Let me love you a little longer before you’re not little anymore…
January makes me reflective. I distinctly remember glancing at my then twelve-year-old girl’s face and, I caught a fleeting glimpse of who she would be when grown into a woman. That was 20 plus years ago, but this memory of the-future-her is etched into my mind. It was not only in the way I could envision her soft round face would transform as she grew, but I also imagined the kind of woman she would become.
I have to admit, those years found me at a loss. I just didn’t have a clue on how to raise a godly daughter. My own mom was not a believer when I was under her care. There were no tangible role models in my life. This is when I first turned to Classic Christian literature for help. Beautiful Girlhood written by Mable Hale was my go-to book. It was written in the 1940s but had so much to say to me and my girl in the 1990s. In 2000 a friend and I wrote a Companion Guide to Beautiful Girlhood to create the scriptural framework for this fine book. We added a discussion guide, topical Bible study relating to the chapter, and journaling section to help our girl connect with the concepts learned. Later, I added a blog to help moms who felt like they were struggling with teaching their daughters called BtwixtandBtweenBlog.com.
A few years later, that little girl was a young woman and headed off to college. It was when I created Beyond Beautiful Girlhood as a way to ‘love her just a little more’ and prepare her for the world. We did long-distance mentoring over the phone. She helped me work through the manuscript every Tuesday night of her first year at college by doing the study with me.
Here is what I used with my own girl.
- Beautiful Girlhood Bundle is a classic for relationship building for Moms and Daughters ages 9-14. Build precious memories during 32 weeks of study. Journey through beautiful girlhood with thought-provoking questions, pertinent Bible study and application, and inspiring quotations for discussion and journaling.
- Beyond Beautiful Girlhood Bundle is for Moms and Daughters ages 13-18. As a 24-week study, this book’s focus is on developing skills to help your daughter manage three crucial areas: Home, Life, and Spirit. The topics explored include a girl’s need for private space, her choice of friends, pleasures (hobbies/activities), books, education, and her future occupation. This volume is for both mother and daughter to write in! The journal questions and Bible studies are divided between mother and daughter—so concerns, thoughts, and experiences are communicated during weekly meetings. Numerous project suggestions are included for home economics, life skills, and in-depth spiritual discipleship.
- btwixtandbtweenblog.com It is hard to pin down exactly what you would call B’twixt & B’tween. It can be described as a part blog, part community, part Bible study, part activity guide, a part resource section for moms of ‘tweenage daughters going through Beautiful Girlhood , and The Companion Guide to Beautiful Girlhood.
As I write this, I just got off the phone from a 17-minute conversation with her. We talk almost every day, sometimes several times a day. My only girl lives too far away, a whole 10 hours away, is married to a wonderful man, and is a boy mom through and through. The phone keeps us a part of each other’s lives. I never tire talking to her, sharing ideas, being challenged, and laughing about silly things. This connection began by taking time and making a plan to connect.
Connect with me on Facebook and, you and I can start our own conversation!