In this revised edition of Shepherding a Child's Heart, Dr. Tedd Tripp not only draws on his thirty years of experience as a pastor, counselor, sch...
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Dec 30, 2010
Skylar
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This is a very popular book among Christian parents, especially evangelicals, but I personally didn't find it particularly realistic or helpful. I certainly did glean a few insights from it, but, on the whole, I found its premise a little far-reaching for an ordinary human parent.
Tripp's point seems to be that you should shepherd your kid to examine his motives, be aware of his sins, and do good for the mere love of God. It's a noble goal, and every Christian parent's ultimate hope More...
Tripp's point seems to be that you should shepherd your kid to examine his motives, be aware of his sins, and do good for the mere love of God. It's a noble goal, and every Christian parent's ultimate hope More...
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Oct 30, 2011
Mrsyounger
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A little over a month ago, we participated in the baby dedication at church. The idea is that as parents, we dedicated ourselves to raise our child in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. And the congregation, particularly those that are apart of your life, dedicated themselves to assisting and exhorting you in that endeavor. Its nothing all that fancy, but its one of those rituals or sorts of things that help to impress something on ya.
At the time, we got a gift bag with a certificate, More...
At the time, we got a gift bag with a certificate, More...
Jun 05, 2011
Jodie
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This is one of the first parenting books I have read. I know that sounds awful, but I rely a lot on my friends' advice, pastor's advice, what my mom did with me, and then a lot of common sense. When I began reading this book I was very impressed with some parenting tactics that I just hadn't thought about before. For example, Tripp says to ask kids questions of "how" instead of "why." By changing that one word, it requires more of an interactive response from the child. I tri
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Sep 24, 2010
John
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Tripp's book in many Christian circles is already a classic, and rightly so. Tripp lays out in his book a strong theological case for robust and Christ-centered parenting that leans on the shepherding model our own Heavenly Father uses. Tripp does an excellent job working through unbiblical methods and then not just building up a model of godly parenting, but giving specific instructions and practical application for parents.
Tripp is particularly strong in this book as it comes to infant More...
Tripp is particularly strong in this book as it comes to infant More...
Jan 28, 2010
Carolyn
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I haven't quite finished this book yet, but think I can review pretty well right now . . . 3 stars or 4??? I like the book alot and think all Christian parents should read it but found some of it to be a little rigid. Also, this man is writing as the parent of (nearly) grown children. I doubt he spent days on end in the training and discipline of pre-schoolers and likely has forgotten some of the day to day frustrations that need to be worked out among siblings that don't deserve the severity of
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May 12, 2009
Melyssa
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If I were to list my top five or ten parenting books, this wouldn't make the list. I did glean some good things out of it; but they came more from talking with other parents about the book, then they did from reading it. I was the only one in our group that didn't love, love, love this book. I found the author to be a bit condescending and even the humble parts seemed contrived. He's probably a wonderful person with wonderful kids, but I didn't appreciate or agree with his claims of "un
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Dec 28, 2010
Stephanie
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liked it okay. I just think that it shouldn't have taken that long to say what he said. It got a little repetitive to me. Here it is in a nutshell:
Yes, we should direct children's motives, not just their behavior. Yes, we should, in everything, encourage them to seek God's desires for them. We can't expect godly results by following the world's patterns...etc...In infancy- toddlerhood, the concept of obedience and authority is the primary focus. From Kindergarten to 5th grade, focus on cha More...
Yes, we should direct children's motives, not just their behavior. Yes, we should, in everything, encourage them to seek God's desires for them. We can't expect godly results by following the world's patterns...etc...In infancy- toddlerhood, the concept of obedience and authority is the primary focus. From Kindergarten to 5th grade, focus on cha More...
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Dec 21, 2011
Laura
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This is probably the best book on child-training that I have ever read. Pastor and parent Tedd Tripp offers principles, applications, and advice on how to win a child's heart through care, instruction, discipleship, and discipline. One of the basic principles of this book is that every action of a child is a manifestation of his heart. If a child's behaviour is unruly or rebellious then the actions themselves should most certainly be addressed - but only as a symptom of a greater disease. I thou
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Jan 02, 2009
Buddy
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I think it gives a good foundation for bringing up children, with which I have no experience, so this must be taken into account when reading my review. His whole premise is that you raise up children in the admonition of the Lord and he gives practical steps to do this. The first stage of child rearing is to establish that you, as the parent, are the primary authority in their life and that the child is to submit to your authority because of this. Tripp then gives some instruction on how to est
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May 12, 2011
Melody
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Ahhh! This book is killing me. I really appreciate parts of it. Particularly those talking about communication, helping a child understand their own heart, the importance of modeling and asking forgiveness for your children, respecting your children, etc. I also appreciate his assessment of the importance of obedience. I am extremely frustrated by his assertion that spanking is not only mandated by God, but the only biblical consequence for bad behavior. I don't believe he sufficiently backs thi
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Aug 10, 2010
Lynnea
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This is an incredible book! If you want a child who obeys - not just for the sake of obeying but because they know it is right, this book will lead you there! "It's being concerned with not only the 'what' or 'what happened,' but also about the 'why.'"
