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Five Signs of a Loving Family
We've all heard about dysfunctional families. Their struggles are the topic of TV shows, best-selling books, and popular magazines. Everyday something else that parents or children do is labeled 'dysfunctional.' Are the world's problems destined to become our own? How can we make sure we are part of the solution - not the problem?
According to respected marriage counselor Gary Chapman, we can still make the dream of loving families come true. Just as bankers study authentic bills if they want to spot counterfeits, we can learn how to make our own families 'work' by studying successful ones. In 'Five Signs of a Loving Family', Dr. Chapman suggests that service, love, leadership, teaching and obedience are the hallmarks of lasting families. And he prescribes practical ways to help every family member nurture these traits. His words are powerful encouragement for parents and children alike.
According to respected marriage counselor Gary Chapman, we can still make the dream of loving families come true. Just as bankers study authentic bills if they want to spot counterfeits, we can learn how to make our own families 'work' by studying successful ones. In 'Five Signs of a Loving Family', Dr. Chapman suggests that service, love, leadership, teaching and obedience are the hallmarks of lasting families. And he prescribes practical ways to help every family member nurture these traits. His words are powerful encouragement for parents and children alike.
256 pages, Paperback
First published July 13, 1998
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About the author
Gary Chapman
582 books3,514 followersGary Demonte Chapman is an American author and radio talk show host. Chapman is most noted for his The Five Love Languages series regarding human relationships.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 19, 2009
I'd never heard of this Gary Chapman book (he's more famous for the Five Love Languages), but it caught my eye at the library, and I decided to give it a try.
My biggest complaints are:
1. The chapter on teaching and training children cannot possibly be long enough to be helpful, so what's the point?
2. I think there are more than these five signs, including the fact that loving families like to have fun together (not really discussed as such).
3. It seems odd that there's a chapter on fathers but not one on mothers. Then again, in our society, fathers do tend to be absentees or losers more often. That said, most mothers are not perfect angels either.
But. I LOVED the first section and will definitely be applying some of the points in my life. I thought the chapter on marital intimacy was pretty good too.
I did feel like it was geared toward families with at least slightly older children, but that doesn't mean it's not useful. Just not yet.
My biggest complaints are:
1. The chapter on teaching and training children cannot possibly be long enough to be helpful, so what's the point?
2. I think there are more than these five signs, including the fact that loving families like to have fun together (not really discussed as such).
3. It seems odd that there's a chapter on fathers but not one on mothers. Then again, in our society, fathers do tend to be absentees or losers more often. That said, most mothers are not perfect angels either.
But. I LOVED the first section and will definitely be applying some of the points in my life. I thought the chapter on marital intimacy was pretty good too.
I did feel like it was geared toward families with at least slightly older children, but that doesn't mean it's not useful. Just not yet.
September 3, 2020
A good introduction to the family dynamic. Full of cute stories and common sense, with a spattering of useful, practical advice. Perfect for new couples or couples expecting their first child.
April 6, 2015
‘Five signs of a loving family’ is different from Chapman's better-known ‘love language’ books. It discusses some aspects of a healthy family life which are usually lacking in today’s society. The author has picked out a handful of traits that were observed in his family, and which he believes are of significance to the many families at the start of the 21st century.
It starts well, with a look at an attitude of service.: not just what parents do for their children, but at the motivation, and the importance of children helping with chores. There were some good ideas and suggestions, but I felt that some of the author’s suggestions were a tad coercive. This continued through the book. There were some constructive suggestions for encouraging children's questions and freedoms, but they were tempered with ideas about ‘training’ which seemed overly authoritarian to me. Some of the examples given were, frankly, unfair, and likely to cause resentment.
There are assessment charts throughout the book. It’s good that readers are not expected to buy another ‘workbook’; on the other hand, these assessments were a bit distracting in the middle of the text. I would have preferred them as an appendix.
The writing is good, some of the anecdotes are interesting, and there is plenty to discuss if a couple decide to read this book together. The author is a Christian, and this is spelled out in a couple of places; however the book is deliberately written from a mainly secular point of view, and should thus be relevant to people of any faith, or none.
This could be of use to families struggling to find a relationship between parents and children; even if readers don’t agree with most of the suggestions, they could well trigger some new ways of relating.
It starts well, with a look at an attitude of service.: not just what parents do for their children, but at the motivation, and the importance of children helping with chores. There were some good ideas and suggestions, but I felt that some of the author’s suggestions were a tad coercive. This continued through the book. There were some constructive suggestions for encouraging children's questions and freedoms, but they were tempered with ideas about ‘training’ which seemed overly authoritarian to me. Some of the examples given were, frankly, unfair, and likely to cause resentment.
There are assessment charts throughout the book. It’s good that readers are not expected to buy another ‘workbook’; on the other hand, these assessments were a bit distracting in the middle of the text. I would have preferred them as an appendix.
The writing is good, some of the anecdotes are interesting, and there is plenty to discuss if a couple decide to read this book together. The author is a Christian, and this is spelled out in a couple of places; however the book is deliberately written from a mainly secular point of view, and should thus be relevant to people of any faith, or none.
This could be of use to families struggling to find a relationship between parents and children; even if readers don’t agree with most of the suggestions, they could well trigger some new ways of relating.
September 30, 2011
I have read many of Chapman's books (Five Love Languages) so I was looking forward to this, and found myself disappointed. It has decent info, but nothing really inspiring. I was also disappointed that he devoted a chapter to how men can be better leaders in marriage and fathering (good!) but didn't devote a similar chapter with tools for women in their wife and mother roles.
May 3, 2010
A good follow up to 5 love languages, especially if you have children. I think that it offers sound advice as well, as offering lots of concrete exercises to do as a family to improve the habits that make up the 5 signs.
November 22, 2011
..this book is really worth reading :)
parents and soon to be parents should really check this one..
parents and soon to be parents should really check this one..
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews