This is the first review on this book.
Book Summary: The Christian Parenting Handbook (2013)- PART I of V
The Christian Parenting Handbook: 50 Heart-Based Strategies for All the Stages of Your Child's Life
The authors have put together 50 strategies for Christian parenting. The suggestions here are quite logical. The first 10 chapters look at some pretty broad issues. They suggest that consistency is overrated. Instead they suggest that you should focus on broader themes to develop the heart of the child. Focus on building internal motivation to do right. Consequences aren't the only answer. Identify character qualities (obedience, honor, perseverance, attentiveness, etc) to address problems. Transfer responsibility for change to the child. Focus on the relational side of parenting. Seeing a positive future. Look for heart moments. Make parenting shifts. Thinking long term.
My psychological perspective:
There is no harm in testing the strategies suggested in this parenting manual. To read all 50 strategies in one go is exhausting. I can tell you from the outset that not every strategy is research based, but authors never claim that the strategies are research based. I recommend going through a few of these strategies at a time with your "team" (partner, grandparent, everyone else who is looking after your child). The book is filled with real world examples that makes the strategies relevant and clear. The book focuses on building confidence in parenting and general guidelines parents can tailor to their life.
Modern day parenting training largely target the same aspects of parenting as presented in the book, but modern parenting training elements are often misquoted and misunderstood. In therapy with clients, we focus first of all on building parent-child relationships and encouraging prosocial behaviours before we do anything about undesirable behaviours! When I work with clients, I tend to recommend natural reinforcers (e.g. praise, pats on the back) over artificial reinforcers (e.g. tokens, rewards).
Not every parent needs parenting training. For some, they have learned how to parent by viewing good role models, reading books (much like this one)/ watched TV shows. But, trained therapists can help to coach better parenting skills and manage a broader range of individual family problems.
Modern day parenting training largely target the same aspects of parenting as presented in the book, but modern parenting training elements are often misquoted and misunderstood. In therapy with clients, we focus first of all on building parent-child relationships and encouraging prosocial behaviours before we do anything about undesirable behaviours! When I work with clients, I tend to recommend natural reinforcers (e.g. praise, pats on the back) over artificial reinforcers (e.g. tokens, rewards).
Not every parent needs parenting training. For some, they have learned how to parent by viewing good role models, reading books (much like this one)/ watched TV shows. But, trained therapists can help to coach better parenting skills and manage a broader range of individual family problems.
My Christian Perspective:
It's the same way my mother taught me (Deuteronomy 11:18-20). From a young age, my mother would teach us verses of the bible, she would help us apply the wisdom of God in our daily lives. The book highlights the importance of creating a family that loves/honors God and loves/honors each other. In the first 10 chapters, the authors gives ideas about how/why to refocus parenting strategies. Instead of focusing on behaviorally relevant outcomes, the authors suggests that parents should focus on building relationships with the child, and creating in them a heart that wants to do right by God and man.
My overall rating:
Excellent
I believe Part I (the first 10 chapters) of The Christian Parenting Handbook (2013) gives some pretty good insights into Christ-centered parenting. The authors don't tell me anything I wouldn't have learned in a basic parent-training course (e.g. Triple P) and it's quite lengthy. But it certainly costs a lot less than a parenting course and is jam packed with examples making it really relevant to parents. Compared to other Christian parenting books, it's quite up to date in terms of strategies (without explicitly citing any research).
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I can't believe you're doing a 5-part review on this book. That's great. The heart-based approach to parenting developed in this book has been revolutionary in my life. It’s helped me as a father, husband, leader, supervisor, coach, and in other areas. Behavior modification is effective if your only desire is to get your children to act a certain way. If you want to shape their character, you need to work on the level of the heart. My sons are both adults now and they are fine young men of good character. We consistently focused on the character quality of honoring others in our family! We returned home from vacation in December to find our whole house cleaned and a Christmas tree in place in the corner of the living room. Now that’s honor! This is just one example of the great insights from this special book. Every parent should have this book on their bookshelf or on their Kindle!
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