To say that I have read a lot of parenting books over the years would be a giant understatement! Besides having a degree in education, I am also the mom of six children. Today, I am excited to share with you my all-time favorite parenting book!
In addition to the Bible, I think I may have read just about everything written about parenting from a Christian perspective! The challenges of parenting have driven me to read all I can get my hands on. There is a multitude of good books and I have learned something from every one of the many parenting books that I have read, I don’t regret reading a single one.
As I look back at the long list of parenting books that I have read, I have asked myself …
“If I could choose only one book on parenting what would it be?”
The answer is easy! 
Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Ted Tripp
My children, and I am quite sure, yours as well, all have vastly different personalities, interests, and abilities. One of my children is autistic. Shepherding a Child’s Heart taught me how to parent the heart of my children and not to just focus on the outward appearance of good behavior. Touching a child’s heart with the truth of the gospel causes real change in a child and then we see behavioral change as a result. If we see a change in our child’s behavior but their hearts are hard then we have only made hypocrites of them.
I can remember when the book first came out and I still have the first edition copy! I ordered it from Timberdoodle one of my favorite homeschooling resources! Our then four-year-old was having some concerning behaviors and I was at my wit’s end, I ordered Shepherding a Child’s Heart in an attempt to help my precious four-year-old. Upon receiving my copy I plunged in and read it in two days. I started to make the appropriate changes and we saw immediate results. As you may infer from my testimony, I am incredibly grateful to Tedd Tripp for his ministry to families!
Here is an overview of Shepherding a Child’s Heart: Parent’s Handbook from Ligonier Ministries.
Shepherding a Child’s Heart is about how to speak to the heart of your child. The things your child does and says flows from the heart. Luke 6:45 puts it this way, “… out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” (NIV) Written for parents with children of any age, this insightful book provides perspectives and procedures for shepherding your child’s heart into the paths of life.
“Tedd Tripp knows what he is talking about and who he is talking to. He knows children, he knows parents … and he knows the ways of God. This book teaches you what your goals should be and how to pursue these ends practically. It teaches you how to talk to your children and what to talk about. It will inspire you to become a different kind of parent. This is a masterful book.”
—Dr. David Powlison, Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary.
“Dr. Tripp’s material on parenting is the clearest, most biblically framed, and most helpful that I have ever encountered. It has become the backbone of my own parenting. I am not alone, either. His seminar tapes are by far the most frequently requested biblical teaching material among my students, counselees, and friends.”
—Dr. Ed Welch, Professor of Practical Theology, Westminster Theological Seminary
Pretty high praise, right!?!
I want to add a caution about parenting books in general, nothing can replace the word of God. What I love about Tedd Tripp’s book is that he makes the Word of God come alive in a practical way!
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YOUR TURN…
What is your favorite parenting book?
Blessings,
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Thank you for the suggestion! I find that with each child and each child’s personality we have to find different resources to help us in their journey toward adulthood. When my boys were young we were in more of a “defense” mode. They were so physical and needed more herding at times than actual heart-to-heart. But, really, the title of the book says it, doesn’t it. SHEPHERDING — even though we might need to physically herd them, we also need to shepherd them to God. When my oldest boys were young I made the mistake of allowing Catholic school to be my primary method of faith formation. It wasn’t until I started homeschooling that I realized we, as parents, need to be the primary teachers to our children, both academically and in their faith. We are ultimately the ones who have to stand before God and be judged on how well we did as parents to the children He entrusted us with (that’s not a crack on Catholic school, just revelation of a reality).
One of my favorite parenting books is written by Dr. Ray Guarendi — Discipline That Lasts a Lifetime. He’s funny, but no-nonsense, more discipline than shepherding, but definitely gets you going in the right direction. He’s also a dad to ten, at least half of whom are adopted, so he has an idea about which he speaks. He’s also on the radio and I love listening to him because he makes me laugh, and you have to keep laughing when you’re parenting or you’re just sunk. And I have seen you laugh, so I know you get that!
Hi Barbara…thanks for your amazingly TRUE comment! I can’t believe that I have not read this book…checking into it right now! I just loved your comment about laughing…you get a hearty AMEN from me!
Thanks for the book recommendation, can’t wait to get started!
You are so welcome, Eileen!