7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Parenting Gets Real, June 30, 2007
This review is from: Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture: Practical Help for Shaping Your Children's Hearts, Minds, and Souls (Paperback)
Mary DeMuth offers honest sharing about her own parenting journey, specifically after moving her family to the very postmodern France, and also includes the experiences of others.
Honestly seeing the recent catchphrases "authentic" and "postmodern" always causes me to have a little skepticism. But instead of the excuses or ultimatums about the "right" way things must be done that I sometimes expect to find in works ascribing to this philosophy, I was pleasantly surprised that all I found is an explanation of why kids are different as a result of today's thinking, and how we can best parent them as a result of it.
Favorite sections addressed having conversations with your children, coaching them, and making your home a haven and a community, both to your family and to include others.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Christian Parenting encouragement and hope, July 20, 2007
This review is from: Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture: Practical Help for Shaping Your Children's Hearts, Minds, and Souls (Paperback)
I've read that postmodern Christianity is an oxymoron. I've heard that some Christian booksellers won't sell this book because it has that "word" in its title. How sad--I feel especially bad to think of all the parents who will not read it, and never know what they're missing!
Mary DeMuth's book, Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture, is not about subjugating Christian ideals to the evil of postmodern thought. It's about encouraging the love for Jesus in the evolving mindset, embracing what is gold and learning how to deal with the dross. For a long time now I've been conscious of the fact that God has always known how man's thinking would change, and He set up Christianity in such a way that it can and will adapt to every possibility. This book confirms my thoughts, and it comforts me.
Christians can't change the world's new attitude, but we can change how we are "in the world, not of the world". Mary gives so many examples of how to live Christian right now--doable ideas that fired my imagination and filled me with enthusiasm. I've already "practiced" on my youngest, and plan to implement several of these tenets both with my family and in the class I teach for my church.
She details her sojourn in France to establish a church, and how her family encountered a decidedly postmodern culture. She pointed out so many things I've sensed, yet couldn't give a name to; gave voice to my concerns and confirmed some of my convictions. She doesn't claim to know it all but she has a good handle on the issue, and explains it in such fantastic prose that I had no trouble understanding. She writes with such grace and personality that I feel I've come to know her. She doesn't tell the reader how she did everything right, but details her authentic parenting--flawed, but loving, striving. Her love for Jesus permeates every paragraph, and her stories of mistakes and concerns make the book that much more approachable.
By the second page I grabbed a pencil, dog-earing wherever I needed to remind myself of some passage that spoke to me. When I showed the book to my husband, he just laughed. Nearly every page is dog-eared. Those that aren't are mostly chapter breaks. My husband and I will read it together, using the provided discussion questions along with our own observations.
I'd planned to loan this copy to my two oldest for their families, but I won't give it up. I'll have to get them their own. I've read many, many parenting books in my twenty-seven plus years as a mother. Most gave me rules on how to parent as a "good" Christian--how to do it "right". Mary's book led me on a discovery, the "lessons" resonating because they not only applied to navigating a postmodern world, but to what I believe is true Christianity--love thy neighbor, judge not, be not afraid, above all, love God, and do His will. She spoke of relevancy, humility, social justice, gratitude--so many qualities I've sensed this old world needs.
God bless Mary and may she continue to bless us as well, with her words.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture, July 14, 2007
This review is from: Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture: Practical Help for Shaping Your Children's Hearts, Minds, and Souls (Paperback)
Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture is written for parents seeking to raise Christian children in a postmodern world. The cultural shift from modernism to postmodernism raises new questions and issues for parents. Truth is no longer objective but is dependent on circumstances. How do you authentically parent your children and encourage them to have a relationship with Jesus in a world where truth is subjective?
This book provides Bible-based information on different aspects of postmodern parenting. Topics discussed include conversational parenting, learning from your children, creating a safe haven in your home, connecting with your children through art and creativity, coaching your children from dependence to independence and Jesus' abundant provision for parents. Ms DeMuth draws on personal experiences and interactions with her children. She shares a number of examples from the time her family planted a church in France. Other parents share their experiences and each chapter has a study guide with questions for group discussion.
Authenticity in parenting, as opposed to image-parenting, is essential in a postmodern culture that values authentic relationships. Ms DeMuth explores different ways to teach the Bible to children that are meaningful and that encourage children to ask questions and grow in their relationship with God.
Another trend of postmodernism is the switch in focus from individualism to community. An authentic expression of community is desired, although it is not easy to find. Parents create their children's first community. Ms DeMuth encourages parents to create a community of grace that helps their children to understand the heart of God. She explores how parents can equip their children to be salt and light in the world. She encourages parents to role model Christian behavior and to teach their children to proclaim Jesus and live out His principles, which includes a concern for social justice. The postmodern world hungers for a unique expression of the reality of Jesus. How do you teach children to be thankful rather than prideful in a world full of selfishness?
I found this book challenged my perceptions on parenting and encouraged me to consider the kind of faith I desired for my own children. The honest and authentic tone of this book made it easy to read and identify with the examples given. I would recommend this book to other parents who desire to authentically parent their children and to equip their children to live a godly life in a postmodern culture.
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