Big Picture Parents: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Life

by Harriet Connor

Being a parent in the modern world is tough. We are often overwhelmed with fear about damaging our children, guilt about our imperfections, and confusion about our role. Harriet Connor knows these feelings well. But hers is not just another parenting book full of "shoulds and shouldn'ts" to make you feel worse. Rather, she invites you to step back and consider the bigger What is the purpose of life and parenthood? What are our human limitations? How can we cope with our guilt and fear? What are our family's values and how do we pass them on? What is our family's structure and place within the wider community? When she was desperate for answers, Harriet Connor turned to the ancient wisdom of her ancestors--the Bible. She went looking for little pieces of grandmotherly advice, but what she found was a grand vision--a big picture--that made sense of both life and parenthood. Whether you are new to the Bible or have read it before, you will not regret taking time to reflect on its message, which has given comfort and guidance to generations of parents just like you.

Genres: Parenting

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 20, 2017

Reviews

[Tim Goldsmith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of us parents know the feeling that you're not just delivering when it comes to being a good parent. There are so many influences that are out there, keen to tell you the 7 steps you need to do if you're to achieve "x" with your kids. It's impossible to do it all!
What is refreshing about Harriet's book is that it does what it says in the title, stepping back, looking at the bigger picture and encouraging parents to go about their sacred task, aware that we ourselves are imperfect creatures and that we need not expect perfection from our kids as well.
This book helps work through big questions like "what is the purpose (or desired outcome) of my parenting?", "does my family have clearly articulated values that we are working toward, even when we might be failing on any given day and with any given task?", "can I be more thoughtful in reflecting the behaviour I want in my kids in the way I treat them and my spouse?". Harriet looks at each, whilst considering how the God who made us for good relationships desires us to seek good outcomes.
If you're looking for a "how to" guide that will give you all the answers, you'll find this book disappointing. If, however, you're trying to navigate the many influences that are trying to shape your parenting, this book will give you a bigger picture. Better yet, it frames our individual families within the greater work of the God who calls us into his heavenly family!

[Rachel Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for writing this book Harriet!! I read this months ago but its message has stayed clearly with me, encouraging me and spuring me on to keep a Godly perspective in my role as a parent. How easy it is to get "caught up on the tiny details- all the shoulds and shouldn't"- that we forget to step back and ask ourselves what parenthood is all about."p4-5.This book has helped me step back, relax in God's provision, and focus and put more energy in what really matters. I absolutely LOVE how the author went about writing this book too - going systematically through the Bible from beginning to end to find it's teaching, wisdom and focus on the topic of parenting.

[Cecily Paterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very wise

This is a tremendously useful resource for Christian parents, and anyone looking for test of time wisdom in raising a family.