Five Signs of a Functional Family

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Summary: 5 Stiches to Heal the War Torn Family
Review: "Five Signs of a Functional Family" is one of those books that as you read through it, you think, "Aaaaw. He just verbalized what I couldn't for sometime now."
One of the interesting points he makes at the very beginning is that when a new bank teller is learning to distinguish a real bill from a fake one, they carefully study the real one. That's what he's done in the book. He spends time teaching the principles that somehow our Grandparents missed or missed passing down.
I think eventually the principles he lays out, (Attitude of service, intimacy between husband & wife, father as loving leader...) will be the ones that "glue" the family back together again. They are not presented as quick fixes, but as an answer for those who want to enrich their family.
His principals will work for the non-religious as well as the religious. Not "preachy."
Well written.

Rating:
Summary: Finally some do's instead of don'ts.
Review: Dr. Chapman has been very gracious to make his own family vulnerable to us that we might gain wisdom and insight we were not given by our own family. We have used this book as a study with another couple and have received great hope through the very practicle principles we've learned. A functional family is achievable for any of us regardless of where we've come from. This book has been a wonderful resource in helping us be the spouse and parent we desire to be. The message is very biblical, but not overwhelmingly spiritual. It would be a great resource for anyone interested in their family health. Let us know what you think.

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Summary: Readable, implementable, but not always 100% on the mark
Review: I translated Dr. Chapman's book into Dutch last year, and although not a practising Christian, I found what he wrote to be very recognisable. He has a gentle humour, which makes the lessons he is trying to teach us more enjoyable. He does not shy away from acknowledging his own errors, which makes it more easy to acknowledge our own, if only to ourselves. I was also pleasantly surprised about how much emphasis is given to the MAN supporting and serving the WIFE. Many church-goers would have us believe it should only be the wife supporting the husband. However, I did find that some of the arguments in the book were a bit circular, or plain "wrong". One example is where the son was given a parking ticket and when called upon to explain, he said that he did not want to lie about living in a particular area... and preferred to get a ticket. I thought really that this was substituting one wrong for another, and hardly merits a compliment... which the son did get, for being honest... rather than a wrong-parker. Another example is the "unconditional love" we are expected to give each other. There, occasionally, unconditional is not quite as unconditional as it perhaps could be. Anyway, if you feel you'd like to change something in your family life, it might well help, even though it requires quite an effort from all in the family. It's not a cure-all, and if your partner is not interested in the idea, this book may not all the good it can do... but it won't hurt to try!!!