Jun. 23, 2009 - Review of "Raising Godly Tomatoes"
This is by far my favorite book I've read this year. I'm not sure if I can share all I've learned in a short post. First of all, it's not about how to grow holy vegetables. Elizabeth Krueger, the author, offers much wisdom and experience (she has 10 children) of how to parent focusing on "the heart of your child, as well as his outward actions...applying reasonable discipline, and instructions on how to build a close relationship with your child." The 1st things to consider are
- Are you ready to make your children your full time job?
- Do you view yourself as the God-given authority over your children?
- Are you commited to separating your child from wrong influences (TV, friends, etc.)
- Can you reject psychology-based parenting?
She says that the way you begin is to keep your child close to you 100% of the time! She calls this "tomato staking". It means you're able to see what your children are doing, encouraging them and correcting them. You will know your children better and be able to recognize what's going on in their hearts. This means training their hearts to think as God thinks and their bodies to do as God does. In other words, if your child disobeys/refuses to obey you stop what you're doing and immediately make him obey. She asserts if you train for obedience, then you won't have to train for anything. You are convincing your child that he must ALWAYS obey you. And above all - BE CONSISTENT!! This may sound like you'll be spanking or correcting all day. You won't! You'll have moments of correction in between times of loving on you children - reading, cuddling, singing, playing, etc.
I haven't totally enacted all that she suggests. But I'm working on it and I've seen progress.
