Raising Maidens of Virtue by Stacy McDonald is but one of many books found at Grace and Truth Books an online Christian bookstore. Not only does Grace and Truth Books sell a wide range of books and Christian resources, they publish many of these as well. The selection is unlike what I have seen at the few Christian bookstores I have available to browse in person. Their focus is not the latest bestseller, but those that are timeless, character building and God-honoring.
As long as I have been finding community, encouragement and advice online from other Christian mothers of many, I have heard of Raising Maidens of Virtue ($18.50 hardcover). First published in 2004, it has been revised and expanded for the seventh printing. With four daughters of my own and such glowing praise, I knew I would be checking into this study when my girls were older. As short as the years have seemed, that time is now. My girls are nearly 12, soon-to-be 10 and 8.
Arranged in twenty chapters with an appendix full of projects, ideas and resources Raising Maidens of Virtue is living up to the praise. I am learning things about my daughters and with my daughters that may not have been possible otherwise. This is not laid out as a study with a read this, answer that type format. It is much more conversational. We are not on any schedule to go through a set amount within any particular time frame. I love the very natural, organic flow to the discussions and intimate moments with my daughters. We are enjoying creating scrapbook style pages in a journal as well – one of the memory making projects from the appendix.
My younger girls are getting their first introductions to some of these topics. I am so grateful to have this resource to direct me to the Scriptures so that the girls can read for themselves. I want them to have the Word as their foundation, not only “because Mama and Daddy say so.” Clothing choices are the most obvious area right now. Dear Daughters 2 and 3 are at an age they want more say in what they wear. I want them to understand why I say “No” to some things and believe the same. They are at that age where their reasons and beliefs need to be their own. My job is to make sure they find that in the Word and not the world.
All three girls are involved in the discussions but often, our eldest will continue the conversation. This is usually after she has read and digested on her own. She may be asking for clarification for something or my opinion but most often she is “talking her thoughts aloud”. I love that we have that relationship that I am the one she wants to share this with. I had difficulty in speaking with my parents on such heart issues and thoughts. When I had exhausted school mates, I would write letters to my mother or daddy. This is actually one of the suggestions in the appendix. If your daughter has difficulty verbalizing her thoughts, it may be easier to write them. The recommendation is to share a mother-daughter journal in place of the conversations. The few notes I have come across from my younger days are treasured memories.
In some places the recommended younger age is 8 and in others 12. If your eldest daughter is 8, she may not be ready to get much out of this, yet. It might be most helpful for mama at this point, Scriptures to refer to and ideas to glean. My eldest daughter is at the perfect place for this and probably has been for nearly a year or so. The topics covered are not just virtue in the areas of sexual purity or dress although the direction in these areas is greatly appreciated today. Taming the Tongue and Dwelling in Unity are two chapters that we have covered already. I don’t view this as a study to go through and be finished with. It is a guide for many conversations throughout the coming years.
Not all Schoolhouse Review Crew members received Raising Maidens of Virtue by Stacy McDonald. There were many selections from Grace and Truth Books reviewed. Check the Crew blog for more information and reviews.
