Never Say No: Raising Big-Picture Kids by Mark and Jan Foreman

From the publisher:
The question Mark and Jan Foreman are most often asked is: How did you raise your kids?

Never Say No takes you on a personal journey to learn first-hand how they raised Jon and Tim of Switchfoot. They share practical advice for instilling wonder in a media-saturated culture, cultivating specific gifts, and balancing structure with individual choice. Our purpose as parents is the same as our child’s: to live creatively beyond ourselves, bringing the love, beauty and nature of God to this world. Let the adventure begin.
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When I read a good book, I find myself with my pencil, underlining here and there the little things that stick out, or that I want to remember.  I have worn out my pencil on this book.  I think I might have underlined more than I didn't.  I have stars marking specific sections, I have notes to myself in it.  And I have plans to re-read this amazing book as soon as I can with my husband and go through it slowly and digest it even more, and work through each of the questions at the end of each chapter.

In case you couldn't tell.  I was blown-away by this book.  It is amazing.  As a new parent I am eager to learn from those who have gone before me.  And this was probably the best parenting book I have ever read.  This is a book I want to hand out to all of those who are closest to me as I raise my child.  I want them to have the beliefs in this book.  

Mark and Jan are richly in love with Christ and their children.  This is not about letting your child have everything they want--but about saying yes to being there with your children.  To never saying no to the call of your child to come and be with you.  You need to read this book.  Seriously.  I can't do it justice in this review but it is worth the time to read through it and go through the questions at the end of the chapter.  You won't regret the time spent reading this book.

Mark and Jan are honest and candid in their mistakes and growth as parents.  They are not perfect but they have such an amazing friendship with their children and have given their children such freedom to become who God has designed them to be that it inspires me as a parent.  I think it will inspire you as well.  

I highly, highly recommend this book.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.