Intentional Parenting-Autopilot Is for planes {review}

Book Description

This is about you, not just your child.

Regardless of age, parenting requires a certain amount of uncertainty. But you can be certain that your children look to you to help them discover who they are. And you can only offer that to the degree that YOU know who you are.

Over the years, Sissy Goff, David Thomas, and Melissa Trevathan have helped countless families through their ministry known as Daystar Counseling in Nashville, TN. Due to the unique setup of Daystar, each is frequently counseling not only the child but the parent as well. Having both perspectives provides an opportunity to speak into some of the most common struggles that parents face in today's fast-paced society.

Intentional Parenting is built around 12 chapters that each dispel some of the most common parenting myths and reminds all parents of truths that can empower them to be not only the parents that their children need but that God has called them to be.

The book helps you discover first who you are and then takes that healthy person into a discovery of being more intentional, playful, consistent, merciful, and connected to your children.

Understanding your child. Understanding you.

My Review:

I loved reading a lot of this book.  It posed quite a few great questions that made me think. The first of which, was "Why did you decide to become a parent?"
The book itself is complete with scripture and evidence showing how the scripture works in our everyday life, how it explains a lot, and teaches us too.

Here are a few questions the book poses... answer them in your mind, honestly.  I think you'll be surprised at the answers.


Identify three different moments when you felt helpless as a parent.

What did you take away from those experiences?

What may God have wanted to show you in those moments?

How has parenting changed you as a person?

The book has a chapter about being a patient parent. I know that I have a tendancy to not be patient... it's hard enough with a 7yr old, but having a special needs child can be especially overwhelming.

The book lists some exasperating moments, and invites you to think of your own:



Your three-year-old daughter draws on your dining room wall with a crayon.
Your seven-year-old son loses the Nook he just got for his birthday.
Your twelve-year-old daughter rolls her eyes at you . . . again.
Your fifteen-year-old son gets Saturday school for being disrespectful to a teacher.

What would you add to this list from your own parenting?

When was the last time you lost your temper, and why?

The book definitely made me think. I'd give it 5 stars, mostly for that.  There were a few spelling & grammatical errors.

In all, it gets 

Disclosure:  I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes.  I was under no obligation to provide favorable comments. Opinions expressed are solely my own.