I am the stay at home mom of 3 children and have been homeschooling for 18 years. I am also the daughter of a conservative minister and now the wife of a minister. I purchased this book as a way of helping my daughter navigate the changes and challenges of puberty. I did appreciate the book's Christian perspective on marriage between a man and a woman, the information on the physical and emotional changes of puberty, and even the brief mention on sexual intercourse which was straight forward and appropriate. However, I was very disappointed that the authors used this book, intended for young people, as a platform for their discriminatory and sexist views, particularly towards women. The girl's book contains a section on being submissive including phrases such as "having a gentle and non-argumentative spirit" and "have a willing spirit so that you can support your husband." The boy's book makes reference to boys being responsible and preparing to be the leaders in their home, church, and community clearly implying that women shouldn't have leadership roles. The book also tells young girls that higher education does not prepare them for their place in the home. Both of these teachings are antiquated and ridiculous. As a college graduate, I have found my education and leadership roles invaluable both in helping to support my husband and family financially as well as in teaching my children. In another place the authors state that, "The Bible warns women about gossiping, whilst it warns men against picking fights with each other," as if these common problems among all people are somehow gender specific. I do plan to use these books with both my sons and my daughter as a way of teaching them how NOT to allow narrow-minded, misguided people to try to stereotype and limit them based on their gender. I wish we did not live in a world where this is so common, but I hope my children will grow to learn that God's way means viewing and treating men and women with love and equality.

Such a great book that helps girls focus on the right thing as well as being informed with all the information needed!

As a father and as a minister of families, I am always on the look out for books which aid parents teach their children, from using media to dating and marriage as well as everything in between. One series of books that caught my eye a few months ago, and that I recently had the privilege of reviewing, is Growing Up Gods Way which is published by Evangelical Press. The series is comprised of two books Growing Up Gods Way: For Boys and Growing Up Gods Way: For Girls, each book focuses on helping parents talk to their children about their constantly changing bodies, the opposite sex, and romantic relationships. While both books has a similar premise, each book is unique to the gender of the child.

First lets look at the similarities of both books. Each work beings with the foundational idea that people, children specifically, are created by God and that He has a plan for their lives. That while the children are growing up God has created special changes for each gender that will have an effect on the rest of the earthly existence. Furthermore that these changes are purposefully given to growing children so they can grow up to fulfill their given purpose of glorifying God. This God-centric foundation is grounded in Biblical truth, so that the covenant children of God will grow to be men and women of God.

51v1ehwpqkl-_sx352_bo1204203200_Looking specifically at Growing Up Gods Way: For Girls, both Richards and Jones focus on how a young girls body is changing and how it changes her thought mentality, while at the same time showing how a young boys body is changing as well. There is also a great background focus on biblical womanhood and a womans complementary role in marriage as well as in life.

Switching to Growing Up Gods Way: For Boys, both Richards and Jones focus on the changes that young boys will go through in puberty as well as how their relationships with girls and other boys will changes, including changes to their bodies and minds. I was happy 41nbrpv7xsl-_sx334_bo1204203200_to see the authors have their work immersed in Gods Word but to specifically add a section on Biblical headship as well as how men alone are qualified for the offices of the church (Deacon, Ruling Elder, and Teaching Elder) was a welcomed addition. Furthermore I was surprised to not truly see a weak-spot worth mentioning this work for each section and chapter were on point both Biblically and medically.

Page after page I am continually surprised how both Richards and Jones keep these squeamish and many times confusing topics at a level that growing children can not only understand but apply to their lives, as their body and thought processes change. At such a difficult time in their lives these books are a resource that should not be over looked and can never be overused, for children are in desperate need of Scripturally grounded truths taught by the people who have the most influence on them, guided by godly medical professionals.

This work is ambitious in its goal, to be Biblically sound while still understandable by children and it brilliantly succeeds. I will be recommending this book to parents of growing children in the church I serve in, as well as any who minister to parents of growing children, without hesitation, and I will be using these works when my own children grow to an age-appropriate time to discuss this important topic of living a God-honoring lives with regard to their bodies and future romantic relationships.

This book was provided to me free of charge from Evangelical Press in exchange for an unbiased, honest review.



Growing Up Gods Way: For Girls

2014 by Chris Richards and Liz Jones

Publisher: Evangelical Press

Page Count: 80 Pages

ISBN: 978-1783970001



Growing Up Gods Way: For Boys

2014 by Chris Richards and Liz Jones

Publisher: Evangelical Press

Page Count: 80 Pages

ISBN: 978-0852349991

My daughter and I are reading this book together. She is 10 going on 11 and it is right at her level. It presents the information on God's design for marriage and puberty changes in a very easy to understand manner. The pictures are not graphic and so far my daughter has been open to the information. I am very pleased with the book.

I could not be more pleased with this purchase! My daughter is 9 and I was looking for a book about puberty that we could read together and be on her level of understanding. It was of the utmost importance to me that the book be from a Christian viewpoint and emphasize that the changes of puberty are God-designed and for a very special purpose. I was beyond pleased with this book. It more than exceeded my expectations. My daughter absolutely loves it and as soon as we finished, asked if we could read it again. I have four girls and will definately be using this book for them in the future!