Parenting is tough.
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love being a mom... but that doesn't mean that it comes easily. It's work... and most of us at some point or another feel completely clueless. I can't tell you how many times I found myself wishing that there was some sort of comprehensive handbook that was given to every new parent.
But let's get real. Even if such a book existed, it just wouldn't work. Every family is different. Every child is different. What works for one, won't always work for another. Is it any wonder there are so many parenting books that seem to completely contradict each other. Even in my own family I have found that I have to parent both of my children differently to some degree based on their very different personalities and what works for them.
Today, I'm sharing a book that reminds us of just that, 'Child Proof':
As a freedom-over-formula parenting book for parents of all ages, Child Proof provides biblical insight and encouragement for readers who want to parent by faith. As an experienced counselor of children and families and an adoptive and foster mom applying the CCEF model of biblical change, Julie Lowe uses Scripture and biblical wisdom to teach parents how to know their children and specifically love them with the love of Christ.
Every family is unique, which is why Child Proof explores the need for parents to cultivate personal and intimate care for their children as modeled in God’s individual, personal, and fatherly care to his children. This parenting book lays a foundation of parenting by faith and progresses by teaching parents how they can know their own children well and parent accordingly. By discussing particular issues parents might have in family life, Lowe demonstrates how parenting formulas aren’t the answer, and parenting with biblical wisdom is best for a proactive rather than reactive approach to parenting.
Through Lowe’s personal and professional experience, parents as well as those helping parents—pastors, counselors and counseling students, youth workers, and churches—will discover gospel-centered application rather than formulas for the ideal family, equipping parents to be experts at knowing their own children so they can know Scripture and live it out personally in their homes.
I'll be honest, I've read a LOT of parenting books throughout the years. One would think that by now, I'd be the perfect parent. Sadly though, there's no such thing. While some of those books might have been useful in bits and pieces, I always found myself thinking, 'that just doesn't make sense for US'. I'm not saying they were wrong exactly... they just didn't fit our unique life. That truly is the big problem with parenting books, isn't it? No two families and no two children are ever just the same. I love that this book really addresses that, and encourages you to parent YOUR child the best way for them. More than anything though, I love that it reminds us that we have already been given a good guidebook for ALL areas of our life, and that we should strive to parent based on those Biblical foundations. As Christian parents, shouldn't that be our ultimate goal?
I love that this book was written as both a mother and a professional... having experiences from both roles, I feel like she truly does GET it. Let's be honest... you can read and read about parenting until you're blue in the face... but you can never truly get it unless you've been there yourself. I love that she not only lays down that foundation, but also addresses a variety of issues that parents may face, and gives examples of how they might be addressed. It's not a one size fits all formula, but rather a foundation that can be adjusted accordingly.
This is a great read for both new parents and seasoned ones alike. Child Proof is available to purchase now at your favorite Christian book retailers.
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