I recently received the new book, Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family by Michelle Anthony to review.
In Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family: Avoiding the 6 Dysfunctional Parenting Styles Michelle Anthony guides us through learning about 6 types of destructive parenting patterns, and what we can do to overcome them. The world is constantly pressuring families, most of the time, not for the good. In this book, we learn how to stand strong, leave the pressures and dysfunction behind, so we can have a spiritually healthy family.
Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family
After an introductory chapter and a chapter where the parenting styles are introduced, the next 6 chapters of Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family cover 6 dysfunctional parenting styles in depth. These styles are:
The Double Minded Parent
The I Can’t Say No Parent
The Driver Parent
The Micro-Managing Parent
The Criticizing Parent
The Absentee Parent
While it would be awesome if we all could be perfect parents, or that becoming a Christian elevated one to perfect parent status, we are, indeed, all human. And that means there are no perfect parents among us. Therefore, we all fit into at least one of these parenting styles. It can make us cringe to read about our shortcomings as parents, but learning where we are is the first step in becoming better parents, and having that spiritually healthy family we all would love.
I like how the author not only describes each parenting style, but uses examples, including sample discussions, to show us what is wrong, and how to fix it. One chapter includes how to write a family mission statement to bring the whole family together to be of one mind and one accord. My family does not have a family mission statement, but I have often wished we did. (I wanted one, but other family members did not.)
In the Beyond Good Behavior and Chore Charts chapter, the author shows us how we can go beyond chore charts when our kids are young, to really reaching their heart as teens, so they can grow personally and spiritually.
I like that each of the 10 chapters end with Reflect and Respond questions. Yes, for the parent. No, they are not always easy to answer, but will help see where you are, which direction you need to go in, and most importantly, what to pray for as you make these changes.
I found the chapter Remember and Celebrate the Abundant Life especially meaningful. This chapter covers rites of passage for children, so they can go from our children to the men and women God would have them to be.
If you would like to become a better parent, a more Godly parent, have a better relationship with your children, and have a spiritually healthy family, I recommend you read Becoming a Spiritually Healthy Family by Michelle Anthony.
About the author:
Michelle Anthony is the vice president of Learning Resources and Family Ministry Architect at David C Cook and the author of Spiritual Parenting, Dreaming of More for the Next Generation, A Theology of Family Ministry, and The Big God Story. Michelle has graduate degrees in Christian education, theology, and leadership and over twenty-five years of church ministry experience as a children’s and family pastor. She lives in Colorado Springs and loves a good book and a cup of coffee.
Find Michelle online: website, Facebook, Twitter
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for review purposes. I received no other compensation. I was not required to write a positive review. My opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
