Summary

You're willing to do whatever it takes to ground your children in a faith your parents never embraced. Or maybe you grew up in an outwardly religious home that lacked a foundation of Christian grace and moral values. If you're the first generation in your family to embrace a relationship with Christ but aren't sure how to give your children a foundation of faith, find guidance inBuilding the Christian Family You Never Had. Author Mary E. DeMuth understands firsthand the fears, frustrations, and anxieties of those who lack role models of faith-based parenting. InBuilding the Christian Family You Never Hadshe provides needed encouragement, practical tools, and crucial strategies. You'll learn how you can... shield your children from the negative influence of family members who undermine your values cope with criticism and objections to your faith-based parenting decisions honor (and forgive) your parents without endorsing their behavior find positive parenting mentors This inspiring, down-to-earth guide will enable you to provide a spiritual legacy of security and strength for your children as you lead the way throughBuilding the Christian Family You Never Had.

Author Biography

Mary E. DeMuth is the author of Ordinary Mom, Extraordinary God. Her writing also has appeared in numerous publications, including Marriage Partnership, Discipleship Journal, Dallas Theological Seminary’s Kindred Spirit, and the Dallas-area Star Community Newspapers. A graduate of Pacific Lutheran University, Mary is a workshop speaker for Hearts at Home. She lives with her church-planter husband and their three children in Le Rouret, France.

Acknowledgments

Preface: For Us, Parenting Is Uncharted Territory

Introduction: God Is Bigger Than Our Past

(12)

Part I: Healing for the Past

1 "I'm Afraid of the Sky Ghost!"

(9)

Realizing the Truth About Safe Places

2 "I'd Rather Forget the Past"

(10)

Enjoying the Freedom of Finally Telling the Truth

3 "But You Don't Know How Bad Things Were!"

(12)

Accepting God's Healing for Past Family Trauma

4 "I Won't Become My Parents!"

(8)

Resisting the Urge to Make Destructive Vows

5 "What About the 491st Time?"

(9)

Forgiving Your Parents—Seventy Times Seven and Beyond

6 "It's Time to Leave Home"

(9)

Leaving the Nest; Clinging to Your Spouse

7 "But My Parents Drive Me Crazy"

(11)

What It Means to Honor Your Parents

Part II: God Is with You Today

8 "I Just Can't Do This Parenting Thing"

(9)

Succeeding When You're Weak

9 "Why Not Just Give Me Some Rules and Be Done with It?"

(8)

Pioneer Parenting from the Inside Out

10 "Even When They're Whining—or I Am?"

(7)

Parenting with Gratitude

11 "But I'm Not a Handyman!"

105

(13)

A New Way to Build Your Family

12 "Oops, We Did It Again"

118

(8)

Forgiving Yourself; Forgiving Your Children

13 "But What If I Messed Up?"

126

(8)

Using Your Past Sins to Teach Your Kids

14 "A Funny Thing Happened While Raising My Kids"

134

(7)

Adding the Missing Ingredient—Laughter

15 "Why Can't I Go to Grandpa's House?"

141

(8)

Protecting Your Children While Preserving the Relationship

16 "Someone, Please Help Us!"

149

(10)

Finding a Mentor

Part III: Hope for the Future

17 "I Can't Wipe the Wilderness Off My Shoes"

159

(10)

Integrating God's Promised-Land Principle

18 "The Wolves Are Howling"

169

(9)

Preparing Your Children for the Big, Bad World

19 "We're in This Together"

178

(6)

Encouraging Other Pioneer Parents

20 "What Now?"

184

(6)

Parenting with an Eternal Perspective

Discussion Guide: Questions for Reflection and Growth

190

(9)

Appendix: Helpful Resources

199

(4)

Notes

203

Supplemental Materials

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