Customer Reviews

Big Lessons for Little People

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This is a quick review, because I have three children and books of my own to write. But I would like to rave about Big Lessons because it is the funniest and most solid book on parenting I've come across, and I've read a lot of books over the last ten years. It's full of stories -- stories Lois Nachamie tells of her own parenting and the thousands of parents she's worked with -- as well as tips you can actually remember when you need them. She names a problem, then walks you through what you can do (often hilarious), might do, might want to do, and ways that you can approach it, all with the very clear notion that it's always up to you, the parent, and your own particular child. For example, when she discusses "teaching," the natural curiousity of children, and their propensity to learn, she tells the story of the two and a half year old who says "Blue," and the mother who can say "yes. Blue," but says, "Well, it's a kind of blue, but we really call it aqua. You see, the printer added green. It's not a true blue. This is the color we often associate with water, particularly Mediterranean water, and interestingly enough, in Italian aqua means water, whereas in Spanish agua is water. Blah, blah, blah..." And after this, a very gentle discussion of how a bright child might even stop sharing perceptioins after such an onslaught from Mommy. This is the kind of stuff I can read for hours; tender, funny, and really extraordinarily informative. If there's one book you should buy to read for the first five years of parenting, buy this one. I wish I'd had it when I was trying to figure out sleep for my kids, food, sexual and gender stuff, and handling danger. The kind of tips she gives are really solid, e.g., tell your child that when she's lost or in trouble to go find another mommy, someone with children. This is advice that's down to earth and yet rings with the brilliant love of a mother who knows what she's saying.

I began reading this book while waiting for my adoptive daughter to be born. Within the first two pages I was so excited about parenting I thought I would burst. Loins Nachmanie makes me feel like parenting is the most creative, intelligent, resourceful and useful vocation in the world. I've given lots of copies to friends and one to my sister who is a preschool teacher! Nachmanie obviously loves children and her down-to-earth, funny, and common-sense approach to raising them with love and guidance is a breath of fresh air. I've read lots and lots of parenting books and this is absolutely the best!

This is a smart, funny, incredibly informative and down to earth book and makes a great gift for anyone with kids. I've already shared it with friends and family. Lois Nachamie knows what she's talking about and says it in a way that's easy to hear. I highly recommend it!

I have read almost everything from What to Expect to Penelope Leach to Brazelton to Spock. This is the smartest, most helpful practically, and most empathetic parenting book I've found. The only other book I've felt so intellectually and emotionally connected to is her other one, So Glad We Waited. I wonder why this book isn't a big best seller? I give this one and her other one to all my friends for baby gifts. I can't recommend it enough!

I have read countless parenting books. I have used this book both as a parent and an educator. This is a down to earth book, written by a person with actual experiance. This book addresses all the tough and typical issues at each developmental level. I would purchase this book again and again for parents of young ones. My other favorites: Nurture Shock, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.

This book is terrific! From now on, I'm giving it to all my new mom friends. Lois Nachamie covers all the aspects of child rearing that nobody else seems sensitive enough to discuss or even notice. She has a psychologist's understanding of child development and the wisdom of a philosopher. With her incredible good humor, she brings to light the thousand daily interactions that in so many unseen ways teach kids right and wrong (not to mention manners) and shape their values. Thus she covers topics like materialism and greed (the "gimmie gimmies"); sexual stereotypes; the truth about sharing; telephone manners for kids; and --believe it or not -- the usefulness of television as a teaching tool. And so much more! I particularly love how she says to respond your child's inevitable questions about where babies come from (teach them the truth -- or a portion of it -- but teach them also the mystery). She is pro-discipline (yeah!) and she encourages parents not to cede their power to their children, as so many parents do these days. This book moved me in so many ways I can not express here. Lois Nachamie is amazingly attuned to the emotional trials of any mother who is really trying to listen to and connect to her child in a mature, loving and respectful way. If that includes you, buy this book.