Customer Reviews

The Complete Book of Christian Parenting and Child Care: A Medical and Moral Guide to Raising Happy Healthy Children

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I am a big fan of the Sears' books and am feeling a bit guilty for giving this book a low rating! I own The Baby Book and The Breastfeeding Book and cannot write enough good things about both publications.

I purchased this book recently and was disappointed. I was hoping for a book that would help guide my husband and I in raising our son in a Christian manner. However, the majority of this book is dedicated to pregnancy and childbirth. Since my son is already 5 months old, I didn't really need this information. Very little of the book is dedicated to infancy, toddlerhood and the issues that come about during these stages.

The book is well written, but much of the information regarding nutrition, health, discipline, as well as many other questions/concerns/issues is better covered in The Baby Book.

I am so thankful I discovered this book! After being given the "Babywise" books before I had my first child, I quickly realized, especially after he was born, that there must be another way, something that was right for our family and for my child. So often as I've read this book, I find myself saying "That is so true," as the Sears' statements echo my own heart in raising my children., i.e., that we have a responsibility to be "God with skin on" to our children so that eventually they will seek the God that we reflect to them. I think what I appreciate most about this book, aside from the Sears' obvious love for God and for children, is that they are not dogmatic about their advice. Yes, they advocate certain parenting practices, but they never claim that theirs is the only way, or even "God's way." They acknowledge that others may be led to do things differently and that while they may not agree (e.g. about spanking), that leading can be valid. They continually reaffirm parents' abilities to discover what's right for their own children by learning their children and by following the leading the Lord gives them, regardless of what "everyone else" seems to be doing. Reading this book will remind you of why you became a parent -- I recommend it before your children are even born, if possible!

This book is simply fantastic! The authors provide a very Bible-based and scripturally backed method of childrearing. We found this book absolutely indispensible as Christian parents.

The authors encourage parents to work with the nature of the baby/child God gave them [which only makes sense - God created babies the way they are for very good reasons!]. I felt very comfortable using their parenting and child care recommendations and I truly found their ideas in harmony with my faith. We feel that using the suggestions in this book has helped us to become the parents that God wants us to be [well, on our good days at least! :) ]. We are also very pleased with the way our children are turning out.

This book provides a very interesting counterpoint to another "Christian" system of child rearing that was recommended to us - Gary Ezzo's "Growing Kids God's Way" [and the secular version "Baby Wise"]. For us, the Sears book was clearly more in line with our Christian faith and our beliefs about our divine calling as parents to God's own precious children. I would recommend any Christian family read this book as a balance to the Ezzo books - regardless of which method you choose, you will benefit from understanding both sides of the issue!

In this age of "Do it this way or you are sinning" the Sears offer a common-sense yet Scriptural approach to pregnancy and parenting. As always, it is clear that they don't think their's is the only way to do things, and encourage you to adapt to your own baby and circumstances. I found their strong Biblical, yet non-judgmental approach inspired and refreshing.

I love it that they tell the truth about what God actually said to Eve in Genesis 3:16, where the original text has been distorted and affected our whole birth culture. What freedom there is to know that Eve was NOT cursed to pain in childbirth, but was told that she would have to work hard to give birth, the same as Adam would have to work hard to get food from the ground.

As a Christian childbirth educator and labor support specialist, I recommend this book before all others except the Bible. Even if you are reading other Christian parenting books, please read this one to get a different point-of-view.

This book is extremely well-rounded and gives excellent sections on pregnancy, becoming a father, discipline, sibling rivalry, childhood sexuality development, and of course baby care. The Sears are parents of eight themselves and their experience shows. I especially like the Bible verses that they list on how God responds to his children's cries, and how they gently refute (without naming names) the Babywise tenets. I respect their credentials and their commitment to high-quality parenting, and I think this book is a great way to get on the right track from pregnancy onward.

Our family enjoyed this book for several reasons. It is a biblically based book that speaks not only how to raise children to know and love Christ, but also spells out the spiritual role for both mom and dad. It discusses in length the importance of attachment parenting and the benefits of the nursing relationship with mother and child. It was so helpful for us to read this book because we focused on getting to know our son instead of applying a list of do's and don'ts to his sleeping and eating patterns. Dr. Sears also offers great suggestions, but I love that he recognizes there every baby is different and there is not "one" right way to raise children

Whether or not you are a Christian, this is the best book I have read (and used) on raising your baby. Their insights and tips remind us that children are a gift to be nurtured, and they give great practical ways to stay sane and still nurture your baby. I recommend this for all of us who don't subscribe to the 'let them cry it out' crowd, but still want a life! Excellent reading!

This book is awesome. The Sears share how AP is a Christian approach to child rearing. It debunks the myths that the Ezzo's and Pearl's twist into "facts".

This book is one I give to all my friends who are expecting.

Without attacking the Ezzos, Sears discusses their classes and books (called, 'Growing Kids God's Way') which have been taking the U.S. by storm. A nice counter-point to those who would say there is only one way to parent. (An especially western, American socio-cultural way that is often as not, NOT God's way at all.) Refreshing.

This is the best, most balanced book that my husband and I have read on parenting. Dr. Sears and his wife give loving, practical, biblical advice on all kinds of issues regarding parenting. We especially enjoy their views on positive discipline without spanking. We refer to this book all the time as we raise our daughter!