Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the chapter on "Ambition"

"Do hard things. Life if full of challenges - embrace them and don’t run away from them. From the time you start school you will be challenged with various topics and classes. Some will be easy for you and some hard. The hard ones will stretch your mind and make you smarter. Don’t be afraid to fail. You still learn when you fail and sometimes your failures help you learn even more than your successes.

Doing sports and exercise can also be hard, but have great long term affects on your body, mind and spirit. Take a runner for example. They train every day by running more and more miles, putting their body through a hard workout. The runs can sometimes be difficult and painful, but at the end of each run they get a “runners high”, both physically and mentally. They have done something hard and the long term affect is to make them stronger and more able to deal with normal activities, both physical and mental.

The opposite of doing hard things is taking the easy way out - like doing drugs. Doing drugs makes life easier for the moment, but in the long run your body gets used to comfort that the drugs provide and you end up feeling worse when the drugs wear off. The long term affects are your inability to handle every day life.

Challenge yourself. The more you do, the better you will feel in the long run."

Check out: http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Ambition"

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the chapter on "Money"

"Give generously to those in need. No matter how much money you have, always find it in your heart to give to those in need. Don't wait until you feel you have plenty of money before you give to others - you may never feel you have enough money. When you see someone in the street that is begging for money, don't judge them. Imagine if that were you or one of your friends or family members. I guarantee you that you have more than they do and also have a better life than they do. So give something to them without judging them."

Check out: http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Money"

Mike Huckabee's book to his grandkids

DEAR CHANDLER, DEAR SCARLETT: A Grandfather’s Thoughts on Faith, Family, and the Things That Matter Most

“I wrote these letters so that long after I’m gone, you’ll know that I loved you, had great hopes for you, and wanted to give you my best advice on living in this tough world. If I can’t be there with you, I hope my letters will act as a sort of reminder of me—as if I’m standing there beside you, whispering in your ear, and putting my arm around your shoulder.”

Mike Huckabee has worn many hats through­out his life: pastor, politician, governor, presidential candidate, talk show host, rock bassist, pundit, husband, and father. But since his first grandchild was born, he’s found that the role of grandfather is more satisfying than just about any of the others.

Huckabee wanted to give something to his grand­son, Chandler, that would last forever. He began drafting a series of letters to Chandler recounting heartwarming stories from his past and the bittersweet lessons learned along the way. With the birth of his granddaughter, Scarlett, just a year later, Huckabee was further inspired to convey his love and wisdom.

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the Chapter on "Family" 

"Family is the most important thing after God. Friends, jobs and possessions will come and go, but your family is always there for you. Sometimes we take each other for granted, get angry at each other and yell at each other. But love should always cut through any arguments and bind us forever.


Love is at the center of our family. Each one of us should always remember how much we love each other, and how much each family member loves us. "

Doing things together as a family is important. Taking vacations together, having meals together - just spending time together as a family."

Check out:  http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Family"

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the chapter on "Marriage".

"Getting married is probably the biggest thing you will ever do in your life. You will meet someone you love and want to spend the rest of your life with them. The two of you really become one in many ways. You will share all of your belongings, your income, your emotions, your joys, your fears and your dreams and become one person. Not physically, but you really do both start picking up characteristics of the other person and acting as one.
 
The center of a good marriage is love and respect for one and other. There will be a lot of joy and fun times you will share together, but there will also be times of sorrow and hardship for you to share as well. The important thing is to be understanding of each other, listen to each other, and try to make each other happy. Be there for each other. You can still do things independently and have your own interests, but it is also good to share common interests and activities.

When you meet someone you love, even though you will want to live with them and move in with them, I highly recommend you wait to do that until after you are married - we did. If you move in with someone before you are married, getting married will not be as big an event, because you are already living together.

Be patient about finding your right partner for marriage. You will likely fall in love many times before finding the right person to marry. That person should not only be someone you love, but someone you can see yourself spending the rest of your life with. Someone who is a friend and partner. Someone who makes you laugh and makes you happy. Someone you can share your deepest thoughts with. Someone who will listen. Someone who will care. "

Check out: http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Marriage"

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the Chapter on "Money"

"Unfortunately money is somewhat important. You need to earn enough money to live the life you want to live. Life often requires balance between competing priorities. I am not trying to discourage you from pursuing your dreams, just balance your dreams with other things that are important to you.
 
