I recommend this book to parents of littles everywhere! I was blown away by Crystal’s thoroughly biblical philosophy of parenting from a place of love and attachment rather than behavioral modification (in the past something she strove for to the detriment of her relationships with her kids). This book read much like a memoir, as she outlines her personal transformation and recent deepening of her understanding of the love of God. If you’re looking for a ten-step parenting plan, this isn’t the book for you. But if you feel the weight of your child’s behavior and future resting entirely on your shoulders, find the freedom in this book to lean in and love, listen well, lead with humility, let go and leave the rest to God.

Love-Centered Parenting: The No-Fail Guide to Launching Your Kids by Crystal Paine is an inspiring parenting book for those of us parenting younger children and wanting to do so with love and compassion. Paine begins her book by vulnerably confessing that she had been parenting from a place in which she cared greatly about what people thought of her as a parent, making sure her children were well-mannered, respectful, and behaved appropriately. However, it took an awakening with one of her children for her to realize that she needed to change the way she parented--to put God, herself, and her children first--and learn the lessons that she imparts with so much grace and humility in this book. Those lessons include, in part, two great chapters on "leaning in and loving" and "letting go." However, first, Paine spends a large amount of time reminding readers that God loves us. She writes, "We are loved. Period. Not because of who we are or what we've done, but because of who He is and what He's done." Paine believes that it is upon God's love that we can parent well, meaning that we can parent from a place of presence, love, and grace. This is an inspiring, impactful read that will be a good addition to parenting libraries everywhere.

Crystal's book was a strong reminder that relationships matter and everything, including my parenting, begins and ultimately ends with me. I can't control my kids attitudes but I can control how I respond. I can't control my kids choices but I can prepare them to make those choices. When I picked this book up to read I was expecting another parenting book with endless lists of easy to follow steps to be the perfect parent and get compliant children but instead I was reminded that perfection is an illusion with negative byproducts that spill over into all our relationships and negatively impacts my parenting. Love Centered Parenting equipped me with several truths that transformed how I look at relationships and my parenting. I found so much hope and encouragement in this book and I think you will too.