17/07/2025
It was during one of those frantic mornings, when everything felt like a battleâbreakfast complaints, endless negotiations over shoes, and the classic sibling squabbles. Thatâs when I stumbled upon Donât Make Me Count to Three! while scrolling through parenting books. I hesitated at first, wondering if it would just be another guilt-laden lecture. But the title had a sense of humor, and I was curious. I downloaded the audiobookâand what a refreshing surprise it was. Stephanie Richardsonâs narration made the words come aliveânot just words on parenting, but honest, practical, and sometimes painfully real guidance. It felt like sitting across a kitchen table from someone who had been through the same trenches and was offering life-saving advice with grace and warmth. Below are eight lessons that stayed with meâlessons that challenged me, encouraged me, and honestly, made me a better parent in ways I didnât expect.
1. Behavior is Only the Surface Issue: One of the first things Ginger Hubbard pressed onâthrough relatable stories and biblical wisdomâwas that my childâs behavior is just the fruit, not the root. This lesson shook me a little. I had been so focused on correcting actions that I barely paused to address the heart. The way Ginger broke it down made it impossible to ignore: if I want lasting change, I need to dig beneath the tantrums and talk about the heart motives. For me, it shifted how I approached correctionâless barking commands, more heart conversations.
2. Reproof is About Restoration, Not Punishment: This one got personal fast. Ginger helped me see that my tendency to âlectureâ was often driven by frustration rather than love. Her gentle tone in the audiobook made me reflect deeply. Correction, she explained, should be about restorationârestoring the child back to obedience, peace, and relationship. It helped me realize discipline should be done with gentleness, not anger, and that the goal is not punishment but growth. For any parent listening, this flips discipline from a power struggle to a loving guidance process.
3. Teach, Donât Just Tell: I couldnât dodge this lesson even if I tried. Ginger repeatedly pointed out how easy it is to just tell kids what not to do, but neglect to teach them what to do instead. I caught myself doing this so many times while listening. Her practical examples of using Scripture to teach right behavior made me rethink my approachâless yelling, more intentional teaching. For other parents, this is goldâit reminds us to guide, not just bark orders.
4. Stop the Threat-Count-Repeat Cycle: The title said it all, but it hit differently when Ginger unpacked it. She exposed how parents, including me, often fall into the trap of nagging or counting instead of following through on correction. Hearing this felt like being gently called out. Gingerâs encouragement was firm but freeing: consistent follow-through teaches children obedience much more effectively than threats or countdowns. This lesson helped me break free from exhausting parenting loops, and it offers hope to anyone stuck in the same cycle.
5. Use Godâs Word as Your Parenting Manual: One of the most transformative moments in the book was realizing how often I parent based on feelings or convenience rather than Godâs Word. Gingerâs passion for Scriptureânot in a preachy way, but in a practical, applicable wayâwas contagious. She made it clear: Godâs Word offers timeless wisdom for raising children. Her examples of simple, short, and applicable Bible verses to use in conversations with kids were something I started applying immediately. This lesson offers every parent a stable foundation when everything else feels chaotic.
6. Discipline Should Be Calm, Not Angry: I thought I disciplined calmlyâuntil I listened closely. Ginger didnât shy away from calling out how anger distorts discipline. The way she used real-life scenarios made me reflect on my own tone and reactions. Her reminder that anger teaches fear, not respect, stayed with me. She challenged me to approach discipline with calm authority, which not only improves my relationship with my children but also models self-control. For parents prone to raising voices (like I was), this lesson is a gentle but firm wake-up call.
7. Consistency Builds Security: This was one of those lessons that made me nod along the whole time. Ginger explained how children thrive when boundaries are clear and consequences are predictable. She told stories of inconsistency leading to confusion and rebellion, and I could see those same patterns in my home. This lesson helped me commit to clearer boundaries and steady follow-through, making my parenting less reactive and more stable. For anyone struggling with back-and-forth parenting, this is a much-needed encouragement.
8. Parenting is a Ministry, Not a Chore: Near the end of the book, Ginger shifted my entire perspective. She reminded me that raising my children isnât just a responsibilityâitâs a ministry. I listened to this part twice because it spoke to the weariness I sometimes feel. She reframed every tough moment as an opportunity to disciple my children, to show grace, and to point them to God. That shift from survival-mode parenting to purposeful parenting was freeing. For any overwhelmed parent, this lesson offers a much-needed reminder that the hard work of parenting has eternal significance.
