Subscribe to Christianity Today
Subscribe to Christianity Today
Donate to Christianity Today
login | my account
February 14, 2012

Home > 2010 > JanuaryChristianity Today, January, 2010
My Top 5 Books for Shaping Parents




The Myth of the Perfect Mother: Rethinking the Spirituality of Women
By Carla Barnhill (Baker)

Written by my friend and co-blogger, this book shoots beyond deconstructing myths. Barnhill's words embrace us moms (and the men who love us) who don't fit expectations and feel trapped in stereotypes—and lets us know we all are in good company.

* * *

Are Women Human? Penetrating, Sensible, and Witty Essays on the Role of Women in Society
By Dorothy L. Sayers (Eerdmans)

The two essays in this witty book give proper perspective to the needs and roles of women (and, therefore, mothers and fathers) throughout history, encouraging women to seek "interesting occupation" no matter their primary role.

* * *

Money, Possessions, and Eternity
By Randy Alcorn (Tyndale)

It's easy for Western parents to get consumed by needing to give our kids every thing to be good parents. Alcorn shakes this unbiblical thinking right up and shifts the focus to its proper place.

* * *

Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child
By Marc Weissbluth (Ballantine)

Sleepless babies make crazy parents—if you've been there, you know. These sensible sleep tips for children offered by a kind, wise, and trustworthy pediatrician give parents a way to get their sane selves back.

* * *

Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son's First Year
By Anne Lamott (Anchor)

Parenting is lovely and funny and gross and messy and scary. Lamott makes it okay to not only feel each of these things—but to write about them, too.

Caryn Rivadeneira is author of Mama's Got a Fake I.D.: How to Discover the Real You Behind all That Mom.



Related Elsewhere:

This article was posted with Christianity Today's January cover package, which includes "The Myth of the Perfect parent" and "Spiritual Lives All Their Own."

CT's previous articles on family and parenting include:

White Flag in the Mommy Wars | The theology that many parents are missing. (September 28, 2009)
The Fatherless Child | It is a unique cultural moment for the church to act like a family. (October 9, 2007)
Wild Child: How Bad Is Child Care for Kids? | Is daycare preparing toddlers to become bullies? (June 11, 2001)
Parents and Prodigals | As my daughter leaves for college, packing up her belongings, she is still a stranger to me. (June 23, 1978)




Christianity Today


  


Subscribe to Christianity Today and get 3 free trial issues. No credit card required.

Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only.

If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive nine more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The three trial issues are yours to keep, regardless.


Click here for international orders2-for-1 Gifts!

sarah

January 11, 2010  10:13pm

I'm a pediatrician and am happy to see Dr. Weissbluth's book in the list. It's my very favorite book about sleep and I recommend it regularly.

cynthia

January 10, 2010  3:36pm

The inclusion of Anne Lamott as a good authority in an any article of Christianity Today makes me question the validity of the magazine and of the other recommendations in the article. All I know about Ms. Lamott from reading Salon magazine leads me to conclude that she's more kooky than Christian. She certainly is not orthodox in her beliefs why would I want to model her example?

You must be a Christianity Today subscriber or have created a FREE registration to post comments
[Browse More Christianity Today]



Search
Search
Search
Scripture Search
Go Deeper

Books & Culture
Christianity Today
Church Law & Tax Report
Church Finance Today
Leadership Journal
Men of Integrity
Kyria.com
ChristianityTodayLibrary.com
PreachingToday.com