My Book Report

I did not do a good job posting my thoughts as I went along, but I finished the book and returned in to the library (I didn't want to renew a 2nd time!). I'm going to attempt to write how the book is now influencing the way we're parenting in our home now.

First off, I really liked this book: content, style, attitude toward parenting, hopefulness, empowerment, etc. Michelle, thank you for suggesting it! Question: do you think it would be lame to give this book to someone expecting their first child? I found it so helpful and wouldn't want a friend to miss the opportunity to feel somewhat equipped BEFORE the little firecracker even enters the world.

Now for how this book has/is/will influence our parenting:

• Be the parent, it's best in the short and the long run for the family and the child.
• Let the child experience consequences, not the removal of affection or love. I'm always tempted to emotionally distance myself when I'm annoyed and/or angry; I grew up being guilt tripped often. This could cause my kids some serious damage.
• I can think creatively and come up with consequences that fit the "crime." Already we've come up with a few really good and effective consequences and have seen alteration in attitudes and behaviors.
• My life is also changing as I've been prompted to think about my lack of boundaries in certain areas, eg. food and computer use. Modeling is important for our children, not just being told something might be good for them!
  

I'm grateful for the help this book offers to parents. I plan to read it again sometime, to review as our children get older. Parenting is no easy task, but I like how the place emphasis on getting yourself some community and support in your journey. I also need to be thinking about and praying for my parent friends, as I certainly want them to do the same for me! It's too easy for me to fall into comparison or competition and forget that we all love our kids in the same way and desire for them to grow into well-adjusted, healthy adults.

Boundaries gets five stars from me!

Trying to catch up...What kind of adult am I??

Okay, so I have to admit that I have a thousand of excuses that I did not get the book...I could blame the library, my limited income, my kids which prevent me from getting out, but then I would fall into the victim category that is described on page 27 and possibly the irresponsible adult that forgets that "we shall all give an account to God for our lives (2 Corinthians 5:10)" (pg. 26). So, out of fear that I will be a victim or even irresponsible I will politely apologize for not getting the book sooner and will decide to take the initiative (pg. 29) and actually read the book. This is a book for our kids, right...a book about parenting?

Anyway, I have appreciated reading about the types of adults that kids become when they do not understand boundaries. As I hinted at earlier, I feel like I am an irresponsible victim with very little initiative. What a great description, huh? I find it a daunting task to realize who I am, my weakness, and then to train my children in a way that they will not fall into the same sinful patterns that I so often exhibit. Lord, have mercy!

So, with all this "tall order" (pg. 36) of parenting at hand, I look forward to reading the rest of the book...as long as my responsible side wins!