For every parent who has ever laid awake reviewing the mistakes and missteps of their day, Lauren Whitman points them to Jesus, who quiets our distress with his love and forgiveness.
Parents often struggle with four deeply distressing emotions: fear, guilt, shame, and regret. Many parents feel resigned to the fact that these emotions will always just be a part of their experience. But Lauren Whitman, a counselor and mother, helps parents see Jesus's compassion and receive the comfort he offers them in their distress.
While many resources help moms and dads grow in how they parent, few help parents with addressing feelings about unrealistic expectations, perceived mistakes, and supposed failings. When Parents Feel Like Failures is an encouraging, grace-centered book that helps us see ourselves and the Lord more accurately.
AUTHOR
Lauren Whitman, MA, is a counselor and faculty member at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF), where she has served for over a decade. She also serves as the developmental editor of the Journal of Biblical Counseling and is the editor of Henry's Big Mistake and Darcy Is Always First, as well as the author of When Parents Feel Like Failures, A Biblical Counseling Process, A Painful Past, and the minibook Mom Guilt. Whitman, her husband, and their two children make their home in the Philadelphia area.
“Imagine parenting without fear, regret, shame, or guilt. Lauren brings experience and wisdom to make that a realistic goal. You will be more creative, less frustrated, and might even find joy as you care for your children.”
Edward T. Welch, Faculty and Counselor, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF); author of Someone I Know Is Grieving
“The ordinarily difficult work of parenting is made even more challenging when parents feel like they are failing at their calling. Lauren Whitman understands the toxic brew of fear, guilt, shame, and regret that parents too often experience as they raise their children. With biblical clarity, gospel-centered hope, and compelling examples, she shows how Jesus quiets the voice of parental failure with his own powerful voice of love.”
Michael R. Emlet, Faculty and Counselor, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF); author of Saints, Sufferers, and Sinners: Loving Others as God Loves Us
“There is a lot to like about Lauren Whitman’s book—she knows our parenting struggles and understands today’s complexities in raising our children. This book helps us be honest about our mistakes and the churn of emotions we feel. But what I love most is the way it takes weary and discouraged parents to Christ and quiets them with his words of grace. Reading this book will be good for your soul.”
Steve Midgley, Executive Director, Biblical Counselling UK
“Fear, guilt, social pressures, and more threaten to discourage us as parents, as well as reroute us to all forms of unhelpful responses. Often these struggles stem from the desire to control outcomes with our children. Our children do not need perfect parents—they need humble ones. Lauren offers great freedom in trusting that God has the outcome and will guide us in the process.”
Julie Lowe, Counselor; speaker; author of Safeguards: Shielding Our Home and Equipping Our Kids
“I’ve always admired my friend and colleague Lauren Whitman’s ability to connect Scripture with our deepest struggles. In her book, When Parents Feel Like Failures: How Jesus Quiets Our Distress, she tenderly addresses parental feelings of inadequacy and perceived failures and guides us to rest in Jesus by sharing stories of him meeting his people’s doubts and fears. With honesty and insight, Lauren will help you navigate your parental distress, giving you more confidence in Jesus’s sweet grace.”
Darby Strickland, Faculty and Counselor, Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation (CCEF); author if Is It Abuse? and Something Scary Happened
“As a parent, I have often felt like a failure. I’ve felt weighed down by my sinful responses to my children, my weaknesses, my limitations, and countless regrets. But Lauren’s new book, When Parents Feel Like Failures, is a fresh breath of gospel encouragement that speaks right to my soul. She reminds me of my Father’s love and my Savior’s mercy and grace. She reminds me that Jesus does indeed quiet my distressed heart with his love. When Parents Feel Like Failures is a book for all parents. Read it and be encouraged.”
Christina Fox, Author of Like Our Father: How God Parents Us and Why That Matters for Our Parenting
“As I read this book, I noticed the familiar ‘churn’ of past failures and present inadequacies I have experienced as a parent. But for once, the churn is good, because Lauren Whitman leads us to the Christ of the Gospels who meets real people and real burdens with real love—more than enough to settle the soul.”
Andrew Collins, Director of the Certificate Programme, Biblical Counselling UK
“I can think of no better guide for discouraged parents than Lauren, whose tender heart and counseling experience blend so beautifully together in this book. As she helps readers to identify the common emotions, thoughts, and expectations that underwrite feelings of failure, Lauren shows how Jesus consistently offers himself as both a refuge and Rescuer.”
Christine Chappell, Certified Biblical Counselor; authoof, Midnight Mercies; Hope + Help podcast host, Institute for Biblical Counseling & Discipleship
“If you’re an imperfect parent, this book is for you. Instead of offering more ‘how tos’ for the already weary parent, this short but wisdom-packed book will offer you a refreshing dose of encouragement wrapped in the freeing gospel of grace.”
Sarah Walton, Coauthor of Hope When It Hurts, Together Through the Storms, and He Gives More Grace
“Are you a distressed parent facing the weighty calling to raise your kids? When Parents Feel Like Failures provides wisdom and gentle guidance for moms and dads weighed down by fear, guilt, shame, or regret. Lauren Whitman’s humility as a mom and her saturation in God’s Word make this book an effective discipleship guide and a balm for parents’ hearts.”
Ellen Mary Dykas, Director, Equipping for Ministry to Women, Harvest USA; counselor; author; Bible teacher
“Lauren Whitman is a wise and gracious counselor who knows Scripture, the noisy hearts of stressed parents, and how to gently connect the two in a way that leads us to rest in the satisfying love of Jesus. My heart was helped by this book, and I enthusiastically recommend it.”
Paul Tautges, Pastor; author of Remade: Embracing Your Complete Identity in Christ
“Being a good parent is hard. Feeling like a good parent is even harder. Lauren is a voice of encouragement in the hard moments of parenting. This book gets to the heart of the matter by offering understanding, personal reflection, and scriptural guidance. Both parents and soon-to-be parents will see Jesus, find hope, and gain wisdom from this resource.”
Shauna Van Dyke, Founder and biblical counselor, Truth Renewed Ministries; strategic advisor, The Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC)
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