Parenting First Aid: Hope for the Discouraged

If you are a parent or expecting to be one at any point, I highly recommend purchasing a copy of Marty Machowski's latest devotion book, Parenting First Aid: Hope for the Discouraged. Often Christian parents succumb to the temptation to compare themselves to other parents who seem to have it all together. These other parents appear loving, joyful, and patient and their children, it seems, are walking with Lord and rarely tend to struggle. What I appreciate about Parenting First Aid is that Machowski confesses in the Introduction that although he is a pastor, even he has received calls to pick up his son from the police station. Although my daughter is only two and I have yet to experience such parenting difficulties, I instantly felt that Machowski has created a foundation for parents to trust him as he has experienced difficult parenting moments and survived because of the hope he has in Christ. Machowski is faithful to point parents to the goodness of God as our Father and to the hope we ultimately have in Christ, whether our children are His or not. Using various passages of Scripture, some that speak directly to parenting and some that don't, Machowski reminds parents to parent in a way that is Godly. There are also plenty of real parenting moments included in each chapter which I appreciated. Knowing that an older, Godly individual has walked this path ahead of me and has become more like Christ, as a result, gives me much hope. Regardless of what parenting season you are in, Parenting First Aid is for you. This is the type of book that spouses can read individually or together. Each devotion is the perfect length and provides questions to think about at the end. With a two year old, I am still fairly new to parenting. I haven't read too many parenting books but I must say that Parenting First Aid is certainly one of my favorites.

Parenting is definitely the hardest responsibility I’ve ever been given…to realize that God has entrusted two precious lives into my hands to raise and “train in the way they should go” is very scary sometimes, but also amazing. My children are now 12 and 15 and the decisions that I make as a parent are much more difficult now than they were years ago…it used to be so cut and dry but now we are entering a stage of many gray areas. I knew I needed this book when I read the title. There are so many moments when I feel like I’m hanging on by a thread as a mom, screaming for a lifeline and feeling like every decision I make is wrong. This book is broken down into 20 chapters that are meant to be read each for 1 week. This provides a time of reflection and meditation on what is read. The book provides “reinforcements” for those of us parents who are deep in the trenches of this difficult battle. It provides hope and help with a lot of scripture and testimonies from other parents. I am beyond thankful that this book came into my life. It is an excellent resource and gave me hope. I highly recommend this book to all parents…those who are in a difficult situation and those who aren’t (yet). I received this book from the publisher to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Parenting First Aid is a devotional specifically written for parents. Each section includes a scripture passage followed by a "Ponder Anew" section which includes discussion about the passage and how it specifically relates to one's role as a parent. The final portion of the devotional is named "Bring It Home" and includes questions that spur reflection as well as encourage application. This devotional is truly an encouragement for parents. While this complimentary book was provided for review by New Growth Press, no other compensation was given. All remarks are my personal and honest opinions.

Parenting First Aid, and its companion study guide, are aimed at coming alongside parents in the struggles of parenting children, whether easy or troubled. While based in a Christian mindset and with various Bible references spread throughout the pages, it is just as useful a guide for a non-Christian home to assist with a wayward child. Each chapter brings practical ways to love our children right where they are and adds a story of a real family and the struggles they went through themselves. Nothing in these books comes from a position of seeming high and mighty; the author shares his own parenting struggles as well. Whether you are struggling with raising your children in a Godly way, or if you just feel you could use a parenting refresher, both this book and the study guide are great resources to use and build your foundation upon.

Parenting First Aid by Marty Machowski takes parents back to God’s word, the Bible, and reminds us of some great truths regarding raising kids. This book is not a quick fix for the problems of parenting, but is designed to let the truths sink in over time. This kind of first aid is similar to the way you would care for a broken bone. There is no magic pill that instantly fixes our broken bone and that is true of our problems within parenting. Machowski helps parents experience first aid by not only sharing the truths of scripture but each chapter also gives parents a 7-day plan to begin using.

I loved this book! It was so insightful and encouraging. I love how solidly it is ground in scripture and the personal stories that Marty shares. I especially appreciated how open and honest he was about his own experiences as a parent, and loved reading about the unexpected twists in his daughter's love story and how God used them in the young man's life. I enjoyed this book tremendously! I received this book from New Growth. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

Oh, parents, you’ll be SO thankful to have this book!! Whether you have a week-old baby, or are in the midst of the hard & heavy, @martymachowski nails it on the head with his look at grace-filled, prayer-based, relying-fully-on-Christ parenting. Bathed in scripture and real life, it’s a balm for this mama’s soul. Getting myself a journal, and going to read it again as its intended devotional layout. *I received a copy of this book from the publisher, but was under no obligation to write a review. My honest opinion has been provided without any requirement to write a positive review.