My ten year old daughter and I were working our way through Stacy McDonald’s Raising Maidens of Virtue, but I must admit it seemed a bit too old for her. For years I’ve owned the older version of Beautiful Girlhood written by Mabel Hale and I knew there was a revised edition from Karen Andreola, but I never purchased it, thinking it wasn’t necessary.
I also vaguely remembered running across Shelly Noonan’s companion study to Beautiful Girlhood, but at the time my daughter was just a wee little lass and I chose instead to purchase my copy of Keeper’s at Home from Shelley’s booth at the homeschool conference. (Shelley is the owner of Pumpkin Seed Press)
Well, on Twitter not too long ago I ran across the fact that Shelley was starting a new study group called B’twixt & B’tween for girls my daughter’s age using Beautiful Girlhood & The Companion Guide to Beautiful Girlhood. She had a blog set up for it and after looking over what all would be involved with the study, I signed up and got the books (Shelley graciously gave me a copy and I will graciously be writing a post for her on her blog for one of the chapters the book!)
The study is just beginning and already I am seeing fruit! Megan is really understanding all that is taught and the questions from the Companion Guide have provoked great discussions between us.
It is so very important that we spend time with our daughters…especially at this age. They are trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in. They are sometimes awkward, sometimes grouchy, and sometimes frustrated and frustrating. And while I’m pretty good at drawing my children into conversations, I was impressed by the questions Shelley asked in the Guide. Questions that drew my daughter out and had her telling me things I had never heard.
One that really stood out to me was the question of what were my dreams as a girl and what are my dreams now and then having Megan share what her dreams are. I learned things I did not know and it was a beautiful time of bonding!
So, if you have a daughter in those in-between years and you would like to fellowship with her in Scripture and character training, go to B’twixt & B’tween Blog, get a copy of Beautiful Girlhood & the Companion Guide, and join us in the journey!
Nicole says
How wonderful to be able to connect with your daughter this way. She is so lucky to have you to share her heart with.
Corine says
…VERY COOL!
rachel @ finding joy says
Amy, I have done that study with my daughters and have loved it. Thanks for writing about it and reminding me — I need to pull it out with my ten year old — Gracie.
Blessings dear friend.
danielle says
I have a son in that tweeny place…do you know of something similar for him????
…danielle
Amy says
We read through Created for Work and really liked it! 🙂
kate says
oh amy! you have brought me to tears today. this has been on my heart for quite a while (a mother-daughter bible study) but i haven’t been able to find anything that i felt would work (our daughter is 10). i kept praying that God would reveal the answer to me. and, once again, He has used you to do that.
so, thank you so much for continuing to listen when God speaks to you so that He can also speak through you.
God bless!
kate
pknowak99@gmail(dot)com
Emily Fay says
I have always wanted the companion guide to Beautiful Girlhood. I have the book, and hope to start it with my oldest daughter soon. Thanks for sharing your thoughts today!
The Momma @ The Straightened Path says
My daughter is a very mature 7 year old. She is craving something like this with me and I am doing my best. I’ve looked at this particular guide but I think she may be too young for it. What is your opinion on the youngest age a girl could be to do the book with her mother?
Amy says
From what I’ve read so far, I think a mature 7 year could handle this study. 🙂
Lisa J. says
I am wondering the same thing… for which age would you recommend starting this? My daughter turns 8 in November.
Rachel says
*sigh* You guys have no idea how much I long for the day I’m going to have my own daughter(sons, kids…)but especially daughter, since I was raised(still in the process…am 19) an only girl with three brothers. May God bless all your children and families!