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Make time to check this book out for yourself - I'd love to hear what you think! You can order your own copy of this book here.
It's easy to feel stressed out during the parenting journey, which is why the encouragement Tim Sanford presents in his book is so refreshing.
This Focus on the Family book (no wonder it's such a great resource!) persuades you to get rid of the "shoulds" and "what-ifs" in your life, take a deep breath and explore Tim Sanford's message of low-pressure parenting.
First, shrink your job description. No more lengthy lists for moms and dads - everything boils down to validating and nurturing our children.
And how we do this is simple, too. Everyone - even single parents - has just three responsibilities in order to achieve these two parenting goals!
(You'll have to read the book to get the details on what these are, but I can promise that you'll start feeling better about how you rank as a parent the minute you read them!)
Think this sounds too good to be true? Sanford's list of major stress traps to avoid will help you get there (and help you grow personally at the same time!)
Second, make friends with free will. Sanford takes us all the way back to the Garden of Eden and reminds us that "People have the right to be stupid."
He discusses how to give kids a voice and uses concrete examples - including some from his own family - to illustrate exactly what he's saying, along with tips on how to make this process as peaceful and safe as possible.
Third, step away from the power struggle. Sanford uses a unique grid illustration and message that needs repeating over and over in life - that we're not in control - to build a healthy relationship with your preschooler.
This portion of the book was extremely helpful to me - his hints on how to reduce anxiety keep the focus completely on God the entire time (but not in an annoying, saccharine-drippy way), which is something my anxiety-ridden self needs to hear on a constant loop.
Fourth, reduce the rules. This might seem like the opposite thing you want to do with a preschooler, but Sanford takes several chapters to show how to create order without ordering everyone around.
This is one of the best parenting books I've read! The principles are specifically relevant to the preschooling years, but can easily be extrapolated to others, as well.
I feel I learned so much from this guide - I loved Sanford's bull's-eye illustration when discussing commands, principles and guidelines - it's applicable to every facet of your life. And I've convinced many of my friends to read this book - I've loaned it out already and as soon as my friend finishes it, I'll be poring through it again with a highlighter in my hand!
This book is obviously perfect for parents of preschoolers, but I highly encourage anyone with younger children (even parents-to-be) and parents of older kids to read it, too - even if you have teenagers under your roof, because there are illustrations inside that relate directly to them as well.
This Focus on the Family book (no wonder it's such a great resource!) persuades you to get rid of the "shoulds" and "what-ifs" in your life, take a deep breath and explore Tim Sanford's message of low-pressure parenting.
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| The Low-Pressure Guide to Parenting Your Preschooler by Tim Sanford |
Sanford focuses on four major principles to do this:
First, shrink your job description. No more lengthy lists for moms and dads - everything boils down to validating and nurturing our children.
And how we do this is simple, too. Everyone - even single parents - has just three responsibilities in order to achieve these two parenting goals!
(You'll have to read the book to get the details on what these are, but I can promise that you'll start feeling better about how you rank as a parent the minute you read them!)
Think this sounds too good to be true? Sanford's list of major stress traps to avoid will help you get there (and help you grow personally at the same time!)
Second, make friends with free will. Sanford takes us all the way back to the Garden of Eden and reminds us that "People have the right to be stupid."
He discusses how to give kids a voice and uses concrete examples - including some from his own family - to illustrate exactly what he's saying, along with tips on how to make this process as peaceful and safe as possible.
Third, step away from the power struggle. Sanford uses a unique grid illustration and message that needs repeating over and over in life - that we're not in control - to build a healthy relationship with your preschooler.
This portion of the book was extremely helpful to me - his hints on how to reduce anxiety keep the focus completely on God the entire time (but not in an annoying, saccharine-drippy way), which is something my anxiety-ridden self needs to hear on a constant loop.
Fourth, reduce the rules. This might seem like the opposite thing you want to do with a preschooler, but Sanford takes several chapters to show how to create order without ordering everyone around.
This is one of the best parenting books I've read! The principles are specifically relevant to the preschooling years, but can easily be extrapolated to others, as well.
I feel I learned so much from this guide - I loved Sanford's bull's-eye illustration when discussing commands, principles and guidelines - it's applicable to every facet of your life. And I've convinced many of my friends to read this book - I've loaned it out already and as soon as my friend finishes it, I'll be poring through it again with a highlighter in my hand!
This book is obviously perfect for parents of preschoolers, but I highly encourage anyone with younger children (even parents-to-be) and parents of older kids to read it, too - even if you have teenagers under your roof, because there are illustrations inside that relate directly to them as well.
Have you been looking for a great book to help you navigate through those crazy preschool years? I'd love to hear! Either leave a comment below or email me at lisahealy (at) outlook (dot) com.
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Linked up with: Just Another Linky, Favorite Things, Over the Moon, Share the Wealth Sunday, Dishing it & Digging it, What's for Dinner?, Family Joy Blog Link-Up, Literacy Musings Monday, Practical Mondays, Homeschool Nook Link Up, Happiness is Homemade, Merry Monday, Motivation Monday, What'd You Do This Weekend, Meet Up Monday, Totally Terrific Tuesday, Tasty Tuesdays, Little Learning Link Up, Two Uses Tuesday, Hip Homeschool Hop, Lou Lou Girls Fabulous Party Tuesday Talk, Wonderful Wednesday, A Little Bird Told Me, WFMW, Everything Early Childhood, The Mommy Club, Creative Muster, Party in Your PJs,What to Read,I Am Pinnable, Christian Bloggers Link Up, This Is How We Roll, Creative Ways, Hearts for Home, Creative Exchange, 100 Happy Days, Try It Like It, No Rules Weekend Blog Party, Booknificent Thursdays, Thursday Favorite Things, I'm Lovin' It, Inspiration Spotlight, Home Matters, Pretty Pintastic Party, Weekend Potluck, Awesome Life Friday, Creative Collection, The Beautifully Creative Inspired , Bloggers Pit Stop, Weekend Traffic Jam, Pin Me Party, From the Archives, Family Fun Friday, Friday Frivolity, Bloggers Spotlight, Make My Saturday Sweet, Weekend Wind-Down Party,Friday Features Linky, Funtastic Friday , Best of the Weekend, Sweet Inspiration Link Party, Small Victories Sunday
Don't you love it when a book lands in your lap and ends up being an answer to so many questions that you have? It sounds like this book was perfect for you and for any parent. We definitely need someone to help alleviate the anxiety we feel about messing up our children, it really ends up stealing a lot of joy from these years. I will definitely share this because it could help so many parents ease their anxiety about raising fantastic children without the stress overload.
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