Jonathan McKee - If I Had a Parenting Do-Over: 7 Vital Changes Id Make

Do you ever wish you had a parenting mentor to walk alongside you, share the mistakes they made as a parent, and teach you how to avoid those same pitfalls? Now you do! Jonathan McKee offers timeless wisdom for parents who want to look back on their kids childhood someday and honestly say they have no regrets.

Jim Daly, PresidentFocus on the Family

Every parenting book from Jonathan McKee is a gem, and this one is no exception. Combining his own experience with what other parents have said they wish they had done differently, he clearly presents better ways to lead and connect with your kids, at any age.

Shaunti Feldhahn, Social Researcher, National Speaker, and Bestselling Author of For Women Only and For Parents Only

If I Had a Parenting Do-Over is a challenging and yet hopeful book. Jonathan shares honest examples of how he would do over certain elements of his parenting, but also graciously offers positive strategies and suggestions that we all can learn from. As a parent of three kids, I am grateful for Jonathans stories, practical tips, and helpful research. This book is a gem.

Sean McDowell, Ph.D., Biola University Professor, Speaker, and Author of Over Fifteen Books including A New Kind of Apologist

If I Had a Parenting Do-Over is an eye-opening exploration into the parenting practices many of us settle for, only to look back in regret. The 7 vital changes Jonathan proposes are insightful, packed with the wisdom that only comes through experience, and grounded in research. I highly recommend this book to any parent.

Doug Fields, Author, and Creator of IntentionalParenting.com

I dont know any moms and dads who feel like they parented perfectly. Not one! In fact, I know countless parents who look back in hindsight and wish they could change a few things. Thats where Jonathan McKees book is so practical, providing 20/20 hindsight from hundreds of parents on what theyd do differently if they had a parenting do-over.

Jeff & Cheryl Scruggs, Authors of I Do Again, and Founders of Hope Matters Marriage Ministries

I love how Jonathan McKee communicates. This book is practical, hopeful, and absolutely relevant. I have probably spent too much time in my life thinking about how I would have parented our kids differently. This book gave me helpful perspective.

Jim Burns, PhD, President of HomeWord, and Author of Confident Parenting and Teaching Your Children Healthy Sexuality

Wow, did this book bring back memories of rearing two teenage boys. I was right there with City Slickers wanting a do-over myself. McKee crafts scenarios from his own family that hit the mark, backed up with current research in the area of parent-child relations and communications. This is one of the books that all expecting families should get before they open the package. The seven vital changes are great advice for parenting and also valuable in other areas of life and relationships. A must-read!

Dudley Chancey, PhD, Professor of Youth & Family Ministry, Oklahoma Christian University; Executive Director of National Conference on Youth Ministries and Director of Winterfest.org Youth Conferences

Do-Overs are greatbut what if you could do it right the first time? We all makes mistakes, and often learn best from them, but a mistake avoided is always preferred. This little book can help you do just thatlearn from the mistakes of others. Loaded with simple themes, great stories, and practical tips, this book will help any parent do it right the first time! Refreshing, fun and insightfulit is worth the time for any parent to check out this book.

Pastor Karl Bastian, The Kidologist, Founder of Kidology.org

The noise of technology makes parenting harder than ever before. And most parents feel like they are navigating an unprecedented journey. Thats where Jonathans book is so unique. Jonathan provides real-world help based on 20/20 hindsight from literally hundreds of parents. Jonathans wisdom and experience make this a must-have book for any young parent, including me!

Curt Steinhorst, National Speaker and Author

2017 by Jonathan McKee

Print ISBN 978-1-68322-067-1

eBook Editions:
Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-68322-164-7
Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-68322-165-4

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Cover design: Greg Jackson, Thinkpen Design

The author is represented by, and this book is published in association with, the literary agency of WordServe Literary Group, Ltd., www.wordserveliterary.com.

Published by Shiloh Run Press, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683, www.shilohrunpress.com.

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I cant possibly write about do-overs without thanking the one person who makes a fresh start truly possible, my Lord Jesus Christ, the architect of new beginnings.

I have to thank my family and give them credit for enduring through much of the pain in this book. By its nature, an exposition about parenting regrets is made possible only when an imperfect parent has messed up and then realized his or her mistakes. This means my family had to endure said mistakes while I learned the hard way. So what I really need to say is, Im sorry, foremost to Alec, my oldest, and then to my girls, Alyssa and Ashley. Please forgive me. My hope is that other parents will heed my warnings and avoid these same mistakes!

Thank you to all who were part of the research going into this book. Thanks to my blog readers, those of you attending my parenting workshops where I specifically asked you questions about your biggest parenting regrets, and the countless friends whom I e-mailed and asked the question directly. Your answers made me realize I was not alone in my regrets, or in my desire to parent better.

Thanks to the handful of you who took the time to read early drafts of this book, share your honest reactions, and make comments and suggestions. Thanks to Carolyn Sutter, Sande Quattlebaum, Curt Steinhorst, Amy McKee, Becky Martin, John Stone, Karol Boyd, John Mah, Layton Dutton, Mark Pickham, Chris Pannell, Tim Medley, Ryan Davis, Matt Erickson, Jonathan McDuffie, Ben Palm, Alex Tufano, Barbara Straub, Chad Feight, Cathie Mackin, Carol Lindberg, Kathie Barkow, and my parents, Tom and Susie McKee.