Equally Shared Parenting: Rewriting the Rules for a New Generation of Parents [Hardcover]

Marc Vachon (Author), Amy Vachon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 5, 2010

An empowering guide to the Equally Shared Parenting movement, for the millions of Generation X/Yers looking to discover a new model for parenthood.

Equally Shared Parenting arms readers with the tools to create a balanced life that is rarely experienced by the parents of young children-an evolution that goes beyond the involved dad married to the working mom. This is a lifestyle in which couples create their own model as parenting partners, equals and peers. Every couple gets to write the rules that work for them. For Marc and Amy Vachon, it means working equal hours, spending equal time with the children, and taking equal responsibility for the home. No one is the keeper of the to-do lists; neither of their careers takes precedence.

Equally Shared Parenting clearly outlines the benefits and challenges of equal parenting, covering everything from child-rearing practices, career, and home, to self, money, and society. It presents both the philosophy behind this lifestyle and the everyday steps needed to achieve and maintain it, regardless of income bracket, lifestyle choices, or profession.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Vachons are the leading edge of true social change."
-Laura Vanderkam, The Huffington Post

"Kids become whole people when they're raised by whole people-the Vachons show us how."
-Gloria Steinem --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Marc and Amy Vachon are the founders of equallysharedparenting.com, the first dedicated resource for egalitarian parenting from the perspective of both genders. Amy is a clinical pharmacist in a management role and Marc is an information technology specialist. REVIEW:

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Perigee Trade; 1 edition (January 5, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399535586
• ISBN-13: 978-0399535581
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,187,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars So Grateful for this Book - and Amy & Marc Vachon, January 6, 2010

By 

Michelle D. Barry Franco (Bend, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Equally Shared Parenting: Rewriting the Rules for a New Generation of Parents (Hardcover)

I love this book. I am so grateful for the stories, the perspectives and the "outside-the-box" thinking that the Vachon's and the other ESP couples in this book bring to the family life option table.

Disclaimer - I am the Michelle of "Michelle and Jim" in Chapter 2. However, that's as far as my interest goes in writing a rave review. Well, that and the fact that Amy and Marc are exceptionally warm and generous people - though I've never met them in person. I am very proud to be a part of this book and I certainly wouldn't be writing this review for all to see if I wasn't thrilled with the outcome. Amy and Marc have done an excellent job, in my opinion, of representing the Equally Shared Parenting lifestyle, in all of it's goodness and imperfection.

I would never try to convince a couple to choose ESP if they didn't both have the desire to equally share time with kids, family financial contribution, personal time and house care. It simply doesn't work that way - through coersion and persuasion. But if you and your partner have any remote desire to explore the Equally Shared Parenting lifestyle I whole-heartedly, with great passion, encourage you to go for it. It is SO possible! And the best start to that venture is getting this book. You will surely find stories, ideas and models here that you can apply to your own life. Seriously - just get the book and see.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and helpful couple, January 5, 2010

By 

Learning New Ways (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Equally Shared Parenting: Rewriting the Rules for a New Generation of Parents (Hardcover)

Really great book that gets into the logistics and common barriers to making the adjustment to modern peer marriage from patriarchal marriage.

Marc & Amy have clearly worked very hard on this, both prior to their meeting and in building their family. Their modeling of this and sharing of it in a personal way is a great gift to all of us.

If you're like myself and struggling to sort these issues out, I highly recommend this book. I grew up in a patriarchal home and found it incredibly stressful and difficult. That alone was enough motivation for me to seek change and to avoid patriarchal marriage myself, but really seeing how such change can work is nonetheless even more motivating. And Amy and Marc remind that you don't have to wait for government action or approval from your peer group or even your own parents. You can make this happen here and now; it just takes two willing, ready and able partners.

In the face of a culture & political economy & religious environment that seeks constantly to put men and women in conflict with each other and to insert a lot of unnecessary melodrama and insecurity in our lives, Marc's and Amy's calmness, candor, and resilence really warms my heart and gives me the sense that there are sane and responsible men and women in the world and hope for our future.

Great job and keep up the good work! I'd love to read a sequel when you're parents of teenagers. :)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that speaks to the modern couple, September 3, 2011

By 

Kathryn - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Equally Shared Parenting: Rewriting the Rules for a New Generation of Parents (Paperback)

Both my husband and I were so relieved to read this book. We are partners, both with successful and rewarding careers. It seemed utterly backwards that so many parenting and baby books included Dad as a footnote. This book really validated both my desire to be still be able to be a strong contributor outside the home and my husband's desire for his fair share of responsibility at home. Every expecting couple should read this. There is no need for kids with all their joys a and perils to be the sole purview of moms.