Live within your means! I can't emphasize this enough! This means spending less than you make. Save money for a rainy day or tough times. When you don't have enough money and you have too much debt, the stress it can cause in your life is overwhelming. You will enjoy things you purchase much more if you wait until you can afford them.

Be content with what you have, while you strive to do better. This may sound contradictory, but what I mean by this is to enjoy the things you have while striving to enrich your life. For example, if you live in a modest apartment but really want to buy a condo, enjoy the apartment while you live there, but continue to save enough money to buy the condo. When you finally can afford to buy the condo, appreciate it and take care of it, even if you ultimately want to buy a house.

You will find life is much more enjoyable if you appreciate what you have even while you strive to do better. Do not covet what your neighbor has or you may no longer appreciate what you have. "You shall not covet your neighbor's house." Exodus 20:17. "

Check out: http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Honesty & Integrity"

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the Chapter on "Honesty & Integrity"

"It is said that your character is defined by how you act when no one is looking. In other words, do you pick up your litter when no one sees you drop it? When you get home and discover that the clerk gave you too much change, do you go back to the store and give back the extra money? If yes, you have good character.
It is also important to know that people are judging your character every minute of every day. So we encourage you to exhibit good character at all times. Good character will lead to success in your marriage, friendships, and career. Guard your character as one of your most prized possessions.

So what is good character? Character consists of many traits, including honesty, integrity, trustworthiness, truthfulness, reliability, loyalty, and unselfishness. Let me help you by explaining each trait. And when in doubt, do what Jesus Christ would do (read the Bible if you are not sure).

Honesty - Live and compete honorably. Do not cheat, steal or engage in any other dishonest conduct. Plagiarism and cheating are not acceptable. The Bible says "The Lord hates cheating and delights in honesty." Proverbs 11:1

Integrity - Live up to high ideals of ethics and always pursue victory with honor and for the glory of Jesus Christ. Do what is right even when it is unpopular or personally costly. The Bible says "The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them." Proverbs 11:3

Trustworthiness - Be worthy of trust in all you do. The Bible says "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." Luke 16:10-11

Truthfulness - Tell the truth, always. The Bible says "The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in men who are truthful." Proverbs 12:22 "Lies will get any man into trouble, but honesty is its own defense. Telling the truth gives a man great satisfaction and hard work returns many blessings to him." Proverbs 12:13-14 "Telling lies about someone is as harmful as hitting him with an ax, or wounding him with a sword, or shooting him with a sharp arrow." Proverbs 25:18

Reliability - Fulfill commitments. Do what you say you will do. Be on time. The Bible says "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

Loyalty - Be loyal to God, your family, your friends, your school, your teammates and your employer. Always be there to help others. The Bible says "Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you! Wear them like a necklace; write them deep within your heart." Proverbs 3:3

Unselfishness - Always think: Christ first, others second, you last. Be unselfish. Be giving to others. Put others above your personal glory. The Bible says "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3 "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." James 3:16

Always demonstrate good character! And remember, you not only represent yourself, but you represent God, Jesus Christ, and your family."

Check out: http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Honesty & Integrity"

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

Keeping with the theme of "Back to School",

this week's content comes from the Chapter on "Education"

"School is something we think is very important. It will help your life in the future, and today as well, while you are young and growing up with us. In the future, you will be more equipped to handle a great job and great relationships. But right now, school is a wonderful place to find things you are interested in, have good friends, learn good study habits, and be around good role models in your teachers. We want you to work hard, study hard and play hard at school.

School isn't fun all the time, and it does take effort. But we will help you with that effort, and support you all the way through school. We will even try to make it fun when we can! Develop good school habits now, and it will be even better for you later. "

Check out: http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Education"

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the chapter on "Education"

"I remember the day I started college, the keynote speaker on our introduction day gave a speech entitled, "do what you are doing". He talked about focusing on the task at hand, whether it is studying for a test, working at a job, talking to someone, or just having fun. Try to focus on what you are doing without being distracted from outside influences. As simple as the statement is, it really made a lot of sense, and one of the only speeches I recall from my college days.

Since this is a chapter on education, and the speech was given at my first day of college, I will relate this to your school career. You will invest of tremendous amount of time and effort into school, with 16 to 18 years of school (assuming a 4 to 6 year college degree). While you are in school, your study habits and even attentiveness in class will be greatly influenced by this philosophy of "do what you are doing". Don't allow yourself to drift off, day dream or lose focus. While you are in class, be in class, be part of the class, be an active participant. When you are studying, study. Don't allow yourself to get distracted. You will have much more time for fun if you spend your study time in a focused manner.

