8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids
Being the mom of seven and the granma to eleven, I can confirm that if you blink, your babe in arms will be graduating and walking down the aisle before you know it. Our children are only young for such a very short time and as parents our goal is to teach them to be able to not only function but to excel in the world.
I recently read a book that I wish had been written decades ago. 8 Simple Tools for Raising Great Kids by clinical child psychologist Dr. Todd Cartmell is a simple, yet no nonsense approach to building relationships between parents and their children.
His “tools” or steps are simple to understand. He covers a point that I have been teaching young mothers for years. We CAN change the path of our children’s lives just by the Power of Our Words! Momma’s words matter.
The 8 Tools covered include: Talking, Listening, Influencing, Connecting, Teaching, Encouraging, Correcting and Leading. Each of these area are addressed in a simple step by step method that explains and encourages parents to step up and be the parent their children need.
This book was written for parents that are seeking ways to strengthen their relationships. Being a parent is at times the most blessed thing you will ever experience and at other times leave you breathless with shock over either your reaction or your child’s behavior. Now I can laugh at almost everything that sent me into a tizzy while our children were growing up. Oh and don’t get me started on how I laugh at the antics of our grandchildren!
I just tell their parents that this is a season, and not to sweat the small things. Easy to say – but oh so hard to remember when in the heat of a situation.
As with just about any faith based book I have enjoyed over the years, this book speaks to my heart. It isn’t just on the steps to raise children, like a check list. Instead it speaks to the heart of why we need to raise our children in a manner that they will be able to step out and be the leaders we need in the future.
I felt the “tools” or steps shared were more about making sure my heart and my expectations were in line with the path my children need to follow. Your relationship as a parent with your child should be built on love and trust. Only by cultivating this fertile ground will you begin to plant the wisdom of God’s Word in their heart.
The one point that I found extremely important was the problem solving steps. Using the acronym “STEPS” both the parents and the children can work through issues in an orderly manner. Being able to work through problems is a skill that can not be taught too early!
STEPS
S – Stop
T – Think of possible solutions
E – Evaluate the solutions
P – Pick a solution
S – See if it worked
Simple? Yes! Effective? Oh yeah! And it works for issues both in the family and the in workplace. I appreciate the thought process of working through a problem. I think it teaches order and gives a sense of value to all parties involved.
Parenting can be a challenge is true, but I would add that parenting WILL BE a challenge, even with an easy going child. Having the right tools makes any job easier and this book presents those tools that can be applied at any point in your journey.
“I love my child, but parenting is hard.”
Whether you find parenting intuitive or impossible, we could all use a hand here and there. Let child psychologist and father Todd Cartmell walk you through the nuts and bolts of healthy, effective parenting.
Using examples from his home and 20 years of professional practice, Todd gives eight essential and practical tools to help you:
Maintain a healthy relationship with your child
Develop a nurturing home culture
Correct behavior in lasting ways
For a limited time, you can purchase this book for half price through Moody Publishers with our discount code GREATKIDS16. The discount will be applied at time of purchase and is only valid through May 15, 2016.
In addition to the awesome discount, there are a couple of other goodies you do not want to miss. A couple of them are the parenting assessments. The first one is the Effective Parenting Assessment. The second assessment is the Parenting Strengths Assessment. Both are available online for free to any parent.
Meet the Author:
Dr. Todd Cartmell is a popular speaker and child psychologist who received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary. His books include Project Dad (Spring 2011); Respectful Kids; Keep the Siblings, Lose the Rivalry; and The Parent Survival Guide. Dr. Cartmell conducts entertaining parenting workshops around the country and maintains a full-time clinical practice in Wheaton, Illinois. Dr. Cartmell offers an extensive parenting blog and workshop on his website.
For more information on this book, connect with Dr. Cartmell online and on Facebook.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher via FlyBy Promotions in exchange for my honest review.
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