What do you think?
Rate this book
Raising an Original: Parenting Each Child According to their Unique God-Given Temperament
Most Christian parents are bombarded with all kinds of advice and plans and programs for how to be a great parent. In parenting eight kids over the last twenty-five years, Julie Lyles Carr and her husband experienced plenty of opportunity for learning, but it was when they began to understand it was about parenting each child according to their own unique needs and personality style that something wonderful happened.
In Raising an Original, Carr helps to redefine the primary purpose of Christian parenting, this raising of the next generation. God has given each of our children specific gifts, abilities and capacities for specific purposes and He can equip parents to discover and support those powerful personality traits if they know where to look and how to respond. So many kids raised in Christian homes launch into their adult lives without any sense of knowing who they are called to be or what their mission on earth is. What if parents, teachers or mentors could help them discover the wondrous, unique threads woven within them that will enable them to see their part in the fabric of God’s universe?
Readers of Raising an Original will be equipped to help their children:
Understand their unique strengths and the challenges associated with them
Discover their God-given gifts and how to use them for His glory
Succeed regardless of their circumstances
Raising an Original will provide readers with tools for better communication with their children as well as tools for uniquely guiding and disciplining each unique child. With a helpful and detailed Personality Trait Assessment Tool included as a major part of the book, readers will understand themselves, their parenting style, and their child better. They will also discover ways to improve their children’s communication within sibling groups and with parents themselves.
Readers will find freedom in discovering that God hasn’t asked them to raise perfect children; He’s asked them to uniquely raise purposed children.
In Raising an Original, Carr helps to redefine the primary purpose of Christian parenting, this raising of the next generation. God has given each of our children specific gifts, abilities and capacities for specific purposes and He can equip parents to discover and support those powerful personality traits if they know where to look and how to respond. So many kids raised in Christian homes launch into their adult lives without any sense of knowing who they are called to be or what their mission on earth is. What if parents, teachers or mentors could help them discover the wondrous, unique threads woven within them that will enable them to see their part in the fabric of God’s universe?
Readers of Raising an Original will be equipped to help their children:
Understand their unique strengths and the challenges associated with them
Discover their God-given gifts and how to use them for His glory
Succeed regardless of their circumstances
Raising an Original will provide readers with tools for better communication with their children as well as tools for uniquely guiding and disciplining each unique child. With a helpful and detailed Personality Trait Assessment Tool included as a major part of the book, readers will understand themselves, their parenting style, and their child better. They will also discover ways to improve their children’s communication within sibling groups and with parents themselves.
Readers will find freedom in discovering that God hasn’t asked them to raise perfect children; He’s asked them to uniquely raise purposed children.
256 pages, Paperback
Published September 13, 2016
41 people are currently reading
331 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 - 30 of 34 reviews
June 18, 2019
I will start off by saying that I wish I had not taken so long to pick this book up! It was packed full of wonderful advice on being a parent and how to help your child develop into the person God created them to be. It's a great book to read no matter what stage of parenting you are in. It really helped me to see that I can't expect my child to be like anyone else, nor should they be. It also shined a light on my tendency to see faults as failures, rather than assets in their lives. Each child is so uniquely created and they deserve parents who will allow them to become fully who they were created to be in every aspect. I can definitely see myself picking this one up again as my children grow just to be reminded. This was a wonderful tool to remind me of how amazing my kids, and all kids, are!
* I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *
* I received this book from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review *
April 1, 2017
I thought it started a little slow, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Carr's insights and exercises (especially the ROPES assessment) gave me a new perspective on each of my children: their differences, their natural bent, their temperament. Would recommmend to any parent, but especially those who are butting heads or having trouble figuring out how to connect with a child.
October 24, 2016
I am a parenting book junkie. As my children grow and move from stage to stage, I am constantly looking for answers to help me navigate the new waters. It has been a long time since I have read such a helpful book. I have already recommended this book to many friends! In fact, there is currently a wait list to borrow my copy. My suggestion is to just buy your own copy…you will highlight as you read and you will want to keep this book!
