Raising Them Right: A Saints Advice on Raising Children

Rating:
Summary: Child-rearing from the Gulag
Review: As an Orthodox Christian and father, I can say that this is the worst child-rearing book I've read--and one of the worst books I've read, period. The author's view of the normal activities and affections of children is so dark that it makes the Puritans look like rosy sentimentalists. I came away from the book without learning a single bit of practical advice to help me better love my children.

Rating:
Summary: Raising Them Right: A Saints Advice on Raising Children
Review: Intially I bought this book thinking - "What does a recluse know about raising children?" What I found out was - quite a bit!!!
How many of us want our children attaining salvation - hopefully all of us. St. Theophan takes you through infancy of your child(ren) to Young Adult and explains the impact the Church, parents, and those around the child will have on their spiritual lives. He gives some very practical advice as well: "One doctor from his own observation, testifies that for the most part when there are illnesses in children the children should be taken to Holy Communion, and very rarely does he have need to use later any kind of medical help. A great influence is exercised on the child by frequently taking him to Church, by having him kiss the holy Cross, the Gospel, the icons....Likewise, at home frequently placing him under icons, frequently signing him with the sign of the Cross, sprinkling him with holy water...." He addresses every stage of a child's development including the teenage years - "One must have a strong foundation so as to stand firm at this time against the shock-waves of youth." He not only addresses the craziness of the teenage years but he also gives practical advice of how to deal with your teenagers. I only stated a few of the spiritual examples. There's also an abundance of day to day advice. There is so much I would love to quote but cannot because of space. St. Theophan's love for children shines throughout this book. "Of all holy works, the education of children in the most holy." - St. Theophan the Recluse

Rating:
Summary: Raising Them Right: A Saints Advice on Raising Children
Review: Intially I bought this book thinking - "What does a recluse know about raising children?" What I found out was - quite a bit!!!
How many of us want our children attaining salvation - hopefully all of us. St. Theophan takes you through infancy of your child(ren) to Young Adult and explains the impact the Church, parents, and those around the child will have on their spiritual lives. He gives some very practical advice as well: "One doctor from his own observation, testifies that for the most part when there are illnesses in children the children should be taken to Holy Communion, and very rarely does he have need to use later any kind of medical help. A great influence is exercised on the child by frequently taking him to Church, by having him kiss the holy Cross, the Gospel, the icons....Likewise, at home frequently placing him under icons, frequently signing him with the sign of the Cross, sprinkling him with holy water...." He addresses every stage of a child's development including the teenage years - "One must have a strong foundation so as to stand firm at this time against the shock-waves of youth." He not only addresses the craziness of the teenage years but he also gives practical advice of how to deal with your teenagers. I only stated a few of the spiritual examples. There's also an abundance of day to day advice. There is so much I would love to quote but cannot because of space. St. Theophan's love for children shines throughout this book. "Of all holy works, the education of children in the most holy." - St. Theophan the Recluse

Rating:
Summary: Most Used Book in Parish Library
Review: This book has a lot of useful advice and is very contemporary! Don't be fooled by the word "Recluse". He retired and continued to write. He really knows his stuff!!