Customer Reviews

John Rosemond's New Parent Power!

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I'm intrigued by other reviews here that gripe about the lack of new material in John Rosemond's latest update on "Parent Power!" Remember, folks, the key word here is "update." It makes no claims to be an entirely new book. The other thing to bear in mind is that good, sound, commonsensical advice on parenting is essentially the same today as it was a hundred--or a thousand--years ago. It all boils down to one simple concept: you are in charge; the child is not.

Some people find Rosemond harsh. Those tend to be parents who are willing to fill their time by wheedling, cajoling and bargaining with their children. Others find Rosemond to make perfect sense. Those tend to be parents who understand (and apply!) the fundamental concept that the parents have more experience and more expertise than the children do, and that it is a parental responsibility to take charge and tell the children what the rules are, how the family works, and what the consequences are for disobedience.

Rosemond knows whereof he speaks. Not only is he a parent himself (two grown children--he's now a grandfather), but he has a doctorate in his chosen field. The thing he writes in "Parent Power!" that struck me like a bolt of lightning was that parents who let their kids take the lead and rule the roost are doing the children a disservice. Kids need and crave structure and order. They like knowing what the boundaries are (even if at first it appears that they don't!). When parents set boundaries and then don't keep within them--or lay down rules and then capitulate at the first request from the child--it actually disturbs the child, because it comes across as though the PARENT doesn't really know what the rules are. And to the kid, that translates to the frightening thought, "Well, gosh, if Mom and Dad don't know what the rules are, who DOES know?"

There's so much good stuff here. I urge every parent--frustrated or not--to be open-minded and read this terrific book. It's a treasure trove of useful, usable, sound information.

I think some of the low rated reviews of this book are misleading. If you already own Rosemond's top selling books, of course this isn't the book for you. It even says (very plainly) on the cover that this book is an updated and revised issue of his 2 classics. So for those of us who don't own a Rosemond book and want some sound parenting advice, this is the book to search!

I recently went to a John Rosemond speech and was truly impressed. I have always read his advice in our local paper and I found him to be a little harsh, however after hearing him speak I was amazed. He offers sound, sensible advice in this book about parenting. For example, when our toddler won't put something away the scene was always me begging and bribing him to do so (and often I would end up doing it). Rosemond suggests telling the child to do the requested task (ie "Put away the blocks") and walk away. Surprisingly, after a few times of coming back and telling (note: not asking) him to do so, he followed the direction. Rosemond says that while you stand and watch the child he or she has something to resist against thus the reason to walk away.

If you ever have the opportunity to listen to Rosemond speak, do it!! And if you are looking for good advice in bringing up your child read this book!!

Another successful launch from John Rosemond. If you don't want your children to end up like the majority of American children who are disrespectful, self centered and unwilling to do household chores this is the book and author. I've read countless parenting material and there is no comparison to this author who focus' on "back to basic parenting". Besides this latest book I've also recently listened to his cassette "Parenting According to Grandma". Both this book and cassette are fabulous. I wish ALL parents would read this book. It would make a positive difference to their lives.

I became interested in John Rosenmond's teachings after my best friend attended one of his seminars here in town and told me about his no-nonsense common-sense approach to some of the issues we all deal with as parents. As a parent of two young children, and as a Pediatrician who deals with behavioral concerns on a daily basis, I've found John Rosenmond's tips very helpful. ThIs book is easy to read, and is definitely more of a reference book, rather than a page to page read, with plenty of scenarios that we can all relate to. When parents ask me if I know of any good resources that they can turn to in learning how to best deal with their children, this book is definitely at the top of my list!!

I've been teaching elementary school for 17 years. After having my first child last year, I decided I did not want her to be like the disobedient, disrespectful, self-centered children that arrive in my classroom every year. I had read Dr. Rosemond's column in my local newspaper and I knew this man is one of the few family psychologists out there who understands the RIGHT way to raise a child. He emphasizes a common sense approach to child rearing, with the marriage being the center of attention in the family, NOT the child. He also explains how detrimental television and video games are to a child's development, as well as practical advice on how to deal with certain situations that arise with children, such as tantrums. Don't just read the book, STUDY it. If more people raised their children using Dr. Rosemond's approach, we would ALL benefit.

Extremely valuable advice can be found here, if one can step around a potential minefield of exceptions (in my humble opinion, of course!).

