Finding Peace When a Child Chooses Another Path in Tackle Your TBR Read-a-thon

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Sep 17, 2015 Katie (hiding in the pages) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: self-help, lds

I wish that this wasn't a book that applies to me personally, but it is. This is a fairly recent situation for my family to be in and it's very hard to know how to shed the guilt and to move forward with peace.

Ms. Baker found herself with a couple of children who had strayed from their religious beliefs and made it a personal quest to find others in a similar situation, share their stories of how to deal with it, and to compile the information in a way that can help and uplift the many, many, ma ...more

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Sep 13, 2015 Tressa (Wishful Endings) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: non-fiction, lds, 2015

Finding Peace When a Child Chooses Another Path was a book about helping parents who have had someone close to them, specifically a child or children, fall away from the church. Chapters included: "How Does It Feel When Children Leave?," "Is This a Trend?," "Seeds by the Wayside," "Where Is the Pain Coming From?," "Parents' Reactions," "What Works: Accepting the New Reality," "What Works: Take Action," "What Works: Hold onto Hope," and concludes with "Balancing Pain and Joy." The book is specifi Finding Peace When a Child Chooses Another Path was a book about helping parents who have had someone close to them, specifically a child or children, fall away from the church. Chapters included: "How Does It Feel When Children Leave?," "Is This a Trend?," "Seeds by the Wayside," "Where Is the Pain Coming From?," "Parents' Reactions," "What Works: Accepting the New Reality," "What Works: Take Action," "What Works: Hold onto Hope," and concludes with "Balancing Pain and Joy." The book is specific to the LDS religion or those belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but also discusses the situation with other religions in mind. It's a situation that most religiously devout people everywhere has some experience with.

I have to admit that I was a little worried when I began reading this that I wouldn't like it or that it would be overly negative. I ended up being pleasantly surprised. Not only did the voice of the book read more realistically and positively than I expected, it also touched my heart as I have thought about someone close to me who is struggling. I liked that she points out all the various circumstances and influences that those who are struggling face in the world. She explained that at some point children do need to find their own faith and figure out what they believe.

There were a lot of examples, thoughts, testimonials of other families and parents that showed various situations with their children and their responses. Some of them were quite shocking and not of how I would think Christians should act, but also realistic for many. There are suggestions on what not to do and what to do. I liked that the author also balanced all the negative statistics and feelings with glimmers of hope.

She talks about the love and acceptance that parents can have, as well as a hope for a future where their family, each of their loved ones, are all together again. Then she talks about what works and what parents can do in these situations, situations where a child has decided to leave their parents' faith and that of their childhood. Some of the topics she explores and would be good to ponder (for any parent) were: "Love what is;" "Children's choices aren't about you;" "Let go of blame and guilt;" "Embrace your children's agency;" "See the value in doubts and questions;" "We all have different gifts;" and "Talk to departing family members in helpful ways." That last one I found especially helpful.

I felt like her purpose for writing the book came through in the pages in such a positive way. As the author states:
I have attempted to offer a wide range of ideas to help people think and act in ways that will bring them some solace and strength. It is my hope that something I have shared will help people move in positive, helpful directions.
(p. 32)

Finding Peace When a Child Chooses Another Path is definitely a book I would recommend to parents, husbands, and wives as we seek to be the best parents and companions to those who struggle in their faith and to those who do not to help our relationships be ones of love and learning. It was well worth the read and definitely a book I can see myself referring back to and sharing with others.

Source: I would like to thank Cedar Fort for my complimentary copy, which did not affect my review in any way. ...more

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