Customer Reviews

Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid: A Survival Guide for Ordinary Parents of Special Children

5 star:		(50)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As the mother of two boys ages 9 and 11, one with autism and bipolar disorder and one with signifigant anxiety, this book was a refreshing positive change from all of the typical gloom and doom books out there on this subject matter. The "Shut up Sisters" have shined a bright light on the truth, that children with special needs are a huge challenge, but a huge blessing as well. Each of the sisters gives her own personal perspective on the happiness, joy, heartbreak and pain that comes with this difficult job of parenting special needs children that none of us are prepared to take on, and sends a very clear message, "You are not alone." Sometimes, just knowing that is what gets us through the day.

This book made me laugh and it made me cry, but most of all it made me realize how truly lucky I am to be blessed with the family and the support system I have. Bravo to the sisters for embracing their imperfection!

Shut Up About...Your Perfect Kid is exactly what parents of special children need to read. In addition to sharing extremely funny stories about special children, the authors break down barriers within the special needs community as well as throughout mainstream culture. Using humor, wisdom and revealing their own personal journeys, the authors create a "we're all in this together" reading environment. The book validates the fears, limitations and challenges of parenting special children; at the same time, the book encourages parents to examine our expectations and perspectives about our special children and appreciate the gifts they bring to our lives. Expect to sigh, cry and laugh out loud.

This is no "make lemons into lemonade" book! These two sisters open their hearts and their homes to the world to share an exceptionally honest and insightful approach to raising children with challenges. You'll laugh, and you'll cry. This is also a great read for parents who DON'T have children with special needs - so they can have a better understanding of what it is like...and then maybe they'll "shut up about their perfect child!" Way to go sisters! I've never read a book that was so heartfelt, and raw, and truthful! And I commend both the writers for having the strength to keep their families intact regardless of the many hurdles they've needed to overcome, and what is most impressive is their ability to find the dark humor during very difficult circumstances. Buy your copy TODAY!!!!

I laughed, I cried.....SERIOUSLY! This is an informative, fun book for anyone who is related to, is friends with, or knows a family who has a special needs child. I love the personal stories that Gina & Patty tell, as well as the informative sections. The index is a great addition to the book as well. As a parent of 3 special needs children, it is comforting to know that I am not the only one who feels the way I do. It is also nice to be able to take such a serious subject and be able to find humor in it. You have to laugh at least once during the day to avoid crying all day.

Just check out all the rave reviews this book has gotten on the Amazon USA boards!

For anybody wants children or whose child or children have special needs, make this book your best friend. Not only do the authors relate truly funny incidents regarding children with special needs, they pave a boulevard of tolerance in the special needs and mainstream worlds. They also build a Bridge of Hope and connect these worlds into one. The sisters who wrote this are brilliant, clever and VERY funny. Each time I wanted to shout, "Preach on, Sisters!" I LOVE this book! The title says just what many people would love to say but don't for decorum's sake. (Dear Abby's column dated 6/20/06 and 7/21/06 addresses this very issue of people who talk about their children to the exclusion of others, usually in the workplace. This book helps inure listeners when this type of thing is taking place).

People who go on about their kids often will draw blood where they think it will hurt the most if anybody dares object to hearing any more about their ideal offspring. One is not "anti-parent" simply because they don't feel like hearing others drone on about their children. They resort to putdowns and take on a sense of social entitlement towards those who want children and find it difficult to listen to others' accounts. People who take on this posture also tend to lash out at anybody doesn't dare worship at the altar of their families and stroke their egos by telling them how wonderful and perfect their kids are and what a great job they are doing raising them. If anyone dares object, they risk censure and ostracism. It does make you wonder if people who dominate the conversations in this manner realize how it can be quite hurtful to others.

I also like the way these sisters have come out and said what so many people would like to say - when folks drone on about their ideal child or children, the expected response is to compliment them and tell them what an exemplary job they are doing with their children. In many cases, such exchanges sound like bragging and for anybody who has a special needs child, this kind of thing is like a dart in the heart. Laura Shumaker, author of A Regular Guy: Growing up with Autism, shares in her book about how she winces when another mother tells her that her son and his friends eat them out of house and home and how popular her son is. Laura, mother of three sons, the oldest of whom has autism inwardly grimaced and thought, "Rub it in" while outwardly going along with the other mother. While such exchanges seem on the surface innocuous, they do shut people out who either don't have kids and want them and others whose kids are really struggling. I like the way this book neatly and diplomatically addresses these issues.

"Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid" is the voice of acceptance and recognizes legitimate fears and concerns, while never losing its upbeat and optimistic tone. I like the way the sisters encourage people to evaluate their own expectations for their child or children with special needs and to seek out the humor and coax out and nurture the best.

The Beatles' 1968 classic "All Together Now" and John Lennon's 1971 magnum opus "Imagine" could be the soundtrack of this book as we are All Together Now. "I hope someday you'll join us and the world will be as one." -- John Lennon, 1971

This book is excellent! It is a heart-warming and humorous journey of two sisters each raising a daughter(s) with a disability. If you feel as if you are the only one struggling to raise your special needs child, grab a tissue and sit down to read.
The book goes through their different reactions to their daughter's diagnoses and follows along through the good and the bad. Walk with Gina and Patty as they go thorugh IEPs, team meetings, appointments with psychologists and psychiatrists. Cry and laugh as they describe their daughters going to school, inclusion classroom, private school and life in general.
While their daughters have Asperger's, Bipolar disorder and NVLD you will enjoy reading no matter what your child's disability may be.
Join them and their many fans on Facebook as well "Shut-Up About Your Perfect Kid". Learn that while others brag about the honor roll or star athlete, your child has qualities worth bragging about as well.

This book truly is the "best medicine for parents of imperfect kids" and lets face it, that means anyone whose a parent. Set up in short story fashion, the book is easy to read, and I find myself going back to it to recall various passages. Although the authors have clearly experienced the pain and anguish of the realization that their children will follow their own unique path, the beauty in the book is that they realize that it's okay and even a blessing. Cheers to the ladies who had the foresight and energy to share their touching and often amusing stories of their children.

Finally! A book that understands exactly how I feel on the days when I think there is no hope in sight and that I can laugh at some of the bumps in the road.

The BEST medicine for a parent when dealing with the many challenges of children with different needs! The book contains the wisdom and humor that we all need to reduce our challenges and anxieties of today's chaotic world and the raising of our children. Not only is it possible to manage our stressors, but when reading this book, we are also in an enjoyable experience! Great medicine for the heart!

I love this book! After reading numerous special needs parenting manuals and special education laws, rules etc., I needed a book like this. A book that lets me know that their are other mothers out there who go through the same struggles and joys that I do.
While reading this book, I laughed out loud, and cried my eyes out to. There are really no negative comments to be made about this book. If you or someone you know have a special needs child or adult in your life this is a great book. And the sisters who wrote it are awesome people and great mothers to their special needs daughters. I have never related to a book so much in my life, all I can say is Thank you both for this wonderful book.