Parenting Without Regret by Jimmy and Laura Seibert

Jimmy and Laura Seibert encourage parenting from wholeness 1 John 1:9 (16). Restoration comes by receiving forgiveness (1 John 1:9) and then extending that same forgiveness to others (Luke 23:34) (24-26).

The Seiberts believe in establishing a Biblical worldview in the marriage (27): this includes embracing (1) the power of marriage and being committed to it for life, and (2) the power of agreement. The authors believe that it was important to agree as much as possible in their marriage.

The Seiberts describe their experience with children (34). The Seiberts advocate based upon personal experience as well as Scriptural evidence that there are many positive experiences to having children. Children are made in God’s image (Psalm 139:13-17). Children add value to the family (Psalm 127:3-5, Proverbs 29:18). Children are both a gift and a reward. They are a parent’s inheritance (Psalm 103:17). Children teach us about God (Matthew 18:3). The Sieberts show how parents are the #1 influence in their children’s life (1 Corinthians 1:11) (54-73).

Parents place an imprint of their identity on their children (Proverbs 18:21). Words, time, attention, and affection are all important (74-91). Parents can pray for their children (Luke 18:1). Parents can pray the promises of God’s Word (99-102). Parents can pray by listening to God (103-105). They can also pray with their kids (106-110). Finally, parents can pray for their kids future (Jeremiah 29:11-14). Parents can connect their kids to God (Psalm 27:4). The Seiberts emphasize that for parents, connecting their kids with Jesus daily is the number one priority. They give suggestions for kids at various ages and stages of development. A parent’s priority should be to make the child’s spiritual devotion a lifestyle habit (128-131). The Seiberts show how parents can teach kids to follow Jesus “along the way” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) This means that you spend time in the minivan, in the evening, at events and holidays.

The Seiberts encourages parents to pursue their children with their love (1 John 4:19). The cite examples of times of fun like Daddy and Mommy dates. Parents should also be there when children struggle. Parents should make a consistent pursuit. The Seiberts also say that as the children become adults, parents should be friends for life (Psalm 133:1). Parents should make time for family vacations and any other special times together.

Parents have be a role model for their children. They also have to teach about relationships. Parents have to learn how to deal with their children’s friends (Proverbs 13:20). The Seiberts learned first hand that “bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33). The Seiberts suggest that parents should protect their children in their younger years. The Seiberts explain the influence of friends on children. They talk about peer pressure, rejection, and having your kids back.

The Seiberts encourage parents to join a church community (Acts 2:44) (191-212). They summarize their approach to parenting (Luke 2:52). They prayed about everything, took things one at a time, were involved as much as possible, and managed expectations of their time. They taught their children to overcome and run their race well (1 Corinthians 9:24). They taught their children to overcome socially, academically, and physically. They taught their children to overcome disappointment as well.

They trained their children to obey (Ephesians 6:1-3). They laid out expectations. They taught their children to obey their parents cheerfully, quickly, and completely. They used discipline for the child’s good (Hebrews 12:9-11). They share the Biblical basis for discipline from Proverbs (Proverbs 3:12, Proverbs 13:18, Proverbs 19:18, Proverbs 19:20, Proverbs 22:15) as well as the different forms of discipline.

The Seiberts also taught their children about purity (Matthew 5:8). Whether it is the Internet, television, music or video games, teaching purity to your children are important. They also believe that children should be taught to have a work ethic (Proverbs 21:5). Whether it is at home, school, or on the job, children should be taught the value of hard work. Even in the age of entitlement, children can be taught how important it is work.

Children can also learn the value of money and possessions (Matthew 6:20-21). It is important for parents to teach their children to live within their means. In a world of living by credit cards and debt, teaching your children to live within your own mean, and to give generously are valuable lessons. Children can be better prepared for the future when they learn how important it is to give to God and trust Him with one’s finances.

Another set of lessons can be taught using defining moments (Psalm 139:16). Birthdays, special trips, rites of passage like starting school, sixteenth birthdays, and weddings, can be defining moments in a child’s life. The Seiberts use manhood and womanhood trips to teach values to their children. Parents can use similar methods to teach important lessons to children.

Parents have the opportunity to teach about dating and attraction throughout different stages of their child’s life (Proverbs 4:23). Parents can teach their children about focus (Psalm 90:12). The Seiberts describe how the Bible defines different categories of focus: spiritual, mental, family, relationship, financial, physical, and time. The Seiberts end by sharing the importance of grace in parenting their children (1 Corinthians 15:10). They say that grace makes the difference in how they could raise their children.

The Seibert’s website is http:antiochcc.com and they can be found on Twitter (@Jimmy_Seibert).

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. 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.