• Home
  • Get Savannah’s Weekly Email!
  • Get to Know Savannah
  • Get Your Book Swag
  • My account
  • Cart
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Savannah Scott Romcom Author

The best parenting advice I ever heard is so simple it’s crazy

August 10, 2019 By Patty Leave a Comment

10 Aug

As the fall approaches, I’m preparing for church responsibilities, homeschool, and the overall shift in gears that lies ahead. As a part of women’s ministry leadership, I’ve been having coffee dates to talk about how we can best minister to women in our congregation. I sat in Dunkin Donuts with a woman whose children are in their late 20s the other morning. As we talked, I shared about my writing, speaking, and coaching ministry to moms. She said something powerful in the middle of our conversation: “I think there are only two absolutes when it comes to parenting advice.” Oh, she had my attention then.

I heard the best parenting advice at the donut shop

photo courtesy of maria vernigora

You know, as young moms, we often grasp for a plan or method to help us raise our children. We are deluged with books, websites, and the opinions of friends and relatives. We get input about how we should do everything from feeding our infant, arranging for sleep, and handling misbehavior. It’s overwhelming to say the least. Parenting young children could be in par with some of the worst episodes of Fear Factor! We bear the responsibility of their physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Of course we want a plan and protocol! Some days I wouldn’t mind if The Nanny showed up at my house to take over and get things ship-shape.

Leaving God in the Dust

As I sat with this woman in the donut shop, she and I talked about how each of our children is so different. She shared how she got accustomed to the strong will of her older daughter. Then her son was totally a different child altogether. The approaches that worked with one child didn’t apply to the second. I reflected, “We just love directions, don’t we?

I mean, if God would just give me a step by step guide, I’d be off and running to do my very best. But, that’s the trouble. I’d look behind myself and find God in the dust. When I get a clear cut plan, I often lean on the plan instead of leaning on Him. It’s amazing how quickly that happens. Ultimately, motherhood has stripped me of my illusion of control and given me so many lessons in dependence and trusting God.” She wholeheartedly agreed.

The best parenting advice is simple

The First Simple Rule of Parenting

That’s when she shared her thought about the two absolutes of parenting advice. She said, “First of all, we need to be the person we are trying to encourage our children to become. They will always do what they see us doing more than they will do what we say.” For years I’ve been sharing this point with moms in the famous quote, “More is caught than taught.” It’s so true.

We can try to tame our children’s tempers, yet, how do we respond to stress and frustration? As we tell our children to put God first, where is He in our daily priorities? We can tell our children to be kind, patient, thoughtful, and every other good thing, yet how do we act when we think they aren’t looking?

I pondered the importance of her advice. The first place for us to “work” on in motherhood needs to be in our own hearts, with God. The more healing and growth we experience there, the more will spill over onto our children. As we abide in Him and His love for us, we are transformed. That transformation bears witness to our children in ways we can’t imagine.

Our children learn to model what we do

photo courtesy of park on pixabay

We Can Change Our Parenting Habits

With my first born, I had issues carried over from childhood. Though I had done a lot of work in therapy and with my mentor, I still struggled with anger and impatience. The beauty of God’s work through motherhood is that my oldest son has seen me continue to pursue growth. I have become a gentle and patient mom – over time. He has seen the hand of God active in my life and seen me change over the years.

I would love to press a delete button on some of my explosive seasons, but I know God has done much to redeem and progress us all from those places. Even if we aren’t where we’d like to be, we can move forward with God’s help. We can look back a year from now and say, “I’m not where I was.” Our children will be watching our cooperation with God and the changes He brings about.

The Second Simple Piece of Parenting Advice

The second thing my friend said was “… and we have to raise our children to know God.” That’s it. We have to be the example we want them to follow, and we have to raise them to know God. I thought about the simplicity of having these two beacons on the horizon as we mother our children. Doesn’t it make things come into laser focus?

I mean what if we were to wake up thinking: I need to be the light in our home, letting Jesus shine through me as I walk well with Him, and I need to point my children towards Him. The deepest parts of motherhood are not about issues like whether “to spank or not to spank.” Motherhood doesn’t hinge on whether we use cloth diapers or disposable. The heart of motherhood involves being the mom God is empowering you to be, and pointing your children’s hearts towards Jesus in ways that connect and draw them near.

Leading our children to God is one of the two most important things

photo courtesy of jamie weibel

Last month I surveyed some moms. One of the questions I asked was what their biggest goals were in motherhood. So many said something like, “Raising my children to know and follow God.” I was humbled and blessed by those answers. 

So, keep it simple, Mama. Put these two pieces of parenting advice securely in place and watch your motherhood move to another level of focus and intentionality. Be the person you want your children to become. Keep pointing their hearts and minds upwards towards God. 

