Book review of God's a Big Boy

by Aundrea R Delano (Author)

Updated at: 07/01/2025

Navigating a teen's mental health crisis can feel overwhelming, leaving parents heartbroken and lost. Aundrea R. Delano's "God's a Big Boy: Hope and Help to Navigate Your Teen's Mental Health Crisis" offers a lifeline. Drawing from her personal journey supporting her son through suicide attempts and a three-year recovery, Delano provides a compassionate guide for parents. This book blends faith-based strength with practical strategies, equipping readers with tools to manage their own emotions, strengthen their spiritual foundation, and effectively support their struggling teen. Through relatable anecdotes and actionable advice, Delano inspires hope and empowers parents to walk confidently alongside their children on the path to healing.

Gods a Big Boy: Hope and Help to Navigate Your Teens Mental Health Crisis

5 / 9 ratings

Review God's a Big Boy

"God's a Big Boy: Hope and Help to Navigate Your Teen's Mental Health Crisis" resonated with me on so many levels, even though my own children are grown. Aundrea Delano’s story is profoundly personal and bravely shared, offering a lifeline to parents facing the unimaginable struggles of a child's mental health crisis. The raw honesty with which she recounts her son's suicide attempts and their subsequent journey to healing is both heartbreaking and inspiring. She doesn't shy away from the messy emotions – the fear, the anger, the despair – making her experience instantly relatable, even for those who haven't walked the same path.

What struck me most was the powerful blend of faith and practical action that Aundrea employs. While rooted in her Christian faith, the book's message transcends religious boundaries. The emphasis isn't solely on prayer, although prayer is clearly a vital part of her process, but on actively seeking help through therapy, meditation, and self-care. This holistic approach acknowledges the multifaceted nature of mental health challenges and offers a balanced perspective that resonated deeply with me. It’s a powerful message: seeking professional help isn't a sign of weakness, but a courageous step towards healing, and faith can be a powerful companion on that journey.

The book’s structure is easy to follow, and the anecdotes are compelling without being overly graphic. Aundrea's vulnerability creates a safe space for readers to confront their own feelings and acknowledge their struggles without judgment. She masterfully weaves together personal reflections with practical advice, offering tangible steps parents can take to support their teens and, crucially, to care for their own well-being. The constant reminder to prioritize self-care is a vital component, often overlooked in the intense emotional rollercoaster of such situations. It's a crucial message for parents who are often so focused on their children that they neglect their own needs, perpetuating a cycle of stress and exhaustion.

While the book is explicitly aimed at Christian parents, the underlying principles of compassion, resilience, and the importance of seeking help apply universally. The insights into parenting, communication, and understanding teenage emotions are valuable regardless of one's religious beliefs. Aundrea's strength, her unwavering love for her son, and her determination to find a path to healing are truly inspirational. This is more than just a self-help book; it's a testament to the power of hope, perseverance, and the transformative potential of love and faith. It's a book that offers comfort, guidance, and ultimately, a beacon of light in what can often feel like an overwhelming darkness. I highly recommend it to any parent facing similar challenges, and even to those who simply want a reminder of the importance of self-care and the power of human connection in navigating life's difficulties.