Customer Reviews

Parenting the Children of Now: Practicing Health, Spirit, and Awareness to Transcend Generations

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First of all, I expected this book to be about how to parent "indigo" or "crystal" children. Instead it is about helping parents to be aware and whole. Of course, emotionally healthy and aware people will likely do a better job rearing children. Perhaps, though, a better title would have been "Parents of the Children of Now."

There were exercises at the end of each chapter for parents to do on their own and others to do with their children, but I didn't find them particularly interesting or helpful. They seemed very basic--play games with your child, have discussions with them, etc.

While there was useful information in each chapter, the writing style was off-putting and made me feel that the author was lecturing me. She cited no authorities or studies. Instead she made blanket statements about what "we" are doing wrong. "We" don't understand our purpose in life. "We" must learn to recognize our patterns. "We" must clean up our acts. "We" are creating neurotic kids. All of this with few or no examples to illustrate her points and no studies to back up sweeping generalizations.

One thing that particularly bothered me was the author's statement that one should never, ever use affirmations. According to the author, they create dependence and become crutches. Then "particulates wobble" and we get no results or even chaos. But where was the authority for that theory? If it was solely the author's opinion, I would like for her to have stated that. Perhaps there is a scientific study involving brain waves or a comparison between people who use affirmations and those who don't. But I wouldn't know from this book because the author just threw the information out there as fact and then moved on to the next topic. Ironically, a preceding chapter suggests the reader "Question Everything."

I did. And I decided that while this book contained useful information, there are better self-help books out there covering the same ground--topics such as living in the now, becoming self-aware, not letting fear rule your life, etc.

This 2009, 176-page book is more than the "how to raise your child" book that I expected. It is actually written for the parent/care-giver, suggesting how they might fix themselves, so they may better teach/guide the child forward. The structure first explains the concept to be understood to the parent. Then it provides an exercise or meditation (to bring the concept home to the parent). An exercise to be performed between the parent and child follows. The book addresses some good soul-searching concepts that apply to everyone. The "children of now" are mentioned because many believe these children to be even more aware and more sensitive. The fear is that today's parents do not understand and are punishing or medicating these children to make them "fit-in" with societal expectations.

An example: In Chapter 3 "Stop Being Afraid," we learn that ". . .fear causes the paralysis of our natural progression. . ." The chapter further explains that "becoming afraid is a gradual process that stacks one fear upon another. . ." In other words, fear feeds fear and becomes an expectation, and can become quite addictive. It can freeze us into a path of unconscious self-destructive behavioral patterns of IMAGINED possibilities. Many of us would rather stay in the discomfort of our fears, than face the unknown possibility of change. In this intricate process we weave, we are also teaching our children to be little models of our behavioral patterns.

Dr. Meg goes into a lot more detail, and follows with an exercise the adult can do to identify and face fears. Once the parent understands the concepts, an exercise follows that the parent can perform with the child.

Other concepts being addressed in this book include:
* Recognizing our (repeating) patterns--why they happen--what we need to do to address them;
* Being passionate about living--why and how we became desensitized--how to return to passionate living and why we should;
* Why children question everything and why we don't;
* Being our authentic self--not trying to be who we think everyone else wants us to be;
* Why we need to let our inner child come out and play--why humor is important;
* Don't fear change;
* Why we have relationships;
* And more. . .

One of my favorite BRILLIANT quotes from the book is on page 110, about LOVE: ". . .when we are able to love ourselves unconditionally, accepting ourselves as we are and who we are no matter what, we find inner peace like nothing we have ever experienced. As we find that peace, we begin to emanate it to everyone around us. We have a glow about us that is irresistible to others. People gravitate to us like moths to a flame. We are a flame, bright with the secrets of life. . ."

I believe this easy-to-understand book provides invaluable wisdom, with exercises/tools to accomplish positive internal changes for the reader and the child. In all honesty, you don't even need a child to benefit from the pearls of wisdom in this book.

As someone who is very much interested in spirituality, metaphysical energy and New-Age concepts, and as a conscious observer, I wanted to see what this book was telling people about teaching today's children. Although I have already raised my 36 year old son, I am a grandmother and a soon-to-be great-grandmother! (Yes, you heard that correct!) I plan to give this book to my expecting granddaughter and I recommend that you consider it for yourself and as a gift to new parents.

