Customer Reviews

Good Families Don't Just Happen: What We Learned from Raising Our 10 Sons and How It Can Work for You

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What a wonderful book! So many good, useful ideas for would-be parents that I would recommend this book as a prerequisite reading to anyone who intends to become a responsible and loving parent. This book really gives you a detailed account of this family's life. But they do not stop there. By showing you how they live, they clearly show you what are the values behind the way they live. For instance, they show you that they prefer to spend their time in their children's lives than watch TV. Hence, the reading time with each of their children that is something valued and important in the Garcia-Prats family.

This book is fabulous to me because I really believe that, with the application of most of the good ideas of this book, any willing couple can create a successful, loving and happy family, no matter the number of children they decide to have. So many good ideas that I decided, after having read this book once, to read a chapter regularly to inspire myself on applying the really good ideas for my future family. A small regret. There is no picture of the parents. I know, it is not the most important but they are the ones who created this happy family.

Thanks, Catherine and Joseph Garcia-Prats for your wonderful book.

Now that I've seen all the rave reviews of this book, I feel a bit bad about saying anything negative about it :-). I can certainly understand what people see in this book- the authors do indeed give some very important principles for raising kids, and they back up their words with some definite success stories!

However, I really think this book might be more powerful if it weren't so careful to avoid controversy. In other words, most of the principles found in the book can be found in other books on child rearing- be an example yourself, respect the child, be positive, read to the kid... the bulk of the book is taken up with this sort of advice which, while certainly true and valid, has been abundantly covered in other sources.

To be frank, when I picked up the book I was hoping it would discuss at length how to keep kids protected (but not overprotected!) from the popular culture. While television and "appropriate" movie choices are covered very briefly, the serious but touchy problems of influencing book and music choices aren't. What do the Garcia-Prats do? How do they/will they handle problems with computers, including internet and video games? Another vitally important issue that is not adequately covered is sexuality- with ten boys, it's an issue they must grapple with at some length. How???

This book takes a remarkably sunny view of the outside culture, considering it was published in '97. Problems with bad schools (e.g. condom pushing and other sex ed woes) are not discussed, though cooperation with the schools and teachers is. The Garcia-Prats seem to have access to a couple of good schools; any advice for those who do not? What about problems with bad or unsuitable friends? Similarly, books and reading are presented as universal goods, without addressing the obvious problem that many books for adults, and even some for teens, are pornographic, easily available at the library, and innocuous in appearance.

So as a conclusion, I'll say that while this book is a fairly solid contribution for the general populace, it will not be a complete resource for the parent who wants Christian guidance about some of the worst trends going on in our country today.

Being a new mom time is very valuable....reading this book is worth missing a few hours of sleep. it actually has me wanting a bigger family and knowing I can do it.

I really enjoyed this book! I admire this mother of 10 boys. I have three boys myself which really gives me perspective on how to manage a large family. I will never complain again about having "too many kids"!! It emphasizes how your marriage is crucial to making a good family. It encourages responsiblities in children. I have gotten so much from the book and have changed the way I do things for my kids for the good of the family! I highly recommend this book!

I first read this book a few years ago after seeing the authors and their sons on a local talk show. I found the book to be very inspiring and several of Mrs. Garcia-Prats' suggestions have stayed with me. This book reinforces the belief that expecting your children to help with siblings or around the house and be responsible for their own behaviour does not make you a bad parent. In fact, it makes you a good one. If the Garci-Prats can do it with 10 kids, I think my husband and I can handle our 4.

The market is full of parenting how-to books. As a father of nine children, I've read a lot of them. Few pack the powerful credibility this book. Here is golden advice from the crucible of real life - dross all gone. Just the right mix of humor and seriousness. A great book!

I carefully scrutinize parenting books because there are so many out there, and sometimes the advice is misguided. The Garcia-Prats' book is the only one I've recommended over and over. In fact, I keep extra copies on hand to give to friends.

My only complaint, or request, is that they have a follow-up book that discusses the "How To" angle in more detail. At the end of the book I was thinking, "Yes! I'm a believer!" But I was left hanging as to how to accomplish much of the harmony they discuss. Still, it's a book that leaves you feeling hopeful, not guilty.

My husband and I bought this book and passed it back and forth for a week till we had both finished it. I appreciated how the first chapter dealt with having a STRONG marriage to bring children into. (Single parents will get some guidance as to what to look for in a potential mate.) Each chapter was filled with BOLDFACED type to underscore important points (I usually mark up my books with highlighter pens, but the Garcia-Pratts made that unnecessary!) Lots of down to earth advice, but be warned they set a high standard on having a "child-centered home." My husband and I are putting lots of effort into creating what the Garcia-Pratts have: a large, loving, well-mannered family. I wish all parents would read this!

This is an anecdotal style book that uses many personal stories to illustrate examples of lovingly interacting with your children and giving them appropriate responsibilities. It is not a practical, how-to manual, and because they are not professional writers, it is a bit slow in parts. I nodded my head in agreement with many of the ideas. I would like to have read a few more practical strategies vs. general ideas. I would recommend it to readers who hope to integrate faith and parenting.

Good Families Don't Just Happen is a wonderfully insightful look into raising a happy and healthy family. Considering the amount of media attention given to dysfunctional families, it is refreshing to learn that raising a healty functional family is within everyone's ability. Dr. & Mrs. Garcia-Prats share their insights in a way that can only be described as inspiring.