And finally, when you are having fun, have fun! Don't worry about school or studying when you are out having fun. It is even important to keep your play time focused on playing. When you graduate college and start a full-time career, you will want to make sure that when you take vacation, you take vacation and don't bring your work on vacation with you. Do what you are doing."

Check out: http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Education"

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the Chapter on "Driving"
 
"THE most dangerous thing you will do on a routine basis is drive a car. You can change your life in an instant and perhaps other innocent people's lives as well. If you were to die or get seriously injured in a car accident, it would not only destroy your life, but others that love you as well.
Don't Drink and Drive! You are not allowed to drink until you are 21. If you drink and drive and you are under 21, you will lose your license - don't do it! Once you are 21 and can legally drink, if you have been drinking too much (which is typically a couple of drinks or more) call a cab or a friend to drive you home.

NEVER get in a car with someone else who has been drinking. They may not be as responsible as you, and not care about drinking and driving. The only time Mom and I ever have more than a couple of drinks, is when we know we are just going to hang out with friends around the house or if we are on vacation. In both cases we are not going to get into a car and drive. If you ever need a ride home because you or someone else has been drinking, call us or call a cab. If you ever call us to pick you up because you or another driver has been drinking, you will NOT be in trouble - we will respect you for it.

Don't Street Race! Speed is the number one killer in auto accidents. Don't speed or race another driver. Don't let other people in your car try to get you to race someone else. It can be tempting to race someone or see how fast you can go, but it is not hard to lose control of a car when driving too fast. Don't get in a car with any friends that like to race or drive too fast. If this ever happens, make an excuse to get out of the car somewhere - anywhere! You are better off getting out somewhere then staying in a car with someone that wants to show off how fast they can drive.

Don't Use a Cell Phone While Driving! OK, I admit that mom and I sometimes use our cell phones while driving, but we have been driving for a long time and don't use our cell phones very often. There is no question about it, using a cell phone while driving definitely is distracting. You should pay 100% attention to the road when driving. Don't text while driving. That is absolutely insane, and illegal.

Don't Get Caught Up in Road Rage! People will cut you off and do other aggressive things to make you mad while you are driving. Get over it! If someone cuts in front of you, tell yourself that they are just "leading the way for you". It is no big deal. It can be a big deal if you get angry and start driving too aggressively, so let it go. Don't get behind the wheel if you are really upset about something. Take some time to cool off. Road rage can kill you!"

Check out: http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Driving"

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the Chapter on "Drugs & Alcohol" 

Drugs are illegal - so don't do them! You could end up in jail or have a criminal record, even for pot. There are many negative effects of drugs. Some are outlined below.
Pot kills brain cells, slows your reflexes, is bad for your lungs, affects your memory and learning, increases your blood pressure and impairs the body's immune system. It can also produce anxiety, fear, distrust and panic.

Ecstasy, a street name given for the chemical MDMA, is a synthetic, psychoactive , neurotoxic drug with many negative effects. These effects include: confusion, sleep problems, anxiety, blurred vision, acne like rash, brain damage, depression, addiction, paranoia, nausea, chills and sweating, liver damage and aggression. This drug is becoming increasingly popular and some may try to tell you it will not harm you - don't believe it! If you don't believe me, read about it for yourself.

Cocaine is addictive, bad for your heart and can even cause heart failure. It can cause strokes, seizures, depression, and anxiety disorders. Other effects include: sleeplessness, sexual dysfunction, diminished sense of smell, nausea, headaches, and can even create a hole in the cartilage between your nostrils. All around a REALLY dangerous drug. Stay away!

Crack is a smokable, rapidly reacting form of cocaine base, which is processed from cocaine. Extremely dangerous and immediately addicting. Try it once and you could be addicted for life. Stay away!

Methamphetamine (Crystal Meth) is another immediately additive drug. Regardless of the ingestion method (smoke, snort), users become addicted quickly, and use it with increasing frequency and in increasing doses - always trying to chase the previous high. Stay clear from this drug!

