What do you think?
Rate this book
Love in the House: Filling Your Home with the Greatest Commandment
The life of Chris and Wendy Jeub, parents of 13 children, was captured on camera for the TLC miniseries Kids by the Dozen. Over 50 hours of film were whittled down to 44 minutes. The questions raised are answered in these straight-to-the-point chapters, questions like: "How do you keep your grocery bill below $600/month? What creative solutions do you have to handle your large family? What became of the estranged relationship with your oldest daughter? What keeps Wendy looking so good after 13 births? Your lifestyle scares the daylights out of me. Why not you?" Families of all sizes will appreciate the Jeubs' creative solutions to raising children and managing a home. More importantly, Chris and Wendy honestly tell their life story trials and blessings alike that will inspire its readers to a renewed vision for family life.
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2007
5 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 12, 2022
Good, practical, interesting, Biblically-centered book on parenting.
May 12, 2022
I know MANY different families who raised their children in the hyper-conservative homeschooling circles of the nineties...and this was the first time I had ever heard a couple so clearly share how much they had messed up with their focus on rules over love. I found that incredibly impressive, and hearing how that realization changed their parenting so much was amazing to read. I loved all the parenting tips and large family hacks, but what stuck with me from reading this book was the authors' humility.
Read
January 7, 2025Book Review: Love in the House: Filling Your Home With the Greatest Commandment by Chris and Wendy Jeub
In "Love in the House: Filling Your Home With the Greatest Commandment," authors Chris and Wendy Jeub share their profound insights on parenting gained from their experience raising a large family of 13 children (now 16). This heartfelt book serves as a testament to the power of love and communication in nurturing children and building a harmonious family environment.
At the core of the Jeub family's philosophy is a vital message: verbal expressions of love are essential. Many parents may assume their children inherently know they are loved, but the Jeubs argue that this assumption can lead to emotional disconnect. They emphasize that clear and consistent communication of affection is crucial for children to genuinely feel loved. This notion is underscored by the book's compelling metaphor of an "emotional cup," which illustrates the idea that parents must actively fill their children's cups with love, acknowledgment, and affection. This simple yet powerful image resonates throughout the narrative, serving as a reminder of the need for intentionality in parenting.
The practical nature of the book is another highlight. The Jeubs share valuable parenting tips that encompass not only expressions of love but also essential aspects of family life, including family size control, budgeting, and child training. Their candid reflections on lessons learned—particularly those stemming from experiences with a "prodigal child"—add depth and authenticity, providing readers with relatable insights into the challenges and triumphs of parenting.
Moreover, the authors reflect on the necessity of demonstrating love to prevent children from seeking affection elsewhere. They recognize that children are naturally inclined to seek validation and connection, and if they do not receive it at home, they may look for it outside the family unit. This perspective emphasizes the importance of fostering a nurturing and loving environment, where children feel safe and cherished.
Overall, "Love in the House" is more than just a parenting guide; it is a heartfelt call to action for parents to embrace the greatest commandment—to love and express that love actively. Chris and Wendy Jeub’s wisdom, enriched by their extensive parenting experience, provides practical advice that can transform family dynamics and strengthen bonds. This book is an invaluable resource for parents of all backgrounds, particularly those navigating the complexities of raising multiple children. It encourages a loving, intentional approach to parenting that can lead to a deeper sense of connection and fulfillment within the family. A must-read for anyone committed to fostering an environment of love and support at home!
In "Love in the House: Filling Your Home With the Greatest Commandment," authors Chris and Wendy Jeub share their profound insights on parenting gained from their experience raising a large family of 13 children (now 16). This heartfelt book serves as a testament to the power of love and communication in nurturing children and building a harmonious family environment.
At the core of the Jeub family's philosophy is a vital message: verbal expressions of love are essential. Many parents may assume their children inherently know they are loved, but the Jeubs argue that this assumption can lead to emotional disconnect. They emphasize that clear and consistent communication of affection is crucial for children to genuinely feel loved. This notion is underscored by the book's compelling metaphor of an "emotional cup," which illustrates the idea that parents must actively fill their children's cups with love, acknowledgment, and affection. This simple yet powerful image resonates throughout the narrative, serving as a reminder of the need for intentionality in parenting.
The practical nature of the book is another highlight. The Jeubs share valuable parenting tips that encompass not only expressions of love but also essential aspects of family life, including family size control, budgeting, and child training. Their candid reflections on lessons learned—particularly those stemming from experiences with a "prodigal child"—add depth and authenticity, providing readers with relatable insights into the challenges and triumphs of parenting.
Moreover, the authors reflect on the necessity of demonstrating love to prevent children from seeking affection elsewhere. They recognize that children are naturally inclined to seek validation and connection, and if they do not receive it at home, they may look for it outside the family unit. This perspective emphasizes the importance of fostering a nurturing and loving environment, where children feel safe and cherished.
Overall, "Love in the House" is more than just a parenting guide; it is a heartfelt call to action for parents to embrace the greatest commandment—to love and express that love actively. Chris and Wendy Jeub’s wisdom, enriched by their extensive parenting experience, provides practical advice that can transform family dynamics and strengthen bonds. This book is an invaluable resource for parents of all backgrounds, particularly those navigating the complexities of raising multiple children. It encourages a loving, intentional approach to parenting that can lead to a deeper sense of connection and fulfillment within the family. A must-read for anyone committed to fostering an environment of love and support at home!
