Customer Reviews

On Becoming Childwise

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

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.

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!

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.

I am a mother of four children, and have nursed them all 2yrs. I have avery loving relationship with all of them.I was afraid to read one of the Ezzo's books because of all the negative hype the Ezzos have received. i am so glad I finally did read it! It is such a practical, down to earth parenting book. Once I got over my shock of how unfairly the Ezzos have been criticized, I was able to appreciate all the wisdom in this little book. There are many practical pointers in the book for how to handle your children.For example, to help your children gain self control, you should not just say,"calm down! " You should help them gain control by telling them to fold their hands and gain some self control. Also addressed in the book is why you should sometimes "explain" your "No" to children. I hope this book helps you as it has helped me in my parenting skills!

Once again, I am very impressed with Gary Ezzo's common sense, and loving approach to child rearing. I too, was a 'babywise' mom and heard all the negative hype. This is simply from people not using day to day common sense to recognize situations that may need to be handled differently. I highly recommend this book, as well as babywise. I heard over and over again how "lucky" I was to have such a good baby, and with Mr. Ezzo's help, I hope it will continue through my childs adolesence.

I just finished this book, and I found it to be excellent. The authors speak of a child with respect, and give you the fuel you need to raise a child that thinks highly not only of themselves, but others. The theme of the book is to you teach your child to "do to others as you want them to do to you".

If you respect your child, they will respect you and other people. I heard someone say before I read the book that it tells you to train you child like a pet. I did not get this impression at all while reading. They strongly encourage you as the parent to encourage your child, reward and help them to do right. This is done by teaching them to internalize morals. For example, you do not just tell a child what not to do (which is how many children are raised..."do not do this etc"), but you tell them what you expect and why. If they make a mistake, you give them time to think about what happened and many times they will tell you what they did, why it was wrong, and think how to make it right. Parents are encouraged to catch their children doing good, and notice it. Praise them, hug them. Look for chances to say tings like "Timmy, I love how you helped your sister pick up toys" According to Ezzo, this kind of talk does more to encourage a repeat of good behavior than anythings else. Kind words from the parent.

People think that it centers around the marriage too much. In a perfect world, there would be no divorce, and everyone married would be happy. The book does say that children are more secure in a family that has parents that love each other and spend time with each other in front of the children. When your children see how much you value your spouse, it teaches them to value ohters too. It is healthy for children to have their parents rock solid marriage as an example. However, divorced people can read the book, single parents can benefit, just do not let the part on marriage make you discard all of the wonderful ideas in the book. YOur children need you more than ever, and you need the rock solid info in this book to help you. I highly recommend the book. It takes a lot of the guess work and questioning that parents face when raising children. How to handle sibling problems, anger, lies, bullying etc. Just one principle "respect other people and their things" YOu have to teach them what respect looks like, and what it says. You will be happy, and so will your child.

One of my favortie parts tells you how to get your children to take ownership of their resposibilities without your constant nagging and reminding. How? read and find out!

In On Becoming Child Wise: Parenting Your Child From Three To Seven Years, Garry Ezzo and Robert Bucknam collaborate to equip the reader with more than fifteen Childwise Principles for training kids in the art of living happily among family and friends. Parents can foster the safe, secure growth of ta child's self-concept and worldview, nurture their child's uniqueness while setting loving boundaries on his or her world, and sow the seeds for a healthy and secure adolescence. On Becoming Child Wise shows how to raise emotionally balanced, intellectually assertive, and morally sensible children within the context of a Christian family. It is an essential, practical, family values based, highly recommended "how-to" guidebook for the parenting years of preschool through grade school.

In On Becoming Child Wise: Parenting Your Child From Three To Seven Years, Garry Ezzo and Robert Bucknam collaborate to equip the reader with more than fifteen Childwise Principles for training kids in the art of living happily among family and friends. Parents can foster the safe, secure growth of ta child's self-concept and worldview, nurture their child's uniqueness while setting loving boundaries on his or her world, and sow the seeds for a healthy and secure adolescence. On Becoming Child Wise shows how to raise emotionally balanced, intellectually assertive, and morally sensible children within the context of a Christian family. It is an essential, practical, family values based, highly recommended "how-to" guidebook for the parenting years of preschool through grade school.

We studied and applied the Ezzo principles in raising our child with excellent results. I highly recommend reading this book to anyone who has, is expecting, or is considering having children.

To the person in Vancouver, WA, it seems you did not read the book! THeses books are for guidelines and you are supposed to use the common sense God gave you to raise your children. They are gifts, and you have the responsibility to raise them properly. It is a tough job. There are many books that can give guidelines and helps, but no one book will give you all the answers. Only God can do that.

The book is meant as a tool. you must tailor any childrearing book or article for your child and family. People get in trouble when they try to look at others and do exactly as they do. If you feel like something in the book is wrong for you, then it is wrong for you, but not everyone. Good book for families that know how to read and do the good things and ignore what is not for them. Not a good book for people that think that every decision is based on their childs whims.