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The Love Dare for Parents

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From the authors of international best-selling marriage book The Love Dare comes The Love Dare for Parents, a 40-day journey of “dares” challenging one or both parents to understand, practice, and communicate Christ-like love to their children.

Easy to read and work into a busy schedule, The Love Dare for Parents is designed to “turn the hearts of parents to their children and turn the hearts of children to their parents” (Malachi 4:6) so that moms and dads can more fully enjoy and delight in their children while maximizing the positive impact they have on their lives long term.
 Each day brings a promising key verse from Scripture, a biblical principle about love that applies to parenting, a specific challenge the parent does for the sake of their child, and space to journal thoughts and reflect on what happened that day.
 
The Love Dare for Parents even includes access to a FREE online parenting assessment, helpfully keyed to select material in the book.Parents, take the dare!

256 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2013

389 people are currently reading
1403 people want to read

About the author

Stephen Kendrick

93 books230 followers
Stephen Kendrick (born June 10, 1974) is an American film writer and producer, co-writer of the book The Love Dare with brother Alex Kendrick, and former senior associate pastor at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. Stephen, Shannon and Alex Kendrick comprise Kendrick Brothers Productions.

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52 (10%)
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13 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Josh.
83 reviews9 followers
July 8, 2013
I wasn't sure how God was going to use this book in my life, but after reading Days 2 and 3 (dealing with patience and kindness respectively), I can honestly say that it was Divine Providence that allowed me gain access to this book. I have struggled with wrongly directed anger issues towards my young son for a while now (getting upset with him for even the slightest mistake), and Day 2 felt like it was written specifically for me. This quote really spoke to me: "Patience is always welcome. It gives people more time to work through their issues. It beautifully diffuses conflict before trouble has a chance to escalate. It whispers peace into situations brewing toward eruption. It's not a blanket form of tolerance that lets everything go, but rather a wise surveyor of the situation, allowing proper steps to be taken." I think one of my struggles with showing too much patience with my son is that I think he will see it as weakness on my behalf and, instead of bringing him up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" I will be bringing him up as an unruly child that will embarrass both his mother and I because he thinks he can get away with things all the time. However, the preceding quote really convicted me that showing patience is not weakness at all, but is a much better attribute to default too rather than anger.

"The Love Dare for Parents" is a book that needs to be read by all parents, and then re-read multiple times in order to drive us to our knees and make us more dependent upon God's grace to love our kids the way that God designed us too.

Title: The Love Dare for Parents

Author: Stephen Kendrick

Publisher: B&H Books (2013)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the B&H Books book review bloggers program on NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."
Profile Image for Laura.
Author 39 books654 followers
March 30, 2014
THE LOVE DARE FOR PARENTS is a book I've been working through with my five children - all at the same time. There is a test you can take to see where you stand at LoveDareTest.com. I did great, except in one area (Mercy, but I already knew that wasn't my strongest gift.). I have enjoyed surprising my children with some of the things - random acts of kindness - an unexpected note telling them they are a gift - etc. And I highly recommend that if you have children you take THE LOVE DARE FOR PARENTS. I haven't had the pleasure of reading the one for married couples yet, but this one is great.

If you are a parent, please pick up a copy of THE LOVE DARE FOR PARENTS and put it in action. There are lines for you to record how your children reacted, what you did, just in case you care to do so, and a box to check when the dare is completed. I've notified positive results with my family, especially with my oldest son. Just getting the verbal confirmation that he's special, that he's loved means a lot to him.

Children are a gift from the Lord! Psalm 127:3.
Profile Image for Ashley.
567 reviews252 followers
September 21, 2016
Sound Biblical parenting advice for parents of all ages. This book can applied again and again through the years and can sharpen any mom or dad's faith and skill as a parent. I plan to consult this book in the future for memory verses for my kids, and to do the challenge again as they age. As parents we can all fall into a comfortable routine without realizing the needs of our children have changed. This book can help us to remember to put God at the forefront of our familial relationships and model appropriate faith-based behavior to a variety of circumstances.

I enjoyed that this book didn't focus on the shortcomings of parents, but rather on parents being able to evaluate their own behavior and discover where improvements can be made.

I would recommend this book ALL parents, whether you are looking for parenting advice or not. We always can be better, and with the help of God and prayer, we can get there.
Profile Image for Cindy Mendez.
20 reviews1 follower
March 24, 2021
Me gusto más el del matrimonio (las actividades) pero los
Mensajes demasiado buenos
357 reviews3 followers
August 11, 2014
The widely popular marriage book The Love Dare has now been followed up with The Love Dare for Parents. What a beautiful idea that is amazingly executed. This book, like it's predecessor has the potential to be life changing if you follow through with it.

