Fathers, I have the perfect gift recommendation for yourself this year. I know that sounds selfish, but hear me out. I recommend you buy the book "The 7 Secrets of Effective Fathers" by Ken Canfield which will technically be a gift for yourself but practically be a gift for your family as you learn and apply the principles.
I know the title might sound suspect; almost gimmicky. Fathering is so complex and how can it be distilled down to 7 easy points? I appreciated that the author acknowledges that "We cannot reduce fathering to a series of fool-proof steps leading to instant success." Yet we can take steps towards improvement and do our best to be our best for our family (yes, your wife will benefit too because one of the secrets is "Loving their mother").The content is solid. I found that the Canfield's lessons are easy to comprehend, and yet will require time, discipline and commitment to implement.
If you are anything like me, you love your family more than your profession. And yet the challenging question I asked myself is "Then why do you read numerous books to get better at your vocation and none to get better as a father; especially when the stakes are so high?" Ouch; I got me! If I got you too, then you need to you get this book.
And if you've read a good book on being a better husband or a father, please let me know.
I wholeheartedly agree with you. It grieves me that I don't see more parenting books on pastor's blogs (in their reading lists).
I know their blogs aren't about parenting, but that is part of who they are so it should come up every so often.
Plus, this parenting thing is hard work and not natural. I think too many times people feel that, since becoming a parent is natural, parenting is. But it's not.
In support of your comments...
Posted by: jason berggren | June 18, 2007 at 08:22 AM