|
by Mary DeMuth, published by Harvest House
I mentioned this book in my last post, and promised I’d review it here before leavin’ on a jet plane this week. Many other writers, more eloquent than I, are reviewing it too. I’d encourage you to check out this blog tour. Not only will you get more insight on Mary’s book, you will also meet some extraordinary bloggers. I find Mary’s writing to be authentic, transparent, and challenging. If you decide to read Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture you can purchase an autographed copy directly from her blog.
Reading through this book has made me uncomfortable at times. Being made to feel uncomfortable can be a good thing. When a position challenges my thinking, it’s an opportunity to grow.
As a homeschooling parent, I think there’s a danger in only reading parenting materials that support my point of view. A lot of “preaching to the choir” goes on in the homeschooling community, and a lot of patting ourselves on the back. While encouragement is good, self satisfied pride is not. Once in a while it’s a good idea to crack a window for a breath of fresh air. Reading Mary DeMuth’s book has been an invigorating change for me.
Parenting is all about eventually letting go. Days and weeks can pass and I don’t remember that. If God spares them, my children will be adults, and that day is coming faster than I care to admit! They WILL live in this present, evil world. Are they equipped to not only survive, but to engage this culture with the truth of Christianity?
No they are not. And neither am I. And neither are you…without Christ.
Here’s an excerpt from an interview with Mary. You can read the entire interview here.
How can a parent help their children prepare for the world outside their door?
Become a conversational parent. Talk to your kids. Listen. Share your story.
Dare to believe that God has much to teach you through your kids. Be humble enough to learn from them.
Create a haven for your kids, an oasis in your home that protects, supports, and gives kids space to be themselves. Take seriously the mandate that you are responsible for the soul-nurturing of your children.
Teach your children to joyfully engage their world, while holding tightly to Jesus’ hand. Teaching this comes primarily from modeling it in your own life. Do you engage your neighbors? Are you more interested in God’s kingdom than your own?
Admit your failures openly with your children, showing how much you need Jesus to live your daily life.
You are the first to admit that being authentic might require a parent to apologize after an angry outburst. Are you saying that authentic parents don’t always have it all together as some would like to think?
Yep! We are all frail, needy humans. If we present ourselves as perfect parents, never failing, always doing this correctly, we show our children we have no need of Jesus. We also set up a standard of perfection—that to be a Christian, one has to be perfect. This can lead to our children creating elaborate facades or hiding behind masks. I’d rather have my children see that even mommies make mistakes. Even mommies need Jesus every single day.
| 
Posted by Anonymous