At first when I was approached by
TLC Book Tours to do a review on this book I almost said no.
Then I thought about it. I have seen first hand the damage that can be done, the heartache that is caused by people who have a sense of entitlement...and they have no clue.
It isn't pretty.
And as a parent I figured I could use all the help I can get so I told them to go ahead and send me the book. After all, knowledge is power right?
So with out further ado here is my review of ....
I found this book a quick, easy, and most importantly, an insightful read.
Maybe that had something to do with the fact that I found myself on the same page as Ms. Corwin (pun intended...bad I know but I couldn't resist) throughout this book.
She writes about how, in todays society many children have been or are being raised with a sense of entitlement. I love the very first sentence of this book "Entitled children are created not born." It's true.
In the book she asks you to honestly look at yourself as a parent and evaluate how and what you are doing. She also asks you to honestly look at your child and see where they may sit when it comes to entitlement. Not only does she ask the parents to look at and evaluate themselves but she also asks that you have your children do self-assessments as well. Which I think is fabulous and it is something that we will be doing with our kids.
She also gives you some tools to use in the form of ideas for a points chart. And there is a focus on consistency in parenting. Which is something that I think cannot be over emphasized.
There is a section on the importance of respect. Something that I think this world can use more of. I think that it is great that she focuses, not only the importance that the child shows respect for the parent but that the parent shows respect for the child as well. She also points out the importance of parents "Practicing what they preach" or the fact that in parenting it cannot be "Do as I say. Not as I do."
She writes about the importance of values and morals and priorities. All things, which I feel, have been on a decline in our society. One of my favorite parts of the book is where she asks the parents and children to list ten things that they cannot live without and ten things that they are willing to give up or change. Another activity that will be happening in our household.
Throughout the book there is a sense of hope that, even if things aren't going the way that you want them to, change is possible. Even if that change is difficult, as change usually is, it can happen.
She focuses on how children need our time, our attention and our love, not "things". They don't need the trendiest clothes or the newest tech gadget. They need support and someone to listen to them. They don't need you to be their friend they need you to be their parent. They need direction and limitations.
As I was talking to my husband about this I said "Most of this book, to me, is just common sense." And he replied, "Yes. But now a days common sense isn't." Which, unfortunately, is true.
I recommend this book as a good read to help you take a look at where you are in your parenting. Is it where you want to be? I believe that this book will help me and it can help you.
And guess what? I have two copies of this book to give away! If you would like a copy of this book you can go ahead and leave a comment. The winner will be announced Monday.
Disclaimer: In return for this book review I received the book to read and that was it. Is that a good disclaimer??
