Monday, October 5, 2015

Jessa Seewald on Purposeful Parenting

 Jessa Duggar as a toddler

Baby Seewald is due in just four weeks. Last month, Jessa Seewald graciously agreed to answer questions submitted by our readers about how she and Ben are preparing for this new season of life.

We have been posting her responses throughout the past two weeks. Let's see what parenting advice the mother-to-be has heard that she hopes to put into practice.

Have you been reading any parenting books?
Jessa: I haven’t been reading a whole lot of parenting books, but I definitely have been studying the matter a whole lot. I feel so blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful women and mothers, and I often find myself asking questions and taking note of things I respect about the way they parent. 

I have noticed in one close friend, Sierra, how she is always looking for teachable moments. She is purposeful in her parenting and is never too busy to stop what she’s doing and take a moment to calmly address a situation. When one of her kids acts up, she doesn’t merely correct the outward action, but she goes directly to the wrong heart attitude. 

Instead of just saying, “Give that toy back to your sister!” she addresses the inward attitude of an unkind and selfish heart. She calls the misbehaving child aside, and they have a little hear-to-heart talk right then and there. Instead of just saying “Don’t yell at your brother!” she addresses the inward attitude of an angry heart. She’s taught her children the Scriptures from a young age, so it’s not uncommon to hear “What does the Bible say?”and her little two or three-year-old reciting, “Be kind to one another” (Ephesians 4:32) or “A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

Sierra has four young children and is due with her fifth just a few weeks after Jessa. She is the energetic gal who helped plan Jill and Jessa's weddings.

Here are the links to past posts that include responses to the questions you submitted for Jessa:

Seewalds Plan a Home Birth
Jessa on Pregnancy 
Jessa on Pregnancy Cravings 
Update on Ben's Career
Jessa: A Parent's Most Important Role

Baby Seewald's Character 
Jessa on Parenthood

29 comments:

  1. kind devoted christian mothers....they will definitely raise fine people of God

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  2. I understand every parent has different parenting styles. That's kindof mandatory especially in a home with multiple children. Each child is different and will respond to discipline tactics differently. What works for one child may not work for another. I take it jessa will not follow her moms quite nature and will be taking a firmer approach?
    But think about it. Telling a 2 yr old they are selfish,unkind and have an angry heart will make them behave??? Just like sitting a baby on a blanket and putting them back on it when they get of it ( sometimes watting them with a ruler to make them get back on it and stay) makes them behave. Seems like fear is the driving force here. No doubts jessa will really put the fear of god I. Her children- after all you " don't mess with Jess"

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    1. I agree. I wish the Duggars would look into a more gentle approach. Attachment parenting.

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    2. Totally agree with you. A two year old child is not able to reason- they respond to body language and tone of voice. Reciting a scripture passage at two- really? It would have been nice to hear Jessa say they will teach with LOVE-as Jesus did .


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    3. Yes exactly!!! Teach with LOVE not fear! Children learn what they live!!

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    4. Sierra has 4 kids soon to be 5. So I'm sure she knows a thing or two about raising two year
      Olds. It must work with her or else she wouldn't be doing it after 4 kids

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    5. I agree with you. My Mom would say the same thing. She had 5. And would often say each child is different. One child responds taking a toy off of them. Another Cruz over a spank. Another if you verbally correct them...etc. but no two kids respond the same way. And correct a child with the same lecture doesn't work. They become immune to it. Your best teacher is yourself. You will know how to correct your child because no one understands him or her better than you do.

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  3. This is the seventh topic about Jessa and her baby. Can we talk about something else please?

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  4. I was really shocked the day I found out that Sierra was, first of all, married, and that she had so many kids! She really came across on the show as the strong, single woman type. Maybe just because that's how wedding coordinators have to be?

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  5. Thank you so much for sharing :) No doubt Ben and Jessa will be better equipped to answer questions once parenting has begun. It's just one of those things you have to experience in order to respond more fully. It's amazing what happens to a person when that new little life becomes reality. Things, thoughts, standards do change, yet, convictions seem to stand firm. Desiring the best for the Seewald family, especially as they prepare for this precious new arrival. Rena

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  6. What a blessing to read these posts here. I'm very grateful to be kept up on the family.
    I believe Jessa & Ben will do a marvelous job raising their children. That goes without saying, really because they are surrounded by incredible role models.
    I loved hearing how Sierra is an awesome mom. I knew she would be by her godly countenance. I hope her next child will be healthy & strong too.
    God bless the families and thanks again for these wonderful posts. (-:

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  7. will you and Ben go to the mission field or stay and work in the usa?just wondering. you would do well out in the field .and with adoption you would also be able to find a child .......just love when you and Jill talk about your family and dreams.

