The Complete Book of Christian Parenting and Child Care: A Medical and Moral Guide to Raising Happy Healthy Children

by Martha Sears, William Sears

This total child care book offers Christian- centered, medically authoritative advice on every aspect of parenting, from choosing an obstetrician to disciplining teenagers. As parents of eight children, William and Martha Sears draw on thirty years of practical and professional experience, resulting in a valuable reference book no family should be without.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Family

608 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1991

About the author

Martha is the mother of eight children, a registered nurse, a former childbirth educator, a La Leche League leader, and a lactation consultant. Martha is the co-author of 25 parenting books and is a popular lecturer and media guest drawing on her eighteen years of breastfeeding experience with her eight children (including Stephen with Down Syndrome and Lauren, her adopted daughter). Martha speaks frequently at national parenting conferences and is noted for her advice on how to handle the most common problems facing today's mothers with their changing lifestyles. Martha is able to connect with both full-time mothers and mother who work full-time, because she herself has experienced both styles of parenting Martha takes great pride in referring to herself as a "professional mother" and one of her favorite quips when someone voices their concern about her having eight children in an already populated world is: "The world needs my children."

Reviews

[Alex Toh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and comprehensive resource. As for a soon-to-be christian father, this gives me ideas of what to expect and how I can be a support to my wife. This also talks about the role of a father in the home, and how discipline starts from young. This gave me a different perspective of my approach towards discipline. I have a lot of unlearning and learning to do!

This is also a thick book! Something i will have to revisit for certain topics again.

I gotta mention that my rating shouldn’t be substantial as a non-parent at the moment. It just gives me a guide and what to expect for something that maybe my parents couldnt share with me!

[Cindy aka "The Book Fairy" · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous perspective....my kids are teens now but I kept my copy regardless to either loan or in case of grandchildren....Marvelous perspective!

[Kaetlyn Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly excellent. Dr. Sears makes me feel much less alone in the ways I have intuitively decided to mother. Will come back to this resource time & time again.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Sears believes that the three main goals of Christian parenting are to know your child, help your child feel right, and lead your child to Christ. You can use this book as a reference on topics ranging from common medical concerns of infants to disciplining teenagers. Sears is an advocate of attachment parenting and natural childbirth. However, you can certainly be a Christian parent without following either of those philosophies. I found his discipline strategies particularly helpful since they are rooted in developmentally age-appropriate expectations.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great resource. I was very surprised to find a balanced Christian perspective in this book. (Which is hefty, btw.)

From attached parenting to co-sleeping and circumcision, he (or they? I think his wife helped) covers everything. I probably should read it again to cover some of the info for older infants.

[Lauren Sharkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book explored the goals of Christian parents. To know your child, to help your child feel right, to enjoy your child, and to lead your child to faith in Jesus. It explored lots of aspects of parenting such as sleep, nutrition, discipline, and general health.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another excellent book by Dr. Sears. There is practical advice that can be used everyday. No puntitive or shaming parenting tactics in here!!! All graced filled! Excellent for attachment parenting minded parents. My only regret is I gave my sister my copy!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compared with the last (and only at that time) book I read by Dr. Sears and his wife, I found this book much more comprehensive and useful in understanding the concepts and reasonings supporting attachment parenting and Scripture-based discipline. It has a lot of practical tips about addressing babies' cries and needs, and gives very thoughtful explanations of their own parenting processes and developing conclusions. The idea that all aspects of parenting, from addressing simple needs to playing with your child, play into the overall discipline process really opened my eyes to the huge responsibility of parenthood.

A big plus is the tone of every section of the book, which is that while they're sharing what has worked for their family, there is a conscious respect for the possibility of alternative and varied applications that could result from the same basis of love and responsibility for one's child. The general sense of the book's philosophy is to know your child by spending a lot of quality *and* quantity time with them and tailoring your parenting and disciplining style to what's most appropriate for each individual child based on that knowledge gained through the invested time. Makes sense, if a lot more work than a generic one-size-fits-all approach.

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is absolutely the best parenting book ever! Attachment parenting with a Christian bent... perfect!

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

only to page 50 so far - but Dr. Sears is the best!

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like their viewpoint on what discipline really is--versus punishment. Very insightful if you are of the attachment parenting persuasion

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

By the title, I thought this would be a good resourse. It's just fine, but I didn't feel I got a whole lot more than from The Baby Book.

[Erin Leiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything by Dr. Sears is on my must-read list! He changed my parenting -- for the better!

[Joyce Pinero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this practical guide for how and why attachment style parenting is a Biblical approach to parenting.

[Alice Harbin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I confess that I was too busy being a grandmother to get into this book, but my daughter and son-in-law were using it as a reference. I read it in 2011 and later. I still may refer to it as it goes through "The Middle Years."