January 19, 2014
Mostly the book was just the sharing of some tips the Jeubs have learned in parenting their children (13 at the time of the book, now 16 according to a quick peek online). One particular tip stood out to me and I hope to apply it:
Envision your children with a sign around their neck that reads "I don't know that you love me." This is the truth: they don't know for sure. It is very easy for parents to take for granted that their children know their love for them. We do dishes, fold laundry, tuck them in at night, and work our tails off for them; naturally we assume they know our love for them, but they don't. My parenting changed for the better when I recognized that I needed to verbally show my love for my children. . .See your kids each with an emotional cup. If I don't pour my love into the cup, the child will eventually turn away and seek other avenues for the love for which they hope (102).
The rest of the book shared their views on allowing the Lord control of their family size, tips for budgeting, child training, and their experience with a "prodigal child" and what they learned from the experience. I appreciated their openness and humility and found the entire book worth reading, but the point that stood out most to me was to make sure my children know that I love them. They naturally long for love and if we parents aren't giving it to them, they will likely seek it out elsewhere with potentially negative consequences. It made me examine myself--in the daily routine and busyness of life, am I taking time to clearly express my love to my children?
Envision your children with a sign around their neck that reads "I don't know that you love me." This is the truth: they don't know for sure. It is very easy for parents to take for granted that their children know their love for them. We do dishes, fold laundry, tuck them in at night, and work our tails off for them; naturally we assume they know our love for them, but they don't. My parenting changed for the better when I recognized that I needed to verbally show my love for my children. . .See your kids each with an emotional cup. If I don't pour my love into the cup, the child will eventually turn away and seek other avenues for the love for which they hope (102).
The rest of the book shared their views on allowing the Lord control of their family size, tips for budgeting, child training, and their experience with a "prodigal child" and what they learned from the experience. I appreciated their openness and humility and found the entire book worth reading, but the point that stood out most to me was to make sure my children know that I love them. They naturally long for love and if we parents aren't giving it to them, they will likely seek it out elsewhere with potentially negative consequences. It made me examine myself--in the daily routine and busyness of life, am I taking time to clearly express my love to my children?
October 30, 2009
The first day of the CHEC homeschool conference, I had the privilege of meeting Chris and Wendy Jeub, parents of 15 children. After talking for a while, Chris asked if I would be interested in trading books. So I gave them a copy of Pajama School in exchange for two of their books. This book was written primarily as a follow-up to a TLC series called, “Kids by the Dozen” that featured their family in addition to two others. The Jeub’s tackle some of the most popular arguments against letting God control your family size, and offer many nuggets of wisdom and practical advice that will benefit families of any size. I especially appreciated the chapter, “Bringing Order to the Chaos” in which they share how they train their children to have proper behavior. They state, “There is a role for discipline, but there is a bigger role for instruction” and then share an innovative approach they have used to effectively instruct their children. Ultimately, Chris and Wendy share some of the heartache that they experienced that reminded them of the primary importance of love in a family.
July 5, 2013
This is a short, easy to read book. The authors don't beat us over the head with their opinions, but they do offer compelling, make-you-think ideas. It's really a must-read for every Christian - and every parent (Christian or not).
The Jeub's, at the time they wrote "Love in the House," had 13 children. They begin their book by discussing how they ended up with so many, all while tackling the fears that prevent so many people from the blessing of many (or any) children. (I love their advice on not waiting to have children until you are financially "ready.")But my favorite part of the book is where they offer down to earth parenting advice; they even discuss why they had a break with their eldest daughter (who, as an adult, chose a very different lifestyle from their own), what their own fault in the matter was, and how they've changed their lives to prevent future breaks. (They now have a good relationship with their prodigal daughter.) A good read!
The Jeub's, at the time they wrote "Love in the House," had 13 children. They begin their book by discussing how they ended up with so many, all while tackling the fears that prevent so many people from the blessing of many (or any) children. (I love their advice on not waiting to have children until you are financially "ready.")But my favorite part of the book is where they offer down to earth parenting advice; they even discuss why they had a break with their eldest daughter (who, as an adult, chose a very different lifestyle from their own), what their own fault in the matter was, and how they've changed their lives to prevent future breaks. (They now have a good relationship with their prodigal daughter.) A good read!
March 24, 2009
This book had many great ideas. One of my favorites was to practice good behavior with children by playing pretend. ie play/practicing how to sit reverently at church, how to be polite at the dinner table, how to go through the bedtime routine. It also addressed people's issues with large families and they had some really great ways of explaining the fallacies in people's beliefs about having large families.
December 8, 2011
I love this family. They have wisdom to offer parents of one or many, and their humility is inspiring. The meat of this book is in the last half, in my opinion, so don't put it down! I can't wait to read their newer book, "Love Another Child" for an update on their thinking after having even more children.
July 18, 2012
Really enjoyed the openness of the personal stories, the lessons learned throughout the ups and downs of the parenting journey, and the willingness of the authors to tackle controversial topics. As well as the spiritual inspiration, there is some insightful and practical parenting and home management advice shared that isn't limited to large families.
August 7, 2013
I was pleasantly surprised at the relevance of this book to "mainstream" parents (okay, so I'm a homeschooling mom of six but living overseas and not exclusive to that crowd). The honesty about their struggles with their oldest daughter and the lessons they have learned challenged me and inspired me as a parent.
February 5, 2012
I really liked the chapter on discipline - the practicing the behavior that you want. There will be a few things that we will be practicing.
July 13, 2013
Thought-provoking and many ideas are applicable to a family of one child as to a family of 13.
Read
February 10, 2015this was an eye opener and a delight. Definitely feel God convicting me in so many ways and I need to have god change my heart. Thanks Jeubs for writing such a treasure
June 24, 2017
Interesting
I have wanted read this book for a while. I disagree with some of their parenting advice, but agree with training children with love.
I have wanted read this book for a while. I disagree with some of their parenting advice, but agree with training children with love.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews