Being There: The Benefits of a Stay-At-Home Parent (Paperback)

by Isabelle Fox (Author), Norman M. Lobsenz (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"Dr. Isabelle Fox wrote this book 'because she was concerned about-children who were aggressive and unable to form relationships'" -- F.E.M.A.L.E., 12/96--1/97

"This book preaches the importance to children of an at-home parent with them for the first three years" -- San Jose Mercury News 4-16-96

Product Description
Millions of infants and toddlers are being deprived of nurturing care due to both parents working and the frequent changing of primary caregivers.This problem has now reached epodemic proportions. The book takes an objective look at this issue, suggests practical solutions, and reveals facts and concerns that parents need to hear.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Barrons Educational Series Inc (March 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812094905
• ISBN-13: 978-0812094909
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #790,530 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The TRUTH about "quality time", February 21, 2000

By A Customer

Thank you, Dr. Fox, for finally being courageous enough to expose the myth of "quality time." For so long, researchers and physicians have known that attachment parenting is the ideal situation for infants and children, but, haven't disseminated this information in the mainstream. Dr. Fox recognizes the reality that for some parents, e.g. single parents or the working poor, working is a necessity. But for many millions of parents, generally mothers, working provides an opportunity for intellectual stimulation, career growth, or to afford the luxury of a lifestyle maintained previous to having children. Dr. Fox encourages parents to understand the value of investing in our children (shouldn't this outweigh the value of investing in a career while our children are young?) and offers many valuable tips on how to financially manage with only one income. Furthermore, she offers extensive research on the ramifcations of inconsistent childcare and insecure bonding with parents. The studies on what happens to our kids when we don't give them our time are quite clear and it isn't positive. Thank you, Dr. Fox, for speaking up.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Puts the focus where it belongs; on true needs of children, November 28, 1998

By A Customer

The author demonstrates the process of bonding that occurs between mother and child during the first year and how this affects future well-being. Author explains the necessity for security of bonding between child and one trusted person; not just any person, the parent. Author shows the vital, major difference between parental care and care by other loving adults. Especially convincing: even the "best" day-care centers present children with an ever-changing array of caregivers, preventing the most important task of a child; developing trust and bonding. Details the damage done by "caregiver roulette." Author explains how bonding is the most important aspect of early childhood development, not intellectual stimulation. However, early bonding improves future learning in school. The only weakness of this book is that the author focuses mostly on the impact of non-parental care for babies and toddlers with little emphasis on the ramifications for older children and teenagers. The reader will be convinced that caring for one's own child is the most important career a mother or father can pursue, and that there is no comparable substitute.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Puts the focus where it belongs; on true needs of children, November 28, 1998

By A Customer

The author demonstrates the process of bonding that occurs between mother and child during the first year and how this affects future well-being. Author explains the necessity for security of bonding between child and one trusted person; not just any person, the parent. Author shows the vital, major difference between parental care and care by other loving adults. Especially convincing: even the "best" day-care centers present children with an ever-changing array of caregivers, preventing the most important task of a child; developing trust and bonding. Details the damage done by "caregiver roulette." Author explains how bonding is the most important aspect of early childhood development, not intellectual stimulation. However, early bonding improves future learning in school. The only weakness of this book is that the author focuses mostly on the impact of non-parental care for babies and toddlers with little emphasis on the ramifications for older children and teenagers. The reader will be convinced that caring for one's own child is the most important career a mother or father can pursue, and that there is no comparable substitute.