Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture
by Mary E. DeMuth
Published by Harvest House Publishers
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Reviewed by Dr. David Frisbie
Mary DeMuth is an emerging novelist (Watching the Tree Limbs) and a keen observer of postmodern culture. In addition to her ongoing fiction projects, she is an active blogger about parenting issues and family life.
Although divided into three sections, Authentic Parenting is two books in one. One book uses stories and metaphors to pass along useful ideas about raising our children. The other book looks at several of the major hallmarks of postmodernism—a cultural phenomenon that is admittedly hard to define.
Most readers should begin with Section 2, starting their reading with Chapter 6. In addition to being one of the book’s strongest chapters, DeMuth’s views on conversational parenting are a marvelous addition to family education. Reading forward from Chapter 6 brings you the best of DeMuth’s parenting advice.
Save the first five chapters for another time. Although useful, this section looks at postmodernism and may be less interesting to a ‘parenting’ reader. Having said that, it’s an excellent introduction to the key ideas that underlie today’s trends in thought and writing. (See also: Rob Bell, Brian McLaren.)
Filled with moments of transparency from the author’s own parenting journey, Authentic Parenting is just that—a look at how well-meaning but imperfect parents (i.e., all of us) can help mold and shape the young lives in our care.
Realistic but also hopeful, DeMuth’s perspective is well worth discovering.
—Together with wife Lisa, Dr. David Frisbie is co-executive director of The Center for Marriage & Family Studies in Del Mar, California. He is the author of numerous articles and eight books, including “Raising Great Kids on Your Own: A Guide & Companion for Every Single Parent.”
Armchair Interviews says: Nice to see this non-fiction from an author known for her well-written fiction.
Author’s Web site: http://www.pioneerparenting.blogspot.com