Words Like Honey: How to Avoid Unintentional Harm, Model Kindness, and Nurture Your Child's Faith Through What You Say

by Amy Hughes

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Audiobook

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 9, 2025

Reviews

[Faye Vetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admire Amy. I followed her on IG over a decade ago when I was new to homeschooling. It’s been a decade since I’ve been on IG but was SO excited to see this book coming out. Amy is real, raw & embodies what it means to break generational chains & lean In to your children. This book gives examples & uses scripture to describe what it means to speak to our children & create a relationship where they always know your home- & your safe.

[Ginny Yurich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book about the words we speak to our children

[Valerie Woerner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I normally don’t leave reviews but felt it necessary since I recommended this book to my audience. There were some helpful tips which is why I did finish the book but I feel like this book was written reactionary to church hurt she experienced. There are so many examples of things other people have said that were bad, that, to me, gave a tone that everyone else is wrong and she’s figured it out (which is something she criticized in how others made her feel).

If you are looking for a book to help you speak life to your kids, I think there are better options. If you are looking to commiserate on church hurt you may enjoy this. This was not my experience so some of her points felt like she was writing to a specific person and not a wide audience of believers.

I’m still giving 3 stars because I did find some helpful scripts for how to speak kindly to my kids.

[Shannon Evanko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good! Definitely made some highlights. Just wasn’t personally what I was looking for in this season. Didn’t fully agree with everything (and that’s fine!), but will move forward with the things I learned.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hot and cold about this book. I disagreed with some of it; parts really rubbed me the wrong way and i especially disagreed with rewarding children for whining to get their way.

There’s a place where she talks about curating an instagram photo by carefully dressing a young child in weather-inappropriate clothing, letting the chickens out to run wild for atmosphere, knowing what she would quote and hashtag…I almost closed the book there because the inauthenticity and use of a child to build a social media account made me sick.

I also felt there was a tone of superiority in several places, and that was distracting and off-putting.

However, the overall message was very good. Parts were so instructive and eye-opening that overall I still recommend it and wish I had read it when our children were young.

[Leslie Pettit · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not easy to get through, I just didn’t enjoy it. I wanted to finish it however, before I left a review.

Amy does give some good advice on how to speak kindly to kids, but not always sound Biblical advice. For example she said that expecting children to be obedient is “outdated”. She also wrote that parents believing they deserve their kids respect “breeds certain authoritarian parenting ideas and practices”.

She basically suggested cherry picking the Bible to make it more pleasant for our children to swallow, which is a very worldly not Godly point of view.
Though we are inherently sinful creatures, she encourages parents to teach our kids we are capable of being good like God. If we are capable of being “God like” how do you then explain we need a savior?

I also agree with other reviews that she has a tone of superiority, and honestly some of her anecdotes made me roll my eyes. There are a lot better Christian parenting books out there than this. Do not recommend.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not enjoy this book mainly due to the advice that leaned toward gentle parenting. I agree with most of the basic principles about not speaking harshly to your children. However, I raised my three children with an authoritative style (to be clear, not authoritarian) and all three of them now agree this was the best style. It set them apart from their peers who are generally more irresponsible, self-focused, and unmotivated, according to my young adult children’s descriptions.
One example from the book. She tells a story of her daughter throwing a fit because she wanted to swing while the author was speaking to adult friends. The author indulged her daughter’s request, then afterward, explained how she really shouldn’t whine to get what she wants.
By contrast, before these type of events, I would review with my young children the ground rules I expected them to follow outside the home. A couple repeated phrases I used with them were, “I don’t reward bad behavior” and “I can’t hear your requests when you speak in a whiny voice.” They now praise me for setting clear boundaries and expectations, and I have close, loving relationships with all of them.
Authoritative parenting is the style most supported by biblical principles, and that is why I used it. This is why I do not endorse the ideas in this book.

[Chelsea West · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I could be good friends with Amy. I have followed her online for the last few years and have always been encouraged by her homeschooling insights, however, this book met me at just the right time.

As someone who has been reevaluating my parenting practices, this book was just the right balance of Christian parenting philosophy and practical applications. I appreciated Amy’s tone and her willingness to confront common issues in Christian parenting philosophy. Many of her thoughts resonated with me and my personal experiences. I found myself feeling both convicted and edified as I listened along. Her heart of Christ and her love for her children is evident.

I enjoyed the audio, but I will buy a hard copy so I can highlight and commonplace her words.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amy made a lot of good points about the value of our words and how certain phrases are unhelpful and I enjoyed that part a lot but she lost me in the chapters on taking the Lord’s name in vain and some of the “christianese” phrases, where I didn’t agree with all of her interpretations there. I also just personally don’t care for the casual tone or writing style I often see in books written by bloggers (eg “Bon Jovi 4-EVAH!”) in an effort to sound relatable or modern or something, but maybe that’s just me being too serious.

