Powerful Parenting

Most people do not think of how to raise a child until they have one. Many don't know how to parent because they were not "parented" themselves. We have an entire generation orphaned by divorce. You cannot teach what you never learned. Powerful Parenting by Marsha Grahek offers a comprehensive guide to Christian parenting, emphasizing the importance of love, discipline, effective communication, and faith in raising children. The book is a series of "case studies" giving real-world examples of successful parenting even in the most difficult circumstances. Grahek draws from her own experiences as a child of divorce to offer advice on how to overcome the emotional trauma it can bring into the life of a child. A broken home can produce lingering insecurities that often lead to a troubled life. Grahek also draws from the deep well of her faith, holding up Christ as the ultimate example of love, compassion, and restoration. By following Christ's example, parents can nurture their children's physical, emotional, and spiritual growth, helping them become responsible, loving, and resilient individuals. Her book is unique in that it provides practical steps at the end of each chapter that you can follow, much like family counseling sessions, you can use to improve the relationship you have with your child and change the trajectory of their life. The book is insightful, practical, and beneficial for any parent seeking to raise a child into a confident, responsible adult. That said, the book is not just about raising children; within its pages are life lessons for all of us rooted in the eternal truth of Scripture.

â"Reverend Mark Jenkins

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As a board member of Marsha Grahek's nonprofit, Project Respect, I have been on mission trips with Marsha, ministering to poor children in the Appalachians. Having seen firsthand her magic touch with these children, I was eager to learn more about her 'secret sauce'- now crystallized into words. Her book did not disappoint. It was a compelling and easy read. Marsha is a gifted storyteller, and she provides many examples of transforming troubled children. Marsha is a special education teacher and is assigned the most difficult children that no one else wants to deal with. If her approach can work for these children, it can surely work with all children. The book is both instructive and based on biblical principles, with Scriptures provided to support her approach. I wish I had had this book when raising my son.

â"Cathy Tankersley, Christian Reconciliation Ministries International, Inc. /DBA: Project Respect Board Member.

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As a mom of a child with special needs, who is also trying to steward him in the faith and navigate the world of neurodiversity, I was gripped by Marsha's compassion, her distinctive biblical perspective, her depth of insight, and her practical tools and suggestions for helping to shepherd these one-of-a-kind kiddos in life and in the faith. From the first few pages, it was like she was speaking straight to my heart, lifting me up and putting me back on my feet, while continuing to spur me on in this journey God has called me to with a fresh set of supplies and eyes to aid me along the way. It is a refreshing combition of science, psychology, spirituality, and just the simplicity of human nature that we all too often overcomplicate. And while she recognizes the complexity of these kids and these situations, and offers real exercises and approaches, I just really love how she breaks it down so clearly to the heart of the matter. This book offers help for dealing with the kids as much as it does for dealing with yourself. I can't recommend it enough to parents, teachers, family members, caregivers, and ministry leaders; anyone working with kids can take something away from this book!

â"Kimberly Borland, Parent of a Special Needs Child