Great book for parents who are struggling, which is of course 99% of parents and the other 1% just don't know it yet. Really wish I'd had it earlier. We don't acknowledge enough what a battle it really is. Although you may not agree with all he says I do think there is something to be said for anchoring our parenting battles with God rather than fighting on our own. Worth a read.

Parenting First Aid, and its companion study guide, are aimed at coming alongside parents in the struggles of parenting children, whether easy or troubled. While based in a Christian mindset and with various Bible references spread throughout the pages, it is just as useful a guide for a non-Christian home to assist with a wayward child.

Each chapter brings practical ways to love our children right where they are and adds a story of a real family and the struggles they went through themselves. Nothing in these books comes from a position of seeming high and mighty; the author shares his own parenting struggles as well.

Whether you are struggling with raising your children in a Godly way, or if you just feel you could use a parenting refresher, both this book and the study guide are great resources to use and build your foundation upon.

I am thankful for godly resources that help with our parenting. I also appreciate Mary Machowski and how he has helped resource the church. Parenting can be weary and this book helps to uplight those in that season.

I received and copy of this book from Netgalley and NewGrowth Press.

Having enjoyed many of Marty Machowski's books with our kids I was excited to read this title for adults and I was not disappointed.
Parenting is a harder challenge than we could ever imagine. No matter how many good intentions we set out with we face many trials and challenges along the way.This devotional book provides practical encouragement along the way. The Bible passages are printed out which makes it easy to pick up and read when you have a few minutes in a busy day and the gospel saturated application and questions make it a book that will encourage and help you grow in your parenting .

In his book "Parenting First Aid," Marty Machowski gives parents gospel hope and practical advice borne of his own experiences and struggles as a parent. He recounts a lesson the Lord gave him, "I don't want you parenting standing up; I want you parenting kneeling down." Machowski carries that theme throughout this gospel-rich book of devotions and testimonies, encouraging parents to lean in to the Lord in prayer and the Word.

Designed for parents to sit and savor, Machowski's "Parenting First Aid" draws upon Scripture to encourage and heal parent's hearts. He also uses true life parenting stories to help illustrate that often parenting is just as much about what God wants to do in the parents' hearts as it is about the children's hearts. A slower pace offers parents 4-5 months of contemplative growth in the Word. Questions, assignments, and journaling exercises help parents to explore God's Word more deeply and allow them to pen their own Scripture prayers for their children. Topics include God's sovereignty, His sufficiency, the power of His Word, how prayer brings peace, and more.

Here's just one example of the meaningful exercises Machowski includes: "Write out a prayer that declares, before God and all the forces of evil, your renewed commitment to insist that all your children go with you to the Promised Land. Ask God to deliver them from Egypt, a picture of the wicked bondage of sina dn the flesh. Pray this prayer the rest of the week."

This isn't just a book, it's an experience in God's Word that's sure to encourage the hearts of those who slowly, contemplatively, read, journal, pray, and rest in God's presence. Practical, biblical, inspiring and encouraging, this book is a must for Christian parents today.

Personally, I read the book quickly so I could review it. Now I'm going to reread it slowly, spending 4-5 months savoring the Word of God day-by-day and allowing the Spirit to use the Word and Machowski's insights to teach and transform me as a parent--and drawing encouragement from these gospel-rich devotions.

* I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for this honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.