Valuable: The importance of your marriage coming first (or yourself if you are a single parent), establishing that you are in charge (children most definitely thrive with boundaries and expectations, in my own experience), the chapter on toys -- worth the price of the book in my opinion -- that part should be required reading for all parents! The chapter on TV is also really important - I'm not THAT strict (should be) but it did influence me to have 99% of my kids' spare time NOT in front of a TV...

Potential Minefields: His haughty, mean-spirited attitude towards pacifiers and toilet training, for one. With all due respect to Mr. Rosemond, some things really aren't that big of a deal. Especially when dealing with children with challenges/disabilities, as I have. But really, in the final analysis, it doesn't matter when a child gets off the paci and/or diapers. I've had 3 totally different experiences with those 2 "parenting challenges", and in hindsight? Truly, totally NOT a big deal. So my advice to young moms is always the same when it comes to pacis, blankets, diapers, strollers, etc.: Do What Works. Period. And read Penelope Leach's "Your Baby and Child".

I weave a philosophy that blends major aspects of Penelope Leach's views with some of John Rosemonds. Anyone who has read both might think that is a bit odd, as Ms. Leach is really nothing like Mr. Rosemond, in philosophy.

All I can say is I have found a very happy medium between the two, and it makes me a very happy and fulfilled mama.

I'd recommend this book only with the caution to not take everything in it as "gospel".

My sister loaned me this book a couple of weeks after my daughter was born and I just finished it today (16 weeks later). It is a great book! When I started reading it my mom was staying with us and I said to her: "Now I know why we had such a difficult relationship when I was growing up." I recognized so many scenarios from my childhood, it was almost freaky. I realized at once that our situation was neither unique nor difficult to overcome.

John Rosemond makes a couple of very profound points that serve as the underpinning for all of his advice.

1) The parents are the nucleus of the family. As such, their marriage is the single most important component of a healthy family and should be treated as such. Single parents should also make sure that their needs are taken care of and their position in the family center isn't abdicated in favor of the child(ren). The child is not the most important part of the family. Treating children like they are results in self-centered children.

2) Parents must be reliable and fairly dispassionate disciplinarians. Discipline requires consequences in order to be taken seriously. Meanness isn't strictness. Confusing the two is what gets parents (and kids) into trouble.

And his conclusion, that when adhering to these principles parenting is actually enjoyable and pretty simple, is quite revelatory in an age when people like Oprah Winfrey are constantly talking about how motherhood is the toughest job there is. No, crab fishermen in the Bering Sea have the toughest job. Motherhood is far better.

I got this book after being given his book "Parenting by the Book". I was impressed with his thoughts on why kids are the way they are today and what needs to happen so that they can become productive citizens and content adults. As a teacher, I began looking for ways to deal with kids and parents in a society that promotes attachment parenting. I found this book. While I read this book as a new mother, I also have found help as to how to deal with kids. While I don't fully agree with his thoughts on dealing with babies (birth - 18 mths), I do find his thoughts beyond this age group insightful and true. If you want to read how to raise your baby as part of the family and not the center...read BABYWISE. If you want to read how to discipline your toddler (or older) and how to keep them as part of the family but not the center, read this book or any of John Rosemond's books.

Call me ignorant and sheltered but I had not heard of John Rosemond until my oldest was 4 1/2 years old. I wish I had had this book when she was going through the terrible twos. Anyway, I think it is the best parenting book out there. I recommend it to all of my friends.

Since reading this book I have become much more strict with my children. The result is that my kids and I enjoy each other so much more. I no longer yell or nag. I am calm and in control. I outline the rules to my children and when they break them there are consequences. Since I consistently follow through with the consequences the rules are rarely broken. There is peace in our house and much fewer tantrums from children and adults alike. Thanks a million Mr. Rosemond!

Just one aside regarding baby care, I think that "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer" by Tracy Hogg is far better and more conprehensive for information regarding the first year of life!

For the past 6 months, my husband & I have been implemented some of the suggestions from this book with our 3 children (6,4,2). It was been wonderful! Our house has been more peaceful, our children have spent far less time "in trouble", and we have had much more time doing the "fun things". We have been vigilent about keeping tv to less than 30 minutes a day... if even at all. We believe this has helped them tremendously in their behavior, willingness to play independently, and desire to spend more time with books. Also, we have assigned them daily household duties; this basic idea has been great for teaching them responsibility and ownership. The biggest change about our parenting has been the confidence that we, the parents, have about matching our daily activities to our long-term goals for our family. Lastly, John Rosemond gives answers to very specific questions for just about any parenting dilemma for young children... he is straight forward and simple... if you can read, you CAN do this!