Regret Free Parenting - A Review

 

Regret Free Parenting - Raise Good Kids and Know You're Doing it Right
    by Catherine Hickem, LCSW, founder of Intentional Moms

 I have to be honest.  I was a bit put off by the title of this book.  Regret free parenting.  Yeah, right.  I already have my share of regrets.  And I had no desire to read a book that was going to slap it in my face.  That was going to make me feel worse about than I already do.  So for that reason, I almost decided not to choose this book for review.  But God had other plans and led me to pick this book anyways. 

It was nothing like I feared it would be.  Catherine Hickem didn't write this book to put us on a guilt-trip.  She didn't write it make us feel like a failure.  Quite the opposite.  She makes it very clear that we won't be perfect parents, never making a single mistake.  But we can be intentional parents, following God's plan for us and our children. 

She offers insight into things from our own childhoods that might be affecting our parenting skills and style now.  She gives practical tips about we can do the best we can to raise the best children we can, by God's grace and with God's help.

One of my favorite lessons was about trusting your mom's intuition and recognizing your own value.  God has made you the mom of your children, and as such He will provide everything you need to raise those children.  Trust your intuition, listen to that still small voice.  Don't value others' opinions over your own.  Don't think the "experts" know what is best for your family.  You are their mother.

One of my other favorites was about learning from our pasts.  Don't bring the pains of your childhood into your children's childhoods.  Don't pass it on.  Only look back for one of two reasons.  Either to remember God's blessings in your life or to learn from your past experiences.

I learned a lot about myself and was given hope and reassurance.  I was encouraged to listen for God's still small voice and to trust God completely with the care and raising of my children.

Regret Free Parenting is a winner in my book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”