We had the opportunity to review a DVD of Dating, Courting & Choosing a Mate… What Works? (Video) (for parents of kids ages 9-college) from Parenting Made Practical.
Next to the “S” word sex, the “D” word (dating) is right up there on the list of difficult topics to discuss with our children. Oh, if they could only stay babies forever. Well, they cannot and won’t. As a parent, you may choose to brush the subject under the carpet or you can address it with the help of the Dating, Courting & Choosing a Mate… What Works? DVD & Workbook from Parenting Made Practical.
Joey and Carla Link are the homeschooling parents of three children and the founders of Parenting Made Practical. Their children are now adults with children of their own and the Links share their experiences as parents, in youth and family ministry (Joey) and social work (Carla). The goal of Parenting Made Practical is to
Encourage and equip parents to practically raise obedient, respectful and responsible children in todays’ world.”
The Links promote their goal through books and DVDs and other teaching materials geared towards parent who may need some assistance with how they parent. Dating, Courting & Choosing a Mate… What Works? DVD and workbook is one of those resources we reviewed. The set comes with a DVD and two workbooks. We received the DVD and one workbook to use.
The setting for the presentation is relaxed and parents as well as their teens are part of the audience. I like that the Links include teens in the presentation. It makes good sense, because we are learning how to have this discussion with our children. There are two parts:
Developing Your Dating Philosophy {50 minutes}
How to Make It Work? {58 minutes}
There are so many wonderful points made in this presentation. Joey and Carla described two types of parents: Authoritarian and Permissive. I found myself falling into the Authoritarian slot as one who is over protective and legalistic. I parent without always giving a moral reason or a why as to how I am asking my child to behave. On the other hand, a Permissive parent may leave much of the parenting to their child’s peers and other outside elements. When it comes to dating, that can become an issue. Often, it is because we, as parents do not have a dating philosophy established for our children. Many of us, before we were made did not have a philosophy for ourselves. To create one, some of the things we should consider with our children are:
“Do you really want this drama in your relationship?”
As parent, we should “Take the open doors to help your teen see what is really going on,” by using examples their friends have experienced or in the media.
We should give, “Give them a framework and philosophy.” As parents, our “marriage is the school of dating.”
The Links created a philosophy of dating for each of their children. It looks similar in foundation, but as far as how it was implemented, it was different with all of their children. They help parents create a philosophy.
I like Carla’s presentation. She speaks with a velvet sword; she reminds me of my mother. Her words are gentle/soft, but can cut you, because she makes sense. When she discussed how she was not folding her husbands clothes as her was use to, she gave him a gentle ultimatum. She asked Joey who he wanted folding his clothes for the next 50 years, her or his mother, because she could arrange for either one.
Carla discusses the Pings in a relationship, which help those in a courtship dating relationship to define who the characteristics of the person they will marry. The Links use the four “P”s:
Potential, Possible, Probable and Proposal, which they describe in detail.
I really like that the information the Links shared was logical and very practical. Since they mentioned Dave Ramsey, I am going to say I enjoyed listening to them as much as I do Dave. The Links are to relationships as Dave is to money. Their advice is biblical, logical, practical and doable. The advice is good. They help parents help their children plan with questions to ask before the marriage, so there will be no surprises afterwards.
All the way up the day we watched the DVD, I was of the mindset of courtship. Now, I am of the mindset of Friendship Dating.
PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Dating, Courting & Choosing a Mate… What Works? (Video) (for parents of kids ages 9-college) is available for $24.95.
Social Media Link
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParentingMadePractical/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ParentingMP Tag: @ParentingMP
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Thank you for this review. We taught this at a church in the greater Chicago area last night to a group of teens and parents and were encouraged to see their positive reaction to this information. We hope all those who take the time to watch this DVDS will be blessed in the journey to find their life mates. I loved your “velvet sword” comment!