8 Errors Parents Make and How to Avoid Them

by Michael Brock

Good kids aren't just a matter of luck.

Bad kids aren’t, either.

Pastor Michael Brock has counseled families for decades and raised five children of his own. Over the years, he’s found that parents with child trouble usually make the same handful of mistakes. These errors shape the first years of a child’s life—and they have devastating consequences as the child gets older.

The good news is there are practical, biblical ways to avoid them.

This book diagnoses the eight most common failures of parents and offers simple suggestions for how to raise a healthy family, by God’s grace.

Genres: Parenting, Family, Christian, Christian Living, Christianity, Nonfiction, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published October 2, 2024

Reviews

[Caleb M. Powers]

One of the all-time best books on parenting I've read, and I've read quite a few at this point.

[Makayla]

Highly practical. Very good. Appreciated the overview from toddler to teen and how to raise children in a gospel centered way at each step.

[Emma Whear]

Best parenting book I've ever read.

[Noah Johnson]

BOLD CLAIM:
Most practical book I have read on parenting!

This is not a theological book on parenting. Instead, Brock gives you 46 action points on how to parent based on biblical principles. I can say for certain this book has helped me apply the solid doctrine I have learned from other parenting books.

PS: the exhortation at the end of the book will get you fired up! 🔥

[Katie]

Brett and I had the privilege of taking the Brock’s parenting class at our church before we even had children. So grateful to have had the opportunity to be shepherded, and in community with them and their children before we started a family. The principles we learned in that class and from them personally were foundational for us. I appreciate how Pastor Brock pulls wisdom from so many different sources and curates it in the error/application format. Thrilled to now have it all in written form!

[Anita Deacon]

Loved how practical this was. Pairs nicely with more theological, big picture content like some of the Wilson family stuff.
Also appreciated that it avoided the prescriptive legalism of many practical parenting guides.

[John Rimmer]

A really good book. Like taking Doug Wilson and Tedd Tripp's best parenting insights and spreading them on a few well-ordered crackers. Reading books like this fills your head with things you wish you were doing better, or ideas to try later.

[Anna Clapp]

"If you are parents to your kids when they're young, you'll be life long friends with them as adults" THIS!!!
"You will ruin your children if you center your life around them"
This book is GREAT. So much wisdom & things I've seen work in my own childhood as well as things you wouldn't think of being important in childhood parenting. Good kids are NOT a matter of luck. Truly don't know how people not in Christ have the confidence to parent in a world of constant changing morality-very thankful to have the Bible as a clear guide as to how to raise children in a world with sin

[Mason Sherrill]

The most honest, practical, convicting, yet equipping parenting book I’ve read. If you’re put off by some of his methods hop on over to the last chapter, read, then return to wherever you were. I am so thankful for this book!
Side note: I listened on audio, highly recommend. It’s read by the author & I loved hearing it read by him.

[Jessi Schwind]

One of the best parenting books I've listened to, encouraging wisdom and convicting in the areas I'm not doing well in but with clear instructions and suggestions on how to discipline and lead children in grace and truth.

[Joshua Rowland]

No frills, straightforward, solid. Reads like a seasoned dad telling some young parents what to do (and how to do it). We need a great deal more of that.

[Grace Lawrence]

The best parenting book I’ve read! So practical

[Emilie Rudd]

Such an excellent book on parenting! I loved how Brock reminds the reader that God works through our weaknesses, our “feeble feebleness”, to accomplish His purposes when we are faithful and diligent in the calling “to raise our children in the way they should go.” An encouraging reminder as he sets the stage of the book and then delves into the 8 errors that are so easy to make.

This book was especially sweet because it brought back so many familiar concepts from the way Dad and Mom raised us siblings. Timeless and practical truths that are foundational and fruitful in raising children who love and follow the Lord.

This is a book I’ll return to regularly for both reminder and motivation. I highly recommend it to parents at any stage, it’s a treasure of wisdom.

