Never Mind the Joneses by Tim Stafford
Reviewed by Janet Holguin
Stafford trades in a "one-size-fits-all" parenting program in favor of identifying and discussing some essential core values in a Christian home. While he suggests ways in which those values might be implemented, Stafford clearly emphasizes the importance of individual families finding ways which best work for their family culture.
Families Where Grace is in Place by Jeff VanVonderen
Reviewed by Carole Hoy
This is a wonderful reminder of Christ's work in our children's life and how we as parents act with Christ to rear our children in Him. This book will help a parent to shape a different perspective on Christian parenting.
The Spiritual Growth of Children by John Trent, Rick Osborne, and Kurt Bruner
Reviewed by Darlene Lambert
If I had to choose one book as a reference for raising children, this would be it. It is an easy to read book that starts at the basics. There are quizzes to identify your child's strengths and styles that point you to ways to teach each individual child, as well as things they may struggle with. It has an entire section titled, "Ideas and Methods You Can Choose From" that gives practical examples for family activities that point your children toward Jesus. The ideas and spiritual concepts that children can grasp at each age up to age 12 are spelled out. I find this book to be inspirational in reminding me that spiritual training does not happen by itself, and also in letting me know that training my children is not beyond my reach.
Too Small to Ignore: Why Children are the next big thing by Wes Stafford
Reviewed by Ann-Louise Jeffery
The president of Compassion International tells his own candid, gripping story of his childhood adventures as a Missionary Kid in an African village. He weaves together wonderful story telling with compelling insight, addressing the basic needs of children, everywhere! If you want your heart to embrace and understand the value of children in a new way, this is a must-read!
The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian
Reviewed by Carole Hoy
A great encouragement not just to pray for our children, but an
offering of pointed and powerful ways to lift them up to God.
The Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz, MA
Reviewed by Deane Lafferty
This book has proven to be a valuable tool to many parents who have a child that is a bit "out-of-sync" with their world and their development. Warm and easy to understand, this book does a masterful job of describing the ways children respond to sensations and their world around them. Kranowitz gives excellent examples of typical indicators that signal a parent that a sensory processing disorder (SID) may be present in their child. She offers hope, insight, and practical information that will help parents understand their "out-of-sync" child and how their nervous system works as well as helpful tools to address their child's difficulties. This book came to me highly recommended by an early childhood educator and I have used it as a resource over and over again with my own children and in understanding others.
Grace-Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel
Reviewed by Heidi Loewen
Learn to see yourself and your children through God's limitless
tenderness. Tim Kimmel teaches how to embrace the grace God offers, so that we can begin to GIVE IT- creating a sound foundation for growing morally strong and spiritually motivated children.
Faith Begins at Home by George Barna
Reviewed by Darlene Lambert
This book reminds us that it's not taking our children to church that develops a strong faith life. It challenges us with the statistics that the most significant religious influences for Christian teens is Mom, Dad, a grandparent, friends, siblings, then people at church. The author gives inspirational stories about instituting a makeover in your home, as a parent, in your child, in the extended family, and in the church. Each chapter concludes with family activities to assist in the makeover process.
