The Christian Mama's Guide to Parenting a Toddler: Everything You Need to Know to Survive (and Love) Your Child's Terrible Twos

by Erin MacPherson

What's a mom to do when her sweet baby's smiles and snuggles turn to tears and tantrums? This take on everything toddler―from throwing food to potty training to massive toddler fits―is filled with sanity-saving advice every mom wants to hear. Helpful tips include how Moms will be entertained and encouraged by the amusing anecdotes and godly advice of this comprehensive, topical approach to parenting one and two year olds.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Family

224 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2013

About the author

Hi! I'm Erin. I'm a 32-year-old mom of two. And, if we're being honest, I'm not really qualified to guide anyone on anything.

My house is a mess, my daughter has been halfway potty trained for five months and I just stuffed an entire load of clean, dry laundry into a laundry basket without folding it. The last time I attempted a craft with my kids, it ended in a tempra-paint induced meltdown (from me, not my kids). I'm not particularly organized or style-savvy or discipline-wise.

But, I am a mom. And a Christian. And since my new pregnancy book (coming March 1, 2011) is entitled "The Christian Mama's Guide to Having a Baby", I figured that entitling my blog "Christian Mama's Guide" just made sense.

So, welcome! Pull up a chair. Get comfortable. I can't wait to meet and connect with other moms like me-- moms who just love their husbands, love their kids and love their not-so-organized, not-so-crafty and not-so-fashionable lives. I'd love to hear your stories, your ideas and your thoughts and (if you have any) your potty training advice.

Reviews

[Michelle Halvorsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christian Mama’s Guide to Parenting a Toddler is hands down the best and most fun parenting book I’ve read since having my daughter a year and a half ago. Erin isn’t afraid to make fun of herself for a few laughs and to prove some good points; she doles out wonderful advice from her own experience and her wise friend’s and family’s experiences; and all the while reminds you to seek God first as you try to wrangle your wily toddler.

I’m tired at night and usually the last thing I want to do is something that keeps me awake past 9pm (ok, maybe even 8:30) but once I started Erin’s book I didn’t want to put it down. It kept me up past my “bedtime” a few nights until I finished it because I just couldn’t wait to read more of Erin’s stories and advice.

If you’re a first-time, second-time, or more mommy you’re sure to find something helpful from Erin’s book and I highly recommend it to any Christian mommy!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! I loved the humor, the devotional a and prayers and the reassurance that I’m doing a few things right. I feel like I would even enjoy reading this again.

[Kait · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had some good advice (her discussion of grace-mercy-justice as a guide to discipline was particularly inspiring); but overall, I didn't care for this book, and found the tone off-putting– it felt like the book assumed you had to take a battle stance with your kids in order to succeed. Also, I don't like gender stereotyping and this book relied a little bit too much on those kind of jokes ("explaining XYZ to a toddler is like trying to talk through your emotions with your husband"). And at the end of the day, on a more personal note, I'd rather read a parenting book which focuses on heart reformation (like "Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday") rather than Top 10 lists which give you point by point ideas for handling certain issues.

[Quinnlan Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and the authors humor throughout. It did have some tips for raising a toddler, but at times I felt this book was more-so just a comfort knowing that we are all in it together as opposed to truly helpful advice.

[Kellyanne Higgins]

An entertaining and inspirational read! I appreciated the inclusion of applicable scriptures, prayers, and ideas.

[Jessica Geist · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some ideas and points were good, but very general and the "hey girlfriend" tone that I usually don't favor. I did like some of the prayers that she included.

[ellen joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely and encouraging

I liked how engaging and relatable the writer was and would recommend this book for anyone who desires parental wisdom.

[Logan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had some repeat suggestions from other parenting books, but overall good. Also covered some things a general parenting book wouldn't such as re-inventing date night.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I didn't come away with anything earth shattering. But it was hilarious. It's just good to remember that all parenting, and all toddlers, are different and that is as it should be!

[Lauren Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and informative. It certainly made me feel less alone in this stage of parenting!

[Melodee Pemberton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing, helpful, hilarious

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!
Instead of talking about this book in paragraph form, I’m taking a cue from Erin, who includes so many amazing lists of useful information in this book, and I’m giving you a list of why you should read this book.