Heroin. Forget it! One dose and you could be done for life. Extremely addictive, body becomes dependant upon it and eventually your body goes into a downward spiral where it needs the heroin just to function. Withdrawals are something you would never want to experience. Once you see someone go through a heroin withdrawal you would never consider the drug.
There are other drugs as well, but I think you get the picture by now. Drugs can absolutely ruin your life. They ruin millions of people's lives every day. There is also an extreme danger of violence associated with drugs and people who deal them. Drugs are often linked to gangs and gang violence.

Alcohol. Although alcohol is legal if you are over 21, there are plenty of dangers associated with alcohol as well. The biggest concern by far is drinking and driving - don't do it!

Once you are 21, you will be able allowed to drink. If you are out at a restaurant or bar you should not have more than one or two drinks (depending on your size). After that you are probably over the legal limit (0.08) to drive a car. For a boat the legal limit is half that (0.04)!

Like anything else, don't let alcohol take over your life. If you choose to drink, do so in moderation. Don't drink every day, don't drink too much, and don't ever get to the point where you REALLY look forward to having a drink each day. Once you get to that point, you are starting to become addicted. Make sure you are in control of your desires. Don't let your desires control you.

Don't drink when you are depressed, because alcohol is a depressant. Alcohol will not solve any problems in your life, so don't rely on it to do so. Know you limitations with drinking. Know how you act and how your personality changes when you drink. Drinking will make you lose some of your inhibitions, but don't do things you will regret the next day when you are drinking!
Check out http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Drugs & Alcohol"

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the chapter on Honesty & Integrity

Try to stay honest with everything you do. Whether you are making money, paying taxes or participating in a competition, be honest. The feeling of knowing you are an honest person will outweigh the gain you will achieve by being dishonest.

Many people cheat on their taxes. You will end up keeping more money than you really owe to the government if you do this. You might not even get caught. But you will know that you are being dishonest and as you approach the end of our life, you may look back on those decisions with regret. The gains you achieve with honesty are far more rewarding than the gains you achieve with dishonesty.

Integrity is a lot like honesty. It is doing what is right even when no one is looking. It is being honest and true to yourself. You will find you have a lot more self-respect if you have integrity.

Don't take advantage of other people just for your own gain. Play fair and your victories will be all the more sweet.

Check out http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Honesty & Integrity"

How much input do you offer?

Your kids are influenced by a variety of media sources, including Youtube, Facebook and TV.  How much input do you offer?  Watch this video to see some statistics on the various media affects on kids.  How much input do you offer? 

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the Chapter on "Love & Happiness"

"Fill your life with love and happiness. Be joyful around others. Always love your family and know they will always love you back. Surround yourself with friends that make you happy and lift you up.

Having pets that love you is also a great thing. Dogs will always greet you like you are the most important person in the world, every day! Dogs have the wonderful ability of sharing their love all the time and forgiving very quickly. That must be why they say that all dogs go to heaven!

Don't be afraid to fall in love, even if it ends in heartbreak, which it often will until you get married. Open your heart to others. The joy you will find outweighs any sorrow, which is typically short lived. Once you find the right person to marry your life will be filled with love, and without the heartbreak.

Your mom and I will always love you. We have loved you since the day you were born. You have brought unimaginable joy into our lives. From the looks of wonderment you gave us when you were babies to the pride we have in the way you are both growing up. We are so proud of both of you.

As I end this book, the most important thing I want you to walk away with is the understanding of how much we love you. That is the reason I decided to write this book in the first place. I wanted to provide a place you could turn whenever you wanted to hear words of encouragement, guidance and love."


Check out http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Love & Happiness"

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the Chapter on "Media"

Music, television, movies, video games and the Internet all consume a lot of time in our lives.  Like choosing friends, choose your media wisely. 

Music is a great outlet.  Listening to all types of music is great.  Don't surround yourself with too much negative music - it can bring you down.  Television and movies can also bring you down.  Don't watch too many horror movies or movies with extreme violence.  They will start to desensitize you from reality - and also give you nightmares.

Like many things in life, when done in moderation, they are OK.  Don't get so obsessed with video games that you chose them over doing something physical or with other people.  Instead of playing video golf, play the real game!  Actually video golf is fun just make sure you have a balance between games and reality.

Be careful with the Internet.  It is the Wild West!  You can find pretty much anything you are looking for on the Internet, and often stumble upon things you were not looking for!  It is a great resource tool, but also does not have any filters for content.  Also don't believe everything you read or see on the Internet, because a lot of information is not factual.  Anyone can post anything on the Internet, whether it is true or not.