There are many parenting books at your local bookstore. Raising an Original is different because it looks at the make-up of your children. They are all so different and one parenting style isn't going to cover it! In Part II of Raising an Original, author Julie Lyles Carr addresses common parenting pitfalls. My favorite chapter in this section was Carr’s treatment of fear-based parenting. I am often quick to helicopter to protect. I laughed as I read this chapter because I find myself doing some of the very things she names.
The best part of Raising an Original is the 4-Style Personality Traits Assessment Tool included in Part III. Basically, Carr has included a DISC profile for your kids!! My husband and I sat down and took the assessment for both of our boys. The results were enlightening. I truly feel better equipped to handle the day to day obstacles in parenting my unique children!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher. I am not required to give this title a positive review and I have not been compensated in any way. I do whole-heartedly recommend this book for all the parents out there who need some fresh advice! This book does include Christian principals and scripture references.
There are many parenting books at your local bookstore. Raising an Original is different because it looks at the make-up of your children. They are all so different and one parenting style isn't going to cover it! In Part II of Raising an Original, author Julie Lyles Carr addresses common parenting pitfalls. My favorite chapter in this section was Carr’s treatment of fear-based parenting. I am often quick to helicopter to protect. I laughed as I read this chapter because I find myself doing some of the very things she names.
The best part of Raising an Original is the 4-Style Personality Traits Assessment Tool included in Part III. Basically, Carr has included a DISC profile for your kids!! My husband and I sat down and took the assessment for both of our boys. The results were enlightening. I truly feel better equipped to handle the day to day obstacles in parenting my unique children!
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher. I am not required to give this title a positive review and I have not been compensated in any way. I do whole-heartedly recommend this book for all the parents out there who need some fresh advice! This book does include Christian principals and scripture references.
December 9, 2016
There were many, many things I loved about this book...and a few I didn't. I expected more about the personality styles, but that comes 130+ pages into the book. And honestly, while the assessment gave me a few additional insights into my girls' personalities, I really prefer my Myers-Briggs assessment tool. (Nurture by Nature is my favorite, but MotherStyles is excellent, too.) I did really like Julie's writing style and bookmarked several pages to re-read before returning to the library.
January 20, 2017
Using a beautiful metaphor of lacemaking, Julie Lyles Carr knits together a lovely parenting book, unlike any other I've read. She writes poignantly about how each child is an original creation and how parents can tailor their styles to each child's strengths and weaknesses. A mother of eight, Julie shares many of her own parenting adventures and mishaps. Her writing style is inviting and warm. She is also an informative teacher, sharing scientific research in an approachable way.
In Part 3, Julie includes a valuable assessment of your child's personality. This is a practical tool for learning how you can parent your child(ren) in specific ways to foster academic, emotional, and spiritual growth. She also writes about creating balance in extracurricular activities and adjusting expectations for your child's future. Julie deftly weaves in scripture lessons and vignettes to create a truly enjoyable parenting read.
If I could make any suggestion for changes, I would have a shorter introduction and place the personality assessment tool in Part 1. That would knit the content together more logically. But you can simply read Part 3 first and then the book as a whole. There's still much to take away and apply.
This book has helped me understand the needs of my three children in a new way. I now have a better grasp on how to parent to their unique temperaments. I recommend this book to parents of children ages 3 and up who want to become more intentional in their parenting.
In Part 3, Julie includes a valuable assessment of your child's personality. This is a practical tool for learning how you can parent your child(ren) in specific ways to foster academic, emotional, and spiritual growth. She also writes about creating balance in extracurricular activities and adjusting expectations for your child's future. Julie deftly weaves in scripture lessons and vignettes to create a truly enjoyable parenting read.
If I could make any suggestion for changes, I would have a shorter introduction and place the personality assessment tool in Part 1. That would knit the content together more logically. But you can simply read Part 3 first and then the book as a whole. There's still much to take away and apply.
