DR Tim Kimmel "Grace Based Parenting"

[LovesOfMyLife]

Has anyone read this book? If so can you answer some questions for me?

1. Does it work?
2. Is it helpful?
3. Does it endorse spanking?


Thank you

 

[MyLittleWonders]

I have started reading it ... so far I really like it. To answer your questions ... hmm ...
1. Does it work? I guess it's going to work as much as you want it to. In other words, if you read it and agree with his approach and implement it consistently, then you will probably get "results". It's really about teaching parents about how to see their children through God's eyes. He writes about raising your children to be secure ... accepting them who they are/how God made them:

When they hear us say that it's an honor to have them in our home, that we are grateful for the chance to do all the things they need us to do for them (like haul them around, or spend a lot of money on them), they sense acceptance that makes them feel securely loved. Our attitude shouldn't be that we "have" to do all these things for them, but that we "get" to.

He discusses the "freedom to be different ... vulnerable ... candid ... and to make mistakes" in some of the chapters.
2. Is it helpful? I think so ... I think it gets parents to think more about what they do. I know for me, what little I've read has given me a different perspective on my kids ... realizing that yes, they do need discipline, but they don't need their spirit crushed at the same time.
3. Does it endorse spanking? No. As far as I can tell, it's not a book about spanking or in favor of it.
Here's a couple of study questions from the back of the book:

*How has God shown His grace in your life?
*What would you rchildren say they are competing against for your love and attention?
*How are you doing on accepting your children the way God made them? How can you do better?
*How are you modeling to your children the importance of helping others develop to their full potential? How are you trying to develop your child's full potential?
*Name your child(ren)'s 3 best friends, favorite sport, favorite musical group and favorite subject and teacher in school.
*When your child faces his or her next setbak or failure, what will you do to turn it into an opportunity to build a strong hope?
*What do you tihnk scares us about the grace-based model of parenting that focuses on the heart of a child rather than their behavoir? What does this say about our view of God?
*The next time your child want to follow a fad, what are you going to do? A few hints: Is it a Biblical or moral issue? Is it a practical or financial issue? It is a personal issue with you or them?
*What are some of the messages we communicate to our children when we respond to their candor in a high controlling, belittling, bullying, or trite manner? What can we do that will encourage them to approach us again in candor?

I think it's a good book ... it focuses on the emotional, mental, and spiritual health of our children as we are trying to discipline/teach them the way they should go.