Growing Kids God's Way [GKGW] and other parenting programs developed by Gary Ezzo and Anne Marie Ezzo have been popularized in recent years through their religious organization, Growing Families International [GFI], and through their secular line of books including On Becoming Babywise. These programs have many ardent adherents. Yet health-care professionals and notable Christian leaders have expressed concerns and even alarm about these programs.

This website exists to provide information and documentation to help parents, pastors, and other interested persons evaluate this program.

 

Large index of critiques, evaluations and news articles linked or hosted here.

• Infant Feeding Concerns
  The American Academy of Pediatrics and breastfeeding professionals have raised many concerns about the Ezzos' infant feeding advice as presented in Babywise and Preparation for Parenting.
  
  
• Child Development Issues
  It is generally recognized that parents should balance requirements for obedience with age-appropriate expectations. Experienced parents as well as experts in child development find GFI's programs fall short in this area.
  
  
• Theological and Biblical Concerns
  GFI's programs are marketed to Christian churches. A wide range of critics say GKGW and Preparation for Parenting misuse Scriptures to make key points and elevate the authors' own applications of Scripture so that they become confused with the Scriptural principles themselves.
  
  
• Concerns about Divisiveness
  Critics observe that aspects of the presentation are divisive and have caused disruption in churches, families, and friendships.
  
  
• Character Counts
  An author's integrity allows readers to trust his work. Christian leaders and others have reluctantly concluded that the Ezzos have exhibited character flaws that undermine this trust.
  
  
• Voices of Experience
  The authors claim millions of success stories and have many supporters, but many families who initially considered their experience a success have reconsidered the value of what they learned when problems developed or as they became more experienced parents.