Love and Respect in the Family by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs {Book Review}

The crazy cycle. We all experience it. In our marriage, with our kids. We just don't always realize what is going on, so we stay on this cycle of craziness. If you've read any of the books in the Love and Respect series, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Dr. Eggerichs explains in this book how we can show Love and Respect in our families. An interesting approach, since the only experience I've had with his concepts of Love and Respect was in the context of marriage. My husband and I attended a video series of his at our church a few years back and our eyes were certainly opened. The best way to keep a marriage strong, is to understand that men need to feel respected in order to love. Likewise, women need to feel loved in order to show respect. When a woman feels unloved by her husband, then it is very difficult for her to show him respect. The hurt and offense hinders the respect. Right or wrong, this happens. And vice, versa. When a husband feels disrespected, then it is hard for him to show her love.

Yes, we need to obey the commands of the Bible. Men, love your wife as Christ love the church. And women, respect your husband. Feelings should play no part in this right, I mean we walk by faith. Well, yeees, but, lets face it, feelings are a part of us and a part of our marriage. We can't be controlled by our feelings and need to obey the Bible no matter the cost, but what we need to understand is how the other person involved is feeling. If we are conscience of the other person's emotional needs, rather than being so rigid in what is "right" or "wrong" then we will win every time. If we as wives can learn not only show our husband respect, but actually understand what it takes to make him feel respected,  that is money in the bank.

In light of the book about family. So many times it's easy as the parent to say, "I am the parent, you are the child. The end." Although that is true, we need to make sure that they feel loved in the process. This book isn't about letting your child manipulate or control you, rather it is a book that will free parents to truly love their kids. Discipline is a part of that, when executed properly. When your child feels loved, it is easier for them to respect you. When a parent feels respected, it's easier for them to show love. Think about it. When is it that you usually blow up at your kids? It's probably after they have disobeyed or disrespected you. Then, you may snap back at them out of hurt, and to them it may seem as though you don't love them. This makes it difficult for them to respect you. Yes, they need to honor their mother and father, but are you making it really hard right now?

What I love about this book, is it gives answers. Practical advice, using everyday situations that we have experienced. This book has changed the way I look at my kids, and even though I have a long way to go, it has helped tremendously. I highly recommend that if you are a parent, struggling with disrespectful attitudes, then you read this book!

Disclaimer: I received this book for free as a part of the BookSneeze.com blogger program. All opinions stated are my own.