Child Proof

The tagline for Child Proof is a good summary of the book: 'parenting by faith not formula.' It explicitly does not provide a one-size fits all parenting approach, instead encouraging parents to really know your family well and adapting how you parent to fit the unique family situation that God has placed you in. The author, Julie Lowe, is a counsellor and faculty member at CCEF, as well as being mother to six children and serving as a foster and adoptive parent. Her empathy with parents and experience in the field really shine through. Despite being a short book, it covers a wide range of topics from what it means for parenting to be 'Christ-centred' to how to parent according to the needs of your family.

At the end of the chapters there are series of questions to help you reflect on how to apply the suggestions in the chapter to your own family. There is also a Parenting Toolbox with practical changes you could incorporate into your family life. At the end, Julie concludes with some brief discussions on tricky subjects such as when your child says 'I don't know' and 'technology'.

For me, I've found the focus on knowing your children individually particularly helpful and has persuaded me of the importance of spending time building a relationship with our daughter. There is much wisdom to be found in this book. 

Alison Fisher