Customer Reviews

A Full House of Growing Pains

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Imagine a young woman graduating high school, almost immediately marrying a man seven years her senior, raising four children while her marriage is falling apart, then fighting to restore her family while guiding two of her children to successful, famous careers and eventually starting her own business. Sound like something from Hollywood? Well, it is. And it's Barbara Cameron's life story. Two of Barbara's children became stars on long-running television shows - Candace played DJ Tanner on Full House and Kirk was Michael Seaver on Growing Pains. In Full House of Growing Pains, Barbara recounts the behind-the-scenes pressures of getting her children to auditions and rehearsals, dealing with the stage mothers and casting personnel, and a variety of other challenges. Meanwhile, her husband, Robert, was dealing with the other two children at home. Throw into the mix Barbara's feelings of faded love for Robert that eventually leads to her leaving him and getting her own apartment.

Barbara's father was strict, and he made sure his children went to church to learn about God. Throughout the book, Barbara's path of spiritual awakening comes through in the way she handles each situation she faces. After Kirk commits his life to Christ, Barbara becomes even more focused on strengthening her own relationship with God.

Full House of Growing Pains shows how a mother was able to raise her children to be strong Christians in spite of Hollywood's environment and her own personal struggles. The stories are interesting and the book, sprinkled with family photos, flows at a comfortable pace with a solid presentation of the Gospel at the end as Barbara wraps up her story. Barbara also shares her current passion of working with Children's Hunger Fund, bringing hope to needy children in Africa.

Besides being a good book for parents and those interested in biographies, it could also be an effective evangelism tool, especially for the large amount of people who are familiar with the careers of Kirk and Candace. - Jeff Friend, Christian Book Previews.com

This wonderful book by Barbara Cameron explains the comings and goings, trials, tribulations, success's and heartbreaks of a Hollywood family. It's refreshingly honest with no spin at all. Mrs. Cameron had her shares of ups and downs in her personal life, all the while being a supportive mother who kept her "star" children in line and the "non-star" children were really the stars at home.
My heart went out to poor Bridgett who is the real star of the family!! But their amazing transformation into Born Again, on fire for Jesus Chrsit and their passion that none should miss out on Heaven is so honest, and pure, and indeed rare in a Hollywood where it's hip to be anti-Christian, anti-morals, and whatever goes is OK. Praise God for this family and I know that He is indeed Blessing us with this most excellent book. Thank you Ray Comfort for inspiring Mrs. Cameron. Thank You Mrs. Cameron for sharing your life with us, and thank you Jesus for loving and dying for all of us so that we may be saved!

A great memoir about a woman doing her best to be fair and good in a system (Hollywood) that can corrupt the best of us.

What makes Barbara Cameron's story exceptional is that anyone can relate to her. We're able to see her adult relationship with God begin with her simple belief that He is our Creator who helps us when we pray. Then we're able to see Barbara's realization that He is Everything and there is nothing without absolute Trust in Him, and the changes in her life that ensue.

The feelings and emotions described in this book are the feelings and emotions so many of us deal with everyday and are left wondering how to deal with issues of faith and submission to God.

I must say that you going to be very surprised by this book! It isn't only what you probably think it is about, but oh so much more. Barbara is more real and honest with her readers than most people are even with themselves. She shines a flashlight in the dark corners of her life for all to see without apology because as the saying goes..."the truth shall set you free". Let's just say that she has faced her demons and won! Not only do I hope that all the people who read this book let it touch them, but I pray that all people start revealing their secrets in order to be set free, as well. I have and though it was hard, it was worth it because when you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear! Way to Go Barbara---Your truth has made a difference!

This is a terrific story about the Cameron kids from Full House and Growing Pains. Insightful information about the inner workings of Hollywood auditions and expectations. Humor, sorrow, pain and joy are all present. Hard to put down- read it in one sitting.

I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book. Being the same age (actually younger) as her children I was intrigued since I grew up watching them on TV. This book is an open honest look at a women's journey as a mother, a stage mom, a wife, and a woman. I was surprised to learn all that went on behind the scenes of the family shows her children worked on. I can't believe a woman as beautiful as her struggled for years feeling not good enough and chasing the idea of being beautiful enough for her husband. It was nice to learn the real stories behind the people we grew up watching and learning how their rise to fame came about. It was a wonderful story about a happy loving family that like all families has problems. It was also nice to see how much they gave back to those less fortunate. They never let the fame go to their heads.

This book is well-written and interesting. Lots of pictures make a fun and pleasant addition to the many facets of life Mrs. Cameron writes about herself and her family. I had a hard time putting the book down & read it in 4 days.

Having just read Kirk Cameron's new autobiography, Still Growing: An Autobiography, I decided to follow-up with his mother's story. It was very well written, entertaining and enlightening. Barbara Cameron's honesty is refreshing and the personal stories, in some cases leave you laughing and at times lead you to tears. She takes you behind the scenes in Hollywood and discusses some of the ups and downs of the business and what it takes to protect one's family.

As you will learn from this book, the family was on the verge of disintegration and Barbara struggled with her faith for a number of years, believing that all a person has to do to get to heaven is to "be good." She does a beautiful job in describing her true coming of faith and the restoration of her marriage. This is an excellent book, not just for fans of her famous children.

I really liked this book by Barbara Cameron. She was very honest about the ups and downs of show business, motherhood and marriage. I'd also recommend her son Kirk Cameron's book "Still Growing: An Autobiography" which is also an honest and funny read!

This book is so well written. It has such an even flow. I love reading the story of their lives. It is so interesting and I am so proud of the way Barbara has managed her life in Hollywood and as a Christian. I haven't finished the book yet, i really dreading to finish it. I want the story to go on and on, it's very enjoyable! Please purchase this book it is so interesting and easy to read. You won't want to put it down! God Bless~