Authentic Parenting: Relevant Hope for Parents

I returned yesterday from a relaxing, enjoyable trip home. I drove to Indiana and spent over a week with family and friends.

 

During that time, I spoke with several teens and young adults who are struggling with tough issues: sexual immorality, the struggle to recover from painful and unexpected divorces, one young man's bitterness and anger over the death of a parent, and the hurts a college-age girl has experienced from rumors within the church. All of these young people have amazing parents who truly love their kids and love the Lord with all their hearts. So what has gone wrong?  

 

The fact is that most Christian parents desperately want to be godly, loving leaders and mentors to their children. And their kids want to serve God and experience His blessings and favor in their lives. But there's a disconnect. Why are so many teens getting bogged down in sin and shame? Why are parents not able to connect with their struggling kids?

 

Part of the problem is the difference in the modern generation (including the Builders and the Baby Boomers) and the postmodern generation (including Generation X and the Mosaics, or Generation Y). The values, belief systems, and technological advances available to today's youth make this a vastly different culture from that of the Builders and Boomers. 

 

If you're a parent seeking wisdom for parenting in this postmodern era, look no further than Mary DeMuth's excellent book Authentic Parenting. Mary offers a simple, easy-to-understand guide to postmodern culture. She does an excellent job of demystifying what's going on in your child's mind and explains how to engage your child or teen in meaningful conversation rather than alienating them by just giving orders. This book will help you understand not just the postmodern culture but the modern culture and the differences in values and attitudes between the two. Authentic Parenting will equip you to build a solid relationship with your kids by being authentic and loving, yet firm, and by capitalizing on "teachable moments" to illustrate biblical principles.

 

To order an autographed copy of Mary's excellent book, click on this link: relevantblog.blogspot.com. It will radically shift your understanding of what your kids want and need from you as a parent - and of what God requires of you as a communicator of His truth to the next generation.