The Many Loves of Parenting

The Many Loves of Parenting

by Thomas and Nanette Kinkade with Larry Libby
Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2003

Reviewed by Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur

In The Many Loves of Parenting, Thomas Kinkade lays down his paintbrush and picks up a pen to collaborate with his wife Nanette on a portrait of a loving family at work. The Kinkades are the parents of four daughters, the eldest of which has just entered her teens. Thomas and Nanette take turns speaking offering their different perspectives. Thomas is a busy professional artist who makes spending time with his daughters a priority. Nanette is a stay-at-home mom who collaborates with her husband on some business affairs, but her primary focus is on her children.

One will not find any exciting new parenting theories in this book. Instead, the Kinkades offer sage advice that has stood the test of time. They advocate spending time with one's children, eating dinner together, shutting off the television, allowing phone calls only during certain hours, using creativity to make family activities fun, and choosing one's battles. Perhaps most importantly, they emphasize the need to rely on God. God knows our children even better than we do.

The Kinkades are also honest in this book. They share their successes but they also acknowledge that there are times that they have struggled with parenting and made wrong decisions. Nanette in particular offers some wonderful insights into being a mother and the difficulties that she has faced.

The Many Loves of Parenting is beautifully illustrated and well-written. It would make a wonderful gift for a parent in your life.

© Spiritual Woman Press, 2005. All rights reserved.