Customer Reviews

I'm Outnumbered!: One Mom's Lessons in the Lively Art of Raising Boys

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Raising children is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. Life becomes more complicated when raising boys, and even more so with multiple boys. Laura Grove's new book, I'm Outnumbered - one mom's lessons in the lively art of raising boys - will certainly help anyone who feels overwhelmed by parenthood.

Strong advice and practical tips fill the pages. One strong chapter is on communication. Groves emphasized the importance of dinnertime conversations as a family and one on one time with individual boys. I like that she included chapters on order and organization and teaching respect - unique topics not always addressed in parenting books. She also has a chapter where her sons answer questions and even words of wisdom for the single mom.

This book would be a great book to buy for that expectant mom who already had several kids. Also a good addition for church or community libraries or mom discussion groups.

I gave Outnumbered Mom to a young mother as a gift and her response "I couldn't put it down." Laura Groves has answered so many questions in such a down to earth manner for the young mother whether she has one, two or more children. And even though she discusses the lively art of raising boys, her practical wisdom rings true for all children-boys or girls. Laura does give the boys' Dad a chance to share and also her boys respond to mother's advice. Her words ring true as she shares what she has experienced. It is obvious to the reader that she has been there and understands the situation. Mothers will appreciate her insight into the art of raising children and can relate to her common sense Christian advice.

What I really liked about this book was the very practical applications she shares. In no other 'raising your sons' book have I found so many practical ideas for developing leadership, loving unconditionally, maintaining family mealtime, talking with your son, improving organization, tips for modeling respect, growing respect through the various ages, and a detailed list of guidelines to help brothers interact with one another in a healthy way (especially as teenagers and into adulthood). It's great to have general principles and scriptural guidelines (which she starts with), but it's even better to show how to move those principles into action.

Another great aspect of this book was the way it addresses so many seasons of raising boys. This isn't just for mothers of preschool boys, or mothers of teenage boys, or mothers whose boys have left home--it's for all the above. She included thoughts I've read before, ideas I've previously implemented with my boys, and many ideas I have never heard before and for stages of life I've not yet reached. This is a book that mothers can refer to again and again as the boys grow up.

This is a good little handbook for moms (and dads) of boys. I got this because I teach 5th grade boys in Sunday School and thought it may be helpful. She kept the chapters short because she knows moms are very busy so it is a quick read. She addresses many issues including expectations, laying a foundation for reading, sibling rivalry, teaching respect, organizing, media, teaching responsibility, and communication. Also included is a special chapter for dads, for single moms, and one from the boys themselves! Laura Groves also includes an extensive list of recommended books that deal with related topics that she wrote about in this book.

I think this book would be helpful to any parent of boys especially. It is sprinkled with some humor and scripture which makes it a very enjoyable and interesting read. I liked it and am not even a parent but this book makes parenting sound like lots of fun! As I was reading, I kept thinking of different mothers I know who may benefit from reading this. Some general advice from I'm outnumbered! is to let boys be creative, don't let them hurt each other, don't play favorites, give them all a chance to be leaders and promote teamwork, treat them as individuals, love them no matter what they do or don't do, teach them manners by challenging them to be honorable like knights.

This book would make a great gift for parents of boys. I highly recommend this book and can't say enough good about it.

I'm Outnumbered by Laura Lee Groves is a book that addresses the impact a mother can have in raising sons in this world today. Laura Lee is the mother of 4 sons so she has figured out some ways to teach them what they need to know before they move out on their own. This book covers the beginning years through adulthood. It has some fascinating facts about the ways boys think and act. There are many practical tips that Laura Lee gives for handling sibling rivalry, how to get boys to talk, teaching them about order and organization and training them to be discerning about the media. She cites many authors and books and also gives a comprehensive list of those resources in the appendix. This book is for moms, both married and single, but it does not mean that moms are the only ones that raise the boys. There are chapters for the dad's part as well as what the boys had to say about growing up in this household. There are also some chapters that talk about what it is like if you have a girl in the mix as well.

I was so pleased to be able to review this book. I just have one son, but so much of what Laura Lee shared helped me to understand my little one and start to think about what to do when he gets older. It's tough being a mom of boys, but Laura Lee's honest approach and many doable ideas are inspiring. Her main focus is what God wants us as moms to do to be a great model to our sons. It is a great privilege to be the mother of a son and I really appreciate the insights that Laura Lee provides to moms for this great task. If you are a mother of one son or more, you will want to read this book.

I was really excited to get this book in the mail and picked it up to read. i was laughing as I was reading! not only am I also a mom of four sons like the author, my oldest was severely colicky and I could so commiserate with her as she got it so right. This mom offers advice to the mom of boys right where you need it. I have never read such a great book on this subject. It is straight forward, to the point and covers all kinds of topics. My favorite chapter was "Boy Talk" on how to teach your son the proper way to communicate. She gives tips so that you can teach your son not to be "the strong silent type", so your future daughter in laws will thank you. Other chapters touch on working with boys personalities and teaching them to be organized, keeping them busy, keeping the electronic usage down. She has feedback from her sons, some of which are grown on her methods, which was really helpful. There is also an appendix in the back for husband's of wives with all boys. It is full of tips of how to help your wife...from understanding boys to helping them with organizing. There is another appendix for single moms, which I found so thoughtful. This author throughly covered this topic, without being overwhelming or wordy! This would be a book I would give at a baby shower where the mom is having a multiple boy as it is that good!

I'm a mom of boys and the only female in my home. Sometimes I do feel outnumbered! While I don't have 4 boys, I do have two. And, often, I have a handful of others, as our house is the gathering place of the neighborhood. In many ways I can relate to Laura Lee Groves and some of her experiences, and I thoroughly enjoyed her book.

This isn't a giant parenting tome. It's a short, easily read Christian book filled with insights, personal experiences and scriptural references about parenting. Laura speaks openly about the importance of prayer in a mother's daily life. Christian principles are reinforced. There are practical tips and suggestions.

This is a book that isn't read quickly. There are many, many great references and a terrific notes/reference section at the back. The section of Laura's boys' insights is fascinating, as is the section specifically for dads. I want to reread the book, this time with a high-lighter. A terrific addition to any parenting library and a great gift for new parents.

this is an awesome book

laura has great insights and experience in raising boys

This book was written especially for me. No, I'm not a mother of boys. I came from a family with two daughters and I bore two daughters in my own family. Now however, I have FOUR grandsons!

With such a history of women in my life, I had no idea that bringing up boys was so different from raising girls. Laura Lee Groves quickly set me straight in her book, "I'm Outnumbered!" This short, pithy book clearly presents the opportunities and hazzards in raising boys. It gives me ways to connect with my grandsons that were totally outside my experience.

As I read about Ms. Groves adventures, I couldn't help comparing my own mothering experiences and laughing heartily over the differences. If boy children are in your life, I recommend that you get a copy of "I'm Outnumbered!" for your own piece of mind.

Thank you, LibraryThing Early Reviewers program, for a free copy of the book.