Title:
Related by Chance, Family by Choice
Author:
Deb DeArmond
Release Date:
October 3, 2013
Publisher:
Kregel Publications
Source:
Received free ARC in return for an honest review
Synopsis:
The caricatures are
everywhere, the jokes are inexhaustible, and the stereotypes fill the screens.
From Marie Barone (Everyone
Loves Raymond) to Viola Fields (Monster-in-Law)
to Internet sites and social media pages like ihatemyinlaws.com and a Facebook
page for ihatemymotherinlaw there is no shortage of examples of the caustic
relationships that can develop between the two women in a man’s life.
Deb
DeArmond and her three daughters-in-law have conducted their own exhaustive
research into the status of the women-in-law relationship. Their research,
which incorporated online surveys, interviews, and discussions, included asking
about the faith factor in the relationships they studied. Of the respondents,
nearly 90 percent claimed they were Christians, and 79 percent said their faith
was foundational and guided their actions and decisions. As discouraging as it
may be, the numbers of those they surveyed who reported that their women-in-law
relationships were “bad” were nearly identical to those in a survey conducted
by a popular secular website that recorded no statistics on faith.
Beyond
the statistics and their analysis, Deb brings to this book more than thirty
years working with adults to improve communications and deal constructively
with conflict. Aside from her research and her professional expertise, perhaps
the most important asset Deb brings to this work is her own relationship with
her three daughters-in-law that is so obviously and unusually positive that
she—and they—are often asked to explain the secret of the relationships they
share.
This
practical and un apologetically scriptural book covers issues of personal
perceptions, strained communication, the roles of sons and fathers in the
relationship’s success, how to begin these relationships on the right foot, and
the necessity of trust and love. Deb’s one motivating objective is to help women
in- law move from women who are simply related to strong and confident members
of a truly spiritual family.
Biography
Kregel Publications released Deb's first book, entitled Related by
Chance, Family by Choice, in November of this year. It is the story of two
women who love the same man: mothers and the girls who marry their sons.
Mother-in-law / daughter-in-law relationships can be good. We just have to
understand our roles and set our hearts on doing things God's way. The book
provides practical tools and guidelines to make these relationships as good and
God honoring as they can possibly be.
One of Deb's passions is not only her own family, but the relationships within families as well. From marriage to parenting to in-laws and more, Deb's years in helping others develop communication and conflict resolution skills support the message God has tasked her with sharing both in print and when speaking.
Deb is wife to her high school sweetheart, Ron, who showed her the path to become a Christ follower 38 years ago. Mom to three incredible sons. Gigi to three perfect grandboys. But Jesus is her favorite, and the guys have learned to live with it. She is a transplanted Californian who has been a proud Texan for 9 years and she loves the Lone Star state! Deb and her husband, Ron, live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Deb is an entrepreneur, and has owned her own leadership training and executive coaching practice for 15 years. She is an experienced speaker and most recently, an author. She is a featured writer for several online magazines and print articles with work appearing in WHOA Magazine and Dallas Family Magazine.
Optimistically mid-life, Deb is excited about the next stage of life and what God has for her now. She longs to see experienced women find their passion and place in the body of Christ, show up and finish strong. Deb is co-founder of My Purpose Now an online community for Christian women 50+ where the tag line is "We may be done, but we're not finished!"
Deb would love to connect with you and speak for your women's group or retreat. You can learn more about Deb, her book, and her speaking schedule by contacting her on her website.
One of Deb's passions is not only her own family, but the relationships within families as well. From marriage to parenting to in-laws and more, Deb's years in helping others develop communication and conflict resolution skills support the message God has tasked her with sharing both in print and when speaking.
Deb is wife to her high school sweetheart, Ron, who showed her the path to become a Christ follower 38 years ago. Mom to three incredible sons. Gigi to three perfect grandboys. But Jesus is her favorite, and the guys have learned to live with it. She is a transplanted Californian who has been a proud Texan for 9 years and she loves the Lone Star state! Deb and her husband, Ron, live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.
Deb is an entrepreneur, and has owned her own leadership training and executive coaching practice for 15 years. She is an experienced speaker and most recently, an author. She is a featured writer for several online magazines and print articles with work appearing in WHOA Magazine and Dallas Family Magazine.
Optimistically mid-life, Deb is excited about the next stage of life and what God has for her now. She longs to see experienced women find their passion and place in the body of Christ, show up and finish strong. Deb is co-founder of My Purpose Now an online community for Christian women 50+ where the tag line is "We may be done, but we're not finished!"
Deb would love to connect with you and speak for your women's group or retreat. You can learn more about Deb, her book, and her speaking schedule by contacting her on her website.
My Thought's:
I’m unsure as to how I want to begin writing this review for
Related by Chance, Family by Choice.
The book alone was wonderful and well written but it didn’t apply to me, or at
least I thought so. Deb DeArmond did an absolutely lovely job at writing this
and with the physical interaction and questions within each chapter is
something that I look for when I read books like this.Yet, I’m
not married but am in a relationship of 3 ½ years. I just felt that this title
wasn’t for me, but it could really help out those that are in this role as a
daughter-in-law. Building that relationship whether it started out bad or good I
believe that this could really be of some help to others.
Therefore,
I’m giving Related by Chance, Family by
Choice 3/5 Stars.
No comments:
Post a Comment