This book has helped me understand the needs of my three children in a new way. I now have a better grasp on how to parent to their unique temperaments. I recommend this book to parents of children ages 3 and up who want to become more intentional in their parenting.
January 2, 2020
Three years ago, I got this book brand-new and raced to the middle to the personality tests, skipping the entire first part of the book. Not my usual MO for reading a book, but at the time I was fine with it because I gleaned enough information about my four kids and myself that it felt like I got most of the content. Three years and two more kids later, I realized that Julie's voice was one that I needed to hear again, fully, not edited. So I picked this book back up and read the first part, which was beautiful and helpful, and I am now sorry I skipped it. Getting to redo the personality tests for my oldest kids was great fun too, to see which ways they have drifted, closer or farther away from where they were three years ago. I hope to pull this book out again in three more years, it's that good! Simple, straightforward prose that speaks to my momma heart clearly. Tests that even an eight year old can participate in and not be bored. Thank you Julie for writing this book and bringing it to us in the trenches.
September 24, 2018
I almost put this book down a few times, even when I was halfway done with it. It takes a while to get into the “meat” of what she wants to teach us about our kids. There are too many personal stories that take up too many pages... I picked it up because I wanted to find out what the title promised: how to parent each child according to their God-given temperament. That said, the second half finally digs in to personality tests and descriptions. I learned a few new things about my own kids and how they differ from me and their siblings, but I can’t honestly say that she does a good job explaining how to parent/coach/teach them.
December 24, 2018
Raising An Original is beautifully-written but more importantly you can tell that Julie has tried and tested the advice she offers in this book. You will be inspired and equipped to be a more intentional parent through both the profound and practical resources that Julie offers. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, because Julie did a great job narrating it and because (as a busy mom) I could listen to it while I checked items off my list (like laundry, carting kids around, and cooking).
October 12, 2017
Greatly enjoyed her perspective and would recommend to any parent. The social and behavior sciences as well as anthropology carve us out to be truly gifted, uniquely maded even before preschool. The ROPES assessment illuminated how best to navigate with all my children, because one size does not fit all. Therefore, figuring out how to adapt to your children particular styles allows for more understanding in how to help guide.
July 12, 2019
This book was not one I wanted to keep picking up but it was decent overall. I don’t think the author offered much new information. She kind of came off with a bit White Privilege/ White Savior that was distasteful but maybe I’m over sensitive to this.
July 3, 2017
Probably my favorite parenting book that I've read to date. Great book.
March 21, 2018
Nothing totally new, but I appreciate the perspective and wisdom of a seasoned mother of eight children. Great stories!
May 19, 2018
A breath of fresh air in a world of critics, controllers, and skeptics. Powerful words of truth that bring comfort, renewed vision and freedom.
December 20, 2019
Amazing, wonderful, thought provoking, challenging, encouraging, and true!! Love it!
June 14, 2023
I need to get the actual physical copy of this book so I can do the assessment listed in the last quarter of the book. However, I still got a lot of the book by listening to it on audio.
June 28, 2023
"As the treasures our children are, every precious gem stone is faceted differently to capture the light.
If we insist on trying only to maintain a standard of “normal” in our children, we miss the amazing opportunity to coax true brilliance- the brightness of a completely unique soul- to its full purpose."
If we insist on trying only to maintain a standard of “normal” in our children, we miss the amazing opportunity to coax true brilliance- the brightness of a completely unique soul- to its full purpose."
February 17, 2022
One would think that dropping another parenting book into a sea of already-published opinions would be unnecessary, that everything has been said. All the Bible verses have been quoted. All the aspects have been covered.
But then a book like Raising an Original happens and all those thoughts disappear. Our world changes with each generation and each person is so uniquely created (isn’t God amazing?) that his or her perspective is worth listening to!
Julie Lyles Carr, a mom to eight, and her husband are raising their children to know God cherishes them and their exclusive characteristics. They’ve worked very hard to parent “each child according to their unique God-given temperament” (as the book cover describes). And with a well-crafted writing talent, Julie shares personal stories, Bible verses and lessons to teach the reader how to do the same thing.
