For Heaven's Sake! Parenting Preschoolers Faithfully (Quill House Publishers, 2009) is a practical, timeless guide to raising children while nurturing their faith.

 Author Marilyn Sharpe talks warmly and supportively about ways parents and other caregivers can show children they are loved unconditionally through caring conversation, presence, routine, seeing family mealtimes as “holy ground” and much more.

Sharpe, a Harvard-educated professional and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America member, offers practical, often funny, tips on everything from sibling disputes and discipline to faithful birthday celebrations and potty-training.

Sharpe shares stories from Scripture and from her experience as a parent, grandparent and parent educator. Her words affirm and encourage our best, most faithful (though never perfect) parenting efforts.

Where we see ourselves falling short, her voice is one of deep understanding for parent and child. She vividly captures what it can feel like to parent, as well as how children can often feel powerless in everyday circumstances. Sharpe offers ways to express love and correction that support a child’s self-esteem.

As a parent of two children under 6, I was amazed by how much gentle advice and experience — in a thoughtful, Christian key — Sharpe packed into 153 pages. Reading it, I realized I could use “faith milestones” — from ultrasound photos to my wedding ring — to tell the faith story to my children.

Not a page of this book is to be missed. Well-written, organized and wise, For Heaven’s Sake! is probably the best book of this kind I’ve read. It has already changed some of the things I do with my children for the better. Give this book to the parents you love.