1. Lists! Every single chapter has some kind of amazing list (or two or three) filled with fantastic, practical, usable lists. I want printables of each one! They’re seriously so useful. A few example of list topics: “Ten Easy Ways to Teacher Your Toddler About God’s Creation,” “Five Tips for Getting Your Toddler to Develop a Taste for Real Food,” “Ten Creative Consequences for Toddlers.”
2. The advice. I don’t always agree with the world’s parenting advice, but Erin bases her advice in living a godly life. The advice she gives stems from a foundation focused on God.
3. The expertise. Erin herself was a teacher and an education writer (though she’s quick to tell you she’s not an expert in everything!). In the book, she pulls on the expertise of her sister, a registered dietician, and her mother, an educator, plus several other professions—and other moms!
4. The humor. Erin’s hilarious. Seriously. Her humor works because the stories she tells are so detailed and, though slightly exaggerated, are still realistic allowing readers to relate. I laughed out loud several times.
5. The format and tone. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction and/or funny story, continues with one to four awesomely practical lists, and ends with a brief conclusion. Each chapter also includes a “Time Out for Mom” section with a topically related verse and a sample prayer. I love those sections. Erin writes with a friendly, positive, funny tone, which helps the book read fast. The chapters are also short enough with breaks in between segments so a busy momma can read a small portion and pick the book back up again later.
6. The creative tips. Some of the advice in some of these lists I have read before, but the author includes several creative ideas and suggestions (especially in toddler meals and in fun/educational activities) I look forward to trying with my kids!
7. The relevance. One or two of the chapters might not be as applicable to you. (For example, a homeschooling mom might not need the tips for dropping kids off at preschool or the working mom might not relate to the stay-at-home mom chapter as much), but the author is aware of diverse readers and addresses those needs well. I even suggest reading those chapters regardless of your situation because it can help you relate to other moms more and gain insight into different perspectives. But, with other chapters focusing on toddler behavior, whole family healthy lifestyle, strengthening your marriage while parenting, and taking care of mom health, you’re bound to find useful information and encouragement.
8. The index. In the back of the book, she includes an index, great for looking up those practical lists by topic.

Disclosure: I received this book free from the publisher via the BookSneeze program in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Mikejencostanzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Christian Mama's Guide to Parenting a Toddler (one of several in an age-geared series) attempts to be hip, useful and humorous. While the graphic design and cover art of this new release lend a super-trendy ambiance to the book, it succeeds at being only moderately useful or humorous.

Each chapter presents a half-page devotional on a given theme as well as several magazine-style top ten lists, intended to be idea-troves for toddler-moms. While, in theory, the list-format enables the book to be a quick-reference source for a plethora of topics, the content of MacPherson's lists are not genius. Most of the lists could be easily generated by any group of brainstorming toddler moms provided with enough caffeine.

While author MacPherson's writing voice is sweet and endearing, I was disappointed to find her humor to be "not funny." Through the entire book, I felt like I should be laughing, almost obliged to. But what is that ingredient in an author's writing that creates the irrepressible impulse to laugh out loud? Whatever that magical element is, I found it missing here. MacPherson's writing tries so hard to make me laugh, but I find myself reading with a straight face. Sad.

In summary, I find that What to Expect the Toddler Years will still be my truly expert go-to source for practical toddler-rearing advice. Out of the Spin Cycle Devotions to Lighten Your Mother Load is still my favorite laugh-out-loud devotional on mothering. And Loving the Little Years Motherhood in the Trenches and Desperate Hope for the Mom Who Needs to Breathe are my top picks for truly applicable, godly wisdom on rearing young children.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

--Jen

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

So your cuddly bundle of joy is now an ambulatory machine of energy. No longer crawling and easily contained you can now relate totally to the book "Love You Forever" with the little toddler sitting on the floor covered in a roll of toilet paper with smiles and giggling as he holds it up in proud display. So now you find yourself feeling stretched for time and energy, laundry seems a daunting never ending task, dishes are piling up, and the little one needs a ton of attention. This book will be a blessing for you to read.

This is the third book in the Christian Mama's Guide by Erin MacPherson. Again she chronicles her own journey during this season and also shares the stories of close friends and relatives. In her friendly writing style she makes the reader feel like they are having a conversation with a close girlfriend. This season is one of joys and struggles as you learn to meet the needs of your spouse and your kids. This book is filled with practical advice and references.

