If you’re a part of the Christian homeschooling community, chances are you’ve heard of Doorposts , publishers of a wide variety of Bible-based parenting and character training materials. I’ve used a number of their products over the years, one of my favorites being the “If/Then” chart which helps families to clearly outline the disciplinary action that can be expected for a variety of misbehaviors.
Recently, I was given the opportunity to review either Polished Cornerstones or Plants Grown Up, Doorposts’ character training books for girls and boys. Since I have two girls, I opted for Polished Cornerstones, the book for girls.
Our schedule went crazy about the same time I received Polished Cornerstones. Between preparing for our homeschool group’s Around the World Day (which we didn’t get to attend) and attending Relevant (the reason we didn’t get to attend ATWD), I didn’t get to use Polished Cornerstones as much as I would have liked…but we definitely will be using it throughout the coming weeks and months.
This 491-page, spiral-bound book has hundreds of ideas for mentoring and training your girls from about the age of five until they leave home as an adult. The book is not designed to be used in a “cover-to-cover” fashion. Rather, parents are encouraged to skip around to cover the topics that are relevant to their particular daughters’ stages in life.
Topics covered include:
- Time management
- Home management
- Money management
- Cooking and meal-planning
- Self-discipline
- Wisdom
- Spiritual discipline (prayer, studying and memorizing God’s Word)
- Patience
- Humility
- Purity
Under each topic heading, dozens of activity ideas are offered to help girls and their parents explore God’s Word and get real-life practice related to each discipline. From studying and memorizing Scripture to writing essays, hands-on learning to discussion ideas for girls and their parents, ideas are included for every learning style, always turning the student back to God’s Word.
For each topic, activity ideas are broken down into beginner, intermediate, and advanced for ease of use, though parents are encouraged to let girls work above or below their suggested level, basing the selected activities on a particular child’s needs, interests and skill level.
I am very anxious to start exploring the homemaking and budgeting areas with my girls (and my boy). I always have good intentions to let my kids help with things like menu planning and cooking so that they are prepared to do those things on their own after they leave home (or just give me a break once in awhile), but sometimes it just seems quicker and easier to do it on my own – or I just don’t think about it in the midst of day-to-day routine. Having these things listed as a project for us to do together often helps me move from good intentions to actual activity.
I love that Polished Cornerstones lists out so many wonderful projects to help with how I should be discipling my girls anyway. It’s that good intentions thing again. Having the project ideas and Bible study suggestions already laid out for me, helps me to be more intentional about discipleship opportunities that are already there, but of which I might not be taking full advantage.
Polished Cornerstones and Plants Grown Up are available from Doorpost for $48 each.
I received this product free for the purpose of reviewing it. I received no other compensation for this review. The opinions expressed in this review are my personal, honest opinions. Your experience may vary.
I would really like Plants Grown Up to use with my boys. Well, I would like all of their products, but that is the one that really stands out to me as I will soon have 4 boys.
Well, I went to Doorposts and right now, I think the only thing I would order would be the Plants Grown Up book. 🙂 We seem to have just about everything else! LOL!
Thanks so much for the chance to win!
Steph
I also "liked" Doorposts on Facebeook.
Thanks!
Steph
I love Doorposts and have used several of their products over the years. The If,Then chart is a winner imho, too. The Brother Offended Chart is another really helpful tool.
I have wanted to get Plants Grown Up. Thanks for the chance to win!
I liked Doorposts on fb.
Thanks for the 2nd entry.
They both look great! But I'd think I'd like the girl one. I can easily teach these to my daughter.
I "like" Doorposts on Facebook.
At the moment I could really use the "4 Chart Biblical Parenting set" but with 3 boys the "Plants Grown Up" would be something we would use forever! Thanks for hosting!
In addition to Polished Cornerstones, the Blessings Chart looks great!
What a great giveaway!!
markntiff777@msn.com
We have the If-then and Blessings Chart, as well as For Instruction In Righteousness and find them to be very usefull. I would also be interested in the book As Unto the Lord for myself. Having 3 girls I'd love to win Polished Cornerstones!
I have used a number of their products over the years and my favorite would be the Ruby Doll Kit and Proverbs 31 study that accompanied it for my daughter. I've always wanted to use either Polished Cornerstones or Plants Grown Up, they both look like tremendous products.
I "liked" Doorposts on facebook!
I have had my eye on Plants Grown Up forever! It's definitely my fav product of theirs!
I think the "Brother Offended" chart looks interesting. It seems my two kiddos could benefit. My youngest, especially, has been bitten by the tattle tale bug.
OOohhhh what a great giveaway! I looked at their site, and love the Ruby doll set, and the Young Woman of Valor and…oh you get the point.
I'd love the Polished Cornerstones book!
I have looked at the If/Then chart from Doorposts before and would like to have that. With three daughters, I could definitely use Polished Cornerstones!
OMG!!! I have been reading about, hearing about, and wanting these two books forever!! At $48 each, I simply don't have the extra money to purchase them right now. I would absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to win one! Sending up lots of prayers that you pick us. What a blessing that would be. We SO need this in our house! I would most like the Polished Cornerstones book. Thanks so much for doing this!
Jennifer @ Crow Family of 5
crowfamilyof5@yahoo.com
I "like" Doorposts on Facebook also.
Jennifer @ Crow Family of 5
crowfamilyof5@yahoo.com
We already use the "if/then" chart, and we really love how it helps us be consistent as parents in our discipline. I've also been thinking about getting the "Blessings" chart, so I guess that would be my favorite right now. 🙂 Since we have two boys and one (going on two) girls, either book would be well loved and much utilized in our home!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Nikki
I also "liked" Doorposts on FB. Thanks again!
Nikki
I liked 'A Day of Delight'- what great resources! I have a girl so the Polished Cornerstones would be fitting- thanks for the giveaway!
I would like some characters training for girls books, such as A Young Lady of Valor Illustrated Book.