I was convicted in my parenting on so many levels reading this book! Many times I felt like arguing with the author... until I realized this is all completely based on God's Word. Arguing with God doesn't work too well...
Here More...
I was convicted in my parenting on so many levels reading this book! Many times I felt like arguing with the author... until I realized this is all completely based on God's Word. Arguing with God doesn't work too well...
Here More...
Oct 12, 2011
Gavin
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Really great book for Christians about raising children. It demonstrates how the gospel and the Bible's teachings ought to inform our parenting. One of the best things about the book is its argument that bribing, arguing, and emotional pleading can easily corrupt a child's heart and lead them away from the gospel. It became clear to me while reading that so many of the emotional fears and problems that people deal with probably began with the way their parents raised them. The book is so rich wi
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Jan 10, 2010
Heather
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This is by far the best parenting book I have ever read. It encourages the parent to look at the heart of a child, rather than outside appearances of behavior. The goal is not merely to have an obediant child, but to have a child who obey's out of a heart of love for the Lord. Of course many examples of good and bad parenting examples are shared with the correlating results. I have seen children reared by this philosophy and from their living testimony I can say the words of wisdom contained in
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Feb 13, 2009
Heather
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A lot of Christians suggest this book, but it goes against the very core of Christian parenting. It sets up an adversarial relationship under the guise of Grace and Mercy.
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Sep 10, 2010
Courtney
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Wow...what to say about this book?? I had to force myself to finish reading it. I disagree with about 90% of what the author teaches, and found him to be very condescending and "holier than thou" through out the whole book. I had agreed to facilitate a lady's group study of this book over the next four month, but I have respectfully backed out and found another facilitator. I cannot/could not in good conscious lead a class study where the author teaches that the only God-ordained d
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Sep 11, 2011
Jillian
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I appreciated the spirit of this book, and the overall attitude towards parenting. However, I thought the "charts" were terribly cheesy and unhelpful. I also disagree with his enthusiasm for spanking, although I did appreciate how thoroughly he described what a proper spanking ought to look like, and when spanking is appropriate and inappropriate. To me, he focused on spanking far too much for young children and dismissed more conservative and gentle methods of discipline too easily. O
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Jul 07, 2009
Kate
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There were several parts in this book that I agree with, and also several that I disagree with. I really like the part about showing your children how their behavior is an overflow of their heart.
However, I really didn't like the author's emphasis on using "The Rod." The author says: "If you fail to spank...you are saying that you do not love your child enough to do the painful things that God has called you to do. (p.149)" That is a pretty loaded statement. All More...
However, I really didn't like the author's emphasis on using "The Rod." The author says: "If you fail to spank...you are saying that you do not love your child enough to do the painful things that God has called you to do. (p.149)" That is a pretty loaded statement. All More...
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May 12, 2009
Shauna
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This book is the best book I have EVER read on parenting. I am having difficulty accepting what it (i.e. the bible) says about spanking. But I am so glad to have the opportunity to see parenting as a form of service to God and my children. Each child is a seperate gift from God and should be treated with respect, even at a young age. I cannot FORCE my children to do anything, like behave, or accept the gospel, I can only shepherd them.
When they choose to disobey (though it irritates More...
When they choose to disobey (though it irritates More...
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Aug 20, 2011
Bill
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A new addition to my list of go to parenting books! Probably in the number one slot -- this is a fantastic book. It's thoroughly biblical and gospel based. It's evenly divided between big picture principles and very practical suggestions. It's honest and encouraging. The 2nd half (sections on toddlers, children and teens) is just excellent, especially the one big focus for each age group:
- Toddlers focus: learning to respect authority
- Children focus: developing character
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- Toddlers focus: learning to respect authority
- Children focus: developing character
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Mar 20, 2011
Kameron
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This was an outstanding book with straight-forward biblical advice on reaching the heart of your child. It is the first I've read that so honestly addresses the issue of children having sinful natures ("Folly is bound up in the heart of a child.." etc.) and the need to address their hearts, rather than just their outward behaviors. There are practial approaches listed for each age group: infant-school years, beginning of elementary school-pre-teen; pre-teen through leaving home. I
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Nov 25, 2011
Scott
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Read it first as a teacher, then again as a parent. Tripp starts at the bedrock of God's glory and builds a model of parenting from there. He avoids formulas and scripts, frustrating those looking for rules to keep in order to get guaranteed child products. Like most true wisdom, the application of these solid principles takes prayer and practice, prayer and practice, prayer and practice. It's also very helpful to belong to a faith community where many others strive in this direction.