I’ll be here cheering you on as you do.


Would you like to receive weekly encouragement for your motherhood? Get a little inspiration, one book recommendation, and one recipe a week in my weekly letter.

    Share
    Pin
    Tweet
    Share

    Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Child Discipline, children's spiritual growth, parenting tips, Setting the Example, wisdom for moms

    About Patty

    I write to encourage your heart, feed your soul, and give you wisdom for your life. Motherhood is my passion. I've been married to my surfer/skater husband for over 20 years.  We have two boys and a home full of neighbor kids most days.

    « Keeping a secret from your husband is the best thing you can do for your marriage
    Three quick things you can do to overcome decision fatigue »

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Hi, I’m Savannah …

    I’m a Zumba dancing, coffee sipping, road tripping girl and I love writing closed-door romcom!

    My stories make you laugh, smile, and sometimes keep you up past your bedtime chanting the famous reader mantra, “just one more chapter.”

    I hope you find your next sweet escape in one of my books.

    You can read more about me on my “Get to Know Savannah” page.

    I love hearing from you! Sign up for my weekly email, join my reader group on Facebook, or follow me on Instagram so we can connect more often.

    Want to talk books, books, books?

    I'd love to bless you with my weekly sweet reader email!

    Please wait...

    Thank you for signing up!

    I’d love to connect with you on Social Media …

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Ahhhh … enemies to more. 🔥 The banter is so f Ahhhh … enemies to more. 🔥
The banter is so fun!

Chris and Ella Mae start out getting on one another’s nerves … then, due to completely unexpected circumstances, they end up fake dating … and then they drive one another crazy in a whole different sense of the phrase 😉🥰

Ripped & Shipped comes out early May. I’m about 🤏 close to finishing it and sending it to my editor.

ARC Team sign ups will be coming for ebooks on Saturday (Apr 1). Paperback team is already selected and will be getting a welcome email by this weekend. 

We are going to have so much fun launching this book! I can’t even tell you the feelings I have … wrapping up this first Bordeaux series, writing this story that’s full of heart, and laughs, and kisses that make you grab a glass of ice water and fan yourself. 🔥😘🧊💦🫠

I’m so grateful you’re along for the ride. There aren’t words for the sweetness of sharing the Getting Shipped series with you. 💕

(And I’ve been loosely plotting the next series and getting excited as I start writing the Love Trippin’ books.) 💕

Do you love enemies to lovers?
Fake dating? 
Let me know … 

#wipwednesday #workinprogress #amwritingromance #amwritingromcom
#romcombooks #sweetromcom #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom
#savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio #bordeauxohioforever #newrelease #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #lovestories #rippedandshipped #chellamaebae #rippedandshippedbook #bookstagrammers #bookstagram #romcom #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #bookexcerpt #shippers #Imashipper #Smalltownromance #ohiolove #smalltownromancebooks
    Okay. So. Yes, we are still waiting for Ripped & Okay. So. 
Yes, we are still waiting for Ripped & Shipped to come out and be in your happy little hands on May 1st. 

But, authors are always (usually) a book ahead of the readers. 

And, this time, I’m a whole series ahead. 

I’m thinking about “Are We There Yet?” It’s the first book in the Love Trippin’ series. 

Four people from Bordeaux (yes!!) are traveling to California where the next series takes place. 

This first book takes place over a road trip (after a few chapters in Bordeaux, and before the later chapters in Cali).

So, I want to plan this road trip!
Im a road-tripper, and I grew up spending summers traveling from state to state with my family. 

I know my road trip stories. 
I want to hear YOURS! 
Leave it in the comments or DM me. 🚗🌳🚧🏔️

I’m not going to use your exact story, of course. But, if your story inspires something in the book, I’ll send you a free sticker and bookmark when “Are We There Yet” releases this summer. 

I’m so excited to share this new series with you!

#lovetrippin #lovetrippinseries #savannahscottauthor #savannahscott #romcombooks #sweetromcom #sweetromance #closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom #romcombooksaremyweakness #romcomreadersofinstagram #romancereadersofinstagram #bookstagram #roadtrippin #roadtripromance #roadtrippin #arewethereyet #arewethereyetbook
    Writing retreat A few days on the central coast. Writing retreat 

A few days on the central coast. 

Views. 
Good food. 
Sweet conversation 
Getting so close to finishing Ripped & Shipped. 

Dreaming about the next series. 
Thinking about how to bless moms and women 

#writingretreat #amwriting #amwritingromance #amwritingromcom #romcomauthor #romcomreadersofinstagram #romancereadersofinstagram #bookstagram #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #cambriacalifornia #centralcoast #slocounty #moonstonebeach
    Would the Rob & Laura fans raise your hands? 🙋🏼‍♀️

My husband and I are listening to the audiobook of Battleshipped together right now. It takes us forever because: life. But, it’s been fun to revisit their story. 

