so close to the heart of God. I always feel encouraged by her writing and never put down. And I have come away from some parenting books feeling put down. That s not where God wants us!   Some parenting books I have read give the appearance that the author s family is perfect in every way. Or that to be successful as a parent, you must follow the author s formula 100% of the time, or you will fail. I am a sensitive person and my failings are always before me. This type of book makes me feel even lower and I barely have the energy to dig myself out after reading it.    Parenting From The Heart by Marilyn Boyer, on the other hand, takes the complete opposite approach. Marilyn points out that each child is a unique creation before God. What works for one child, may not work for another. There is no set formula for raising children other than a heart seeking God for each child, for each case.   Rather than despairing because of our faults or our children s faults Marilyn offers us encouragement. She writes:    Remember that a negative character trait in our lives is just a positive character quality misused. God will often take our biggest weaknesses and make them our biggest strengths. So don t despair when you see character deficiencies in yourself or your children. God is at work. Get busy teaching your kids what character is and God will use that to do the changing.    Thanks so much, Marilyn! --Britta McColl, Morning Star Learning