Timely, practical parenting advice: My review of "Love & Respect in the Family" by Dr. Eggerichs @DailyVineCA

about the book....

Children need love.  Parents need respect. It is as simple and complex as that!

When frustrated with an unresponsive child, a parent doesn’t declare, “You don’t love me.” Instead the parent asserts, “You are being disrespectful right now.” A parent needs to feel respected, especially during conflicts. When upset a child does not whine, “You don’t respect me.” Instead, a child pouts, “You don’t love me.” A child needs to feel loved, especially during disputes.

But here’s the rub: An unloved child (or teen) negatively reacts in a way that feels disrespectful to a parent. A disrespected parent negatively reacts in a way that feels unloving to the child.  This dynamic gives birth to the FAMILY CRAZY CYCLE.

So how is one to break out of this cycle? Best-selling author Emerson Eggerichs has studied the family dynamic for more than 30 years, having his Ph.D. in Child and Family Ecology. As a senior pastor for nearly two decades, Eggerichs builds on a foundation of strong biblical principles, walking the reader through an entirely new way to approach the family dynamic. For instance, God reveals ways to defuse the craziness with our children from preschooler to teen, plus how to motivate them to obey and how to deal with them when they don’t. In the Bible, God has spoken specifically to parents on how to parent. This book is about that revelation.

my review....

Timely, practical parenting advice is at your fingertips with Dr. Eggerichs' book, "Love & Respect in the Family", and I encourage you to grab a copy and gain some valuable tools for raising your children. The book is well written, conveying important truths in a conversational manner that is easy to read. Although I've read many parenting books, I enjoyed the author's take on the "Family Crazy Cycle", where he provides clear and relevant examples about what he's referring to, such that any family will immediately be able to relate to those crazy parenting moments! However, he doesn't stop there, but offers practical ideas on how to calm things down, and discipline your children in a way that still conveys your love for them, while earning and requiring their respect for you as a parent. Dr. Eggerichs calls for parents to bring their maturity to the situation, and not to personalize every self-centered action your child will make. He provides sound advice about allowing for imperfection from your children while still guiding them, calmly, to change for the better. I greatly appreciate that the book is built on Biblical principals with many examples drawn from the Bible. Parents will be able to read this book without feeling guilty, while still recognizing that, like any parent, they can change their parenting for the better, all based on timeless wisdom from God's Word.

I strongly recommend this book for parents or even grandparents. 4 out of 5 stars.

A review copy was received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

 about the author....

Emerson Eggerichs and his wife Sarah travel the country conducting the Love and Respect marriage conferences. Before launching Love and Respect Ministries, Emerson was senior pastor of Trinity Church in East Lansing, Michigan for nearly 20 years. Emerson received his B.A. in Biblical Studies and M.A. in Communications from Wheaton College and Graduate School. He was later awarded a Master of Divinity degree from Dubuque Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Child and Family Ecology from Michigan State University. Married since 1973, he and Sarah have three adult children. He is the president of Love and Respect Ministries and author of the best-selling book Love and Respect.

Find out more about the book on the publisher website: http://www.thomasnelson.com/love-respect-in-the-family.html