Book Review ~ "Graced Based Parenting"

"Grace Based Parenting" by Dr. Tim Kimmel

I did it. I got it done. I actually finished a non-fiction book in my Spring Reading Thing List right to the last page. I didn't give up halfway through. Yay, for me!

I put this book on my list after hearing lots of good things about it. It is recommended by Focus on the Family and forwarded by Max Lucado.

In the book, the author teaches that how we view God determines how we will parent our children. Dr. Kimmel helps you identify what catagory of parenting style you have been in and shows you that God, through his grace towards you, has modeled how to parent your children. Raising our kids the way God raises us. By embracing the grace God gives us we in turn can give it to our children as we raise them.

The book will teach you how to identify what your children need from you and how to give your children security by giving unconditional love.

Dr. Kimmel teaches that grace based parenting is not giving your children free lisence to do whatever they want when they want how they want. He teaches that there is grace within biblical boundaries. If the biblical based boundaries are not there it cheapens grace. God gives us boundaries as His children and so should we give bible based boundaries to ours. With in these boundaries there should be grace to let children be themselves. He teaches that grace-based homes should provide a safe haven for children to be able to be themselves. Grace based homes should not tolerate sin, evil or anything that goes contrary to clearly stated precepts in the Bible.

I tend to get really bogged down in non-fiction teaching books, but this book was interesting, easy reading. It did not speak like a university text book but like a real person talking to real everyday parents. If I'd have owned the book it would have been full of underlining and sidenotes in pencil. I wished I had read this as a young parent but it still helps me as a parent of teens. There was lots that I have to mull over and prayerfully consider as it does want to challenge my way of thinking in some areas. But that is a good thing. Heaven knows I am definitely not perfect in the parenting department and some things I'm doing do need changing.

There are study questions in the back for personal use or if you want to do it as a small group study.