How to Turn Boys into Men Without a Man Around the House: A Single Mother's Guide [Paperback]

Richard Bromfield Ph.D. (Author), Cheryl Erwin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 22, 2002

How Single Mothers Can Raise Exceptional Sons
If you are one of the millions of single mothers who is raising a son, you have unique questions and special concerns, such as: What is my role as a single mother? How can I be sure that my son grows up secure in his masculine identity? Single mothering asks a lot of a woman, but the end reward is unlike any other—a son who is well-balanced, well-adjusted as a man, and ready for life's challenges.
Inside, you'll discover age-old wisdom combined with modern-day understanding that will help you deal with the tough issues of raising a son of any age, including attachment and separation, dependency and autonomy, and boundaries and privacy. You'll explore methods to build character, resilience, and identity, as well as find ways to foster healthy attitudes toward women and sex, promote educational and career success, and optimize the influence of your male friends. You'll also uncover ways to take better care of you, perhaps the most neglected aspect of being a single mom. And last, you'll learn how to prepare for the inevitable day you must eventually let your grown son go off to be a man.
"Immensely readable and informative, this is a much-needed road map for the journey single mothers and their sons travel together."
—Lee Varon, Ph.D., author, Adopting on Your Own: The Complete Guide to Adopting as a Single Parent

"Any single mother who reads this book will have the feeling that someone helpful is standing by her side."
—Michael Thompson, Ph.D., author of Raising Cain and Best Friends, Worst Enemies

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Immensly readable and informative, this is a much-needed road map for the journey single mothers and their sons travel together."
—LEE VARON, PH.D., author, Adopting on Your Own: The Complete Guide to Adopting as a Single Parent

From the Inside Flap

How Single Mothers Can Raise Exceptional Sons
If you are one of the millions of single mothers who is raising a son, you have unique questions and special concerns, such as: What is my role as a single mother? How can I be sure that my son grows up secure in his masculine identity? Single mothering asks a lot of a woman, but the end reward is unlike any other—a son who is well-balanced, well-adjusted as a man, and ready for life's challenges.
Inside, you'll discover age-old wisdom combined with modern-day understanding that will help you deal with the tough issues of raising a son of any age, including attachment and separation, dependency and autonomy, and boundaries and privacy. You'll explore methods to build character, resilience, and identity, as well as find ways to foster healthy attitudes toward women and sex, promote educational and career success, and optimize the influence of your male friends. You'll also uncover ways to take better care of you, perhaps the most neglected aspect of being a single mom. And last, you'll learn how to prepare for the inevitable day you must eventually let your grown son go off to be a man.
"Immensely readable and informative, this is a much-needed road map for the journey single mothers and their sons travel together."
—Lee Varon, Ph.D., author, Adopting on Your Own: The Complete Guide to Adopting as a Single Parent

"Any single mother who reads this book will have the feeling that someone helpful is standing by her side."
—Michael Thompson, Ph.D., author of Raising Cain and Best Friends, Worst Enemies

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Prima Lifestyles; First Edition edition (January 22, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761536302
• ISBN-13: 978-0761536307
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,878,029 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Nothing new, April 22, 2002

By 

mom2boys (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Turn Boys into Men Without a Man Around the House: A Single Mother's Guide (Paperback)

Although most of this book was filled with useful parenting advice, it was fairly mainstream and none of it was new. Very little seemed solely applicable to boys and single moms. The last chapter was the most applicable, and that was because it was about finding time for yourself and how important that was, particularly for a single parent. On the whole, though, I would recommend any of the Sears' books, Penelope Leach's or Terry Brazelton's books. This one was ok, but since it billed itself as a book for single moms raising sons, I expected more about single moms and sons!

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars American Self Help Books, March 8, 2003

By 

Nartt (International) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Turn Boys into Men Without a Man Around the House: A Single Mother's Guide (Paperback)

Another American self help book written for self absorbed Americans. It dismisses the diverse worlds cultures and generalizes by assuming the American way is universal.

Some excerpts:

"Is is just a coinicdence that with rare exceptions, the young people who have taken guns to their schools and shot their peers and teachers have been boys?"

"Many people - and indeed, whole cultures - believe that sleeping with a parent can foster a child's inner sense of security and attachment" and then dismisses what most of the planet views by "In fact some behavioral psychologists believe that learning to fall asleep in one's own bed is one of the earliest steps towards a healthy sense of self." Then it goes on as if these views are truths.

No foot note, no reference to whom the 'some behavioral psychologist' are.

"If a boy sees his mother walk around partially dressed, or she nonchalantly allows her bathrobe to fall open when on the phone, he may experience sensations that are seductively inviting, as well as overwhelming and shame-inducing."

It leads me to wonder if all the male children of European cultures that sunbath and swim topless and nude are being damaged seeing their mothers, aunts and grandmothers topless on the beach. But then again, you don't hear about guns in schools by children there nor do they promote repressive shame-inducing attitudes towards the human body.

This book is written by American professionals in the field but I am very glad that they will not be sought for help by most.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a How-To Guide for Raising Boys!, August 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Turn Boys into Men Without a Man Around the House: A Single Mother's Guide (Paperback)

A very enjoyable and informative read: The writing is light and witty, filled with anecdotes and nuggets of wisdom. As I read, I found myself smiling more than once as I recognized my boys -- or myself! I came away with a better understanding of boys and new, useful strategies for mothering my boys. And more compassion and pride for us moms.