Review: Spiritual Parenting

Spiritual Parenting

Author: Michelle Anthony

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: David C. Cook

ISBN: 978-1-4347-6447-8

This book has been sitting on my “To Read Pile” for a while now (in fact, I have an advance reading copy), so I thought I’d better read this one.

The Good: I appreciate the stories that she tells from her own life as a parent, as well as her feeling of frustration in trying to be a spiritual parent in for her kids. I also appreciate that Anthony admits that this is not a “perfect” way of parenting: “Spiritual parenting is not perfect parenting-it’s parenting from a spiritual perspective with eternity in mind.” (12)

Anthony jumps right in to the conversation after giving just a brief (1 chapter) discussion of her own experience. She rightly focuses the foundation of spiritual parenting on God (the rock) in chapter 2. The rest of the book breaks down what Anthony calls the ten environments of spiritual parenting (chapters 3-12). These environments are meant to help foster a true and authentic faith led by the Holy Spirit:

It’s crucial that we don’t create environments for our children to simply look religious on the outside. We don’t create environments to manipulate their behaviors. We don’t even create environments so that they’ll have an amazing belief in Christ. We’re creating environments so that we open our homes and our children;s lives to the Holy Spirit, so He can do His work in them. (41)

The Bad: None

The Ugly: None

Overall, I found this to be another valuable resource on parenting in a way that fosters spiritual growth in our kids. It opens up the how’s and why’s of parenting from a spiritual perspective to any and all parents. I will be using this book with the parents in my congregation.

Disclaimer:

I received this book free from David C. Cook with the expectation that I provide a review for the book. Providing me a free copy in no way guarantees a favorable review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”