I knew from Day 1 reading this that it would forever change the way that I parent. Parenting is HARD and challenges me daily. Having one little thing to concentrate on daily really shifted my focus and made it more about how to love my kids than just how to guide or direct them for the day. It wasn't always easy but worth it every time.

Each day has a main subject, a Bible verse that corresponds to it and a short devotional that discusses it in detail. At the end is the Love Dare that challenges you to do something that day. Some were easier than others and some were just downright fun! You check off after you have completed each task and journal about the results.

I had a lot of fun with some of the dares like buying a small surprise for the kids just because or taking them out individually for a meal and listening to them. Others were harder with more depth to them that involved a lot of introspective thinking and self evaluation. I often find that most of the issues with my parenting have to change with ME and not my kids. This book just confirmed that!

Having daily direction really helped me to focus on one thing at a time instead of all the things I want to change about myself. It helped me to become a more loving mom whose focus was put in the right place. It helped my kids to see me in a different light because I think they could tell how hard I was trying to really become a better mom to them! This was perfect to read over the summer while my kids were at home with me and it was easier to perform each task because they were always here!
Profile Image for Sarah .
930 reviews39 followers
December 6, 2016
I picked this up as a stopgap audio book with no real expectations. I have been absolutely delighted by both the content and the format. The Love Dare is a 40 day meditation on the Christ-centered aspects of love between parents and children, with unique activities and journaling inspirations from each. The dares start out quite simple-- tell your child, "I love you." They grow more long term and complicated, such as planning the time and money to give your child a gift that would overwhelm him or her as a way to reflect God's extravagant love for all of us. I was pleased and edified to hear many dares that I already do and glad to have suggestions for connection in the future. A great book and one I would like to give to every parent I know.
Profile Image for Dana.
Author 2 books9 followers
June 12, 2014
This wonderful book has helped bring my heart closer to my children, if that was even possible to do! We have just completed the book with a Facebook group that was started last month by a dear friend. It has been joyous to see the changes in our own lives and those who have completed this reading with us. This will be read again and again to review the wonderful process of the Love Dare with my children and bring love further into our home and lives.
Profile Image for Claris.
25 reviews6 followers
July 10, 2015
This is one of those books I can pick up and reread. I feel like I'm constantly reading it so much so I keep it on my "Currently Reading" list.

I enjoy this and the original book.
Profile Image for Mystee.
Author 28 books19 followers
November 3, 2023
Since I was awful and failed to post the review information here when I originally reviewed it, I am featuring it again on Nov 23 at this link: https://amomentwithmystee.blogspot.co...

"The Love Dare for Parents" by Steven and Alex Kendrick is a powerful and insightful guide that offers a practical approach to strengthen and grow the bond between parents and their children. Rooted in the concept of unconditional love, this book serves as a valuable resource for parents who are looking to improve their relationships with their kids.

As parents, we often face challenges and uncertainties in raising our children. This book addresses these challenges head-on, providing practical exercises and thought-provoking reflections that encourage parents to take intentional actions towards building stronger connections with their children. The authors' wisdom and experience shine through each page, offering guidance and encouragement to parents.

One of the strengths of this book is how it emphasizes the importance of leading by example. By demonstrating unconditional love and practicing patience, forgiveness, and sacrifice, parents can create a nurturing and loving environment for their children to thrive. The authors provide a daily dare, offering specific actions and exercises that parents can implement to deepen their relationships with their children.

Another aspect that stood out in "The Love Dare for Parents" is its emphasis on communication. The book teaches parents effective strategies to listen to their children, understand their needs, and foster open and honest conversations. By encouraging dialogue and active listening, parents can create an atmosphere of trust and understanding.

The writing style is straightforward, engaging, and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with the authors' message. The book is organized in a daily format, allowing parents to focus on one dare at a time, making it manageable and practical for busy parents.

While the book offers a wealth of valuable advice, it is important to note that not every dare may resonate with every reader. Each family may have unique circumstances and dynamics, and some dares may require more adaptation or modification to fit individual needs. Nevertheless, the overall principles and concepts presented in the book are universally applicable and beneficial.

This is an essential guide for parents who are committed to nurturing strong and loving relationships with their children. Steven and Alex Kendrick provide practical tools, inspiring insights, and thought-provoking exercises that promote the growth and well-being of the parent-child bond. I highly recommend this book to all parents who are seeking to build a deeper connection with their children.
Profile Image for GothChickVibing.
Author 2 books9 followers
August 27, 2018
Title: The Love Dare For Parents



Author: Stephen and Alex Kendrick



Genre: Christian, Nonfiction, Parenting, Spiritual



Plot: Ever since the Christian film Fireproof came out, everyone has been interested in doing the love dare for themselves. But once our marriage is all set and fireproof, what else in our lives can we fireproof as well? Most of us immediately think of our children and this book is for exactly that purpose.



