First Ask Why

“I wholeheartedly agree with Shelly Wildman that there is no better word to summarize what God calls parents to do than discipleship. She unpacks in detail what this discipleship looks like practically, while she reminds us that being intentional simply means being willing tools of the Great Discipler in the lives of the children he has entrusted to our care.”
—Paul David Tripp, author of Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family

“Shelly Wildman has written a wise book that will have a lasting effect because of her graced understanding and application of principled intentionality in raising a godly family. Readers won’t find cookie-cutter bromides here. Rather, they will find insight grounded in God’s Word and cheerfully conveyed in personal family narrative by a well-read author. This is a domestic page-turner to savor and reread with immense profit during those fleeting child-raising years.”
—Kent and Barbara Hughes, authors of Disciplines of a Godly Family

“Shelly opens the book with a perfect moment of utterly failed ‘family devotions.’ Bam! She had me. Why another parenting book? To take parents past the ‘how’ of performance and into the ‘why’ of intentions and motivations. Wildman does a bang-up job of showing the way to deeper, love-based discipling of our kids.”
—Leslie Leyland Fields, author of Parenting Is Your Highest Calling: And Eight Other Myths That Trap Us in Worry and Guilt

“Shelly Wildman doesn’t offer burdensome to-dos or simplistic 1-2-3 formulas. Rather, she calls parents to prayerful intentionality. Warmly, wryly opening her life to readers, Wildman gives us a window into godly parenting in the thick of soccer season, basketball tryouts, homework, and Sunday morning worship. Despite her many exemplary qualities, Wildman never claims to be a perfect mom—which must be why I love this book so much.”
—Jen Pollock Michel, award-winning author of Teach Us to Want and Keeping Place

“If you ever feel lost in the maze of mothering—all the advice, all the choices, all the new ways to raise perfect children—pick up First Ask Why. Shelly Wildman writes with the wisdom and insight that come from years of faithful parenting. Her book is full of excellent practical ideas, but more importantly offers solid biblical reasons to direct the choices we make as parents. This is an excellent resource to help parents understand their role from a scriptural perspective.”
—Melissa Kruger, editor at The Gospel Coalition

“Oh how I wish I’d had Shelly’s wonderful book as a young parent! Through practical wisdom, deep experience, and honest stories, she beautifully illustrates intentional parenting in a way that will inspire you no matter where you are in your parenting journey. . . . Her words will encourage you that you can absolutely do this parenting thing as long as your focus is finding and doing the will of God. Shelly guides you to examine what you are doing in raising your children, and she asks penetrating questions to help you examine why. . . . Let Shelly’s knowledge be your roadmap to raising children who know why they are here and know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, whom they serve.”
—Kate Battistelli, author of Growing Great Kids,’ and mother of Grammy Award-winning artist Francesca Battistelli

“As a fellow mom of girls, I’ve always valued Shelly’s heart for her family and her love of God’s Word. First Ask Why illuminates a topic that can often intimidate parents—discipleship. Each page goes beyond sage advice for raising good sons and daughters and gives action steps toward a biblical imperative. By aligning personal experience with an understanding of God’s heart, First Ask Why is an exceptional resource for nurturing spiritually strong Christ followers.”
—Wynter Pitts, founder of For Girls Like You, and author of She Is Yours: Trusting God as You Raise the Girl He Gave You

“Raising young kids to adulthood is like moving from little league directly into the majors. I keep wondering how everyone got so huge with such big life questions. If you’re daunted by parenting bigs, hold on to the wisdom of mentors like Shelly. One kid at a time, one intentional decision at a time, Shelly’s view of parenting is the big sister you can trust.”
—Lisa-Jo Baker, best-selling author of Never Unfriended and Surprised by Motherhood

“Shelly offers a beautiful mixture of challenges and encouragement for every parent seeking God’s plan for their family. As a mom of ten, I am continually asking myself why while raising my kids. The pursuit of intentional parenting is the shining light in the pages of this book. Every chapter brings a personal look into real-life parenting and always reminds us to seek God’s Word for answers. This is my absolute favorite part of Shelly’s book: a humble reference to mistakes and successes in her own parenting and how God uses his Word to lead us gently back to intentional discipleship. A top favorite on my list of books to share with others!”
—September McCarthy, mom of ten, author of Why Motherhood Matters, and founder of Raising Generations Today