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Oct 13, 2011
Colleen
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Excellent book that has really encouraged me. The principles from here have helped form and shape our parenting philosophy and I love his simple diagrams that illustrate some great points and help you remember them. So often, we are in a hurry and feel pressured to correct behavior in our child, to fix the problem, eliminate the habit, etc. This book was a significant revelation to Ehren and me about addressing THE HEART of your child in all these situations and areas. What a rich and important
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May 10, 2009
Catrina
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I found a couple of points in this book very helpful. However, I honestly felt the author's views to be dogmatic and his tone very condescending. As much as Christian parents strive to create a loving, nurturing, and respectful environment with God at its center, much of Tripp's ideas just did not seem realistic or even doable for the average parent in this day and age. I believe you can achieve the same result without such rigid parenting. I have no doubt that this type of parenting will create
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Apr 28, 2009
Carla
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I must say I'm not a big fan of this book. I understand his basic premise is that behavior is a reflection of the heart or what is in our hearts (i.e., sin) and so if you don't deal with behavior at its root level, then you are just bandaging the problem. My concern with his method of discipline is that he says that, but then deals with their behavior with discipline strategies aimed at curtailing bad external behavior at a non-heart level. I think part of the issue for me too is that I have a
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Jun 14, 2011
Abby
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Recently becoming an Aunt prompted me to read this book as I wanted some insight into child-rearing (as I'm not a mom). I was very impressed with Tedd Tripp's view on child-rearing and discipline. It is a refreshing view for a 'worldly society.' The book presses upon that you need to address the child's heart which will then help to change the child's actions. It's not all about making the child behave good but it's about teaching them why they need to behave good. I think everyone who has a chi
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Apr 27, 2011
Rachel
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I don't know what to think about this book. I'm still not sure if I'm glad I read it or wish I hadn't read it.
It had some good points for sure and I did learn some things, but it also had some things that I really disagree with. Mainly his interpretation of "the rod" from the bible. This is a big part of the book and I couldn't disagree more with him. He says that god has commanded us to spank and that if we don't spank we are being disobedient. What?! I don't spank, and I d More...
It had some good points for sure and I did learn some things, but it also had some things that I really disagree with. Mainly his interpretation of "the rod" from the bible. This is a big part of the book and I couldn't disagree more with him. He says that god has commanded us to spank and that if we don't spank we are being disobedient. What?! I don't spank, and I d More...
Oct 24, 2010
Brandy
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Allow me begin by saying that the 3 stars are not due to my problems with the content but more the way it was written. I almost gave it a 4 because the essence of the book is right on. I didn't because it felt almost deceitful. If I hadn't been reading it for my small group I probably would not have finished. If you are looking for a book with solid Christian parenting advice based on biblical doctrine that is widely available, this book has that. The basic idea of the book is that as parent
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May 26, 2011
Karla
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The central idea of this book is that the heart is the wellspring of life; therefore, as a parent, you must learn not to focus on your child's behavior as an end goal, but rather, learn to work backwards from their behavior to uncover the heart issues at play. Once you have done that, you can point them towards Christ, because what Christ offers is the only way to satisfy the desires of our hearts. The author points out a need for rich communication with children that allows parents to become au
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Jun 07, 2011
Hilary
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I know many people who love this book and rave about it as a parenting manual, but it really hasn't done much for me. Tripp includes some excellent concepts, focusing on the importance of communication with your children, helping them understand *why* they are obedient to you and respectful (because God commands it, and to obey you is to obey God, and to obey God is to) and also the balance of correctly modeling behavior, including asking forgiveness when you do something wrong, but has a very
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May 10, 2010
Saija
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This book provided great guidance on how to raise a child by addressing the heart issues (the root cause - selfishness, coveting etc) vs. just addressing the behaviors that the child displays. It is written by a Christian father to other Christian parents. One of my favorite lines from the book was "Obey without challenge, without excuse and without delay". simple, right???
The author shared some practical ways to ask lots of questions to get to the root cause, and really t More...
The author shared some practical ways to ask lots of questions to get to the root cause, and really t More...
