Love, Magic, and Mudpies: Raising Your Kids to Feel Loved, Be Kind, and Make a Difference (Hardcover)

~ Dr. Bernie Seigel (Author)
Key Phrases: survival behavior, Day One, Cape Cod, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Love, Magic and Mudpies is an extraordinary book.   Read Dr. Siegel's very practical advice on how to raise conscious children and you will be participating in creating a better world.  -- Deepak Chopra, MD, author of The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents 

"Dr. Bernie Siegel has been my mentor and friend for many years. His wisdom has been a beacon of healing and humor. Love, Magic and Mudpies is as funny, wise, and practical as its magical author. Every parent needs this book."  -- Christiane Northrup, MD, author of Mother-Daughter Wisdom 

"Love, Magic and Mudpies is a wonderful, wise and very funny antidote to the No-Parent-Is-Perfect-Enough school of parenting. Bernie Seigel's delightful new book could only have been written by a seasoned father and grandfather who is also a pioneer of holistic medicine."  - Rachel Naomi Remen, MD, author of Kitchen Table Wisdom

For years, Dr. Bernie Siegel has taught adults how to be healthier.  Now he turns his attention to how to raise kids who are physically, mentally, and spiritually balanced.  Instead of jargon and expert-ese, Dr. Siegel employs humor, creativity, and rare common sense.  In Love, Magic and Mudpies, Siegel emerges as the Erma Bombeck of childrearing."  -- Larry Dossey, MD, author of The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things

 "Dr. Bernie Siegel is a living demonstration of the healing power of commitment,  compassion and love.  What he offers the world in Love, Magic and Mudpies is a testimony of his wisdom.  No matter what ails you, a dose of Bernie Siegel and his work is sure to work magic in your soul."  -- Iyanla Vanzant, author of One Day My Soul Just Opened Up

Product Description

The beloved physician who wrote the mega-bestseller Love, Medicine and Miracles and other enormously popular books guides readers through the ups and downs, joys and heartaches of parenting

During his many years working with thousands of patients and their families, Dr. Bernie Siegel became an expert on how to turn sometimes trying situations into opportunities for personal growth. In his newest book, this husband of more than 50 years, father of five children, and grandparent of eight, shares the gems garnered from his practice and his own family life to show readers what he’s learned about raising kids with love, wisdom, and humor.

How much time with you do your kids need? How do you teach your children values? When kids misbehave, how do you mix appropriate anger and discipline with love? What are some ways to help children adjust to separation or divorce? Should you get a family pet? With a wealth of quotes, anecdotes, parenting tips, and his comforting, caring, down-to-earth tone, Dr. Siegel addresses the myriad questions that parents face as they strive to guide their kids to happy, healthy adulthood.

Delivered with just the right dose of compassion, inspiration, and gentle humor, Love, Magic and Mudpies is an insightful and supportive guide on every aspect of parenting.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (November 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159486554X
• ISBN-13: 978-1594865541
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 7.6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #658,818 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Prescription for Love, January 21, 2007

By	Wantz Upon A Time Reviews "www.wantzuponatime... (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Known for his bestseller, LOVE, MEDICINE & MIRACLES, Bernie Siegel, M.D. presents readers with his latest prescription for family health. In LOVE, MAGIC & MUDPIES, Siegel offers advice for parents and grandparents. Equal parts sage, comedic, and loving, Siegel's words of wisdom address everything from daily living to family time to hefty issues that can intimidate everyone.

Rather than lecture, Siegel makes each point within two to three pages and follows up with suggestions to add magic to the home. He keeps it simple and on topic, which makes it a comfortable read.

This touching book would make a great gift to parents and grandparents. As with any parenting guide, take it and use what works for you. Some families will find Siegel's view rather laid back, even "fluffy," but don't let that put you off. No matter who you are, there will be something to find and treasure within these pages. If nothing else, the writing will make you feel warm, even as you laugh with delight.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
on 01/21/2007

4.5-BOOKS on WUAT = 5-Stars on Amazon

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Reviewed by Sabrina Williams, December 10, 2006

By	Front Street Reviews www.frontstreetreviews.com - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Love, Magic and Mudpies by Dr. Bernie Seigel is a reminder for parents to slow down and enjoy our kids while they are still young. Dr. Seigel offers advice for connecting with children and allowing them to grow into healthy, independent adults. The entire book is divided into two to three page anecdotes of wisdom, much of it coming from Seigel's own experiences as a father and pediatric surgeon. Each section opens with an inspirational quote from a notable icon and closes with an activity to foster bonds between parents and children. Because of the structure, the book progresses quickly, so some readers might consider exploring one section at a time as a daybook and taking the time to focus their full attention on that specific day's concept before moving on, as each merits consideration.

Seigel candidly relates his own struggles and stumbling blocks as a parent and how they have affected his own view of life. His plight to maintain an easygoing parenting style is courageous and at times amusing. One can only imagine what his neighbors think of the "garbage art" adorning his lawn and the zoo of animals he and his family have maintained. I took Seigel's advice to heart and have gained a new appreciation for my children and a much-needed reminder of what really matters in life. Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs we will ever do, but it can also be the most rewarding, and sometimes we lose sight of the rewards amidst the struggle. Love, Magic and Mudpies is an encouraging reality check that could benefit any parent at any stage in life and illustrates the powerful effects that adults can impart on impressionable children.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Useful for all parents, January 20, 2007

By	armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Subtitled: Raising Your Kids to Feel Loved, Be Kind, and Make a Difference

Siegel offers a simple, easy-to-read book for parents on raising children to feel loved. Divided into eight parts, we're shown how to create family values, show love, be comedians, get creative, use the three Rs, work through rocky roads, encourage a child's soul, and care for ourselves as well. Each section is then divided into topics--short, two-paged devotional-type messages, starting with a famous quote and ending with a gray box entitled "How to Make the Magic," which offers tips on how to incorporate that topic into your life.

This book could easily be a daily reading for a parent, with over 100 topics to work through over the course of a few months.

I really enjoyed working through this book and trying some of the tips and tricks within my own family. I especially like this particular line in the book: "The key ingredient...is love. You cannot consume too much love nor become deficient by giving too much away. ...If love makes the bricks out of which you build your life, laughter and humor are the mortar."

Everything in our parenting boils down to love...our discipline, our laughter, and our friendships with our children. How we treat them is how we show our love to and for them. By following the vast array of advice from this book, any parent...any family...would benefit greatly.

Armchair Interviews says: It's a nice little handbook for great parenting!