Parenting: Getting It Right by Andy & Sandra Stanley Summary

1. Prioritize relational connection over behavioral compliance for lifelong trust.
2. Align parenting strategies with your "north star" relationship goal.
3. Replace reactive yelling with calm guidance except in emergencies.
4. Invest time intentionally as your child’s primary relationship currency.
5. Nurture marital health to create stable family foundations.
6. Adapt discipline approaches through childhood’s four developmental seasons.
7. Use words strategically to build up rather than criticize.
8. Model emotional resilience through conflicts and apologies.
9. Foster sibling bonds by making family time mandatory fun.
10. Let older children self-correct through natural consequences.
11. Maintain influence by transitioning from manager to mentor.
12. Measure success by adult children’s voluntary engagement.

Sobre el autor de Parenting

Andy and Sandra Stanley, bestselling authors and influential Christian leaders, co-wrote Parenting: Getting It Right to guide families in nurturing intentional, faith-centered relationships.

Drawing from their decades of experience raising three children and counseling families through North Point Ministries—a multisite church with over 40,000 weekly attendees—the book blends practical strategies with biblical principles.

Andy, founder of North Point Ministries and host of The Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast, has authored over 20 books, including The New Rules for Love, Sex & Dating and Deep & Wide. Sandra, a trusted voice in family dynamics, contributes firsthand insights from their parenting journey.

Their collaborative work emphasizes creating lasting bonds through purposeful communication and shared values. The Stanleys’ approach has resonated globally, with North Point Ministries planting 14 strategic partner churches across the U.S. and Canada. Their adult children, who “still enjoy being around us,” exemplify the effectiveness of their methods.

Preguntas frecuentes sobre Parenting

What is Parenting: Getting It Right about?

Parenting: Getting It Right by Andy and Sandra Stanley offers a faith-based guide to raising children with a focus on building lasting relationships. It emphasizes adapting strategies across developmental stages—from discipline in early years to fostering friendship in adulthood—while prioritizing a "north star" goal: raising kids who choose to stay connected to their family. The book combines practical advice with Christian principles, addressing common parenting anxieties.

Who should read Parenting: Getting It Right?

This book is ideal for Christian parents seeking faith-integrated strategies, caregivers navigating toddler to teenage challenges, and those prioritizing long-term family bonds. It’s particularly valuable for parents aiming to balance structure with emotional connection and couples wanting to strengthen their marriage as a parenting foundation.

Is Parenting: Getting It Right worth reading?

Yes, it provides actionable insights for confident parenting, such as avoiding unnecessary yelling, leveraging time as an expression of love, and aligning parenting phases with children’s needs. Relatable examples from the authors’ experiences with biological and foster children make it a practical, encouraging resource.

What is the main parenting goal in Parenting: Getting It Right?

The Stanleys’ "north star" is raising children who want to spend time with their parents and siblings, even when they’re no longer obligated to. This goal prioritizes relational health over short-term compliance, encouraging parents to foster mutual respect and lifelong connection.

How do Andy and Sandra Stanley recommend handling discipline?

They advocate for a three-stage approach: discipline (early years), training (school age), and friendship (adulthood). Each phase adapts to children’s growing autonomy, shifting from setting boundaries to guiding decision-making and finally nurturing peer-like trust.

What role does marriage play in effective parenting according to the book?

A healthy marriage is framed as the cornerstone of successful parenting. The authors argue that marital stability models security for children, reduces household conflict, and ensures unified parenting strategies—critical for fostering a nurturing environment.

Do the Stanleys advise against yelling at children?

Yes, they advise yelling only in dangerous situations. This approach prevents fear-based relationships and teaches children to associate raised voices with genuine emergencies, promoting calm communication in everyday conflicts.

How does Parenting: Getting It Right address faith transmission?

The book encourages integrating faith through modeling rather than forced adherence. It focuses on creating a home environment where spiritual values are naturally lived out, helping children develop authentic, self-driven faith resistant to deconstruction.

What are the three stages of parenting outlined in the book?

1. Discipline (ages 0–5): Establishing boundaries.
2. Training (ages 6–12): Teaching decision-making.
3. Friendship (teen years+): Transitioning to mentorship and mutual respect.

How does the book suggest building lasting connections with teenagers?

By prioritizing open dialogue, respecting their autonomy, and investing time in shared activities. The Stanleys stress that teens thrive when parents listen more than lecture and model humility in admitting mistakes.

What criticisms exist about Parenting: Getting It Right?

Some may find its faith-centric approach less applicable to non-Christian audiences. Additionally, its emphasis on marital health could feel challenging for single parents, though the principles remain adaptable.

How does this book compare to other Christian parenting guides?

Unlike formulaic guides, it avoids rigid rules, instead offering flexible frameworks tied to relational outcomes. It stands out for its focus on long-term connection over behavioral control, aligning with modern, grace-based parenting trends.