In recent years, the evangelical community has led in the number of books aimed at churchgoing parents anxious to know how to apply their faith to parenting.
Publishers Weekly (June 15) reports that more titles appealing to parents across the religious spectrum. Pointing out that “five times as many parenting books debuted last year as in 1975,” PW presents a summary of new and recent titles which are being well received in mainline Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, and Buddhist circles. Editors from these faith communities suggest they have sensed a strongly growing anxiety among parents feeling the need for advice in today’s highly mobile, often violent society.
In these communities the trend for faith-filled parenting books centers around the basics: the wise investment of time and energy, family education, respect for the long-standing traditions of the faith, and celebration of the appropriate holy days. Beyond that, most recent titles face directly the changing family scene due to adoption, divorce, single parenting, and greater sexual activity by those not yet adults.
Popular titles include Loyola Press’ “A Prayer Book for Catholic Families”; Jewish publishers such as KTAV feature such titles as “Practical Parenting: A Jewish Perspective;” Buddhists are represented by the work of alternative spirituality leader, Jon Kabat-Zinn, “Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parents.” From the Lutheran Augsburg-Fortress Press is a series “Children and Families” on which the focus is giving parents specific, practical things to do with children, such as making videos, doing art work, telling stories, and writing songs.
— By Erling Jorstad