Update Jan 2, 2010: No sooner did I write this review than I was at a local New Age shoppe. They had a musical get-together and a lady was there with her granddaughter (probably born about 2000 to 2002). The lady was remarking how intensely the child focuses in on any form of music. I immediately thought of this book and how it mentioned the sensitivities of the Children of Now.

Update March 11, 2010: The lovely Alexis (my granddaughter) gave birth to a beautiful baby boy today. So little Joshua Allen Duke will be getting the benefit of the book. Of course, that makes me the world's youngest great grandmother :-)

I really enjoyed this book. It takes the approach that in order to be good parents (or grandparents etc)need to understand ourselves and be authentic people who are a good example to our children. We all know that kids learn much more from what we do, then what we say. I found the advice in this book to be valuable, because we can ALL benefit from the topics the author discusses, such as figuring out unhealthy patterns that do not work for us, and breaking them, so they do not repeat in our children. Also, how to face our fears, how to be authentic, the value of good self care and boundaries, and the importance of living with passion and humor. The exercises at the end of each chapter help cement the learning and could be done by yourself if you don't have children currently, or are a grandparent/uncle/aunt etc, and if you are a parent you can do the exercises with your child. I am going to read this book again, with a highlighter pen and write down the simple yet profound statements that I most enjoyed, and write them on 3x5 cards, and put by my computer at work or on my mirror at home. That way I can read the card I chose each day that week and focus on that point for the day. Our thoughts have great power, and a change in behavior begins with our thoughts. My children are all grown up now, but I found myself using alot of these techniques intuitively when they were young, techniques such as honestly talking to my kids(on their level) and helping them learn to reason and figure out things for themselves. At the time I thought everyone talked with kids, not at them, but have since found out this is not the rule. Do yourself a favor and buy and read this book. Its full of wisdom you can use every day.

Because of the editorial preview which told me a little about this book, I was disappointed in the actual contents.

The publisher said this was a book about dealing with Indigo/Crystal children, so I was looking for help in that area. I was expecting something that would provide me with practical steps for interacting and encouraging these special children so that they would blossom into thier full capabilities.

Instead, the book is more about the parent and spends its time on examining the parent's thoughts, ideas, philosophies, and qualities in relation to thier children.

I think if I had not seen the publisher's note and just concentrated on what the title said about the book, then I would not have been so disappointed. If you are looking for something to help you determine and strengthen your own beliefs, then this is a good book. It has chapters of information followed by assignments for thinking and discussion or application in your life.

So for some, this could be helpful with ANY child - not just Indigo/Crystal children. But I think the publisher unfairly uses those terms to lure people in to buy the book on false pretenses.

This book runs along the line of a self-help book which is designed to help you learn about yourself in order to help your child. With the thought- you learn what you see- Meg Losey guides you through getting over problems and issues which might keep you from living your life to the fullest. Each Chapter covers a subject and then has an exercise for you and one to do with your child. The exercises go along the way of meditating, visualizing, talking to your child in a "safe" zone where they can speak their mind, discussing fears- basically getting in touch with yourself and your child. The chapter subjects are:
Get Real: Accept Yourself
Understand Your Purpose
Stop Being Afraid
Recognize Your Patterns
Remember Your Passion
Question Everything
Authentic
Have a Sense Of Humor
See That Change Is Magnificent
Trust That Your Relationships Have Purpose
Carry Your Own Baggage
Dump Your Parent Issues
Have It All
Embrace Your Gifts
Whose Children Are They, Anyway
The Art of Parenting as a Well, Balanced, Whole and Perfect, Magnificent Human Being

This book does not have steps or problems solving for your child's issues with structured rules. It is more of a feel-good, let-go- of- your- fears type book. If you liked The Secret, then this might be up your alley.

Parenting the Children of now is about how working on your own self acceptance and issues will help you to be a better parent. It's full of a lot of useful information and exercises.

The authors points out that we need to 'clean up our own act' and live an authentic life, being true to who we really are and then we can help our children do the same. I don't know if we ever get there in one lifetime - but I do like her ideas and there is a wealth of information in this book. It covers everything from Accept Yourself to Have a Sense of Humor to Dump your Parent Issues and Embrace Your Gifts. If we can get to a place in our lives of true love and acceptance, it will be good for us and our children as well.

