On Becoming Childwise [Paperback]

Gary Ezzo (Author), Dr. Robert Bucknam (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 18, 1999

Parents seek to raise moral and godly children, but many don't know how. Parents and prospective parents often feel ill-equipped for the task of raising righteous children. On Becoming Childwise responds to this need by offering sound, biblical instruction for parents with questions about discipline, parent roles, and other issues. Gary Ezzo, author, pastor, and father, and Robert Bucknam, pediatrition, draw from their professional and personal in-the-trenches experiences to offer practical instruction on raising morally responsible children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (November 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1576734218
• ISBN-13: 978-1576734216
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #543,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

76 of 80 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's not the easy way - but it's rewarding., January 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: On Becoming Childwise (Paperback)

I'm the mother of a 21 month old boy. I followed the Babywise books' advice and have a very loving, confident, and well-behaved boy who is a joy to have around. I just finished reading On Becoming Childwise and look forward to following the authors advice now, and as my son gets older. The book is for 3-7 year olds by means of it's title, but I think it is appropriate for 2 year olds also. The book is mostly about preventing problems, but still addresses how to handle problems when they arise. Preventing problems is not easy and does take effort, but I see so many moms and dads complaining about all the effort they put into punishing, yelling, chasing, bribing, and spanking their children to get them to pick up toys, treat siblings nicely, eat their meals, and just plain go to bed or stay in bed. By following the authors' advice, these are not issues in our house. I would rather spend time parenting my child in constuctive ways and enjoying him than the above. These authors have been there and they've succeeded. Plus, they describe methods they have seen work over the years for other parents. They have wonderful (and very kind) methods for bringing up children who obey their parents and behave morally for moral or practical reasons the children internalize - not because they will be spanked, yelled at, put down, or bribed. (As for the over the edge negative reviews I've seen for the Childwise and Babywise books, take them with a grain of salt - I've never seen them justified.) But, these books are ONLY for parents who take their role as a parent very seriously and will put forth the daily effort to raise wonderful children who are a joy to have around. Parenting isn't easy, go with the flow and take the easy way out and you and your child (and relatives and friends) will miss out on some wonderfull times together.

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have!, December 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: On Becoming Childwise (Paperback)

If you've read the "On Becoming" series, this is a must have! And if you haven't read the series, don't shy away. The advice is so practical and common sense, but it's nice to have it reinforced! As parents we, want to raise responsible children that are joys to others. This book contains the "directions" for doing so! The principles of parenting are on my refridgerator as daily reminders. It's the best parenting book around!

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am confused at the negative reviews, February 10, 2001

By 

"movemeintobooks" (Huntsville, AL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Becoming Childwise (Paperback)

I am very confused about the negative reviews this book received. I thought it gave very practical and sound advise. My husband and I have been struggling with how to handle our four-year old son and two-year old daughter. This book helped me gain some control over my parenting and see the various things I was doing wrong. You have to know what you want your children to become and if you want them to be people who show you love and respect and in turn, show that to others, then this is the book for you. I never once read anything that would justify the negative hype and perhaps it is become this book is more suited to my belief that kids need moral guidance and I need help in instructing them on the virtues I hold dear. I thought it was a proactive approach to disipline and helps you to avoid "timeouts" and confrontations with your children that can be potentially embarrassing for you both in public. I like believing that I can make my childrens lives happier and healthier by enacting some of these lessons. I used "Babywise" principles when they were infants and I was able to discern when some of those principles were not the best thing for my kids. I hope that I can have the same ability to discern instances when some of these principles may not be age or situation appropriate. I recommend this book for people who want their children to be equipped to handle life when we are not able to hover over them.