A Full House of Growing Pains [Hardcover]

Barbara Cameron (Author), Lissa Halls Johnson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0882701894 | ISBN-13: 978-0882701899 | Publication Date: July 10, 2006

Barbara Cameron is a typical Christian mom who wants only the best for her children. As they were growing up, she did all the typical "mom" stuff, but her children were anything but typical. They were both television stars on hit sitcoms. Guiding them through the dark and seductive culture of Hollywood, Barbara was successful in keeping them grounded and making sure that God was first in their lives. They grew up to be spectacular adults, free from all the influences that assailed them except one-God's. She gives hope to every parent, along with sage advice on how to protect your children from "the world." The book is largely anecdotal and generously illustrated with never-before-seen family photos. A bold behind-the-scenes look into the private lives of her famous children and their faith.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barbara Cameron is the mother of televison stars Candace Cameron who played D.J. Tanner on Full House, and Kirk Cameron who played Mike Seaver on Growing Pains. As a mother who reared godly children within the pressures and pitfalls of Hollywood, she knows a thing or two about being a great parent.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Bridge-Logos Publishers (July 10, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882701894
• ISBN-13: 978-0882701899
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #480,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book for parents and explains the gospel, August 21, 2006

By 

Christian Book Previews "Christian Book Previews" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: A Full House of Growing Pains (Hardcover)

Imagine a young woman graduating high school, almost immediately marrying a man seven years her senior, raising four children while her marriage is falling apart, then fighting to restore her family while guiding two of her children to successful, famous careers and eventually starting her own business. Sound like something from Hollywood? Well, it is. And it's Barbara Cameron's life story. Two of Barbara's children became stars on long-running television shows - Candace played DJ Tanner on Full House and Kirk was Michael Seaver on Growing Pains. In Full House of Growing Pains, Barbara recounts the behind-the-scenes pressures of getting her children to auditions and rehearsals, dealing with the stage mothers and casting personnel, and a variety of other challenges. Meanwhile, her husband, Robert, was dealing with the other two children at home. Throw into the mix Barbara's feelings of faded love for Robert that eventually leads to her leaving him and getting her own apartment.

Barbara's father was strict, and he made sure his children went to church to learn about God. Throughout the book, Barbara's path of spiritual awakening comes through in the way she handles each situation she faces. After Kirk commits his life to Christ, Barbara becomes even more focused on strengthening her own relationship with God.

Full House of Growing Pains shows how a mother was able to raise her children to be strong Christians in spite of Hollywood's environment and her own personal struggles. The stories are interesting and the book, sprinkled with family photos, flows at a comfortable pace with a solid presentation of the Gospel at the end as Barbara wraps up her story. Barbara also shares her current passion of working with Children's Hunger Fund, bringing hope to needy children in Africa.

Besides being a good book for parents and those interested in biographies, it could also be an effective evangelism tool, especially for the large amount of people who are familiar with the careers of Kirk and Candace. - Jeff Friend, Christian Book Previews.com

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Honest and True, March 29, 2007

By 

Joseph Hildebrandt "Rev. Joseph P. Hildebrand... (Ogdensburg, NJ) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Full House of Growing Pains (Hardcover)

This wonderful book by Barbara Cameron explains the comings and goings, trials, tribulations, success's and heartbreaks of a Hollywood family. It's refreshingly honest with no spin at all. Mrs. Cameron had her shares of ups and downs in her personal life, all the while being a supportive mother who kept her "star" children in line and the "non-star" children were really the stars at home.
My heart went out to poor Bridgett who is the real star of the family!! But their amazing transformation into Born Again, on fire for Jesus Chrsit and their passion that none should miss out on Heaven is so honest, and pure, and indeed rare in a Hollywood where it's hip to be anti-Christian, anti-morals, and whatever goes is OK. Praise God for this family and I know that He is indeed Blessing us with this most excellent book. Thank you Ray Comfort for inspiring Mrs. Cameron. Thank You Mrs. Cameron for sharing your life with us, and thank you Jesus for loving and dying for all of us so that we may be saved!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Barabra Cameron is a kindred spirit in Christ., October 20, 2007

By 

Christina Hall "All you see or seem is but a ... (Illinois) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Full House of Growing Pains (Hardcover)

A great memoir about a woman doing her best to be fair and good in a system (Hollywood) that can corrupt the best of us.

What makes Barbara Cameron's story exceptional is that anyone can relate to her. We're able to see her adult relationship with God begin with her simple belief that He is our Creator who helps us when we pray. Then we're able to see Barbara's realization that He is Everything and there is nothing without absolute Trust in Him, and the changes in her life that ensue.

The feelings and emotions described in this book are the feelings and emotions so many of us deal with everyday and are left wondering how to deal with issues of faith and submission to God.