The Tao of Parenting: The Ageless Wisdom of Taoism and the Art of Raising Children [Mass Market Paperback]

Greta K. Nagel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998

Applying the ancient yet timeless 81 principles of Taoism to parenting, The Tao Of Parenting features instructive anecdotes from four families to demonstrate how Taoist teachings help parents raise good, healthy children. The stories are just as diverse as the families who tell them (a blended family featuring children from separate marriages, a couple with different cultural and ethical backgrounds, a single parent of twin boys, and a couple with different parenting techniques learning to compromise). Some of the Taoist principles used by these families include: * "Do Not Think of Self". Shows the rewards parents receive by making their children their number one priority * "The material is fleeting, the spiritual is everlasting". Demonstrates the rewards of caring for those in need * "Do Not Be Authoritarian". Shows how to foster self-reliance and responsibility in children while supporting their efforts, rather than controlling their every move * "Follow the middle road; it is the heart of knowing". Offers the benefits of parents being neither too permissive or too strict, but rather adjusting the rules for each child and each circumstance There are many more valuable lessons in this special book which can be used by parents of all faiths to help guide their lives and those of their children.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Greta Nagel, author of The Tao of Teaching, turns the spotlight of Taoist wisdom on the seemingly insoluble problems of parenting. As in her previous book, the text is divided into 81 chapters, like the Tao Te Ching itself. Each chapter has a heading from the Tao, followed by a page or so of explication, and these passages in turn are followed by real-life illustrative stories from four families Nagel interviewed. The family stories help to flesh out the philosophical bones, showing how real individuals solved (or sometimes failed to solve) their problems. As you would expect from a book based on Lao-Tsu, there is great emphasis on calmness, flexibility, listening closely to others and respecting your own capacity for common sense and good judgment. The whole exercise will seem a bit earnest to some people, but the format is user-friendly, and the basic lessons (e.g., "Tranquility is more important than perfection" and "When you don't know, say so") deserve repetition. Especially by parents. --Richard Farr

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Plume; 1st Printing, November 1998 edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452280052
• ISBN-13: 978-0452280052
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #856,112 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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