If you love a slightly geeky leading man, a strong female lead with a loyal heart and a persevering spirit, Battleshipped is for you. 

If you love second chance romcom with a dash of enemies to more, Battleshipped has all the “working hard to win her heart back” vibes. 

If you love laughing out loud until people look at you funny while you read. Yeah. There are those scenes. 

If you love a found-family friend group, and a quirky small town that will win your heart, come to Bordeaux. 

QOTD: Do you love when a brainy male lead becomes your book boyfriend? Which brainy male characters have stolen your heart? 

#battleshipped #battleshippedbook #bookexcerpt #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #smalltownromancebooks #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #secondchanceromance #goatsgoatsgoats #bordeauxohio #bookboyfriend #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #ohiolove #bookstagram #bookstagrammers
    Is it Wednesday? Um no. No it is not. But, do y Is it Wednesday? 
Um no. No it is not. 

But, do you still want this #WIPWednesday teaser from Ripped & Shipped? Why yes, yes you do. 

I’ll tell y’all. This book is coming along. And it is scrum-diddly-umptious. 

We’re talking banterrrrrr!
And all the swoony enemy vibes. 

And then they start faking! 
What? yasssss. They fake. The enemies start to fake a romance. 

Then … a completely unexpected and sweeeet friendship develops. 

But, ruh-roh. One of them catches feelings (just quoting Duke here). 

And it gets so HOT ( in a very closed-door way) and so HEARTFELT. 

This story is special. It’s the last in Bordeaux. So I’m pouring it all out into this book. 

You’ve got Memaw, Esther, and Mabel. 
The Bordeaux friend group. 
Lulabelle 
Ella Mae
Cooter
And so much more. 

I’m not kidding when I say this may be my fave in series. 

And you know what it means when I say I’m about 3/4 done writing? Yep. I just might release this story in May … ARC Team wannabes, lace up your running shoes. I’ll be posting opportunities to join the few open spots the first week of April. ❤️

Wait til you see the cover, too. Gah. I love it!! 

#rippedandshipped #workinprogress #amwriting
#amwritingromance #amwritingromcom
#romcombooks #sweetromance #sweetromcom
#closeddoorromance #closeddoorromcom
#savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #bordeauxohio
#bordeauxohioforever #bookcoverdesign #newrelease
#ilovemyreaders #gettingshipped
#gettingshippedseries #lovestories
#chellamaebae #comehomeellamae
#rippedandshippedbook #bookstagrammers
#bookstagram #romancereadersofinstagram
#romcomreadersofinstagram #bookexcerpt
    Heyyyyy ARC Team! If you were on the ARC team fo Heyyyyy ARC Team! 

If you were on the ARC team for Cruiseshipped, our exclusive ARC Team only book chat is coming!

Tomorrow (Thursday March 23) at 5p PT we’ll be gathering on zoom to talk about Cruiseshipped. 

I’m so grateful to each one of you for reading, sharing, and reviewing Cruiseshipped. ❤️ 

So … mark your calendars and set your alarms (and a countdown is in my stories!) and let’s talk all things Brooks + Gabby ❤️🚢💃🏻

#cruiseshipped #cruiseshippedbook #savannahscott #savannahscottauthor #gettingshipped #gettingshippedseries #arcteamperks #bookchat #buddyread #ilovemyreaders #authorchat
    Well, I’m back with another #mememonday and this Well, I’m back with another #mememonday and this one is featuring one of my favorite movies EVER: The Princess Bride!

Which slide do you like best? 

And … aside from posting here today, I’m writing! Ripped & Shipped (Chris’ story) is halfway done! 

I’m on a roll now, and my family is going to an amusement park for the day (without me), so I’m alone with Bella and my laptop. 

Then, this weekend, I’ve got a writing retreat. The final book in the Getting Shipped series is going to be written! 

Not saying we won’t have some novellas down the road … mayyyybe we could. (Who would you want to see in a Getting Shipped novella?)

I hope your Monday is GREAT!!

#bookmemes #bookishmemes #princessbride #asyouwish #amwriting #amwritingromcom #romcomauthor #sweetromcom #closeddoorromcom #romancereadersofinstagram #romcomreadersofinstagram #savannahscottauthor #gettingshipped #rippedandshipped #gettingshippedseries
#mawwage #bookstagram #bookstagrammers #bookishcommunity
    Follow on Instagram
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Copyright © 2023 · Patty H. Scott · All Rights Reserved

    Temporarily, it is necessary to create an account to be able to check out in the Swag Shop. You can register under the “My Accounts” page. Thank you! Dismiss