I am so thrilled to introduce to you the fabulous Lori Wildenberg and her book Raising Little Kids with Big Love! She also has a wonderful ministry called 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting I know you will want to check out. After talking to Lori about doing this interview I waited at my door for the mail carrier like a kid salivating over candy in the window. I could not wait to dig into another parenting book. I say “another” because, just to be honest, I read a lot of them. If you know me personally or have visited my blog much, you know about our 3 little “treasures”. Geesh is being a parent tough! We have our own little parenting library at our house. More than one shelf is filled with Christian parenting materials and I have gleamed nuggets of wisdom from all of them. This book, however, I did not gleam a nugget or two from . . . I devoured the entire book! It was like every page I was filling with notes and dog-earing. I actually had to get a new highlighter mid-read! I don’t think there is any other book out there like Raising Little Kids with Big Love. I think my favorite thing was that there wasn’t just a “right” way to do things. The book is all about love. And love looks different for every parent and every child. We all parent differently because we are all wired differently. Page after page was filled with practical tips to help me be a better mom and a better communicator with my boys. The book gives 15 qualities of love and provides so many helpful tips on how to foster them in your parenting. Each chapter ends with questions to think about or discuss with your spouse and a heartfelt prayer. I can not express enough what a value this is for any parent with young ones. It will be a book that we reference frequently as our boys grow and change. A great read for any parent and would make an awesome small group study as well! Check out my interview with Lori and get to know her a little better!
Tell us about your book!
Raising Little Kids with Big Love (a Study Guide is available as well) by Lori Wildenberg & Becky Danielson, M.Ed.
Raising Little Kids with Big Love is written for parents of little ones, toddler-nine years of age. It is specifically written for busy moms who need a resource at their finger- tips with strategies to quickly access and easily apply. The book is based on the famous love chapter from 1 Corinthians 13. The qualities of parenting with patience, kindness, self-control , and more are addressed in a conversational, anecdotal manner. The ways to develop the 15 qualities of love found in 1 Corinthians 13 in yourself and in your kids is clearly laid out. Readers will discover how to:
- increase the child’s self-worth by demonstrating patience.
- decrease whining.
- effectively deal with toddler tantrums.
- act in kindness to build family unity.
- develop the child’s conscience.
- foster sibling relationship rather than sibling rivalry.
- control parental anger
- be the child’s advocate in the school setting.
- support the gifted or special needs child.
- and build a parent-child relationship that will last a lifetime.
How long did it take you to write the book?
A lifetime of mom experience, a number of years of working with parents, and a couple of years of actual writing and editing.
What was your favorite chapter or part of the book to write and why?
I love our Choose Goodness chapter (Love does not delight in evil .1 Corinthians 13:6a) because it is about developing good and moral character and not just getting kids to behave well. I also like chapter 7 Choose Peace (Love is not easily angered. 1 Corinthians 13:5c) because it deals with parental anger (which many of us are surprised we actually have) and how to help kids work through their frustrations. The whole book is very practical and easy to read and apply.
What was your biggest challenge or hurdle in writing and publishing your book?
The biggest challenge is always getting the word out. So thanks so much, Jennifer, for the opportunity to tell your readers about this very helpful resource.
What is the one thing you hope your readers will walk away with after reading your book?
At least one strategy for whatever they are struggling with. (however I know they will get a lot more than one!)
What other writers/books inspire you?
Max Lucado and Patricia Raybon. I love the easy anecdotal way Max states his case and the raw honesty of Patricia’s memoirs.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I am a teacher and licensed parent-family educator. A number of years ago, while presenting a parenting class, many of the parents said they wanted the material in book form. That was the beginning of my writing career (The thought crossed my mind they could take notes. Ha!) . So far my co-author and I have written 3 parenting books together and I have a solo book about “rebels” and “prodigals” coming out in the summer of 2017. I’m very excited about this.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
We live in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. I love hiking with my husband, 4 kids (plus a daughter-in-love) and our labradoodle, Murphy. We have to be careful however because the rattlesnakes are not crazy about sharing the space with hikers.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be a mom and a teacher. I feel thankful I have been able to be both. Now I also get to speak and write. I just love helping parents be who their kids need them to be.
What is your favorite quote and/or Bible verse?
1 Corinthians 13 of course!
Chocolate or Vanilla?
My brain (or is it my stomach) is thinking about ice cream right now so …Chocolate Chip which is both vanilla and chocolate!
In regards to toilet paper, over or under?
If it is there and it makes it on the roller I don’t care. (kids—even young adults– are not the best at replacing tp. I just don’t like finding an empty roll at those inconvenient moments.)
Is there anything you want to say to your readers?
Be encouraged, God created you to be the parent for your specific kids. You are the very best one to be their mom. No one else is as well equipped. And the things you don’t know, God and perhaps a mentor or a resource like Raising Little Kids with Big Love can help you.
Where can we buy your book?
At your favorite bookstore. Or Amazon or on my ministry website—click on the Store Tab http://www.1corinthians13parenting.com/
Where can we connect with you?
Thanks for asking. I am all over social media. Both my personal blog and my 1 Corinthians 13 Parenting ministry team blog provide family and faith based information for moms and dads.
My website: http://www.loriwildenberg.com/
My Eternal Moments blog: http://www.loriwildenberg.blogspot.com/
My Parenting Ministry Team blog plus website (and store) : http://www.1corinthians13parenting.com/
Facebook: Lori Appel Wildenberg
Facebook Ministry Page: https://www.facebook.com/1Corinthians13Parenting/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/loriwildenberg/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/loriwildenberg
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/loriwildenberg
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I am a parenting book hoarder too! It’s good to have a BOUNTY of armor for what is the most difficult, and most important, job of life! I will have to check this one out. 1 Cor. 13 was my wedding verse — not because it’s trendy to use it (I actually disliked that it was!) — but because it’s filled with truth that will pierce our hearts and root out any ungodliness! If we let it! I love “God created you to be the parent for your specific kids.” Such truth!!
It is a great read Rebecca!