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If I Were Starting My Family
From a wise voice and best-selling author of parenting and family books, If I were Starting My Family Again dares to look at practical.ways to take the pressures off parenting. This is a new, revised edition.
57 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 1969
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 31, 2022
Quite honestly the best book I have read on parenting. Simple, succinct, and full of wisdom, this book highlights the important things in life & family, paired with a practical approach to cultivating a loving home.
April 13, 2018
I am reading a little book( 56 pages) called "If I were Starting My Family Again" by John M. Drescher. And you know I am going to have to share the highlights! So here they are
1 The greatest thing a mother and a father can do for their children is to love their spouse because when a child knows it's parent love each other, that child experiences security, stability, and a sacredness about life that it can gain in no other way. On the other side, children who live with conflict, or in the suspicion that their parents do not love each other, develop ulcers and upset stomachs. "NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF PARENT OR CHILD THAN THE DEEP, ABILING, VISIBLE LOVE OF FATHER AND MOTHER FOR EACH OTHER."
2 "The best way to make children good is to make them happy. Never fear spoiling children by making them happy, We need to laugh more and with our children. We need to laugh more at ourselves, our mistakes and our failures. So many of the tensions of life, particularly in our families, arise because we take ourselves so seriously. Than we can be hurt to easily." " If the important things of life are experienced by our children in an atmosphere of joy, they will not be as easily drawn to the thin pleasures and suggestions for happiness that are offered so freely by our society."
3 We need to become better listener, If we listen to our children when they young, they will listen to us when they are teens.
4 We should be more honest.
5 I think this one surprises me the most, We should pray more for ourselves that our relationships and attitudes might be right. Things seem to happen when we want God to change us more than we want God to change other people. We are to pray for others too but in a different way.
Chapter 5 is a real eye opener for me!
6 Spend time TOGETHER. Times together, not things done alone are what is remember. " A sense of security, of love, of understanding, and of communication depends upon a feeling of togetherness. When a sense of sharing and togetherness is absent , a feeling of aloneness, strangeness, and lack of love is present.
7 Do more encouraging. Probably no other thing encourages children to love life, to seek accomplishment. and to gain confidence, more than sincere praise- not flattery- but honest compliments when they have done well.
love this quote by Longfellow "A torn jacket is soon mended, but hard words bruise the heart of a child".
8 Be BIG IN LITTLE THINGS
9 DEVELP FEELINGS OF BELONGING. WHEN CHILDREN SENSE THEY BELONG to the family they have a security that nothing else can give.
10 Share God more intimately and more intentionally.
I encouraged all father and mothers and grandparents and aunts and etc to read this book and apply the truths to their lives.
We all can learn from this book even if we don't have children, we all want love and acceptance,
The book was written mostly for males but women need to read it too
Image may contain: text
1 The greatest thing a mother and a father can do for their children is to love their spouse because when a child knows it's parent love each other, that child experiences security, stability, and a sacredness about life that it can gain in no other way. On the other side, children who live with conflict, or in the suspicion that their parents do not love each other, develop ulcers and upset stomachs. "NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE WELL-BEING OF PARENT OR CHILD THAN THE DEEP, ABILING, VISIBLE LOVE OF FATHER AND MOTHER FOR EACH OTHER."
2 "The best way to make children good is to make them happy. Never fear spoiling children by making them happy, We need to laugh more and with our children. We need to laugh more at ourselves, our mistakes and our failures. So many of the tensions of life, particularly in our families, arise because we take ourselves so seriously. Than we can be hurt to easily." " If the important things of life are experienced by our children in an atmosphere of joy, they will not be as easily drawn to the thin pleasures and suggestions for happiness that are offered so freely by our society."
3 We need to become better listener, If we listen to our children when they young, they will listen to us when they are teens.
4 We should be more honest.
5 I think this one surprises me the most, We should pray more for ourselves that our relationships and attitudes might be right. Things seem to happen when we want God to change us more than we want God to change other people. We are to pray for others too but in a different way.
Chapter 5 is a real eye opener for me!
6 Spend time TOGETHER. Times together, not things done alone are what is remember. " A sense of security, of love, of understanding, and of communication depends upon a feeling of togetherness. When a sense of sharing and togetherness is absent , a feeling of aloneness, strangeness, and lack of love is present.
7 Do more encouraging. Probably no other thing encourages children to love life, to seek accomplishment. and to gain confidence, more than sincere praise- not flattery- but honest compliments when they have done well.
love this quote by Longfellow "A torn jacket is soon mended, but hard words bruise the heart of a child".
8 Be BIG IN LITTLE THINGS
9 DEVELP FEELINGS OF BELONGING. WHEN CHILDREN SENSE THEY BELONG to the family they have a security that nothing else can give.
10 Share God more intimately and more intentionally.
I encouraged all father and mothers and grandparents and aunts and etc to read this book and apply the truths to their lives.
We all can learn from this book even if we don't have children, we all want love and acceptance,
The book was written mostly for males but women need to read it too
Image may contain: text
January 28, 2026
Pretty good! Some great reminders. Especially love the last chapter on seeing God’s love in His creation. Also that religion should be hardly spoken about in a household, as it should be actively lived out in day to day life.
August 2, 2018
Quick read with lots of good reminders about what’s important when it comes to family.
March 27, 2025
Loved this book! Short and sweet, but full of heart and wisdom.
August 10, 2025
Great short read. Honestly thought this book was incredibly insightful, not just for its intended audience-parents, particularly fathers (mothers are encourage to read it as well)-but also to readers outside of parenting. Reading this book made me reflect deeply on my own childhood and how my family life impacts my adulthood.
Looking back, I can honestly say I had a pretty decent childhood. Although it came with difficulties, I'm very grateful for my upbringing.
What I found particularly powerful about this book is that it's not just for parents. Even if you don't have children or didn't have the best childhood yourself, this book offers a deeper understanding of relationships and how to be present in peoples lives. It can encourages readers to find meaning in the conections they have with others, whether those relationships are with friends, family, or partners.
Looking back, I can honestly say I had a pretty decent childhood. Although it came with difficulties, I'm very grateful for my upbringing.
What I found particularly powerful about this book is that it's not just for parents. Even if you don't have children or didn't have the best childhood yourself, this book offers a deeper understanding of relationships and how to be present in peoples lives. It can encourages readers to find meaning in the conections they have with others, whether those relationships are with friends, family, or partners.
January 5, 2015
This is a wonderful book! It is a short, fast read that makes you stop and think. I appreciated the gentle yet pointed ways the other would challenge and encourage you to be a better parent and spouse. This is a book that I will continue to thumb through from time to time during the year to make sure I'm staying on track.
July 27, 2011
Recommended from Phil's Father's Day sermon. A short, well-said read, can be used as a mini-parenting seminar by parents.
June 3, 2015
A great reminder of what's really important in being a parent.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews