The Christian Parenting Handbook: 50 Heart-Based Strategies for All the Stages of Your Child's Life Paperback – April 29, 2013

Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to get married and have a family. This meant that my career had to finance a house and allow my wife, Maryam, to stay at home with the kids. As the economic ground shifted under our feet early in my career, this objective consumed much too much of my time. Meanwhile, supports in society and in the church for parents raising kids were mostly obsolete or non-existent. In this family-hostile environment, Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller’s The Christian Parenting Handbook comes as welcome relief.Turansky and Miller focus on identifying and enhancing character development, not behavior modification, from a biblical perspective. They advance 6 principles:1. Begin with prayer, asking for wisdom, grace, patience, and perseverance;2. Build on a biblical foundation;3. Think long term focusing on patterns that reveal issues of the heart;4. Watch for variations on a theme;5. Focus strategically and leave less important issues for another time; and6. Look for internal stumbling blocks that hold up development.They return to these principles throughout the book but do not simply present an analytical framework. They write the book in 50 chapters focusing each on a particular issue or idea. Early on they cite the Apostle Paul:See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8 ESV)By focusing on heart issues, Turansky and Miller go beyond applied psychology and the how-to suggestions that are usually given parents and think about parenting differently. Their claim to offer a Christian approach to parenting is not lite fluff. This point becomes clear when they compare their ideas to the more typical advice to parents.For example, in chapter 1, Consistency is Overrated, they compare a heart-focus to the usual behavioral modification approach which insists on consistency. Behavioral modification requires consistency because it is based on stimulus—response theory. Each time a stimulus (reward or punishment) is applied, the same response is solicited. But the Christian parent does not want the child to do what’s right because a reward is given (or punishment avoided)—they want the child to desire to do right—a change in their hearts (2-3). Consistency is often inappropriate when focusing on the heart because each child is different.In chapter 2, Build Internal Motivation, they compare internal and external motivation as parenting strategies. External motivation argues: if you do X, then I will let you do Y (5). The problem with external motivation is that children learn to expect a reward for good behavior. By contrast, God told Samuel in selecting a new king for Israel: For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV). In a heart-based approach, the parent shares values and reasons behind rules while remaining relational and firm (6). In discipline, the parent expresses sorrow, not anger (7). External motivations are used primarily to encourage internal motivation (8).In chapter 3 Turansky and Miller continue this theme advising parents to focus on reinforcing good behavior rather than simply harping about bad behavior. Character qualities to look out for include: obedience, honor, perseverance, attentiveness to others, patience, self-discipline, and gratefulness (16). In observing problem behaviors, the idea is to link it to a character quality that needs more development (16-17). In discipling towards character changes they advise parents to tie the return of a privilege to positive actions, not the absence of bad behaviors (12).Clearly, this book offers a lot of good advice [1].Turansky and Miller’s The Christian Parenting Handbook is not your typical parenting advice book. In focusing on heart changes, they avoid the usual child expert and child psychology advice. Their application of biblical teaching is at the core of their thinking, not just a decoration of their own ideas with Bible passages. Consequently, their approach to applying biblical teaching extends beyond the realm of parenting.As I was reading through Turansky and Miller, I kept thinking: oh my goodness, my kids are 20 something and this book was not available to me when I needed it. Turansky and Miller anticipated this reaction. They offer encouragement—never give up on your kids. God can change a person at any age by working on the heart (204). It is never too late—God can change parents too.[1] Turansky and Miller are founders of the National Center of Biblical Parenting and Biblical Parenting University

My Review on Dr.Scott Turansky, and Joanne Miller Rn, & BSN, "The Christian Parenting Handbook - 50 Heart-Based Strategies for all the stages of your Child's life".As a Busy Mother,I admit I don't seem to find the time to pick up a book much less read one but I was so happy when I opened this one. I got really excited when I read the table of contents. YES!! I thought because I finally have something that I can refer too quick and easy, So many Parents are going through the same things, all around but no one knows how to help to fix all the problems, I know someone that is going though with some of the current problems so this book will work for everyone with Children no matter what their stages of the Children. It can help all those ones with those "fixed" Behavior problems or to just help start your Child's Internal Motivation, or just help to rebuild those relationships with your Children that you had with them when they were babies. There are 50 Heart Based Strategies to help you be the parent that you long to be.I completely Recommend Turansky and Miller's Book "The Christian Parenting Handbook"With only about 4 pages of on each of the 50 heart based strategies that is easy understood I was very happy with this book.

I grew up in a home primarily influenced by Dr James Dobson James, Focus on the Family and "Dare to Discipline". Spanking was used a lot in my home when were were young, but wasn't the exclusive form of discipline. My parents were new Christians and I believe they really did a great job raising us! Fast forward a couple decades, my husband and I are formulating our own plan and asking the Lord to guide us in how he wants us to raise our little son. I just didn't want spanking to be our #1 go - to discipline. Moreover I knew there had to be more than training kids in the same way you train a dog. I'm so grateful for this book! I feel it's very balanced. Yes some things are emphasised again and again but I don't think it's necessarily meant to be read as a marathon (maybe a chapter a day). I love the emphasis on addressing a child's heart, not merely modifying behaviors. Most importantly I love the exhortation that no matter what, you must rely on the Lord! There's no magic pill or silver bullet method for all! You must rely on God's guidance with each child and situation! So true! I highly recommend this book!

I was very excited to receive this item and love the content but find that it is geared towards older children and my son is not even 2 yet. I will read it again as he gets older and it is more applicable for our situation.

I love the format (2-3 page chapters) with solid nuggets of truth that you can immediately apply with your own kids. Every chapter deals with a new topic and teaching the principle as succinctly as possible. It is the best bang for your buck in terms of parenting books.The book is not only relevant for dealing with children but also your own immaturity as an adult, not to mention the childish behavior of other adults.For example, one chapter deals with "tasks, problems, and conflicts," and states that when a problem arises you can either break it down into tasks and resolve it, or you can add negative emotion and create a conflict. What a simple strategy to teach our kids. How many adults do we know that fail to do this every day and create boatloads of conflict?!I also have found "The Birth Order Book" by Kevin Leman to be helpful in understanding myself and my kids.