Raising Godly Tomatoes (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: tomato stake, firm swat, godly child, Mommy Radar, Mean Business, Towtiato Sta (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Weary of struggling with your toddler? Frustrated with the failing advice of secular psychologists and permissive parenting gurus? Leery of the strict focus on rules and the hyper-regimentation advocated elsewhere?

If you are simply looking for a straightforward Biblical approach to parenting that focuses on the heart of your child, as well as his outward actions, then Raising Godly Tomatoes is for you. In these pages you'll find a wealth of common sense and godly wisdom, a guide to applying reasonable discipline, and instructions on how to build a close relationship with your child.

Raising Godly Tomatoes encourages parents to keep their young children -- their little 'tomatoes' -- lovingly staked to them, in order to train and apprentice them in a godly way of life that will prepare them for Christ's calling in the future, and render them a pleasure to live with today. Elizabeth is a Christian homeschooling mother of ten children, ages 7 to 27. She lives with her children and her husband of 30 years, in the state of Michigan. She enjoys quilting, riding horses and playing her violin. She also spends much of her spare time encouraging parents daily via her website at RaisingGodlyTomatoes.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Krueger Publishing; 1st edition (December 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1605303305
• ISBN-13: 978-1605303307
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #703,846 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

68 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Bound" by Common Sense, June 2, 2008

By	Mommx9 "mommx9" (California's Mojave Desert) - See all my reviews

Please forgive the play on words... I couldn't help myself.

I found Mrs. Krueger's book both sensible and balanced. The simple premise is, "Keep children in sight and/or ear shot until you can fully trust them out of sight and/or earshot." While not exactly a complicated concept, it is quite revolutionary in today's parenting climate.

When you think about it, the concept is simple common sense. If children are to learn how to behave and what is and isn't acceptable behavior, we must be near them in order to demonstrate proper behavior and nip improper behavior in the bud.

I was surprised by several of the reviews. To read what some had to say, you'd think we read entirely different books. Mrs. Krueger encouraged parents to be reasonable, consistent, and most of all, loving! There is no pressure to isolate ourselves from everyone around us and where anyone got that idea, I cannot fathom! There is no encouragement to physical harshness of any kind. While Mrs. Krueger does not discourage corporal punishment, she certainly does NOT encourage the use of it on whim or for simple childishness. What is advocated in this book is, as the title says, "occasional" and obviously (if you actually read how she encourages constant loving interaction) nothing extreme or excessively harsh.

While I think the change would be initially difficult for both parent and child, embracing the simple principles of togetherness with your children and the consistent discipleship of their character will certainly foster close and loving relationships. I recommend that readers find Mrs. Krueger's website by the same name and read excerpts from the book and make an intelligent decision based upon rational assessment rather than overly dramatic misinformation.

52 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and helpful, June 3, 2008

By	Annelise S. (Southeast) - See all my reviews

I found this to be an immensely practical book that has helped me enormously in my childrearing. I really wonder whether those that are attacking it have even read more that the excerpt here. If you believe any spanking at all is abuse, you will hate this book--though many of the techniques presented here can actually help you parent with no spanking at all.

I really appreciate books with lots of real-life examples, and you'll find those here. Elizabeth Kreuger has not only raised ten children of her own, but been a mentor to many other mothers and so she has a wealth of examples to share that I found very helpful.

This is a calm, peaceful way to raise your children--and to really KNOW them. Highly recommend this book.

42 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Training up my Tomato, June 2, 2008

By	Wife and Mother "Kelline" (California) - See all my reviews

What a wonderful book that has basic fundamental training values. As a parent I absolutely LOVE this book and recommend it to those new parents or well into the stage. The author's love for children is evident and the training well thought out and researched. Different training methods are used. What a helpful useful wonderful book. I thank the author greatly for writting a basic useful book!