Never Say No: Raising Big-Picture Kids

I'm a person who just does not enjoy soft, journal-type books that describe themselves as "nourishment for your soul." I like logical books written with wisdom and practicality. If you are similar, I would highly recommend this book. The book is easy to read and most of the suggestions and ideas are great reminders of principles you may already know but need a refresher on. You probably won't track with the authors 100%, as they can sometimes stray into intangible stories, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was a great springboard for conversations with my husband on parenting.That being said, if you prefer blog-like books that cater primarily to "weary women", you probably won't love this book, as it is not written as a feel-good read.

This is a very encouraging parenting book! I love the real life stories and authors' purposeful parenting tips. This is written by the parents of Tim and Jon Forman of my favorite band, Switchfoot! These guys are the men they are today in part because of the loving and purposeful parenting strategies shared in this book. I have two high school students and I really enjoyed every chapter, especially the parts where they talk about taking your children's dreams and ideas and help them find ways that they can make steps toward achieving their goals.

For anyone "aiming for the high watermark of enjoying your kids," the Foremans invite you on a hopeful journey of carving a new path starting right where you are. Speaking from a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and experience, and with a great deal of honesty, Mark and Jan offer creative ideas for each life stage for how to appropriately give our children the freedom to become who God created them to be.As a pediatric occupational therapist and early interventionist, I can say that the ideas, principles, and recommendations in Never Say No would be considered "best practice" for maximizing the potential of both typically developing and not-so-typically developing children. As a mom of 5, I'm so pleased to have a parenting resource that considers the whole child--mind, soul, body, and heart, from birth through adulthood. Parents and grandparents, this book offers wonderful guidance!

Inspiring! Being a long time Switchfoot fan and now having 2 boys of my own, I was very curious about this book. I was alao skeptical of the title! This book really resonated with me. It offers practical ideas and big picture goals at the same time. Having vibrant relationship with your children as both of you live adventurously together, while seeking Jesus in this life, seems to be the overarching theme. One of the best parenting books I've ever read. I'm reading it a second time with my husband now.

I am a grandfather who wanted to refresh and refine my parenting skills after so many years. I believe that parenting is unique to each child God has designed. Never Say No provides the reader with helpful ways to adjust your approach to lovingly guide your child or grandchild toward God's great plan for their life.

This has been an incredible read for me! So helpful as a foundational parenting book.

I have never written a review on amazon before, and may never again, but I was so frustrated by this book that I am compelled to voice my objections and concerns now. I have read dozens of excellent parenting books, and this one falls flat on its face. I found the narrative voices to be patronizing, self righteous, self satisfied, politically biased and untouchable. Their superficial story is nothing particularly unique or new and is not presented with any true love or compassion for "normal" human existence. They are perfectionists without being aware of, facing it or challenging it, thus missing a valuable opportunity to challenge that current important cultural epidemic. The authors seriously underplay the importance of kids learning from parents' imperfections. Also, they seem completely unaware that a family of boys is different from a family of boys and girls or girls. This book was repetitive and self justifying. I found their spirituality extremely limited. Perhaps they lacked a good editor, but I would be interested to sit down and discuss their intentions behind this book with them. If you want an authentic and good book on mindful parenting, self awareness and true vulnerability, try Jon and Myla Kabat Zins book or Daniel Siegel's book Parenting From The Inside Out.

I am really enjoying this book. I love that I can pick it up anywhere and get a lesson out of any section I read. It has challenged and expanded my thinking on a lot of my parenting behavior. It has also encouraged me a great deal. I recommend it highly.

Inspiring book. And just learning not to say no has been a really helpful way of thinking. Say no too much and your kids will stop asking - which is a sad thing to happen. It’s helped me to put down what I’m doing & get involved remembering that you can’t turn back the clock on your kids childhood. Like their son, Jon from Switchfoot, writes in some lyrics: life is short, I’m gonna live it well....

Fantastic book!! Highly recommend it!!

Great book

Le livre est en parfaite condition.