In the middle of the book is an assessment. She adapted the “DiSC” personality test to work for children and walks parents through assessing their child(ren). She doesn’t just stop there and say, “Okay, now they’re categorized!” Rather, she goes into further detail with examples and suggestions for parenting each type of personality. It’s really neat.
What’s our real mission as Christian parents? I love this quote by Julie:
Whether we realize it or not, there is a powerful tendency to parent our children as our friends parent their children, or as the church says we should, or as our parents did. “We often parent based on the traditions we see around us.” But that’s not really what God asks us to do; rather, we are responsible to forget “normal” and do what is the best for each particular child.
I love when she gets deeper into discussing the results of the personality test, because she addresses the different combinations — for example, if you took the assessment for yourself and your daughter landed in the exact opposite one. How would you handle that? “It’s natural for your personality to find it easier to relate to some personalities than to others. And your understanding of your own personality in conjunction with your child’s can help both of you sort through conflict and communication.”
Julie gives specific examples or scenarios that could crop up for different combinations of personalities. Just bringing these issues up to the surface, realizing their existence, is already a great step in the right direction to parenting your child to his or her full potential, but she also gives some pretty great suggestions for navigating various scenarios.
There are truly a lot of great chapters in this book. I flew through it! My copy is now all marked up so I can find my favorite sections again but it’s a high likelihood I read the entire thing again (which isn’t common for me). It’s a new addition to my favorite Christian parenting books. I’ll leave you with one of the best quotes (page 123):
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. 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.
But then a book like Raising an Original happens and all those thoughts disappear. Our world changes with each generation and each person is so uniquely created (isn’t God amazing?) that his or her perspective is worth listening to!
Julie Lyles Carr, a mom to eight, and her husband are raising their children to know God cherishes them and their exclusive characteristics. They’ve worked very hard to parent “each child according to their unique God-given temperament” (as the book cover describes). And with a well-crafted writing talent, Julie shares personal stories, Bible verses and lessons to teach the reader how to do the same thing.
In the middle of the book is an assessment. She adapted the “DiSC” personality test to work for children and walks parents through assessing their child(ren). She doesn’t just stop there and say, “Okay, now they’re categorized!” Rather, she goes into further detail with examples and suggestions for parenting each type of personality. It’s really neat.
What’s our real mission as Christian parents? I love this quote by Julie:
“Many of us have a sense that our general mission is to raise children who love and worship God and are upstanding, moral citizens. But the world’s definition of success can creep in to that mission, adding layer upon layer to our perceived responsibilities. Of course, that’s not all bad. Education, activities, hobbies, and friends add color and texture to our lives. But our culture has a way of shifting and shaping itself. The goals that are lifted up as measures of success today will look different tomorrow. And we need to parent our kids on the bedrock principle that God places plans and purposes — not trends, curves, and drifts — for His kids…
…Here’s the real mission of parenting: To make God known to our children. And to discover and explore who our children are through God’s measure. To uncover the individual potential woven into each of our kids and to help cultivate that seed of purpose into full bloom.”
Whether we realize it or not, there is a powerful tendency to parent our children as our friends parent their children, or as the church says we should, or as our parents did. “We often parent based on the traditions we see around us.” But that’s not really what God asks us to do; rather, we are responsible to forget “normal” and do what is the best for each particular child.
“God has sent your child into your arms and into your home and your heart for a reason and for a season. Whether your child is a challenge or a charm, an easy-going peacemaker or a complex essence, God has imbued him or her to be a presence in this generation, in this culture, in this epoch. And He appointed you as that child’s parent. That child’s guide. That child’s coach and cheerleader and advocate and disciplinarian. To do those jobs well, you’re going to need to know your child — his personality, his challenges, the unique strands that went into the knitting of him. You’re not just going to need to know popular philosophies of childrearing.
You’re raising an original.
And that’s going to take an original approach.