[Meredith Coogan]

If you’ve needed a helpful reminder in parenting, this is it!!! Very direct, encouraging, and chapters are short! He keeps the main thing the main thing (teaching our children Christ) while still showing the readers theres always a higher choice or a pressing onward in parenting. Don’t settle with your kids disobedience or the same errors you keep making! It encouraged me to reestablish my standards for my children, to keep going in training, and PRAYING for Gods help!

[Kenneth G]

Although I am not a parent yet, this book was such a comfort to my soul. It was incredibly practical, wonderfully transparent, and rich in Biblical support. Parenting seems like a difficult task and instead of avoiding that reality, Brock presses in with helpful advice on how to do it to the glory of God. I intend to return to this book often.

[Taylor Doupé]

Can I give a 10/10! This book is phenomenal. Many principles mentioned I have read from other books but he packages it all nicely and still has his own input. I recommend for every Christian parent to read!

[Rick White]

If me and my wife wrote a book, this might be as close as it gets to what we would write. There are a few -not insignificant- differences in some practical suggestions, but overall, the message here is one that I can get behind. Plus, being a book that synthesizes many of the books on parenting that many in reformed circles cite, it comes off as a "best of" summary for the other well-known parenting books. As a pastor, this is one of the books we offer to parents for parent-commissioning.

[Jen Adams]

The most thorough and concise parenting book I've read, I will be returning to it time and time again!

[Joel Rasmussen]

This book gave me hope. in this world of gentle parenting, child centered homes/marriages, delayed obedience and other silly nonsense - this book cuts through it with scripture based advice for raising Christians. Thoroughly enjoyed the book and the wisdom therein.

[Carissa Benton]

I did find a lot of the suggestions to be helpful and biblical, there were just a decent amount I disagreed with, which made sense as he got some of his ideas from people like the Pearls who I think have some serious issues. Overall, it was a good read, though.

[Caroline Speights]

S/o to my pastor for writing this book ✅ quick and easy read with very practical help on parenting ! Will revisit in the future 😎

[Jacob Aguirre]

Loved it. So many practical examples of biblical principles. Really enjoyed the personal stories sprinkled throughout. Only wish I found this one sooner!

[Abby Garay]

This book is VERY practical and to the point. A lot of parenting books are philosophical/theological and this book is very much not that… there were a few things here and there that I would have liked to have asked him a few questions about or that I think he should have explained more but overall, lots of practical, helpful advice.

[Kerra Twombly]

Best book on parenting my husband & I have read together. It was helpful & fruitful to discuss points we agreed with & wanted to implement, as well as the points we disagreed with, which oftentimes simply had to do with our theology & working hermeneutic differing from the author. Highly recommend. Excellent balance of theological & practical, a hard thing to strike in Christian parenting books.

[Nick Whitehead]

Brock has sifted through a lot of Christian writers on this topic and compiled a concise, challenge, and practical manual for christian parenting. I wouldn't strictly adhere to every recommendation or technique, but this definitely convicted me and inspired me as I continue to shepherd and lead the five little souls in my home.

[Jennieowen]

Great! Practical and as such we have done some some of the practical methods differently, but love the principles and examples. Good parenting starts with parents who love and follow the Lord and flows from there. Helpful and convicting in my 19th year of parenting. 😆

[Collin Lewis]

Really good and really practical. I would recommend this book especially to those about to have kids or families with little ones.

Many of the principles found in this book are in place in our home, but I picked up several new things and once again was convicted and exhorted.

[Sara Kessler]

I loved this! I have read many parenting books and Michael Brock truly takes all the best advice and sums it up in an easy to read and engaging book. I also learned some new things as well that I plan to implement with my own children. Solid book! I will be recommending it to friends.

[Jordan Shirkman]

Immensely practical. Good paradigm of parenting as a cop, coach, and counselor as kids age.

[Hopefully Books]

The best parenting book I’ve ever read.