Book Review: Play to Their Strengths by Analyn and Brandon Miller

About the Book:

How can a good parent like you become an even greater parent? By shifting the focus to what’s right with your kids instead of what is wrong with them. Discover how you can replace your frustration with joy by taking the pressure of performance and comparison off your children’s shoulders.

Based in the belief that every child has God-given greatness within them, Play to Their Strengths shows you how to move with the natural momentum of your kids’ talents and make the shift to a collaborative, strengths-based, and motivational approach to parenting. You’ll see the powerful results of this shift in your children’s shining eyes—and your own.
The unique Playbook in the back of the book equips you to put into practice the ideas in each chapter. Answer questions and engage in activities with your spouse and kids to uncover talent and discover greatness. The Playbook makes great advice personal as you apply it to the specific family dynamics in your home. Now is the perfect time to experience a fresh fascination with your children and uncover the hidden gem inside each of them.

My Thoughts:

In Play to Their Strengths, Analyn and Brandon Miller challenge and encourage parents to use a strengths-based parenting style. Core to this philosophy is the belief that God gives each child certain gifts (pg.19). It is an intentional strategy to focus on what's right rather than what's wrong with a child (pg.20), but is not intended to lead to overly permissive parenting (pg. 33).

Reading Play to Their Strengths was enjoyable. Unlike some non-fiction books, I didn't find myself bogged down or bored in the middle. The writing style was relatable with occasional humor. At times I did wish for more specifics from their process instead of a bland statement of going from one thing to another. Overall though, it was easy to read and I expect to pick it up annually.

Since reading Play to Their Strengths, I have found myself being more mindful to notice what my children are doing right and giving positive, verbal affirmations. I absolutely love the idea about staying fascinated with my kids as they grow. There were a few statements that really made me think – like how fear is often the source of our anger. The more I thought about the idea and examined subsequent moments of anger, I found it true for me that there is often (but not always) a certain fear lurking underneath. I liked the chapter about finding your own strengths and using them as you parent.

Each chapter of Play to Their Strengths offers discussion questions at the end and there is a “Playbook” with ideas for further consideration or activities to do with the children to help uncover their gifts. I recommend Play to Their Strengths by Analyn and Brandon Miller to any parent, but it is targeted toward Christian parents.

Visit the publisher's website to read an excerpt from Play to Their Strengths by Analyn and Brandon Miller.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of the book by the publisher. All opinions in the review are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CF, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."