** UPDATE: A hard copy of this book, with an additional ten verses and illustrations, is now available for purchase on my Etsy site by clicking here. The original version is still free for downloading and printing at home using the link at the bottom of this post. Blessings! **
It turns out, parenting is waaaaay hard.
I know everyone makes mistakes. But, there seems to be an increasing number of days when I crash onto the couch after we’ve gotten all three girls in bed at night, and I feel certain I’ve done something {or not done something} that may ruin them forever.
I’ve lost my temper with them, yelled too much, said something sarcastic, deferred their questions, been distracted all day, put playing a game with them off till the elusive “later,” or in some other way… put myself first and missed a lot of opportunities to love them well.
At this point, if there’s anything I’m sure of about my parenting it is this: I’m bound to keep messing up.
As a {slowly} recovering perfectionist, I tend to set unrealistic expectations for myself and everyone around me. So, I find myself in this cycle of expecting myself to be a pretty good mom, screwing up by mid-morning each day, feeling like a parenting failure, then vowing to do better again tomorrow. Rinse and repeat.
I want to give my kids more than my best effort. I want to give them something they can depend on all the time. Something that it always true. Always beautiful. Always right.
While they’re busy soaking up new skills and information at every turn, I want them to be soaking up Scripture, too. And, the best way I know to help them do that is by putting it in front of them in a way that engages their little eyes, minds, and hopefully their hearts.
So, I created a book of a dozen verses with graphics that are easy to understand and memorize. There’s nothing particularly special about the book, but if you’re looking for something to help introduce or encourage your kids in the Word, you can click on the link below this cover and it will go to a downloadable PDF. {At least, I think it will. This technology is all very new to me…}
{It’s super easy to get a 1/2 inch binder with a clear cover at Target or an office store, and then put each of the pages in a clear protective sheet to make a little book for the nightstand. And, you can add pages whenever you like}.
Thank you so very much for sharing – your thoughts and feelings on parenting as well as the book! (I found you via Pintrest.) Thank you Jessica
Thank you so much for posting this! I feel like that kind of a parent every day too. I've got a 2-year old and a 3-month old. I've been wanting to start memorizing scripture with my toddler, and this book is perfect. Also found you on Pinterest. Thanks!!
Hi, I've just found this post from Pinterest and I went to download the pdf file. Thank you so much for this.
Thank you for your wonderful examples of simple verses. I also love the visuals you have with them.
~ Sunday School teacher from Guyana SA =)
Hi Hollie – I really identify with your experience, even though I have 3 boys! Thanks for this book – very simple and effective. Hope to use it the my Sunday class.God bless.