Again I enjoyed this book as much as the previous too and would recommend it to any who is a mother. During this time it is important to have books that provide inspiration and encouragement as well as some much needed laughs. I think that learning to laugh as mom will make life more enjoyable and motherhood more memorable. So take a little time to read and enjoy this Christian Mama's take on parenting a toddler.

Thank you to the publisher and author for this free review copy.

[Elease · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I read 25% of this book before I had to stop wasting my time. My one star is based on that first quarter of the book. I can't speak for the rest of the book, but the first quarter was bad enough that I see no hope of redemption in the remainder. I can count on one hand the books I have started and not finished in my life. This is one of the elite! It is a fluff piece. If that's what you're looking for, go for it. If you like lists that try to be funny, go for it. If you like absolute statements, go for it. If you are a big fan of Target and love to read about people's trips to that mecca of commerce, go for it. This is the book for you. If, however, you're looking for guidance saturated with Scripture that is both practical and biblical (isn't the Bible practical?) and if you prefer to have an author address you not as a frazzled, unintelligent mom parenting on her own against the world but as an educated mother who cares enough about her toddler to spend her precious moments of free time reading on how to be a better mother in the context of her faith, family, and community, then go elsewhere (where, I don't know yet!). Gravy that tipped me over the edge: the use of "you're" in place of the appropriate "your"...I only made it a few pages past that point.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book for getting fun ideas in how to deal with toddler-dom. I have a current two-year-old, and though he has an older sibling, this was helpful to me. Macpherson is humorous and “real” in her stories and situations, which I definitely appreciate. I especially liked the different lists that were at a bulletpoint glance to look back through for future reference. She is equally candid about how it is hard to be a parent of a toddler and the situations that suddenly come up because of said toddler’s independence.
I also liked how she recognized she was not an expert by any means, and often called in more so-called experts for different topics such as nutrition and potty-training. My favorite lists of ideas were in the getting kids to eat (always a hard feat at my house) and things you can do at home to engage learning with toddlers. My little guy loves learning and full of curiosity so excited to try some of her ideas.
Overall, this was a fun, easy-to-read book that I will find helpful. Is it the cure all to all ailments with my toddler? No, but it gives some fun new ideas that can help make the passage more pleasurable.

[LB · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son is an awesome kid - but he is almost a 2 year old, and he is great at acting like one! And this is all new territory to me. I was hoping that the Christian Mama's Guide to Parenting a Toddler would help me get through this new stage with patience and grace. And I think it will!
This is not a straightforward parenting book - MacPherson adds in humor and real life experiences that help remind you not to take this parenting thing too seriously! She also has useful tips to help with things like tantrums (what I need the most help with!), getting your toddler to eat healthier (including recipes!), potty training (not looking forward to that!) and my favorite - learning a growing with your toddler. That chapter includes tons of activities to do with your toddler broken down into how you want to inspire your child i.e. to be an artist, to be a mathematician, to be a great reader, etc. I loved how each chapter included prayers in sections called "time out for mom" Very appropriate! This is a book I will definitely refer to as my son goes through his 2s and 3s!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from BookSneeze to review.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again. Loved MacPherson's Christian Mama's Guide to Baby's First Year and easily rated it 5 stars.

I am officially rating 'Toddler' 4.5 Stars. I felt like it was lacking some of MacPherson's easy humor. Don't get me wrong, this book still had me LOL-ing, but I felt like it took a bit longer to feel it.

As with 'Baby', 'Toddler' is extremely practical. Each chapter is stock full of lists. List of ideas on all sorts of topics: discipline, playtime, mealtime, mommy time, God.... I find these books to be great inspiration. I leave my copy laying out so I can flip through it easily for ideas.

I also enjoy the way MacPherson writes. She writes TO the reader and not ABOUT the reader. It totally feels like visiting with a fun mommy mentor who can't wait to take you under her wing. It's just too bad that it will take so long to read the last installment: Grade school!!

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a decent read. I wish I would have read it sooner in my 'parenting career'. there was a nice chapter for dad's, too. the main take away that I received was wet need to teach our children about Jesus and work Him into our moments with our children.

[Cym · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this light and entertaining read, yet it's very helpful and inspiring. It shows my purpose as a Christian mama to lead my children to Christ.

[Susan Mathis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erin shares a witty, wild, and wonderful guide for tackling those not-so-terrible twos! Get in the groove and go for the gold.