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  8. No matter how prepared you think you are, nothing can prepare parents for that life with which they will now be entrusted. I agree that Jessa seems a bit harsh in her demeanor, but babies have a way of melting hearts. And I think Ben will bring a balance to each situation. He seems less strict.

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  9. Can you tell us about the rest of the family.

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  10. Are you planning to post any more of Anna Duggar's answers to the readers' questions from a few months ago?

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  11. Is Jessa seeing a doctor or midwife as she prepares for childbirth?

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  12. #4--. blessing, grateful, marvelous, incredible, awesome, wonderful. So positive and optimistic!

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  13. Such great advice! I will definitely be using this for my own four children. Relating even the small things back to the Word - what better way to teach them to hide Gods Word in their hearts at a young age!

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  14. Great advice!! I hope Jessa and Ben will use the Bibke as their parenting book because it definitely applies. As Proverbs says "He who withholds his rod hates his son. But he who loves him, disciplines him diligently." Children feel loved when their parents discipline them because they know their parents are taking care of their best interests. I hope more parents learn from the examples of authoritative parents. We need more Bible-based parenting!

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  15. Jessa, are you going to do anything different than your own mother?

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  16. Jessa, are you going to do anything different than your own mother?

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  17. Purposeful parenting is a must as our children retain those teachings as they grow no matter if they stray.
    Taking that time is our responsibility and the rewards watching them as young adults are bountiful. We raised seven very close in ages and I had to be mindful to take that moment to teach no matter what was happening around me. I'm thankful we did and keep Jessa and Ben in our prayers.

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  18. I love Jessa. She is very sweet, sensitive and out spoken. Parenthood is rewarding and demanding. It changes one's life and enriches it too. My mother in law was correct when she said life will never be the same. It's true. It takes time to adjust. I wish you the best Jessa.

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  19. Jessa has been the most out spoken and honest Duggar. I like her a lot. I am pleased she will be having a tv special in the future. I hope she never deceives us. Remember a good name is better than riches. A good name that you create is better than riches. You never ran away when stories came out about your family. You, Jessa have always been honest. You made a stand against many issues. You did not side with your brother when you saw his lifestyle was against God s Word. You are likeable. You never asked for donations. Your husband did manual labor work to support you. Who could not like you ? Please be more serious on your specials. Let us see a serious Ben too. I saw his YouTube's and was impressed. He is an intelligent fellow, I can see why you married him. The best to you and Ben and the little one.

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  20. Jessa will make a great Mom. If she has any questions she has a lot of emotional support and help. She has so many experienced older women in her family, in both sides. I like how Jessa treats her in laws. She never treats them like out laws. I hope Jessa stays as she is and never gets a big head when she gets TLC specials. That would be just awful. Remember pride comes before a fall. I hope Ben farther his education and I hope Jessa does too. She is a brilliant young woman. Education never goes to waste. Accountant is a great profession Jessa.

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  21. Jessa you are so Beautiful as uour Sisters you are so smart an got it all together with the Fammily dtiff,and making your own products,god blesstake care Bev

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  22. I'm with those favoring the love of God over the fear of God when training children. Each have their place, but "the greatest of these is love."

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  23. Wish I had known everything that I know now about the Bible when mine was little! That's the best time to teach them. I am all for what Sierra and Jessa are doing and planning to do!

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  24. I see where jo-ana is 18 now Plese would you consider going to trevecca college in Nashville next year my cousin and a girl frow gloster ms is there now a very Christian college - Nazarene but all Christian gos there a great music dept and cousin joy hardy sudyied nursing and worked many years in saudia royal hosp. had nurse sincerely Florence sigman look it up on internect

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Thanks for leaving your comments! We answer as many of your questions as we can, but due to the number of comments we receive daily, we are unable to answer every one. Our aim is to post all points of view, but we do not post anything that is profane, insulting, derogatory, or in poor taste.