Recommended books for "Parenting with Faith" class?

[LynnS6]

In a moment of great weakness, I agreed to facilitate a "Parenting through Faith" class at our church this fall.

I'm trying to get a list of readings together -- two kinds really. The first is a list of recommended books, both religiously oriented and non-religiously oriented (but consistent with faith) books. The second are readings expressly about parenting and faith.

I've got a few ideas, but would love more ideas and suggestions.

Just FYI, our church is ELCA Lutheran - so mainstream protestant. Theologically, we're relatively liberal (the church just voted to allowed gay/lesbian people to serve as rostered pastors), but there is a range from relatively conservative to quite liberal within each church. We do not teach a literal interpretation of the Bible.

Thanks!

[Bluegoat]

What about "Grace Based Parenting"?

[hotmamacita]

I do not have any readings for you except from the Bible.

I also think that the primary thing one must inculcate and facilitate in a discussion like this is a deep respect for individual parenting decisions. You are going to come under fire, to some degree, for preaching freedom and respect. Be wise, pray, and read Scripture.



All that said, I think it is a wonderful and needed topic! Esp. in churches.

[kangamitroo]

there are two pamphlets i know of, written from a Quaker perspective, that might be interesting to you:

God Raising Us: Parenting as a Spiritual Practice

Answering that of God in Our Children

they are not so widely available, but i found both to be useful for reflection

[Grace and Granola]

I just agreed to the same thing! We are starting with a book called "How to Grow a Connected Family." It talks about disciplining by way of connecting with your child, rather than disengage and spank or disengage and withdraw love.

In March I attended a conference called "Hearts at Home." (where I found above mentioned book.) There were several really great speakers and all of them had books. A few speakers I did not agree with as far as rewarding with money, etc. But, you can search for Hearts at Home and look at the resources they suggest. Another book we are going to do is "Professionalizing Motherhood." Trying to take the shame out of being "just' a SAHM.


Best of luck to you!

[LynnS6]

thanks for the suggestions -- please keep them coming! I'm trying to get a reading list together, so the more suggestions I have, the better. I'm quite biased in terms of AP, but I'm also confident that the research backs me up on this, so I'm OK with that.

Originally Posted by hotmamacita

I do not have any readings for you except from the Bible.

I also think that the primary thing one must inculcate and facilitate in a discussion like this is a deep respect for individual parenting decisions. You are going to come under fire, to some degree, for preaching freedom and respect. Be wise, pray, and read Scripture.

Thank you, that's a good reminder. My INTJ personality likes to judge, and so I need to constantly remind myself of the value of accepting others' views. I'm going to need a lot of prayer and wisdom to carry this off!

I've particularly labeled it as 'facilitating' discussion around these issues rather than 'teaching' a class on parenting. Right now, what we need is a starter conversation about parenting with faith and developing a community that supports families of all types. I'd love for a book club on parenting with faith to develop out of this, along with some family bible study and some other family connections. We do great with 'activities' at our church, but the long-term and deeper conversations are sometimes missing.

I just finished reading "Hold on to Your Kids" and would like

Originally Posted by Bluegoat

What about "Grace Based Parenting"?

Have you read Grace Based Parenting? I'm interested in it and too cheap to buy a copy (yet).

Originally Posted by Heatherb917

I just agreed to the same thing! We are starting with a book called "How to Grow a Connected Family." It talks about disciplining by way of connecting with your child, rather than disengage and spank or disengage and withdraw love.

Thank you - this sounds good.

Originally Posted by Heatherb917

Another book we are going to do is "Professionalizing Motherhood." Trying to take the shame out of being "just' a SAHM.

I'll definitely add this to the list. We do have a number of SAHMs in the group. I happen to be a WOHM, but I see the struggle that some of the SAHMs have in terms of 'justifying' what they 'do'.

As I said, I appreciate all the recommendatins. I somehow didn't multiquote the Quaker suggestions, but I'll definitely add those. Whenever I take the "what religion do you most closely align with" kind 'quizzes' on line, I always come up with "Quaker" as the one I most closely align with!

[JenBuckyfan]

Our church is also ELCA and in the past I know we've hosted a Parenting with Love and Logic class. Friends of ours didn't have kids when the class was held, but they've read the book of the same name and incorporated some of the techniques.

[hkowell1]

I like the 'Nurturing Parenting' curriculum. Nurturing God's Way for Christian Families, Bible based and stresses non-violent discipline.

[Bluegoat]

I have read parts of Grace Based Parenting, but not the whole thing. I enjoyed what I read.

[umsami]

I ran across this book on Amazon, and it looks interesting. "Parenting the Way God Parents: Refusing to Recycle Your Parents Mistakes."

[LynnS6]

:

Thanks everyone! I need to get a copy of Grace-based parenting, I'm thrilled to hear about Nurturing Parenting. I didn't care for Love & Logic much myself, but it's not awful (just 'too much logic and not enough love' as my dh put it), and might be good for some families. Parenting the Way God Parents might be really good for some families too.

Others?

[umsami]

Originally Posted by LynnS6

:

Thanks everyone! I need to get a copy of Grace-based parenting, I'm thrilled to hear about Nurturing Parenting. I didn't care for Love & Logic much myself, but it's not awful (just 'too much logic and not enough love' as my dh put it), and might be good for some families. Parenting the Way God Parents might be really good for some families too.

Others?

One book I'd recommend as perhaps just mentioning would be "She's Gonna Blow: Real Help for Moms Dealing with Anger." It's a Christian book on anger management. I think there are some lessons that would apply to all Moms... regardless of anger-issues or not. http://www.amazon.com/Shes-Gonna-Blo...7&sr=8-1-fkmr0