I love when she gets deeper into discussing the results of the personality test, because she addresses the different combinations — for example, if you took the assessment for yourself and your daughter landed in the exact opposite one. How would you handle that? “It’s natural for your personality to find it easier to relate to some personalities than to others. And your understanding of your own personality in conjunction with your child’s can help both of you sort through conflict and communication.”
Julie gives specific examples or scenarios that could crop up for different combinations of personalities. Just bringing these issues up to the surface, realizing their existence, is already a great step in the right direction to parenting your child to his or her full potential, but she also gives some pretty great suggestions for navigating various scenarios.
There are truly a lot of great chapters in this book. I flew through it! My copy is now all marked up so I can find my favorite sections again but it’s a high likelihood I read the entire thing again (which isn’t common for me). It’s a new addition to my favorite Christian parenting books. I’ll leave you with one of the best quotes (page 123):
It’s great if my kids remind people of me, but ultimately, I want my kids to reflect Jesus.
I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. 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.
March 4, 2017
I received an early release copy of this book as part of a book launch group. It has taken me too long to finally write a review of it.
This was an interesting read as a father of young children. It was both encouraging and challenging/convicting. I like how Julie explains her message in the book, she's relatable and honest.
It took me a while to read the book, because a middle section contained an exercise that I struggled with whether I had to do it right then or was it something I could come back to. After an extended break from the book I decided it was time for me to just finish the book entirely and then see if I thought the exercise and entire book's message would be applicable and beneficial. I do plan now to go back and do the suggested exercise with my wife as we continue to learn and grow in our parenting roles.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to see how God creates us all uniquely for His grand purposes and invites parents alongside Him to prepare the next generation for a fulfilling life in Him.
This was an interesting read as a father of young children. It was both encouraging and challenging/convicting. I like how Julie explains her message in the book, she's relatable and honest.
It took me a while to read the book, because a middle section contained an exercise that I struggled with whether I had to do it right then or was it something I could come back to. After an extended break from the book I decided it was time for me to just finish the book entirely and then see if I thought the exercise and entire book's message would be applicable and beneficial. I do plan now to go back and do the suggested exercise with my wife as we continue to learn and grow in our parenting roles.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to see how God creates us all uniquely for His grand purposes and invites parents alongside Him to prepare the next generation for a fulfilling life in Him.
September 14, 2016
I have read a lot of parenting books over the years but nothing as simply put as this one. It was an easy read, no big word mumbo jumbo; just simple. I felt like I was sitting over a cup of coffee having a casual conversation with Julie about our kiddos. The ROPES Assessment couldn't be more spot on.
This book also touched the child in me that didn't have a great childhood. I feel like it healed another layer of the scars that were left. It strengthened me to be an original myself, while reassuring me that letting my children be an original was ok too.
"The strength is in the struggle." - few words, huge meaning, huge impact.
This book also touched the child in me that didn't have a great childhood. I feel like it healed another layer of the scars that were left. It strengthened me to be an original myself, while reassuring me that letting my children be an original was ok too.
"The strength is in the struggle." - few words, huge meaning, huge impact.
February 20, 2017
“Consider first who your child is, how she learns, where she shines. Education is one of several tools to be placed in a box of resources of preparation; it’s not the container of all potential, all destiny, all future. You child is the container.”
Parenting is hard and one of the hardest part is that each and every child is so different. What works and motivates one child will not work on another. Each child is an original. By being able to understand the personality and gifts of each of your children, and your own, you might gain some insight in how to better parent each individual child.
I received this book from Zondervan press in exchange for a fair review. It was actually on my list of books to read before the opportunity came up to request a copy for review. Another friend had read it and had highly recommended it. I’m always looking for tips in how to be a better parent.
Read more here: http://sarahannecarter.com/raising-an...
Parenting is hard and one of the hardest part is that each and every child is so different. What works and motivates one child will not work on another. Each child is an original. By being able to understand the personality and gifts of each of your children, and your own, you might gain some insight in how to better parent each individual child.