Using Scripture as the guide, this little book helps to turn the parents toward the children and enrich the relationship as the children grow and learn to survive in the world on their own. Designed to fit into a busy parenting schedule, this is dare everyone should try at least once - especially if we feel we are struggling in connecting with our children in this busy day and age.





Likes/Dislikes: While I loved the idea behind this book, the actual writing style was a turn off for me and I wasn't inclined to finish reading the book. On top of that, I have toddlers and this book seemed more geared toward older children. Maybe I'll pick it back up in a few more years.



Rating: G-all ages, geared mainly toward parents



Date Review Written: August 27th, 2018



I received a copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley and wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.
Profile Image for Emily.
502 reviews
February 13, 2022
I can't recommend this book any stronger than I currently do. As a parent, I'm trying very hard to raise my kids right. No just in a Godly way, but to also raise them with respect, dignity and love for others. This book gave my husband and I a lot to think about when it comes to being better overall parents. In ways we have neglected to reach our children. I'm happy to put this into practice and even plan to read it again. I'm always in need of a refresher course.
Profile Image for Rex Libris.
1,337 reviews3 followers
August 25, 2018
This is a very good Bible-based guide for parenting. Split into 40 days and 40 tasks, each day/task discusses a biblical facet of love and how it applies to raising children.

While a good parent, let a Christian parent, should know these things already, it never hurts to review them and get a little reinforcement.
Profile Image for Ben Lobaugh.
142 reviews8 followers
December 31, 2018
With my first kid on the way, I was excited to get this book for Christmas. Turns out the dares are targetted towards existing children however the content that proceeds each of the 40 dares is excellent. The wisdom contained in these pages is timeless. I read through this book quickly and it is sitting on my self to come back to yearly, especially as my children get older!
Profile Image for Ruth.
154 reviews
June 3, 2024
I just read this through quickly so I could have an idea what to expect when I actually put it into action. I did not agree with everything, but I could tell that the content has the potential to be very powerful in edifying the parent/child relationship and I'm excited to put it into practice soon.
Profile Image for Tobechukwu Udeigbo.
53 reviews6 followers
November 2, 2018
Amazing read and definitely a must-be-on-my-shelf-in-my-home book!!! Thoroughly blessed by it.
25 reviews
December 17, 2020
Excellent book about connecting with your children. Much needed in those times of hard parenting ruts.
Profile Image for Sara Beth.
194 reviews2 followers
April 28, 2022
Only a couple of pages a day really helped me to build a better relationship with my son and an even closer relationship with God. Closest thing to a user manual for when you have kids
Profile Image for Mayra.
4 reviews
May 8, 2022
Simplemente hermoso 💗 Conmovedor, con un ineludible llamado a la acción. Ojalá cada padre en el mundo pueda leerlo
20 reviews4 followers
September 23, 2013
Being a parent is never easy. When we are blessed with children there are many times that we wish there was a handbook to give us direction and instruction. We are quick to read parenting books but sometimes forget that there is one book that is the guidebook to parenting. The Love Dare for Parents brings us back to the Bible to help guide us as parents. I highly recommend this to ANY parent. The daily dares bring you back to the basics and are completely doable in today's fast pace. It is never too late or too early to bring Christ to the center of your parenting.
Profile Image for Amy.
180 reviews1 follower
March 5, 2015
Thank you so much for this arc! I read the orginal love dare with my husband, though our marriage wasn't struggling, it still helped us because a closer, stronger couple. The love dare parents addition was also good. My children are very young (under 6). I felt a lot of these dares were more geared toward older children. My husband and I still did the dare with our little ones and loved some of the discussions that stemed from them. Thank you again! Great book for all parents wishing to get closer to their children or bring their children closer to God!
Profile Image for Trace.
414 reviews
February 3, 2016
Excellent book! I have read (and put the challenges to action) twice. The chapters are very short, usually three pages. I would suggest doing one "love dare" every three-four days (instead of daily), especially if you have a larger family.
Profile Image for Christy Keeler.
785 reviews9 followers
January 23, 2020
This book doesn't provide practical suggestions for daily actions as well as "The Love Dare," but it does offer a lot. It give readers great parenting advice, reasoning behind that advice, and fodder for family dinner topics.
Profile Image for Gina.
10 reviews2 followers
August 9, 2016
Worth repeating again & again...I'm going to do the challenge again with more specific goals in mind & more consistency (not skipping days) :)
Profile Image for Kaye.
93 reviews2 followers
March 12, 2025
Love this. I've gone through it a couple of times and each time I find that it is a good reminder and a good teaching tool.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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