Parenting is a tough job.
Each child is different. Each has a different calling. Different temperament. Different personality.
That means there isn’t one cookie cutter that will work for parenting each child. Because of that, I am always looking for tools that will equip me to better parent the children God has entrusted to me. One of my heart’s cries has been to not stand in the way of what God wants to do with my kids. At the same time I must partner with Him to channel them and mold them.
That’s where Never Say No comes in. It’s written by Mark and Jan Foreman, parents of Jon and Tim of Switchfoot. It’s their story of raising kids who are creative and chasing the dream God’s given them. But one of the most powerful challenges comes in the first pages of the book: Never say no, because you’re kids will stop asking. One yes is so powerful. Never say no to what they think God is telling them. And never say no to playing dress-up — um, ouch! I’m pretty good at the first, not so good at the second.
Never Say No has challenged me to say yes more than I say no. I want kids who want to be with me, who have a deep, meaningful relationship with me. I also want my kids to believe they can do anything God has called them to do. So if saying yes to a few more things along the way will help, I’m in. After all there will be many things I will say no to: tattoos, piercings, etc. But there are so many more I can say yes to.
If you are looking for a conversational, easy-to-read, yet challenging book that will help you in your parenting, Never Say No may be just the book for your library.
Never Say No (David C. Cook, May 2015)
The question Mark and Jan Foreman are most often asked is: How did you raise your kids?
Mark and Jan Foreman’s adult sons Jon and Tim Foreman of Switchfoot have influenced their world not only by a successful music career but also through their positive impact on communities around the globe. The Foreman parents instilled in their sons a belief that they could make a difference by living beyond themselves.
This powerful book gives readers an inside look at the process. It begins with both parent and child finding their identity in God. It then explores practical ways to encourage holistic learning while cultivating specific gifts, nurturing creativity in a media-saturated culture, and balancing structure with individual choice. Never Say No inspires readers to raise children to live in the wonder of life by loving others well. Parents will find encouragement for their own parenting journey as they guide their kids to live out God’s purpose in radical ways.