On Becoming Pre-Teen Wise: Parenting Your Child from 8-12 Years

Despite the negative press the Ezzos have gotten for their advice on infants, they know their stuff and have great lessons in how PARENTS need to take the time to raise their kids with manners, self control and respect. We have a 10 year old daughter that fits the mold of a preteen: forgetful, negative, needs to speak to adults with more respect. This book addresses those issues and gives practical advice on how the parents can change that behavior by presenting it to the preteen in a way that makes sense to them instead of the parent constantly nagging. As Gary says, these years are molding who they will be as teens and this is the time to train them to be respectful teenagers.

I have read most of the "On Becoming" books by Garry Ezzo. I'm actually ordering a replacement. We have kids ranging in age from 14 to still in the womb. I have found his books so helpful at every stage. I may not agree 100% with some of what he suggests, so you eat the hay and spit out the sticks! Without fail each of his books have practical suggestions to use in challenging situations with our children. I'll try rephrasing something as he suggests and lo and behold...it works! Life made a little simpler. We are a home schooling family and our kids are very well adjusted. They are developing thier own "moral shelves" and Gods grace has been awsome. We have applied many of the principles in these books and have found them most helpful and encouraging. I reccomment them in a heartbeat!

I read this book when my daughter was in gr.4. The book provided excellent guidelines/principles in PREPARING me for the pre-teen years. Two most important ideas gained from the book were 1) the book served as a "map" for parents entering the pre-teen years (i.e. what to expect); and 2) the extent of a parent's "authority" has with one's child is contignent on the "relationship" that exists. Excellent resource for anyone who works with pre-teens.

My wife and I got the workbook and tapes of this entry into the Ezzo's famous "-Wise" series, and were very happy with it. We used their BabyWise principles with our little ones, and found it solid ground for our parenting. Now they are in school and getting more independent every day. We returned the tried and true "Ezzo books" as my wife calls them.We particularly liked the teachings on moving toward "influence" as the child grows. No longer does the child spend most of his time at home, but outside the home - where direct control and supervision is not possible. As Christians, we also took comfort in their direction to helping our children be Godly young men. The teenage years can be the best!

I have known many families that have raised their children accouding the principals taught by the Ezzo's and most of them have delightful children. Gary is human and I disagree with a few of his ideas, but his curriculum is the best I have found.