Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture: Practical Help for Shaping Your Children's Hearts, Minds, and Souls

by Mary E. DeMuth

What is postmodernism? Is it good or bad? Does it have anything to do with being an effective, godly parent? With sensitivity, grace, and a passion to help families experience authentic, life–changing relationships with God, Mary DeMuth describes the new way people are processing truth. She reveals effective ways for parents to communicate with today’s by developing relationships, by learning along with their kids, by creating a safe haven for kids to explore their worlds, and more. Parents will discover how to... This unique resource offers everyday moms and dads an engaging introduction into the postmodern world and provides the tools they need to relate to it with confidence and faith.

Genres: Parenting, Christian

240 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2007

About the author

Mary DeMuth is literary agent, international speaker, podcaster, and she’s the novelist and nonfiction author of over forty books, including Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Kids with Joy (Bethany 2022). She loves to help people re-story their lives. She lives in Texas with her husband of 31 years and is the mom to three adult children. Find out more at marydemuth.com. Be prayed for on her daily prayer podcast with 4 million downloads: prayeveryday.show. For sexual abuse resources, visit wetoo.org. For cards, prints, and artsy fun go to marydemuth.com/art. Find out what she’s looking for as a literary agent at marydemuthliterary.com

Reviews

[E B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a quite interesting take on how to address the current culture. I find much of what is said is less about being a good Christian parent and more about what it takes to be a good parents in general; be present, ask questions, coach, instill values, etc.

All of those are solid, but primarily like the focus on not hiding your children away from society. With so many congregations living in their own bubbles and complaining about the dying world around them. I found it refreshing to see a book not trying to convince people to homeschool their kids and only keep them locked away from the world, but instead on how to help them grow in the world around them.

To often children in these situations of being locked away from the world find themselves completely unprepared on how to deal with and live within the world once they are off to college, their first jobs, the military, etc. Fear based parenting often does nothing but decimate a child's outlooks on life and also completely underappreciates the power of God.

children should be a light to the world, not a light hidden away in a box.

[Lori Wann · Rating 4 out of 5]

As opposed to giving a “the world is going to hell in a hand basket” response to postmodernism, Mary does a good job of pointing out the virtues of our current age: social justice, generosity, authenticity, peace, humility and thankfulness. There were some practical suggestions for Christian parenting that I will attempt to put into practice in our family as well as some great perspective and good reminders.

[Lisa Wells · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ideas are “good”. Categorizing and defining personality types. But it’s so black and white. And also totally blended. Now what!? What do I do with these horoscopes? I like to think about my children, but I do t want to pigeon hole them. There isn’t much info on functional

[Annie Slagboom · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture" Mary E. DeMuth is honest and transparent in her own parenting journey. I wish I read the book when my children were younger.
The book is full of practical wisdom. This is not a book where you will find easy fix it formulas to your parental questions and dilemmas. You will learn to depend on God for guidance. As parents we are called to equip our children to counter the culture in loving and engaging ways.
Chapter 12 until the end is where I began to feel myself saying, "AMEN!". She encourages transparency with our own shortcomings, compares pride vs. humility, addresses our parental fears with countering the world and addresses hiding our family sins.
I appreciate DeMuth's burden to equip parents for the onslaught of issues likely to arise with the drastic cultural shift.
Her insightful wisdom on "Thankfulness as an Indicator" was a favorite of mine.
She quotes many reliable sources.

Throughout the book, I kept thinking, "Authentic Parenting in a Postmodern Culture" could also be titled, "Authentic Parenting in a (you fill the blank) Culture" as we should never change or deviate as the Word of God is our anchor and ballast.

Worth your time.

[Angus Mcfarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a parenting book worth reading, moving away from formulaic rules emphasising respect, obedience and scheduling and endorsing relationships and engagement with kids. Post-modernism is neither embraced or rejected, but looked at with a critical realist perspective: post-modernity has parts which are aligned with conservative sensibilities and areas which opposed.... "blessed is the man who is not condemned by what he approves".

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really encouraged by DeMuth and her determination to not parent from a place of fear, but instead fully trust the Lord. This book contained a lot of practical advice on cultivating a close relationship with your children and parenting with a focus on the heart and soul of your children. I appreciated her transparency, as she shared stories from her personal experience living on the mission field. I also found her quotes and references to be well-chosen and relevant.

[Jen Heininger · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me this was one of the most helpful parenting books... mostly in the way of affirming our roles as parents and learning to trust God in the midst of all the uncertainties that go along with parenting. I would like to sit down and have a cup of coffee or glass of wine with this author. :o) (I would have given this one 4 1/2 stars if that were an option.)

[Tanya Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Visit my website for a full review: www.inthedailies.blogspot.com.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best "Christian" parenting book I've ever read. The author shared in her own struggles with her own children.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful words of gold mixed in stories and real-life examples in this book. It took me a while to get through because the topic is dense and a bit overwhelming, but I'm inspired by Mary's stories and advice.