It is a good idea to try and surround yourself with uplifting media.  I will always select a comedy over a depressing drama.  Watch and listen to things that make you laugh.  Laughter is good for the soul.  Christian music always has a good message - although I also like listening to Rage Against the Machine.  Add Christian music into your collection to keep a good message going into your soul - especially when you are down about something.  Christian bands today rock!

Check out http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "Media"

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the chapter on "Marriage"


"Each morning I get up before your mother. I go downstairs and I make the coffee for her and for me. She loves the fact that when she gets up there is a freshly brewed pot of coffee waiting for her. Well, actually by the time that she wakes up it is only half a pot! However, she is still pleased. Every time that I have to travel somewhere for work, she'll ask me how long I'm going to be gone, and when I tell her, she'll remark, "that's x number of days that I have to make my own coffee!" Now why do I tell you this? Well the reason why is that for a marriage to work you have to want to do the little things that make your spouse happy. If you put yourself first, you will have a tough time, however if you put your wife first, and if she puts her husband first, guess what, it works out. 
I have found that when we have disagreements, or fights or whatever, it is always a result of one of us not putting the other one first. After almost sixteen years of marriage, I have a really tough time counting on one hand the number of times that I think your mother put herself first. She however has to borrow at least three of the dog's paws to help her keep track of the number of times that I have failed to put myself second! In all honesty, I'll "get my Irish up" when I get impatient or frustrated because something that I wanted to do starts to look like something that I won't be getting the chance to do due to some request or another. 

What usually happens next is me whining or thumping about the house as I try in a vain effort to do what I want to do. After some grumbling, I'll admit my pig-headedness, apologize for whatever I may have said, and do whatever it is that needed to be done.

Moral of the story, when you deviate from putting the other person first, the quicker that you right your ship, make up, and move on, the better everything will be.

Make your marriage a journey of little joys, taking pleasure in making your spouse happy, and not trying to "win" all the fights, and each day will be a blessing as your relationship grows stronger and your love grows deeper. And lastly, always remember to turn your socks right-side-out when you throw them in the hamper.Oh, and as my parents told me, "never let the sun set on your anger." In other words, resolve any differences that you and your spouse may have before you go to bed. Literally. If you go to bed mad, you have lost an opportunity for humility, and humility is the foundation for the greatest strength of all....Love."
Check out http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "marriage"

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

This week's content comes from the Chapter on "Work"

As you go through school and start thinking about your career, consider three things: find a job you enjoy doing, make sure you possess the required skills for the job, and also make sure you can make decent money!  Ok, that might sound like a dream job, but why not chase your dreams.

It is hard to say which is the most important of these three things - they really balance each other.  At first glance you might think it is most important to find something you love to do.  However, if you don't have the necessary skills for that career, or the job does not pay enough money to support a lifestyle you desire, the job may not be the best fit for you.  For instance, say you want to be a professional baseball player, but you know you really don't have the skills to make the major leagues.  Playing baseball outside of the major leagues could end up being a pretty difficult lifestyle making it hard to support a family.


On the other hand, say you are really good at math and you know that being a CPA can make you a lot of money, but you can't imagine sitting behind a desk all day crunching numbers.  Guess what, that might not be the best career path for you.


If you try to find a balance between something you like doing, with something your are good at doing, and something that will make you money, you will end up with a sustainable career.  So as you go through school, start thinking about which topics you like best.  Also start keeping track of which topics you are best at.  Hopefully they will match up.  Then as you enter college, start thinking about how you can turn those class room skills into a good paying career.


Check out http://www.book2mykids.com to write a book to your kids and give them advice on "work"

Book2MyKids "Content of the Week"

Since we are approaching the end of another school year and graduation for many of our kids...
This week's content comes from the Chapter on "Education""Education is important throughout your entire life.  Even after you graduate college, periodically take classes to learn new things.  In Steve Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", habit #7 is called "Sharpen the Saw." Covey uses an analogy of a woodcutter who is sawing for several days straight and is becoming less and less productive. The woodcutting process dulls the blade. His solution is to periodically sharpen the saw.

Even if you have a good job you should still periodically learn new things.  There are many one to two hour webinars you can sign up for, and most of them are free.  You can read educational books or attend a seminar.  Whatever it is, keep you mind sharp.  Never stop learning.