I was excited to read the entries in the book from his children. I believe that really helped make the book a good go-to source. If his kids turned out as well as they did and can openly share their feelings about being raised, then this is a couple I want to learn from.
"She was at Wit's End Corner and had to say something to send a message." How many of you mom's can relate to that sentence? I felt right at home there with all three of my girls. Dr Eggerichs did an amazing job teaching how to send that message with love in all situations we find ourselves. He also did an amazing job teaching us how to teach our children that they need to respect their parents. I cheered through the chapter on Teamwork. "We distinguished unity (a united and harmonious front) from unanimity (having to absolutely agree all the time on all aspects)." That made me feel better about some occurrences in my household. It's like submitting for the moment and if it still get's your hair up, you can talk about it when the kids aren't around (so you can keep the united front).
"As our children grew, they did what children do - acted imperfectly." I remember that it took me a while as a parent to realize this one for the truth of it and I think there are many parents out there that still don't get it. Kids aren't perfect. None of are actually. They are a work in progress. All of us are actually. We have been blessed with the job of teaching our children how to act a little less imperfectly. Kids need to be kids and do what kids do. There is always a "with-in reason" but I think we try to make them act like small grown-ups way too often today.
Dr Eggerichs covered so much in this book. He talked about how to work through some of the challenges of being a parent. He quoted the Bible in every teaching instance. He quoted Proverbs so much that I realized that I need to really dig into that book because there's more there than I had originally read. He discussed how to be better to each other as parents in order to be better parents. I really enjoyed the whole gambit of topics that he covered in the book.
There were also seven topics that were expanded upon in appendixes on the website. I found this to be a bit of an inconvenience. The information was good enough to be included and I can understand why he would choose to leave them out. The book is the perfect size for the average person looking for a better way of life in their family.
Dr Eggerichs uses the word GUIDES to help his readers remember how to be better parents. My favorite example he used is a prayer:
"Lord may we...
Give with a spirit of generosity
Understand with empathy
Instruct with wisdom
Discipline with fairness
Encourage with discernment and
Supplicate with faith."
It's a hard list to remember at "Wit's End Corner" but it will definitely be worth it.
I would suggest this book to anyone who is expecting a child, all the way up through teenager. You can always work on your relationship with your children (grandchildren too). I really did love reading this book and cannot wait to hear your feelings about this book as well.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com® <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
