Customer Reviews

Five Signs of a Loving Family

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ten bucks doesn't seem to be enough! I am always searching for great material on the family and I have found a resource I will use over and over again.

As the pastor of a contemporary church, I am continually faced with contemporary social problems - like the disintegration of the family. Dr. Gary Chapman does a great job of tackling the huge and broad arena of family relationships. I don't want to give away the entire book, but here are the five signs (maybe it will whet your appetite): 1. An Attitude of Service 2. Intimacy Between Husband and Wife 3. Parents Who Teach and Train 4. Children Who Obey and Honor Parents 5. Husbands Who Are Loving Leaders

If your family needs a boost, order this book! If I could afford it (and if I knew they would read it), I would buy a copy for every family I know.

The three chapters about Intimacy are probably the best in the book. It defines what intimacy is: Being able to look into another person and allowing the other person to look into your soul, without being judgemental or critical. It describes several kinds of intimacy: Intelectual, social, spiritual and sexual. These are the bonds that mantain a marriage together. The book has a section with practical exercises for couples to learn how to develop each one of the categories of intimacy described in the book. I had never read any source that expains this issue with such clarity. It has a very simple and practical application for the couple who wants to regain or reinforce their emotional connection.

I thought this book was good for understanding family dynamics. It gives you some good guidelines for identifying what a healthy family looks like. As a wife/mother-to-be, I got a realistic view of family life and what makes it work and not work. Good & Easy read. Not too preachy.

This book has a very strong tone of Christian conservativism about it. Of course, there is nothing wrong with that, but some more liberal-minded readers may be put off by it, as I was. The author has a background in anthropology and has lived among other cultures. While he suggests that this gives him insight into how healthy families work, he does not write from the objective perspective one might expect from an anthropologist. The whole of the book seems to take his American Christian perspective for granted; and in spite of scattered generalized references to other religions being "ok", the book seems to be written for an audience who also takes this viewpoint for granted. That being said, there are some wonderful suggestions and tips which can be applied in any kind of home. It is a quick read and extremely useful (though I wouldn't say inspiring). One further thing: I was at first put off by some of the chapter titles (e.g. "The Husband as a Loving Leader", "For the Wives Only: The Fine Art of Encouraging") - they seemed sexist to me, i.e. that the husband should run the household and the wife should encourage and support her husband in his role (leading only in a deceptive way, when at all). In fact, in spite of the titles, these chapters are really just about spouses being mutually supportive of each other and fostering an equal partnership in marriage. That's something that most people, liberal or conservative, can agree upon.

While blending a family, I picked up this book for help in building some healthy habits. I've read and enjoyed other works by this author (see many of them right here on Amazon).

This book is well-written and shows all families (not just blended or stepfamilies) how to move forward toward unity. I was not disappointed; read this book before or after "The Five Love Languages" by the same author; you'll enjoy how the two books fit nicely together!

Helpful for building a family, especially good for stepfamilies.

Barbara Sheldon, M.S.W.
I also highly recommend: Happily Remarried: Making Decisions Together * Blending Families Successfully * Building a Love That Will Last

This was an excellent book. The views presented make perfect sense. I see how others express love and understand better when others are showing love for me. Bought this for both of my brothers after reading it. Well done and enjoyable.

I have used this book in my work for several years. It is based on a combination of common sense, awareness and consideration for the people you care about. I also have The Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman. It makes a great wedding present and also is a valuable tool in helping people think
more about their loved ones' needs. I have a hard copy and several soft copies, which I lend to clients for homework. The books include worksheets, which are helpful in evaluations and ground work. Exceptional books!

I thought the family I grew up in was a somewhat functional family. Parents were 1950's "yuppies" with two boys and two girls. It wasn't until I read this book that I realized that we were six strangers living under one roof. We never shared our ideas, dreams, hopes, feelings or anything. Although we traveled to Maine every summer to stay with my grandparents, we never did anything with or for each other. We each lived our separate lives. This learned behavior transferred to my own family and has led to a drifting apart between my wife and me. I wish I had found this book years ago because it has practical activities that are designed to correct the lack of intimacy between family members. While years of counseling and books that have been read point out what the problems are, this book takes an active role in correcting the problems by giving step-by-step plans to overcome the lack of communication that is the root of all difficulties in a family. These guides are designed to take months to complete with the expectation that once they are completed, they actually will become a continuing habit of communication and growth.

It's not only a description of the five signs of a loving family but a helpful guide with practical advices about how to show love to your spouse and kids.
Some times it gives obvious advices.