I received this book from Zondervan press in exchange for a fair review. It was actually on my list of books to read before the opportunity came up to request a copy for review. Another friend had read it and had highly recommended it. I’m always looking for tips in how to be a better parent.
Read more here: http://sarahannecarter.com/raising-an...
September 13, 2016
Let me just state this up front: the ROPES Personality Assessment tool alone is worth the price of the book.
As a relationship coach, I’ve dealt with numerous people who are working hard to understand their child but failing. They increasingly find themselves frustrated and causing more damage. This book, in that regard, is pure gold Julie Lyles Carr’s style is entertaining, engaging, and empathetic. She gets the struggle of raising kids but can help free you up to be more of who you are while pulling more out of your kids. God created each of your children as unique individuals and she helps you parent in a God-honoring way.
The assessment tool, similar to what adults in the workplace are used to with Myers-Briggs, StrengthsQuest, DISC, or Enneagram is a valuable tool for understanding your child better. It will allow you the chance to understand their temperament, demeanor, strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth. You’ll undoubtedly discover that about yourself too, making the familial bonds stronger and the relationships more meaningful.
As a tool, I will definitely be using it in my coaching practice, and it will be highly recommended to parents looking for ways to deepen their connections with their children.
***Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review and assessment. Any endorsement is done free of compensation and is in no way required by the author, publisher, or any other party.***
As a relationship coach, I’ve dealt with numerous people who are working hard to understand their child but failing. They increasingly find themselves frustrated and causing more damage. This book, in that regard, is pure gold Julie Lyles Carr’s style is entertaining, engaging, and empathetic. She gets the struggle of raising kids but can help free you up to be more of who you are while pulling more out of your kids. God created each of your children as unique individuals and she helps you parent in a God-honoring way.
The assessment tool, similar to what adults in the workplace are used to with Myers-Briggs, StrengthsQuest, DISC, or Enneagram is a valuable tool for understanding your child better. It will allow you the chance to understand their temperament, demeanor, strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth. You’ll undoubtedly discover that about yourself too, making the familial bonds stronger and the relationships more meaningful.
As a tool, I will definitely be using it in my coaching practice, and it will be highly recommended to parents looking for ways to deepen their connections with their children.
***Note: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review and assessment. Any endorsement is done free of compensation and is in no way required by the author, publisher, or any other party.***
December 13, 2016
The strengths of Raising an Original come from Julie Lyles Carr's stories. She writes in an inviting and engaging way, affirming my own questions and struggles as a mom. Her encouraging words and big-picture reminders are what moms of any stage need.
Where the book lost some of its power for me was in the middle. Carr includes an "assessment" to help categorize children. She breaks each personality into four types: The Director, The Inspirer, The Steadfast, and The Curator. I thought the book would build off of this assessment, but it doesn't. It feels like it is just put in the middle without much reference leading up or following. Carr also uses a lot of caveats when describing each type, reminding the reader again and again that we all have parts of each. It seemed to weaken the typing.
Carr also paraphrases the Bible a bit too loosely for my taste. She often refers to ancient characters in modern references - calling systemic injustices "extramarital affairs" and "professions." It felt like she was watering down stories to fit into her own mixed-metaphor telling.
Overall, I think I would have liked this book a lot more if Carr had stuck with her strength: Encouraging moms along their journey. As it was, this book felt a bit muddled.
**I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.**
Where the book lost some of its power for me was in the middle. Carr includes an "assessment" to help categorize children. She breaks each personality into four types: The Director, The Inspirer, The Steadfast, and The Curator. I thought the book would build off of this assessment, but it doesn't. It feels like it is just put in the middle without much reference leading up or following. Carr also uses a lot of caveats when describing each type, reminding the reader again and again that we all have parts of each. It seemed to weaken the typing.
Carr also paraphrases the Bible a bit too loosely for my taste. She often refers to ancient characters in modern references - calling systemic injustices "extramarital affairs" and "professions." It felt like she was watering down stories to fit into her own mixed-metaphor telling.
