Book Review: Lifeline by James Stenson

Lifeline: The Religious Upbringing of Your Children by James Stenson

After a life raising his own children, teaching at schools, and talking to friends with families, James Stenson wrote this short book full of practical advice on parenting your children. He describes the attitude parents need to have going into parenting. Clear rules and direct communications with children are key. Religious life naturally dovetails with this, given that God wants us to live in joy with Him in the afterlife. Living a spiritually fruitful life translates into a virtuous present life. Stenson gives a lot of practical advice on how to handle discipline, friends, television, and many other aspects of raising children.

The writing style is all over the place. At times it tries to be very modern sounding; at other times it sounds like an advice volume stereotypical of the 1950s. Both can be good but the mixture is weird. He starts off discussing virtues using the classical names of the theological virtues (faith, hope, and charity) but for the cardinal virtues (prudence, justice, fortitude, and temperance) he gives them dumbed-down names (judgment, responsibility, courageous perseverance, and self-mastery). I can understand that philosophical terminology needs clarification for a lot of modern readers but making those clarifications are very easy to do. Maybe a good editor could have smoothed out these rough gearshifts.

The book has lots of advice, some better than others. The reader can take what they know is best and put it into action. Also, it's reassuring to hear some advice that you already use in raising your children. The advice is a mixed bag but mostly very good advice.

Slightly recommended.