There are two affirmations hidden in plain sight in the Bible:
1. Children need the love that God tells parents to give them (Titus 2:4).
2. Parents desire the respect that Scripture plainly says is their due (Exodus 20:12).
Love And Respect
Love & Respect in the Family, by Dr Emmerson Eggerichs, gives practical guidance to help break the Crazy Cycle of family imperfections and replace it with a healthy, energizing rhythm. This book is a great gift to give yourself (or another parent you can empathize with).
This content is real and practical. It focuses on achieving healthy family dynamics through a few, but powerful principles. Dr. Eggerichs highlights candid input from his wife and three adult children. They share wisdom gained from the good, the bad, and the ugly in their family history. The children’s honest reflections of their parents’ journey in raising them is refreshing.
There Are No Perfect Families
Love & Respect in the Family teaches parents to:
• Discipline defiance and overlook childishness
• Be the mature one since parenting is for adults only
• Work as a team, according to the gender of the children
• Become a loving parent in God’s eyes, regardless of a child’s response.
Parenting
My favourite quote is, “Listening is an art and even today I am still learning. One thing I have learned: parenting is NOT about getting your children to understand your instructions, advice or guidance as much as it is about trying to understand them – how they feel and what they are trying to tell you.”
Taken out of context, this passage sounds like parents are the servants of the children. If you understand true leadership to be servanthood, then you get what Eggerichs is saying. Parents must consistently take the lead to love in order for children to have the best opportunity to respect.
That kind of love is not capricious or weak, but tender and tough.
It works. 
Family Values
If you haven’t formulated your own family’s values, the Eggerichs’ values are a great starting place:
• We treat each other respectfully, even if someone does something that is not respectable.
• When we are treated unfairly or disrespectfully, we should respond in a respectful way.
• Children should love, honour and respect their parents.
• Parents always love their children, even when they are disrespectful.
APPLICATION: For anyone developing faith at Home, this book is my highly recommended resource. I am passing it on to the parents of my grandchildren so they can benefit. Please leave a comment below.
I was given a copy of “Love and Respect in the Family” by Booksneeze.
I write to inspire people to be real, grow an authentic faith in Jesus, enjoy healthy relationships and discover their life purpose. If this material is helpful to you, please follow me.
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