Raising the Curtain on Raising Children Author: Florence Littauer
	Book Information Publisher: Word Books Book Type: Paperback Members Wishing: 0 Rating: ? ISBN-13: 131154 - ISBN-10: Publication Date: 1988 Pages: 301

In a world where "anything goes", parents are called upon to serve as prompters, standing backstage encouraging children to remember the lines learned at home. In this unusual and practical book, Florence Littauer casts parenting in dramatic terms, penetrating with her usual humor and pungent prose to the heart of problems every parent faces.

Using Biblical examples and often hilarious experiences from the Littauers' own home life she describes:
*the theme of the family play: raising Christians, not just children
*parents as directors of the play
*children as the cast
*tending to the plot - setting goals and rules
*scripting - suggestions on healthy communication
*how to write comedy - making home a fun place
*allowing also for tragedy - eguipping family members to deal with problems

These and many other concepts from the field of drama remind the reader of the author's experience both as a speech teacher and a parent. Her qualifications, and those of her husband Fred, speak for themselves as she invites imput from their two daughters, Lauren Littauer Briggs and Marita Littauer, both of whom are Christian leaders, speakers and authors.

Although the book brims with wit and an upbeat tone, tragedy has also given this remarkable family the compassion to understand grief. The Littauers lost two sons, both of whom were born with fatal brain damage. Readers also share their joy at adopting a 3 month-old baby boy, who is now, at age twenty-four, manager of the family business.

Throughout, Florence's gifts of incisive insight and wry humor create a positive atmosphere in which parents will come to believe that despite other influences, conscientious Christian parenting can result in loving family relationships, wholesome adult children,and warm memories of hoome as God would have it.