Parent Power!

Arrived on time Good book

I've been teaching elementary school for 17 years. After having my first child last year, I decided I did not want her to be like the disobedient, disrespectful, self-centered children that arrive in my classroom every year. I had read Dr. Rosemond's column in my local newspaper and I knew this man is one of the few family psychologists out there who understands the RIGHT way to raise a child. He emphasizes a common sense approach to child rearing, with the marriage being the center of attention in the family, NOT the child. He also explains how detrimental television and video games are to a child's development, as well as practical advice on how to deal with certain situations that arise with children, such as tantrums. Don't just read the book, STUDY it. If more people raised their children using Dr. Rosemond's approach, we would ALL benefit.

I'm intrigued by other reviews here that gripe about the lack of new material in John Rosemond's latest update on "Parent Power!" Remember, folks, the key word here is "update." It makes no claims to be an entirely new book. The other thing to bear in mind is that good, sound, commonsensical advice on parenting is essentially the same today as it was a hundred--or a thousand--years ago. It all boils down to one simple concept: you are in charge; the child is not.Some people find Rosemond harsh. Those tend to be parents who are willing to fill their time by wheedling, cajoling and bargaining with their children. Others find Rosemond to make perfect sense. Those tend to be parents who understand (and apply!) the fundamental concept that the parents have more experience and more expertise than the children do, and that it is a parental responsibility to take charge and tell the children what the rules are, how the family works, and what the consequences are for disobedience.Rosemond knows whereof he speaks. Not only is he a parent himself (two grown children--he's now a grandfather), but he has a doctorate in his chosen field. The thing he writes in "Parent Power!" that struck me like a bolt of lightning was that parents who let their kids take the lead and rule the roost are doing the children a disservice. Kids need and crave structure and order. They like knowing what the boundaries are (even if at first it appears that they don't!). When parents set boundaries and then don't keep within them--or lay down rules and then capitulate at the first request from the child--it actually disturbs the child, because it comes across as though the PARENT doesn't really know what the rules are. And to the kid, that translates to the frightening thought, "Well, gosh, if Mom and Dad don't know what the rules are, who DOES know?" There's so much good stuff here. I urge every parent--frustrated or not--to be open-minded and read this terrific book. It's a treasure trove of useful, usable, sound information.

I believe every parent should read this book and keep it by their bedside while raising their children. Dr. Rosemond doesn't claim to know everything but his methods have been proven to work time and time again. Every suggestion I have followed with my son has worked. The parent should be in charge, not the child. You will not regret buying this book.

i was at my wits end in how i could get my 3 children to listen, cooperate, and get along. this book put everything into a whole new perspective. i felt empowered after reading it(which took about 3 hours because i couldn't put it down) and things didn't seem so impossible. he made me laugh and realize that these problems happen to everyone at some stage in their children's upbringing. it all seemed so common sense i wish i would've thought of it first.

John Rosemond has an uncanny knack for getting right to the heart of whatever parenting problem has got you tied in knots. He provides (often humorous) insights into the basis for many common problems as well as practical solutions. His suggestions can also be easily adapted to other situations, and are usually very simple to implement. Basically, he empowers parents to take action while reassuring us that most of us already know what is best for our children. He gives us tools to use to enforce our values, but does not tell us what those values "ought" to be. This was the most useful parenting book I ever read and I highly recommend it for anyone who spends time with kids (not just parents). You won't ever regret buying it