Growing Kids God's Way - Houston, Texas

Testimonials from Parents

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This [ministry] changed my life and my outlook on parenting. It gave me "permission" to make my child mind. That may sound absurd, but in a society like we are in, people make you feel guilty if you make your child comply even with basic instruction. No wonder we have such chaos in God's world these days. It helped me to realize that God has charged me with a duty to raise loving, Christian children and allowing them to "run wild" as I had was no less than abdicating that God-given responsibility.

It also helped my husband and I to search our hearts for what we believe and helped us to grow closer as a husband and wife. My husband, who is much less "religious" than I, was drawn into this class by its practical, moral instruction....as a result ,it has strengthened his faith and has been a bigstep in his faith journey.

I have recommended this class to so many people. What an opportunity to reach parents, children...and ultimately change the future....

Kim C. (Spring, Texas)

From a mother of twin two year old boys:

Attending your (Toddler) class has been amazing for us. I think I have learned and implemented as much (if not more) from your e-mails as I did from the actual class. Here are some of our successes:

1) the boys are now happily doing playpen time for 30 minutes each morning. I shower and dress during this time.
2) the boys did blanket time for the first time yesterday for 15 minutes with no problems.
3) the boys did chair time for 5 minutes for the first time yesterday-I'm going to add two minutes a day until we get to 30 minutes.
4) Evan pitched a hissy fit two weeks ago about taking a nap and I had him fold his hands. He immediately quit screaming. We kept working on folding his hands and then he laid down doing that. He ended up going to sleep with his hands folded and mommy was amazed!!! Very cool. He now sits with his hands folded of his own accord quite frequently.
5) Sean and Evan (2) now put away the silverware, the tupperware and the water bottles that mommy fills. They are quite the helpers. We're now learning to set the table (silverware and napkins)

Basically, the TV is off, the kids are happy and our home is much more quiet and peaceful! Thanks so much for all you do...you are truly a blessing!

Blessings,
Shari R. (The Woodlands, Texas)

As I have told you in the past GKGW has done more for my marriage, family and spiritual life than any other book, bible study or class I have taken. It is simply the most comprehensive perspective on biblical parenting with practical application that I have encountered. It is a clear teaching of God's plan for families and when I follow it, it is amazing how well it works. Yes, some may think it radical, but Christianity is radical. It goes against societal norms. It has given me answers to problems my peers are still searching for. I don't know where I'd be today without it. Jeff and I took the class in 1997 and we are still using the principles today...

In Christ,
Sue K. (The Woodlands, Texas)

Kelly and I wanted share with you how important the Growing Kids God's Way classes have been to our family. Since the fall of 1998, we have taken three of the courses in the series: Preparation for Parenting, Preparation for the Toddler Years, and most recently, Growing Kids God's Way. The information that we gained in each course has been invaluable. Nowhere else have I seen a biblically based parenting program that has not been influenced in some way by the prevailing cultural philosophies of the time.

This program focuses on the Bible and on God and encourages parents to do the same, and is endorsed by our pediatrician and several others in the area. A list of the blessings we have reaped as a result of taking these classes follows:

*We have developed a stronger relationship with God and a stronger prayer life, both individually and together as husband and wife.
*We have been able to prioritize our lives biblically, putting God first, our marriage second, and our children third.

*Our two children slept through the night very early, at 8 and 6 weeks, respectively, and were happy, easygoing infants/toddlers due to the use of a flexible routine.

*Our son, 3 1/2, understands that we consider others before ourselves and is already developing a love for the Lord.

*Instead of just training accepted behaviors into our children, we know that God, through us, is reaching their hearts little by little and day by day, so that they will grow into adults who love and serve Him.

*My sister, who just had her third child in three years, has also participated in this ministry in her town and is enjoying the same blessings.

Kelly and I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank both of you for all the time, energy, and commitment that you have put into this ministry. Our family is a God-centered family because of this ministry.

Sincerely,
Kim B. (The Woodlands, Texas)

Our family has benefited from these classes in ways that are too numerous to try to condense in a short note but here are our thoughts:

