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Around the Web:

Depriving Children of Scary Stories:

Justin Taylor presents three brilliant quotes about the benefit of scary stories for your kids.

Deprive children of stories and you leave them unscripted, anxious stutterers in their actions as in their words.

It’s a good reminder that in parenting we have to think about creating whole people. Read more.

Defining A Christian Approach to Literature:

Joel J Miller presents a wonderful article developing a Christian approach to literature. It’s a long read, but he puts the work into developing the “why” of reading broadly.

So why should Christians read non-Christians? The short answer is truth. Says Paul in his letter to the Philippians, which let’s recall was a church in a Grecian city and one drenched in pagan culture,

Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (4.8)

The operative word there for us is whatever. It’s the most widely inclusive word available. We might say all things that are pure, lovely, and so on. Paul’s word choice does not exclude. If you find anything good, true, or beautiful, it may be read and enjoyed and used. It is worthy of contemplation.

It’s a balanced article, and it’s worth the read. Read more.

Defeating Mommy Guilt:

Gloria Furman writes about one of the major challenges of mommy-hood, guilt. I don’t think it’s exclusive to moms, but she does put her finger squarely on an issue that I’ve watched the moms in my life struggle with:

But I’ve noticed a common thread that threatens to unravel us all. Moms live with a sense of guilt that we’ll never be or do enough.What, then, can save us from this “mommy guilt”?

If you’ve ever struggled with feeling like you’re not enough as a parent, this article is a must read. Read more.

A Summer Reading List

The team at Today’s Christian Woman put together a list of 22 books worth reading this summer. And you know, it’s a pretty decent list. Of course, in my household, if a list includes Till We Have Faces, it’s probably a good list. Read More.

Around the Warren:

Learning to Love the Slow Work of Construction:

S. D. Smith continued his Blockpile Meditations series (see the first post here). In this post, he talks about turning children’s hearts toward a love of building up.

Like every baby in the history of ever, our little girl has no trouble getting excited for the tumbling crash of built-up blocks. Every kid gets it. But I want more for her.

Thoughts on Independence Day from a Resident Alien

Guest poster Alan Howell provides some perspective on Independence Day as a United States citizen living abroad.

There are church buildings in Portugal that were already hundreds of years old when the Declaration of Independence was signed. This can be a helpful reminder for citizens of young ‘whipper-snapper’ countries like the USA. Nationalism is dangerous when it leads us to believe that our nation is the one ‘who was, and is and is to come.’

940 Saturdays

In honor of the weird holiday schedule this week, we reran Loren Eaton’s wonderful post from last year. If you’re a parent, you need to read this post.

Man, could I have been any more naïve? My former roommate was wrong on only one point: No one clambers up onto my shoulders at dawn. Instead, early morning finds my brood carping for refreshment. “Daddy, I want my miiiiiiiilk!” the oldest proclaims, while the baby simply screams. Thus begins yet another day of dropped dishes, rejected meals, leaky diapers, inexplicable tantrums, consistent interruptions, the inevitable upending of anything arranged in an orderly manner, and interminable conversations about the wonder, the majesty — nay, the glory — of Thomas the Tank Engine. Can I be excused for sometimes wishing that I worked weekends? Actually, no, I don’t think I can be.

Something to Try with Your Kids:

Over a hundred summer activity ideas:

No really. I’m still getting my head around pinterest. Sometimes it’s a little overwhelming. And sometimes it’s overwhelmingly awesome. Melissa Taylor has a pinterest board with piles and piles of fun activities to try with your kids this summer. Check it out!