Review of The Christian Parenting Handbook by Dr Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller

Excellent. Excellent.  Excellent.  This book is a must have for all parents wanting to raise children with character.  It is jam packed with fantastic information, inspiring ideas and is just a great big breath of fresh air.  It's the kind of book you don't even want to skim through because it just has so much good stuff in it, I found myself taking copious notes - so excited at this Godly advice in parenting.  The main gist of the book is focussing on heart attitudes with children and character over behavior.  Yes, behavior is important however children need to do the right thing because they want to do the right thing - because it makes them happy, not because it makes someone else happy or because they get some reward from it.  The focus is on the heart motivation which is so vital.

I love how it gives examples of how to deal with certain situations, encouraging parents to get their children to practice correct behavior/responses straight away - by not giving consequences without requiring positive change/action related to it also.  By identifying heart issues behind negative behavior means the parents can then target the root character flaw and deal with that first through training in the positive side of it.  

They talk about emphasizing a child's strengths and potential strengths to nurture their heart - again focusing on character strengths and qualities as children don't see it themselves.  As you point these qualities out and why they will help them be successful in the future it all builds the child's self esteem but also directs them to desire to be more that way as it makes them feel good.

There is so much quality information in this book, I won't go through all of it.  However I do want to highly recommend this book for all parents - it really is a gem to give ideas and assist in raising well adjusted, positive kids.

Please note: Booksneeze sent me a copy of this book for review.  This review is not influenced by anyone else, it is my own.