Take Back Your Family: A Challenge to America's Parents

This book was inspiring and hard to put down!! I would definately recommend to others.

This book has a spiritual underline with a worldly twist! It has so many examples and reactions that I can now use their approaches for my children if those things arise in their lives. I love this book and wold recommend it to anyone!

I jumped at the opportunity to check out this read once I saw how Angela, Jo-Jo, Russy, Vanessa, and Diggy pitched a fit about their business being in the book, specifically because I wanted to read why Angela freaked about how her relationship with Bow Wow was mentioned. I had no idea they were a couple and wondered how that relationship worked out, so I picked up a copy quick. I planned to read that chapter on Bow Wow and return the book, but as soon as I opened the book, I couldn't put it down. My initial hesitation was nothing facetious, but Run is a reverend, and I'm Agnostic. I figured the book would make me uncomfortable reading it considering my views on religion are so different. I respect Run DMC as one of the most phenomenal hip hop icons and "Run's House" is excellent, but I didn't want to be lectured. I was hoping the book wouldn't be preachy but still be positive. And Run did not disappoint. In the beginning of the book, he clarified immediately that this book was not going to be a sermon and talked about people from different walks of life "I know some people tune out when they hear a reverend start talking about prayer," but he also clarified immediately that he definitely honors God and religion "I truly believe that whatever religion you subscribe to (or even if you don't subscribe to one at all, we can all hear the voice of God inside us." I respect him for standing by his beliefs but throughout the book, not shoving them down his reader's throat. That's what kept me reading! Readers learn how both him and Justine feel about extended families, how Justine deals with being a stepmother, a behind-the-scenes look at Justine's miscarriage, the relationship with Angela and Bow Wow, virginity, hip hop's influence on their children, being on a reality show, and parenthood. It's an easy read, and I found myself nodding and agreeing with many parts, especially the chapter about parents not realizing that even when their child is 18, they still very much want to be accepted and need your support and encouragement as adults. I almost want to copy and pass around that chapter to so many parents that forget that they will always be the "cool kid" to their children. Although there were some parts that made me raise an eyebrow (ex. needing permission at 21 for Angela to get a tattoo, demanding that their kids not get any money unless they meet Run's expectations, Run saying he's head of the household and Justine saying she'll give him that title if it makes him feel good), I respected it all. It's just cool to see a positive show about hip hop and African American families to prove we're not all dysfunctional and stereotypical. Who's house? Run's House!

This was a great book with many helpful tips on parenting and families in general. I strongly urge any family to read it together, whether you are having problems or not. Very easy to follow and get into.

It has been both an honor and a pleasure reading this book. Rev. Run and Justine put so much honesty and love into telling their story like no one else could. I truly enjoyed learning the quirks that go behind the scenes and getting a better understanding of their rise to fame. They are truly the American Dream!