I think the title could have been different to explain the book better - maybe How to Parent Yourself to Raise your Children (or something like that ;) but there's a lot of good information here for anyone looking to lighten up and enlighten the process of raising children. As a mom of teens, I'll take it!

I like this book. The approach is different from the typical parenting book theme of the "How to get your children to do what you want" genre. I would categorize this book in a genre of "How to grow and self-discover along with your child. So, if you're looking for a book to teach you how to handle difficulties you might be having with a child, this isn't it. If you're looking for a book in a New Age genre that shows you how to grow personally along with your child as you both learn about yourselves and each other, this would be a good choice.

Parenting the Children of Now might miss a lot of potential buyers because it sounds a bit "new agey", but it's full of practical advice and really good exercises to do with anyone, not just children. They would esp people who need to respect children more - those who think their opinions are more valuable, or those who think kids don't need privacy. Respect your kids and things will fall into place, but the exercises are still good.

Alot of the book is about knowing who you are and what you're all about in order to help your kids with those things. I thought the section about realizing those patterns that aren't working for you, and learning not to do the same things over and over, was pertinent - I mean why do it if it's not working?. Setting out to do the exercises might be uncomfortable depending on the age of the child and your relationship with them. Easier the younger you start out. It's like I've always been very open with our kids no matter what they've asked me, so it was never difficult to discuss the more difficult topics like sex, drugs, rock and roll (just kidding).

It might be easier to just start living the way that feels right to you, e.g. rather than doing the exercises on hearing what our kids have to say, we live that - we listen to them, respect their opinions, realizing they're entitled to feel differently than we do about things, and we don't jump up and down if we don't agree - even on the big stuff. It's an issue each person has to decide for themselves. I liked the chapter on having a sense of humor, pointing out that our kids learn from us, and if we take life too seriously they will too. I don't want our kids to grow up an anxious mess - their dad has the best sense of humor - it's one of the reasons I married him. I think a great sense of humor is a healthy way to live.

Not dumping our problems on kids is so wrong, Parenting the Children of Now has great chapters on relationships, carrying our own baggage, communication, and resolving the issues you had with your own parents. All things necessary to raising happy, healthy children. I found my own parents were a great resource for what NOT to do to our children! My husband and I are good parents, and we have good relationships with our kids, but I have no doubt using this book, Parenting the Children of Now will be a great resource now and in the future.

This book isn't about parenting so much as it is about making yourself whole before you can be a good parent.

I would describe this book as being a new age book, but please don't let that stop you from reading it if that sort of thing doesn't appeal to you. It really is helpful, perhaps even one of the best self-help books I've read. This book helps you find the things that hold you back and gives you tools to overcome them so you don't pass the same traits on to your children. At the end of each chapter, there's an exercise to do by yourself and one to do with your child. There is much to take away from this book, and I would recommend it to anyone, whether they have children or not.

The author does provide parent-child relationship building exercises for each point she makes, all of which are well thought out and sometimes scary, particularly for the parent who is not entirely comfortable with full-disclosure dynamics with their close relationships, or if the child is a teenager and may resist the parent's efforts at suddenly being 'real' and 'nice'. Although it's not touted as a psychology book, it contains quite a bit of detail on the psychological basis for certain dysfunctional behaviors that I have not seen portrayed as clearly in other self-help books. Towards the end of the book, however, the author's focus shifts from instructing the parent how to raise a child, towards how the parent can become a more whole individual themselves. The reason for this (it seems) is that the author believes (as do I) that healthy, happy parents generally raise healthy, happy children. But from a strictly child-rearing perspective, there isn't much of a direction in the book on "what to do when...", how to talk to your child(ren) about spirituality without being dogmatic, how to help a child deal with disappointment effectively and so on. This book is more of an overall guide, or introduction, rather than a detailed manual/ diagnostic tool.

Although the book is advertised to appeal to adults hoping to identify their children as indigo or star children, there is hardly any mention of these New Age terms within the text. I think this is a good thing because all children are uniquely special and nowadays have a lot more to deal with at an early age than their predecessors 30 years ago. To use special designations like 'indigo' or 'star' to describe a type of child that's supposedly more spiritually aware and gifted than most would have alienated some readers and weakened the book by introducing a language of elitism that is not necessary.