My friend Kendra told me how encouraging John Miller was at a retreat she attended earlier this year. So I ordered his first book and liked what I read.

“How much better things would be if we all tried to mold and shape our own thought and actions rather than those of others.” – John G. Miller

Then I learned he had a book on parenting. Now that my kids are older (one is even an adult!), I am not sure how effective it is for me to spend a lot of time reading parenting books, but then I read this quote:

“Parenting never really ends. It changes.” – John G. Miller

Parenting is something that each one of us do differently. Is there a right way? I believe when we follow God’s teaching we can make good choices, but since we are all sinners, we are not always going to make the best choices. Mr. Miller’s book gives some great ways for us to take more personal accountability in helping our kids to learn about personal accountability. One of my favorite sayings is ‘your walk talks more than your talk talks’.

“Modeling is the most powerful of all teachers.” – John G. Miller

Here are some things I just love about Parenting the QBQ Way:

1. Nice short chapters – I know that many parents are so busy that they don’t make time to sit down, let alone sit down to read. Most of the chapters in this book are 3-4 pages. Plenty short for any parent to take the time on a lunch break, while the kids are napping, just before bed. No excuses here.

2. Plenty of great quotes – each chapter starts off with quotes from some great people: Abraham Lincoln, Helen Keller, Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, C. S. Lewis, and even a few Bible verses. There is always thing for us to learn from the Bible and from people who have lived before us.

3. A whole section on transforming your IQs (incorrect questions) into QBQs (question behind the question). – Haven’t you ever asked yourself, “Who made the mess in here?” And what is the usual response? I know, ‘nobody’ lives in our house sometimes too. But if we ask instead, '”What can I do to help my child learn good habits?”, it helps us to make sure we take the time to train our children to take some personal accountability for their actions.

4. Remembering that life is fair – a good friend of mine is always telling us that God doesn’t say ‘oops’. He has a plan for things that happen in our life, good and/or bad. But here is one quote from the book that puts this personal accountability thing into perspective:

“Life is fair…because bad things can happen to anyone. The difference is always in what we choose to do about it.”

So now I know you would like your own copy of this book! But before you run out and purchase one, I actually have 2 copies to giveaway!

Giveaway details: In the comments below, share with me your favorite parenting book. Entries will be accepted until Thursday, May 9th at 11:59pm Pacific time. Giveaway only open to residents of the United States. Winner will be randomly selected from comments on this blog post. Winner will be notified by e-mail on or after Friday, May 10th.

Disclosure: I was given a copy of Parenting the QBQ Way in exchange for my honest review of the book.

Can you imagine what it must be like to be a published author? I certainly can’t, but I know a woman who is. Let me introduce you to my pastor’s wife and friend, Rhonda Stoppe.

I have known Rhonda since we started attending our church back in 2003. She is a woman who is just a few years ahead of me on this wife/mom journey and someone who has always given me godly advice and practical wisdom for raising a son.

She recently just published her first book, Moms Raising Sons to Be Men, which I have had a chance to read and thought it was filled with the same godly advice for moms that Rhonda has been sharing with the women of our church for years. One theme that kept resonating with me as I read her book is that my relationship with Jesus is an important part of parenting. Our role is not to raise perfect children, our role is to raise children who learn how to love our Lord with all their heart, mind, and strength. We will make mistakes along the way because we are not perfect people. But being real with our children and asking for their forgiveness when we have messed up, will help draw our children into a relationship of their own with Jesus.

Rhonda shared answers to a couple of questions with me, and I want to share them with you.

Question: What brought you to write the book “Moms Raising Sons to Be Men”?

Answer: I remember thinking what kinds of kids I would raise, and really, I hadn’t a clue. This book is about older women teaching the younger women. I share not only from my experiences, but from mothers from Scripture, mothers of great men from our history, and mothers from today who are fulfilling their role of raising sons to be men.

Question: What is the most important thing a mother can do?

Answer: To realize motherhood is a ministry God has called her to.Colossians 4:17 says, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.” God never intended for moms to go it alone. Through His Word, He wants to equip you to train your children to love and trust Him. We strongly influence the character of our little boys so they become the godly leaders of tomorrow.

Now for the giveaway!

I have 2 signed copies of Rhonda’s book to giveaway! To enter the drawing, in the comments, share with me a Bible verse that keeps you going on this parenting journey.

Comments posted by Friday, March 29th at midnight Pacific time will be accepted for the drawing. Only Continental US residents are eligible for this drawing. Winners will be announced the week of April 1st, 2013.

Update 4/4/13: And the winners are tystacyk and Amanda C! Thank you so much for everyone entering this giveaway!