Overall, I think I would have liked this book a lot more if Carr had stuck with her strength: Encouraging moms along their journey. As it was, this book felt a bit muddled.
**I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.**
October 10, 2016
There has been a constant wish and prayer for every parent on the earth: That our children grow up healthy and strong, be good members of the community, have a happy and successful life. There is also a frequent whispered prayer; that they come with an instruction manual. Parents, there has been an answer to that prayer! Raising an Original: Parenting Each Child According to their Unique God-Given Temperment by Julie Lyles Carr gives insight to bringing up children without having to do the hokey pokey and turn your life upside down. Easy to read and interactive, you will seriously want this book in your hands!
This book is amazingly insightful for parents of children of all ages and all numbers. A revolutionary resource to tap into and will be the go-to of your massive library of parenting menagerie. You can pair this book up with another amazing resource and learn the love languages of your children - holy cow, what?!? No way!
You mean you can raise amazing kids, manage your household, your job life, have an amazing life with your spouse and STILL stay sane? Why yes, yes indeed you can with this effective tool that is now on bookshelves. Definitely something I will be giving to my friends who are going to be parents and for those who are in the mix already.
This book is amazingly insightful for parents of children of all ages and all numbers. A revolutionary resource to tap into and will be the go-to of your massive library of parenting menagerie. You can pair this book up with another amazing resource and learn the love languages of your children - holy cow, what?!? No way!
You mean you can raise amazing kids, manage your household, your job life, have an amazing life with your spouse and STILL stay sane? Why yes, yes indeed you can with this effective tool that is now on bookshelves. Definitely something I will be giving to my friends who are going to be parents and for those who are in the mix already.
September 9, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. As a Children’s Pastor, I’ve read a lot of parent help books, but nothing like this.
Julie’s funny and witty personality came through on each page. Her family stories were entertaining, yet educating.
In the history lessons, I learned the rest of the story to 98.6 and Laura Ingalls Wilder. (Along with other lessons.)
The Bible lessons found in the book are applicable for today. Julie made each one interesting.
With all these elements, Julie wove together a different way of looking at parenting. I was challenged, and now have a wider view of my role as a parent.
Questions such as: Should I allow my child to struggle? Or how much should I protect my child? And. How should I direct my child as they travel to adulthood?
There are other issues Julie addressed that caused me to ask: “Why hadn’t I heard that before?”
I highly recommend this book for parents and grandparents. It’ll give you a new way to look at parenting, and as you read the book, you’ll laugh along the way. This is a book I'll reread many times.
Julie’s funny and witty personality came through on each page. Her family stories were entertaining, yet educating.
In the history lessons, I learned the rest of the story to 98.6 and Laura Ingalls Wilder. (Along with other lessons.)
The Bible lessons found in the book are applicable for today. Julie made each one interesting.
With all these elements, Julie wove together a different way of looking at parenting. I was challenged, and now have a wider view of my role as a parent.
Questions such as: Should I allow my child to struggle? Or how much should I protect my child? And. How should I direct my child as they travel to adulthood?
There are other issues Julie addressed that caused me to ask: “Why hadn’t I heard that before?”
I highly recommend this book for parents and grandparents. It’ll give you a new way to look at parenting, and as you read the book, you’ll laugh along the way. This is a book I'll reread many times.
September 13, 2016
I received this book for free, but no worries, my opinions are my own! From reading this book, I learned to cut myself and other parents some slack when it comes to the unimportant things, like appearance and instead focus on building my son's character. The personality test in the book not only helped me better understand my son, it gave me a lightbulb moment with my husband, which sparked a very deep and eye opening conversation. My son is still a little young (1.5 years) to figure out his personality (it's definitely there, but still developing), so I plan to come back to this book in a couple of years and retake the personality assessment. At the very least, the has made me conscious that he is an individual, and I will be on the lookout for his special talents and gifts.
This book is a quick and easy read that can shape the relationship you have with your children and help you encourage them to become the wonderful and beautiful human beings they're meant to be. Hope this helps!
