Customer Reviews

Keepers of the Children

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In her book Keepers of the Children, Laura Ramirez has combined her expertise in child development with her understanding of Native American perceptions and the customs and rituals that have grown from them to produce an analysis of the art and science of successful parenting that's both comprehensive and highly original.

This is much more than a 'training manual' for the aspiring parent. It's a deeply spiritual book that explores important issues of human nature and development that transcend both Native American and 'western' cultures. It will appeal to parents of all races and creeds who desire to expand their abilities beyond the mere mechanics of 'child management' to the attainment of true parenting success.

Laura Ramirez writes knowledgeably and with passion about the necessity of having a clear vision for our children and of understanding the sacred nature of our part in their lives; of the importance of honouring our children as unique individuals and of constantly promoting their wellbeing and development even as we work on ourselves to become the best role models for them that we can be.

This book, once read, can be referred to again and again for good ideas, for comfort and support, for hope and inspiration. Virtually every page is a reminder of something we can do as parents to make the world a better place for our children and for ourselves and others.

A work of meaning with its heart very much in the right place, Keepers of the Children is a very welcome addition to my personal library of parenting books and I'm sure it would be to yours, too.

Buy yourself a copy and join Laura in her mission: to raise a generation of children who use their strengths to create a sense of belonging, meaning and contribution. "Such children will grow up to be adults who are lights unto our world."

There are many books on the market that give advice on parenting, but Keepers of the Children is much more than that. It is a book that expresses a living wisdom meant for nurturing the soul of every human being, child or adult. Laura Ramirez writes words that are like a flowing river. They move through us and impart a remembrance of who we really are and why we are here - to see the wondrous potential in one another, and to help bring that seedling to healthy growth and full bloom. In the process, she reminds parents that we are entrusted with a sacred mission, and in that we do not impose what we believe our children should be, but learn to listen and see the clues they provide to help us guide them to their own highest and best good. As we do this, we are given the opportunity to observe ourselves and grow with the children.

The chapters within the book are full and satisfying.(read them on Amazon's look inside the book). You can see from the headings alone that this is more than a "how to" book. It is full and rich in texture and content. I highly recommend Keepers of the Children to all parents, grandparents, relatives, teachers, and caregivers. This is a book about living a worthwhile life, and the wisdom within is relevant for all of us.

As a father of three boys (ages 11, 9 & 7), I have often struggled with the best approach for raising my sons. This book not only contains insights in my quest to raise productive boys in our society, but also contains insights for me as an adult to live my life better. For the most part, our society has failed in our parenting duties. Laura gently reminds us that raising children is a gift, one that we should not take lightly. She does an excellent job demonstrating that being a parent is a honor, and that we are blessed with the responsibility of being a parent.

Laura provides concrete examples of her experiences in being a mom that drives home points she is making in every chapter. The book is scattered with words of encouragement that are very refreshing. I've read so many parenting books over the years, and have found only nuggets of wisdom in each of those books. However, after reading "Keepers of the Children", I find that the entire book itself is one healthy nugget to advance me on my parenting quest. Even if you are not a parent, I implore you to read this book to gain unique insights into the parenting process espoused by Laura Ramirez, insights that help people overcome their past and become adults.

Keepers of the Children is written with great love, wisdom, and sensitivity and is a book I would recommend to any parent of any child. The principles are psychologically sound, and the writing is almost poetic in its eloquence.
Highly recommended!
Sandra McLeod Humphrey
Retired Clinical Psychologist, Author, and Character Education Consultant

I'm impressed and delighted by the wisdom and insights in this book. The author gives a lot of practical information on how we can raise our children with vision, honor their uniqueness and true nature and create a parent-child bond that will be the greatest gift a child could have. The chapter on discipline is exceptionally valuable. Another thing this book provides is the understanding that parenting is indeed a path of self-growth. Laura Ramirez truly gets the point accross that parenting is as much about guiding the unfolding of a child's sense of self as it is our own.

In a world where so many people have a lost or incomplete sense of self and continually look for approval or satisfaction outside of themselves, this book can help to turn the tide. There is a strong movement, taking place right now, to transform parenting into a more nurturing, humane way of guiding and valuing children. Keepers of the Children is a vitally important work and needs to be read by all parents.

I can honestly say that it's one of the best parenting books I've ever read (and I've read a lot of them!)

Keepers of the Children is an innovative parenting book that everyone young or old should read. Whether you're a parent or not, you will find words of wisdom that will touch and enlighten you with its sensitive natural approach. It will help to explore and deepen your understanding of life and how it can be led to the fullest of your potential.

Utilizing a blend of psychology and Native American methods, Ramirez has written a common-sense guide for parents to use in raising emotionally healthy children.

There is much here to help all of us as we deal with any inner demons from our own childhoods. She emphasizes the importance of adults working to identify the failures they personally experienced during their own childhood development. By doing so, they are able to ensure they do not pass on that cycle of failure to their own children.

We are reminded that as parents, we must first recognize ourselves as guardians and teachers rather than just mothers and fathers.

Through encouraging and practical examples in an easy-to-use format, Ramirez focuses on how being a parent is more than just raising a child. She stresses the need to cultivate and nurture our children, both physically and spiritually, so they may reach their fullest potential with the inner strength and skills to appreciate their own unique abilities--thus allowing them the ability to be a happy and productive force in society.

Armchair Interviews says: Overall, Keepers of the Children is an extraordinary guide that provides parents with thought-provoking strategies, information and skills to empower their children while assisting them to find their own identity and instill values which will help them flourish and grow throughout their lives.

Keepers Of The Children: Native American Wisdom And Parenting by Laura M. Ramirez (whose husband is a Pascua Yaqui Native American recently inducted into the American Indian Hall of Fame for his successful career in baseball), is the first "how to" parenting book that draws upon Native American concepts and teaching stories to show just how to raise children to know themselves and their strengths, as well as creative for themselves productive and meaningful lives. Of special value for Native American parents, Keepers Of The Children is informed and informative reading that can confidently be recommended to the attention of any parent, regardless of ethnicity or racial background, wanting to instill enduring family values into the character and lives of their children in our multicultural world.