Tuesday, February 8, 2011

"Regret Free Parenting"

If you're a mother, "Regret Free Parenting" by Catherine Hickem may very well be the answer to your prayers! This book will save you time AND money in counseling sessions for the years ahead and more importantly, it can help you develop the most healthy relationship with your children that you could ever dare to hope for.


I nearly finished the book in one sitting. The author is a fantastic writer and has an amazing ability to drive home a powerful, convicting message, without a hint of condemnation. (And that's hard to do when you're talking to mothers) The message reminds me of the old saying, "If you're going to do something, do it right!" The problem is there is a lot of confusion as to how to raise your kids "right." Catherine Hickem takes the "guessing" out of good mothering and cuts right to the heart of the truth: How successful you are as a mother depends upon your relationship with God. Period. I love how the author so eloquently, yet powerfully, drives home the message that if you're not intentionally pursuing your relationship with your Creator, you can't possibly get it right. Shouldn't mothers be consulting the One who created their children in the first place??!! Seems obvious, but from the problems in families today, it's obviously off the radar. The issues that many mothers focus upon tend to center around the problems of their child . . . the author cautions us to look in the mirror and examine our faith, habits, thinking patterns, and self worth. The author turns the table and says it STARTS with the Mother. She wants you to focus on yourself . . . if you can work on your relationship with God, the rest will fall into place.

The message within the book walks through each stage of childhood. (From birth to married children; however, she focuses on the critical years . . . the "tweens." The author doesn't miss a step. Her goal is to help your realize that in order for you to raise "good" kids, you must start by focusing upon yourself. That's a breath of fresh air to those who have been bombarded with anecdotes on how to raise children! Truly this book is BRILLIANT! (AND from experience, I know that what the author is teaching works.)

I will say the title is probably a little overboard. There simply is no such thing as "Regret Free Parenting." We're not perfect, we can't possibly do everything right . . . but with the help of Catherine Hickem, you may very well minimize those regrets to being close to zero! If you're a mother, this book is your winning lottery ticket! (In other words, I HIGHLY recommend this book!!!!!)

*I received this book for free through the Thomas Nelson BookSneeze Program in exchange for my unbiased review.

4 comments:

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

As a mother of six children ages 27 to 5 I have to whole heartedly say "amen" to the last comment you made..there isn't such a thing as "Regret Free Parenting" because we live in a fallen world and we as parents are sinners and so are our children...just look at all the example in the Bible starting with Adam and Eve who had a perfect parent...however, God is the in the business of redemption and so He takes our failures and turns them into His plan in our children's lives, as well as our own.
Sounds like a good book...the same is true for marriage, we need to look at ourselves and our sin and not just the list of "how to's"...thanks for the post and the review.

Anonymous said...

The thing I don't like about parenting is that I don't know the end result for, like, 18 years. lol I mean, I'd like to think I'm doing a good job, but the most innocuous things can be embedded in their psyche and don't manifest for a while. They're so delicate! I just hope I raise good ones. The fact that I'm concerned about it must mean something...

Unknown said...

I am so glad you have gone past me in reviews on booksneeze. I love getting books, but it takes too long to wait for the next book. I am sure you agree. Hope we get some more good books like this one soon.

Janet said...

Thank you for reviewing this book, and for your words of wisdom. Now to just put it into practice!

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I am so blessed that you would take the time to share your thoughts with me! You encourage my faith and I pray that God will fill you to the full with His love, mercy,and grace! With joy, Cherie

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