There is a great need for biblical based parenting instruction. As parents our greatest challenge is to pass the gospel to our own children. GKGW is based on biblical truths and provides a foundation that doesn't change with each generation of society or world views. Something other than the latest idea from our popular culture on child rearing, which changes all the time.
GKGW courses are a hands-on type class with practical examples and exercises that help you to apply what you have learned versus other materials that are often too high level to figure out how to implement.
Participating in GKGW classes has helped us as a couple to define goals and values for our family and to develop a game plan early in our children's lives. We have discussed things as a couple that otherwise would not have been brought to light until a crisis. Planning ahead and having a vision of where we want to lead our children, versus being in reactive mode.
GKGW classes have given us a resource base of other parents to talk with who are facing the same challenges in raising their children. Mark became involved in a men's group that met for breakfast periodically to discuss GKGW with other dads who had attended the classes together. GKGW was one way that we got "connected" at WUMC beyond church services.
GKGW guidelines on discipline are consistent with other recognized authorities (Dr. James Dobson and Tedd Tripp). The GKGW material puts more of emphasis on considering the context of the situation versus these other sources.
GKGW courses helped to strengthen our Christian character as individuals and as a couple. The GKGW curriculum helped us by providing a suggested roadmap to helping develop Christian character in our children.
The benefits of Prep for Parenting/Prep for Toddler guidelines are immense. Our children go to sleep at bedtime without delay, stay in their beds, and sleep all night (both started this by 8 weeks of age). This has been a tremendous blessing for the entire family, and something that would have taken much longer had we not gone through GKGW and Prep for Parenting. This early stability in their routine and sound sleeping patterns are essential to both our children and our mental well being!
Of course as with any book or course material, if taken out of context or followed without thought to the overall parenting situation, parts of the program could be poorly implemented. However, the benefits of having the knowledge presented in GKGW curriculum is priceless! The classroom environment and tapes provided good opportunities for discussion and sharing on personal experiences that were beneficial from a support standpoint.
We feel very fortunate that this program was available through WUMC, otherwise we would have never heard of GKGW. We are thankful for the dedication of those at our church who have given their time so generously to share this vital ministry.

Mark and Susan L. (The Woodlands, Texas)

(A Dad's Perspective on Preparation for Parenting/Babywsise Class)

What the class does in concrete terms is the following: Gives babies the protection they desperately need at that young age.
Period.

Forget the benefits to parents, its the young defenseless children that are the real beneficiaries of this class.

Our little girl was sleeping thru the night at 8 weeks.
Yep 8 weeks.
She Learned how to put herself to sleep for naps.
Her body learned to regulate its feeding needs.

These are huge steps for the health and mental well being of one so young.
It allowed her to go to the next steps much easier.
Our kid seems well ahead of most kids her age now.

I credit the babywise class. A parent without that training will spoil and confuse a baby. By giving them what they want when they want it, teaches nothing. A parents first responsibility from God is to teach their children.

I don't propose to preach to you. But I will say this, the [this is] a great ministry, its real, has rock solid benefits, and sets a Christian led babywise child apart from the rest.

Nothing is a better witness to the non Christian people that take that class, than what they see from the results of raising their child in a way mandated by Godly teaching. It affects them in a way no sermon could, because it gives their child happiness.

I wanted to take a brief moment and e-mail you about how the Preparation for Parenting classes have changed my life. My husband and I have a 20 month old girl.

There have been many debates about whether the Growing Kids God's Way method is beneficial to children; whether it is truly biblical. I cannot speak for every parent, nor do I intend to paint a picture that this program and its methods are the easiest for everyone who follows it. What I do want to attest to, is the fact that I have seen a difference in my child. She is disciplined in a loving manner, and is cared for with boundaries. She is a part of our family, not the center of it--which I never knew could be a problem before I took this course.

Not just within our church, but worldwide, avid anti-prep people see parents like me as being overly legalistic and too strict. But the problem is, they don't see that we do know how to keep things in context. I know when to discipline my child, and when to let things slide. Or, at least, I feel like I'm learning on a day to day basis!

The point is, I see differences in the children who are raised with this method versus others. They are much more adaptable, well behaved, and polite. I will be the first to say my child is not the best of them, but I am grateful that I have a few guidelines to follow in order to set a standard.

Suzanne

My husband, Derek, and I have been members of [our church] for several years now, taught Sunday School during our single and married years, and have taken Prep for Parenting and Prep for the Toddler Years within the 10 months. These classes have been absolutely essential in giving me the confidence I need to raise my daughter in a way that is glorifying to God.

There are quite a few parenting “philosophies” out there, and of course everyone needs to do what is right for them, but it’s hard to believe that Babywise could be wrong for anyone….even if you’re not a Christian. The principles in the class are completely Biblical, practical and when applied, can make life changing impacts on children and the family as a whole. I put my daughter Cassidy on a schedule when I got her home from the hospital, and she slept through the night (8 hours) by 8 weeks. By 10 weeks, she was sleeping 11 hours. This is unheard of with other parenting styles, and I know I am a better mother because I am well rested.

Another excellent principle the course promotes is that your children should be a blessing to other people. I’ve learned there are things that I can do now (Cassidy is 8 months) that will enable her to bless others when she’s older. Examples would include the following: not letting her play with our remote control so that when she’s at someone else’s home she doesn’t play with theirs, teaching her good high chair manners so that in restaurants she doesn’t disturb other diners, and understanding how to apply context to the Babywise principles so I’ll know how and when to be flexible. Most kids Derek and I see are out of control, and as a result, we didn’t really want to have children for a long time. Now I know that self- control is a learned discipline and can be taught by parents. These are just some of the things I’m learning that I think are exciting and rarely applied by parents in general.

Like every parenting philosophy, Babywise has its critics. It’s based on the Bible, so that brings critics in droves as a given. I am a very discerning person, and I have found absolutely nothing in these classes that doesn’t set well in my spirit. In all of the criticism I have read, the statements were simply wrong. People make assumptions based on speculation or what they hear, and as a result, their comments are uneducated and incorrect. This is a shame, but to be expected.

Sincerely,

Jemma