Book Review: Love-Centered Parenting by Crystal Paine
Have you ever seen a mom that you thought had it all together, and you thought, “I wish I could be like her?” If you had looked at Crystal Paine’s life a few years ago, you probably would’ve thought that. But in her new book, Love-Centered Parenting, Crystal shares how that wasn’t true, how it all fell apart, and how she totally changed her parenting perspective–for the better.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I received a copy of Love-Centered Parenting from the publisher in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own.
Summary
In case you don’t know, Crystal Paine is the very successful owner of the popular blog Money Saving Mom. She has written several best-selling books, including some of my favorites, Money Making Mom and Say Goodbye to Survival Mode.
She has four children and is a foster mom. She and her husband, Jesse, work together on the blog, and on their podcast, The Crystal Paine Show.
At a glance, Crystal’s life seems pretty picture-perfect, and you might be tempted to think she really has it all.
But in her book, Love-Centered Parenting, Crystal reveals a difficult struggle she and her family went through several years ago when one of their children became suicidal. In the space of just a few hours, Crystal’s well-ordered life came crashing down as they took their child to the emergency room.
It spurred her to look at her entire parenting philosophy, and flip it on its head. The result is what she calls “love-centered parenting.” And it’s powerful.
Her child’s mental struggles led Crystal and her husband to seek counseling for their child, but also for themselves. In her own counseling sessions, Crystal began to question her own parenting methods. She realized she often parented her kids to win approval from others, rather than to do what was best for her kids.
Her solution was to begin by learning who she is in Christ–loved and cherished. And then she was able to transfer those same attributes to her children.
Crystal covers topics like living loved, leaning in, listening to your kids and leading with humility.
Love-Centered Parenting Review
I felt convicted as I read this, since I often fall into that same trap. I want so much for people to think I’m a good mom. I often forget that their opinions aren’t what really matter.
I felt so inspired and encouraged to start parenting for relationship instead of appearances. I want to maintain a great relationship with my kids while they’re young, so that when they’re older they won’t hesitate to come to me.
I don’t necessarily agree with everything that Crystal says in this book. But I can whole-heartedly say that I love this idea of parenting from love.
This isn’t your average parenting book. Crystal doesn’t tell you there are hard and fast rules for parenting. But these are good, Biblically-sound tips for launching kids who are successful, because they know they’re loved.
I highly recommend Love-Centered Parenting. So often when I read parenting books, I feel guilty, and like a failure.
But reading Love-Centered Parenting made me feel encouraged and hopeful. I can’t change some mistakes I’ve made in the past. (Like, this morning.) I can start where I am, and make a change in the future.
God–the only perfect Parent–loves you and I unconditionally. And He says we can share His love with others, and that definitely includes our kids!
