Customer Reviews

The Trouble With Perfect : How Parents Can Avoid the Overachievement Trap and Still Raise Successful Children

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Kathy Matthews offers no-nonsense advice with a sense of humor. This how-to-parent-and-feel-good-about-yourself book is a must read. . .and, along with Jim Trelease's book on reading aloud to your children, will certainly become a standard baby shower gift from me in the coming years. Matthews speaks with the authority of a mother comfortable in her own skin--and with her own children. Brava, Ms. Matthews!

I loved the book! As a parent raising three teenage children in this very competitive world, this book was a dose of reality. Sometimes you find yourself caught up in how things "look" rather than what's right for your children. This book made me take a closer look at my children and what their individual strengths and interests are, and how I can nurture them to become happy and successful adults. I especially liked the Strategies chapter, which offers some hands on tips for situations that are familiar to many parents. The book was an easy read, with a friendly tone and a sense of humor that made you feel good about your children and what you can do to help them in a positive way when you were finished reading it.

My wife and I are always arguing about how much to push our kids: I'm the one who takes the more relaxed position. I think that all this competitive parenting is out of control. Now I have something to point to when we get into a discussion. Dr. Guthrie looks at the big picture - something too many of us parents forget to do! And it helps to see how we're being sold this idea of 'perfection' for our kids and to know that you don't have to join the herd and in fact your kids will be better off if you don't. I've recommended this book to a couple of friends. I think if more people read it and relaxed about their kids 'achievement' in sports and school and everywhere, everyone - parents and kids - would be better off!

In "The Trouble with Perfect" Dr. Guthrie offers a unique and much needed perspective on raising children in this modern age of competition to always be the best and have the best. Not only is this important book enlightening and refreshing in its content and message to parents, it is enjoyable, easy to read and funny while exploring serious and difficult topics. This book is a "must read" not only for parents, but for all adults who spend time and interact with today's children.

Now here's a book on raising kids in today's high pressure world that is worth reading and remembering. I both enjoyed it and took away a ton of insights and helpful suggestions. Raising kids is no easy task and this book does not pretend it is. It does, however, help you put the whole process in perspective with a common sense, two feet on the ground approach. The easy, comfortable and, at times, humorous writing gives you the impression you are sitting on the front porch listening to a wise friend who has seen and heard it all. No doubt, this is a book that will be passed from parent to parent, or at least should be. I'm buying another copy for my brother; mine's all marked up.

I've read a lot of books on parenting but I found this one to be especially good. It's not about 'time-outs' and sleep problems and that kind of thing but it really talks about some underlying assumptions we have as parents that we're unconscious of. These assumptions affect lots of decisions we make about how to raise our children. I'm bothered by the pressure on my kids - ages 3, 7 and 12 - that I see all around but I've never knew how to do anything about it or even really how to think about it. This book has helped me formulate what I really think about happiness and success in terms of children - what I really want for them. It's one of the most helpful books I've read recently and I think it's going to make a big difference in how I view these pressures and how I raise my kids.

As a mother of four, ranging in ages from 11 to 20, and a teacher, I sometimes think I've seen it all. But, it doesn't mean I know it all. The Trouble with Perfect offers useful advice and more importantly provides the support to parents who want to do the right thing but are often uncertain because of the pressures around us. I particularly liked the chapter "The Entitled, High-Maintenance Child." When we see this child in print we know we don't want it to be our own. The book provides strategies to raise a successful child.

I loved the book! Dr. Guthrie makes her very valuable point in a manner that is comfortable for anyone to read. Her chapters Media Life equals Real Life and Moral Bankruptcy alert us to the risks associated with exposure to media culture and violence. As an OB/GYN Nurse Practioner and a mom I wish hospitals would add Dr.Guthrie's book to the list of required items at discharge of infants from the hospital; right along with the car seat--its a must have!

I just have to say that I've learned more about raising my kids from this one book than all the others I've read over the years! There is a lot of wisdom and sense packed in those pages, and I got to see how my kids are perfect just the way they are. I wish I had this material sooner, is all I have to say. I seriously reccommend it to parents who want their kids to be the best they can be but also want them to grow up enjoying a normal life. Hats off to Dr Guthrie!!

This book was very reassuring to me as a parent of three boys. (There is hope!)There were wonderful tips on how to prepare children for the future, and enlightening comments on how to avoid the obvious pratfalls. I would recommend this to all parents who want their children to succeed in life.