Reviewing “Parenting Forward” by Cindy Wang Brandt
My husband and I read this book together. We have been on a long-term deconstruction journey and have very young children. We absolutely loved that this book was about how to raise anti-racist, queer-affirming, non-sexist children since those are some the core issues we are deconstructing. This book was about guiding children with helpful questions, talking deeply about situations and experiences in their lives.
Cindy challenged the authoritarian model of parenting by affirming the agency of children in many ways including food and clothing choices. She talked about nurturing emotions including allowing girls to express anger, and boys to express their feelings more frequently in general. It provided ideas for talking to children about sexuality that challenged old Evangelical norms of purity culture.
There is a chapter about healthy spirituality, encouraging conversation, investigation and exploration, which was very illuminating especially since we are in the deconstruction sphere. The chapter about economic and environmental justice was challenging for both of us in a good way. We hadn’t thought enough about consumerism and “ethical consumption” before reading Cindy’s thoughts. By simply bringing our attention to these concerns, we feel better equipped to make healthier decisions about the things we consume.
Overall, Cindy’s message is about trying to create a more equitable and just world, by steering our family and raising our children with these things at the forefront of our minds. As families are able to take steps toward social justice, this has a ripple effect in the wider community. It is a beautiful and passionate book that we truly appreciated!