Letting Them Go: Prepare Your Heart, Prepare Your Child for Leaving Home

by David R. Veerman

In Letting Them Go, Veerman offers support, help, and understanding from a parent who's been there. He also offers practical advice for the time together before they leave, and a sneak peek at issues that will arise after they've gone.

Genres: Christian

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2006

About the author

Dave Veerman is the author of more than sixty books, including Tough Parents of Tough Times, When Your Father Dies, and Letting Them Go, and he was a senior editor of the Life Application Study Bible. Dave is co-owner of The Livingstone Corporation, a company that serves Christian publishers by creating, developing, and producing books, Bible, Bible studies, curricula, and other products. He currently presents Understanding Your Teenager seminars across the country. He holds a B.A. from Wheaton College and an M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Dave and his wife, Gail, have two grown children and reside in Illinois.

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book...there are definitely people I will be recommending this to in the future as a pastoral counselor. I only gave 3 stars because it really just brings up things to consider...most of them are not really something I had not really thought of on my own as a planner and a person who analyzes and thinks ahead. There were a few moments where something I hadn’t considered practically came up, like don’t plan a lot at college drop off because of how busy that time is and your child will be too excited about college to do the special family thing you might want to do. Do that weeks ahead...great advice. However, that was the exception not the rule. I’ve gotten more practical advice from friends like questions to ask your high schooler about their future, their choice of college or occupation, and even the idea of arranging for them to shadow someone in that occupation, but none of that cane here. There were not even practical ideas on things to ask about while doing college tours, etc.

The most helpful chapter to me was chapter 10 on “Keeping the Faith”. That did give me some perspective with stats and common things that happen in college as a child matures.

Thankfully the book is a quick read and did have quotes and excerpts from other books, so I think it did help me find what I am actually looking for as I prepare for my first born to leave home. I do know moms who do not have a life outside of their kids, and who really can’t imagine what the next phase of parenting will look like and this will be a great resource for them.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was given to me by a friend. While not life-changing, it certainly gave me many things to think about/emotionally prepare for. For example, the book mentions that often spouses will have very different reactions to the child leaving for college. I feel ready to not be angry at my husband when his response is different than mine! I liked the book well enough, that I'd like to purchase a few copies to give to fellow moms of high school seniors.

[Sheri Spears · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I prepare to send my oldest to college, this has been the perfect book for our journey. While nothing was super new or groundbreaking, I did find reassurance that we are on the right track. This should be a must read for every parent of teenagers, before their senior year. I will most likely read or refer to it again.

[Ramona Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read Letting Them Go as part of a book study. Great for group discussions or just for individual reading! Has some wonderful thought provoking questions, scripture references, and real-life examples. Good book for those anticipating “launching”, or in the midst of “launching” their teen or young adult.

[Alyssa Tuininga · Rating 2 out of 5]

Super religious. If you aren't Christian you will likely not get much out of this book (as I didn't). Also if you aren't super overbearing and completely controlling of your child's life ditto. There is seriously a whole section about your college student watching movies that you might not approve of. Full of Bible verses and religious sexism. Ewww

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book reminded me God designed us to be independent. We all know our goal as parents is to raise our kids to go out into the world but somehow it’s so difficult when that time comes. Lots of good reminders and advice in here.