Kathy Koch - Start with the Heart: How to Motivate Your Kids to Be Compassionate, Responsible, and Brave (Even When Youre Not Around)

Parenting has never been more challenging, and our team at Focus on the Family hears regularly from moms and dads who are pulling their hair out in an effort to raise godly, responsible children. In this wise and insightful volume, Dr. Kathy Koch has reminded parents how important it is to build our parenting on a foundation of solid, loving bonds with our kids. When we start there, our discipline, correction, and training are much more likely to reach our childrens hearts.

JIM DALY
President, Focus on the Family

In an age when parents are being challenged to take a back seat to the culture, struggling with opposing ideologies and an ever-changing social landscape, Dr. Kathy Koch is a much-needed voice of reassurance, biblical wisdom, and strength. How do we reach the heart of our kids? How do I help my child find his identity and purpose? How do I transition with my child into the teen years successfully? The answer, of course, lies in the heart. When giving up is easier, Dr. Kathy gently reminds us why we must never give up. Parenting is faith work at every stage, but with a little help from Kathy, you will gain confidence. Start with the Heart is a must-read book for every parent!

HEIDI ST. JOHN
Author of Becoming MomStrong and Prayers for the Battlefield
Founder of MomStrongInternational.com

Dr. Kathy has done it again. As parents of four, my wife and I have benefited from every book shes written, and this is no exception. Shes a wise guide, a coach who helps keep our parenting priorities straight as we seek to walk with our children into a life full of loving God and others as He created them to do.

JOHN STONESTREET
President of the Colson Center and author of A Practical Guide to Culture

We cannot stress enough how important this book will be to your goal of becoming a good parent. Dr. Kathy Koch brilliantly weaves her core principles throughout these pagesprinciples that have literally revolutionized the way we view our kids and ourselves. Start with the Heart will not only inspire you to be a better parent but will equip you with the tools you need to succeed. We couldnt put it down!

DAVID AND JASON BENHAM
Nationally acclaimed entrepreneurs, authors, speakers

Its shocking how fragile so many young adults are these days. Theyre afraid of failure and unwilling to take risks. They scurry for safe spaces on campus because they cant bear to encounter challenging ideas. What young adults need most today is resilience, and thats why Start with the Heart is so refreshing. Its page after page of practical ideas from real families that show how to rise above the challenges of our age to raise secure, brave kids. Thank you Dr. Kathy!

JEFF MYERS
President, Summit Ministries, and author of The Secret Battle of Ideas about God

Most parents hope to raise compassionate, courageous, and responsible kids, yet many are at a loss as to how that can be done. Dr. Kathy Koch clearly coaches and gently guides the well-intentioned mom and dad to interact and connect with their child in a way that builds relationship while growing godly character. She unpacks her start with the heart philosophy with practical and easily applicable strategies so the parent is not left wondering, How do I apply this? The entire family will be blessed and strengthened by the principles and positive practices presented in this powerful parenting book.

LORI WILDENBERG
Speaker and author of five parenting books, including The Messy Life of Parenting

We all want to help our children move from obeying to being internally motivated to do whats right. But we can be clueless on how to do that! In this book, youll learn from the masterin an easy-to-understand, super-practical format. I greatly admire Dr. Kathy Kochs ability to present profound concepts in a simple way that helps us immediately. And once you read this book, you will too.

SHAUNTI FELDHAHN
International speaker and bestselling author of For Women Only and The Kindness Challenge

Parents who love their child will find actionable insight in Dr. Kochs book Start with the Heart. Her emphases on biblical truth, the importance of understanding the needs all of us have, communication, honesty, and compassion are great foundations for any family. The older teens and young adults we serve who face confusing and difficult challenges in life might not be in these situations today if they had lived their childhood in the environment described in Start with the Heart. Read this book! Then DO this book! Youll see! Your childrens change is born in your own change! Your expanded ability to parent will surprise you! Just follow the simple directions! Be brave! Trust God to pave your way and your childs path as well. Start with your heart!

MARY MARGARET GIBSON
Ministry Director, Save the Mother, Save Her ChildEvanTell, Inc.

In this screen-driven world, the heart is often overlooked. Start with the Heart defines whats truly important in parenting. Dr. Kathy Koch is a gifted communicator with both kids and parents. Put the sample conversations in this book to use, then get ready for positive transformation in your heart and home.

ARLENE PELLICANE
Speaker and author of Parents Rising

Do you want to stop nagging and move your children from I cant and I wont, to I can, I will, and I did? If your answer is yes, the words on these pages will equip you like no other book. I have learned so much from Dr. Kathy Koch and I know you will too!

JILL SAVAGE
Author of No More Perfect Moms and Real Moms Real Jesus

In Start with the Heart, Dr. Kathy shares sound biblical principles and practical applications in easy-to-read chapters. Whether you are a parent of littles, middles, or older children, Dr. Kathy will help you understand how to motivate your children and become the parent they need. The ideas can change your relationship with your children because youll stop trying to change their outward behavior by focusing on their hearts for long-lasting change.

CONNIE ALBERS
Speaker and author of Parenting beyond the Rules

Start with the Heart is an incredible resource, and such an important book for parents. Its an easy read that is chock-full of wisdom and practical, simple application. Though our children are now grown, I can tell youtheyll all be receiving a copy of this powerful book from Mary Jo and me for use as a go-to resource in raising our grandchildren.

BRENNAN DEAN
President, Great Homeschool Conventions, Inc.

Dr. Kathy Koch has written a must-read for parenting a generation that is at risk of becoming detached and indifferent. As a child development specialist, I believe we are in a crisis when it comes to our young teens and their view of life and themselves. What we are teaching them through social media isnt working. If parents read this book and implement its contents, lives could be changed and, I dare say, saved. This powerful book will inform, empower, and provide guidance needed to raise independent, loving, and well-adjusted children.

KATHY LEE EGGERS
Child development specialist, author, and speaker

Every homeschooling parent I know wants to motivate his or her children to do well in lifeacademically, relationally, and spiritually. These precious moms and dads love their children more than anything but sometimes lack self-confidence or need help to learn and apply realistic, practical parenting strategies.