This book is a quick and easy read that can shape the relationship you have with your children and help you encourage them to become the wonderful and beautiful human beings they're meant to be. Hope this helps!
June 9, 2025
This book is unlike other parenting books I have read. Julie is skillful at relating examples from Scripture and history into today's parenting scenarios and shares her own family experiences from which we can also learn. It is straightforward, always encouraging and very practical for parents with kids of all ages.
The most valuable information in the book is Julie's ROPES assessment (ROPES = Raising an Original Personality Evaluation Summary) which is designed to "seek threads of personality in our children." By building a profile on each of our kids, we understand just how "original" they have been designed by our Creator.
"Raising an Original" is a must-have parenting "manual" that will not just be read but will be referred to often while coaching and mentoring your children, who are "a unique gift and contribution to be realized in this world."
The most valuable information in the book is Julie's ROPES assessment (ROPES = Raising an Original Personality Evaluation Summary) which is designed to "seek threads of personality in our children." By building a profile on each of our kids, we understand just how "original" they have been designed by our Creator.
"Raising an Original" is a must-have parenting "manual" that will not just be read but will be referred to often while coaching and mentoring your children, who are "a unique gift and contribution to be realized in this world."
December 25, 2016
Julie Lyles Carr provides an original parenting approach in her appropriately titled guide, Raising An Original. A mother of eight children, all who are featured prominently in the chapters, weaves together advice, experience, anecdotes, scriptures, and a healthy dose of charming humor founded in likable reality. One aspect that is notably artful is her ability to take a metaphor, be it lace-making or her daddy's signature blue dress shirt, and apply it to parenting techniques. Her book reads well. It's engaging and thought-provoking.
The one downside is the way in which she organized her diagnostic ROPES system in discovering personality types--it needs more definitive labeling (total 1? from whence did these appear? what ages?)
In general, recommended for those parents interested in raising children to their abilities and recognizing each child is unique.
The one downside is the way in which she organized her diagnostic ROPES system in discovering personality types--it needs more definitive labeling (total 1? from whence did these appear? what ages?)
In general, recommended for those parents interested in raising children to their abilities and recognizing each child is unique.
December 16, 2016
I've stopped reading parenting books for quite awhile now for various reasons, but this one seemed intriguing. I loved her approach to looking at your kids outside the box. I firmly agreed with all the author said, so much so that maybe it moved a bit slow for me in the continuous stories. Then when it got to the point it left me wanting more. Maybe she needs to write a second book going deeper into the categories? Regardless it was a short easy read that will inspire your parenting each child in accordance with their own uniqueness while recognizing that your uniqueness will create both victories & hardships according to how your personality meshes with them. It is all great reminders for us no matter what your kids ages are.
August 7, 2020
As a fellow mother of 8, I love the message of Raising an Original. Each child is a unique expression of God's creativity and artistry. Julie reminds us to honor their individuality rather than cater to the status quo. God did not use cookie cutters to fashion our children so we must step up our own creativity to parent each child according to the purpose God has for them. This is a beautiful gem of a book with a message that goes beyond the vanilla parenting advice rampant today to reach the true heart of raising children for God's glory.
October 10, 2023
This is currently my favorite book for anyone who loves any child.
It's not a traditional parenting book, but more of an exploration of how to honor the child and why this difficult task is a blessing.
"As the treasures our children are, every precious gem stone is faceted differently to capture the light.
If we insist on trying only to maintain a standard of “normal” in our children, we miss the amazing opportunity to coax true brilliance- the brightness of a completely unique soul- to its full purpose."
I keep finding myself recommending this book to people.
It's not a traditional parenting book, but more of an exploration of how to honor the child and why this difficult task is a blessing.
"As the treasures our children are, every precious gem stone is faceted differently to capture the light.
If we insist on trying only to maintain a standard of “normal” in our children, we miss the amazing opportunity to coax true brilliance- the brightness of a completely unique soul- to its full purpose."
I keep finding myself recommending this book to people.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews