The topics for our Family Matters devotional series are rooted in Luke 2:52, which states that Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and others. Each week, Johnny and I seek to address one of these areas of growth, recognizing the real-time issues you face as a parent. We try to offer Biblical reference points and practical suggestions for healthy relationships in your home.
Every so often, we come across a fifth week in the calendar. Since our devotional topics are built around the four dimensions of Luke 2:52, these days allow us to “off-road” a bit.
Today I’d like to tell you about a parenting resource called “Love and Logic”. The landmark books are titled, Parenting with Love and Logic, and Parenting Teens with Love and Logic both by Dr. Foster Cline and Jim Fay. Let’s have a “conversation” about this. I’ll anticipate your questions, and then offer some answers. Feel free to post a comment with other questions you might have!
“So, what is this approach? My kids may understand love, but the “logic” thing may be a problem.” According to their official information, Love and Logic is a “philosophy of raising and teaching children which allows adults to be happier, empowered, and more skilled in the interactions with children.” Children, in love, grow through their mistakes and learn to take responsibility for their decisions. The goal of this parenting style is to raise adults who can successfully live in the real world – a world full of choices that lead to blessings and consequences.
“Is Love and Logic Biblical?” I called the Love and Logic office and asked that question directly. The very nice lady who answered the phone let me know that Love and Logic is designed for parents of kids, regardless of their faith orientation. However, she did point out that the first edition of Parenting with Love and Logic was published by NavPress, and that scriptural markers dot the landscape of each chapter. From my perspective, any approach to parenting that is not based in love is certainly not Biblical! And you only have to look as far as the Garden to realize that people enjoy blessings and face consequences based on the decisions they make.
“What is your experience with Love and Logic?” I first encountered this resource when I served as a Youth and Family Counselor at Shelterwood, a residential counseling center for at-risk teens. Without question, a primary issue facing each of these teens was their lack of willingness to consider the logical outcomes of their decisions. In love, we sought to offer opportunities to succeed and enjoy the blessings of responsible behavior, or to fail and face the consequences. I have yet to find a Love and Logic tenet that runs counter to my faith in Christ. In fact, as a father, I find myself often returning to these ideas as a practical way of implementing the scriptural principles that undergird my beliefs about parenting.
“How can I learn more about Love and Logic?” In addition to the books mentioned above, I would encourage you to visit their website at www.loveandlogic.com. The site contains information about upcoming parenting seminars, articles that address common issues, along with radio shows and podcasts.
May your home be filled with Love this week, and may your kids resonate with the Logic of responsible living.
Comments
Hi Dudley, I was really excited when I read today's devotional and saw that you had used some Jim Fay and Foster Cline material. Jim used to live in Evergreen, CO and in the early '80s the Carbondale/Glenwood Springs School District in CO where I was teaching brought him in to hold a workshop dealing with classroom discipline from a logical standpoint. I adopted the princiiples he shared in the classroom and it certainly made a difference. I only wished I had taken the workshop before we raised our own children. I would guess those two men are up in the 70's by now.
I hope you get many responses to this devotional. I used to have a book written by them but my husband told me I couldn't bring all the books down so I gave away or donated about 100 of them. I don't know who got that book but knowing our children were raised I gave it away.
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