[Dan Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book because a few women in my church asked if I would. They had finished it and liked it but were also wary about some of the content regarding scripture and some common Christian phrases and teachings. I read it defensively, assuming there would be a lot for me to refute. Instead, I found sound wisdom.

The ideas Amy Hughes writes about in Words Like Honey are important. As Christians, we have been conditioned to teach our children certain things about God and about “being a Christian” that are not only unnecessary but also, for some children, harmful. These are teachings we can discuss as adults and weigh with our experience, knowledge, and understanding- we can ask questions, talk to other adults, gather information- but children don’t have that luxury and these concepts can be too heavy for them to comprehend, thus perverting their understanding of who God is and what it means to be a Christian.

This book helps us think about what a child’s faith foundation should be and how that expands as they grow, in order to help build a healthy Christianity. The content in this book is solid and should be considered by every parent and every pastor.

[Samantha Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have 5 kids. I’m trying to raise them to love God and to be confident in who they are. I’m not perfect. I’ve failed a lot. But I try. This book gave words to things I have long thought. It talked about common ideas in some Christianity that I haven’t felt right about teaching but also felt I didn’t have a choice. This book gave me clarity about these things. It gave me tools to use when talking to my kids and when teaching them our faith. I wish I had read this book before my first was born. But now, I can do better moving forward. And I can repair what is past.

[Taryn G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, humorous, and enjoyable. I learned a lot that I will take into my parenting. There were also things that I didn’t necessarily agree with, which, for me, doesn’t take away from how good this book is. I don’t think we’re going to agree with anyone on everything, and even the few things I didn’t agree with gave me food for thought and helped me think a little deeper. That’s exactly what a good book should do! I love this book and will recommend it often.

[Naomi · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a lot of good in this book and does emphasize the importance of how we speak to our children directly and about a lot of topics. But I felt it could guilt inducing and judgmental for many parents. I don’t know if it was listening to the audio book, but I struggled with the tone. I agree with the message, but wish it was a more gentle tone for parents who struggle with their words. I don’t follow Amy on any social media and if I did I might have seen the heart of her message better.

[Rachelle Cobb · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book after listening to a podcast interview with the author and really, really liked the first third or so. Very encouraging and practical.

The latter part of the book tapered off in relevance to me personally as these are already phrases I don’t use. And some of the things she said (politically) I disagreed with. But I think some parents could still benefit from reading this book.

[Dustin D. Steiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breath of fresh air as a Christian parent! I love the way Amy offers a way to rethink and reframe accepted parenting behaviors or “Christanese” phrases. It was presented in such a way that did not feel like I was failing or behind, but in a way where the growth was an offering to more and a deeper and closer relationship with our children.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

My wife read this book and then asked me to read it. I found it enlightening. It gave me many things to think about it in regards to parenting, faith, and how we view the world. I find myself thinking deeply about how I talk to my kids, my wife, and my neighbors now. I appreciate this book and the impact it will make on my family.

[Amanda Slabaugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely use the “chew & spit” method with the book. Lots to think about when we choose words—are we bringing life or death with our words? I may not agree with everything in this book theology wise, but it did have some good points

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

An empowering book for Christian parents. I wish I had read it years ago.

[Kristen Nickels]

This was very good and I definitely recommend! Just NOT the audio (not read by the author).

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had a few good things in it but I disagreed with a lot of her theology and application of it.

[Caryn Demaree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book for parents and grandparents.

[Hannah Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh. I had some mixed feelings about this. It’s not really anything new or insightful or especially biblical. I liked Giving Your Words by Sally Clarkson way better.

[Denise Rowan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read this book for the second time (I’m a chronic re-reader and read most books I love over again) and I got even more out of it this time. I decided to come write a review because I saw some of the 1,2,3 star reviews and wanted to share my experience.

First, I’ve seen people say that some of the book sounds judgy, but I don’t think it did. I think the author did a good job writing with humility and being honest about her own shortcomings and mistakes (like when she wrote an entire section about not saying something and then right when she finished it caught herself saying that same thing to her son). But, I did hear that in the audiobook (which is not read by her) the narrator’s tone sounds harsh, so it’s missing the lighthearted tone of the author.

In the second part of the book, a sense of faith, the author does challenge some common church sayings and I am grateful for her insights. I think she looks at these sayings through the eyes of a child, how would they understand them. She wants us to consider if they are giving our children the view of God that we want them to have. I think some people are surprised by her thoughts, especially those that go against what they may teach their children. But I think that’s the point. We’re supposed to reconsider. We’re supposed to think about how our children are taking these things.

I don’t agree with everything in the book, but I do agree with most of it. And the jury is still out on the things I don’t yet agree with. I’m thinking about them. And I believe that is the point. To rethink. I don’t think you should let poor reviews keep you from reading this book. There is so much good in here and so many thought provoking ideas.