The Parent You Want to Be: Who You Are Matters More Than What You Do

by Les Parrott III, Leslie Parrott

Choose the parent you'll be--and you choose the child you'll raise. When it comes to parenting, who you are is more important than what you do. After all, your child internalizes your traits more than anyone else's on the planet. And that's why Les and Leslie Parrott--in a parenting book like no other--give you a proven plan for cultivating the traits you most want your child to have. A husband and wife team made up of two of today's leading relationship experts, Les and Leslie Parrott reveal their personal experiences as parents to help you fulfill the most important calling you will ever have. The Parent You Want to Be is inspiring, warm, and filled with a transformational power for your entire family.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Family

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2007

About the author

#1 New York Times best-selling authors, Les and Leslie. A husband-and-wife team who not only share the same name, but the same passion for helping others build healthy relationships. In 1991, the Parrotts founded the Center for Relationship Development on the campus of Seattle Pacific University - a groundbreaking program dedicated to teaching the basics of good relationships.

Married in 1984, the Parrotts bring real-life examples to their speaking platform. Their professional training - Leslie as a marriage and family therapist, and Les as a clinical psychologist - ensures a presentation that is grounded, insightful and cutting-edge.

The Parrotts are New York Times #1 Best Selling Authors. Their books include the award-winning Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts, Love Talk, Real Relationships, The Parent You Want to Be, The Hour That Matters Most and Crazy Good Sex.

Each year Les and Leslie speak in over 40 cities. Their audiences include a wide array of venues, from churches to Fortune 500 company board rooms. Their books have sold over two million copies in more than two dozen languages.

The Parrotts have been guests on many national TV and radio programs such as CNN, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, The View with Barbara Walters, NBC Nightly News, and Oprah. Their work has been featured in USA Today and The New York Times.

Visit their website for lots of free resources at www.LesandLeslie.com

Reviews

[Nate Balcom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful reflection on what we all can do to become the parents we want to be from experts on family life!

[B-right · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple but profound topics covered and I mich more love your Christian based values incorporated in here. Thank you for this day to day exemplary principles.

[Mel Heflin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is great for reminders of what kind of parent you want to be, but there's no real "Aha!" moment. We're not religious, and this is kind of heavy on Bible based teachings.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommended from a parent friend. I like that this is the kind of book I can revisit from time to time as my kid grows - I'll probably need some reminders or have different perspectives throughout the years. It poses good questions and is based on guiding you through figuring out your own path rather than providing a formula to follow.

[Phillip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most obvious book in the world for me to be reading at this point in my life. My teenage daughter wanted to know why I was reading it when all of the children should be out of the house in the next 4 years.

I explained that a person never stops being a parent. Also, if I can learn something to make me a better parent during the next few years for the two who are at home then I am interested.

This book directs the reader to consider what qualities he or she wants to have as a parent. It poses qualities to develop in oneself that will make the reader a better parent for providing an appropriate example as one raises one's children. It is ideal for young adults preparing for a first child or for during those first few years of parenting.

But, As I wrote before, a person never stops being a parent. Parenthood turns into Grand-parenting, why not consider what qualities you want to develop in order to contribute to your children's children? Also, the qualities discussed will make a better person even if he or she had no children in his or her life.

It is a worthwhile read.

[Kate Hyde · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great parenting book. In part one the authors explain why, as the title says, who you are matters more than what you do. Part two lists ten character traits that are worth considering. Since all parents are different, we all need to work on different areas in relation to our kids, and this gives us a good place to start. And part three discusses how to avoid being the kind of parent you DON'T want to be, and how to make the ten traits discussed in part two stick.

This book is about more than how to deal with your kids. It's about how to become the kind of person you want your kids to someday become. Whether we like it or not, our kids are watching us, and we are the greatest influence in their lives (at least while they're young). We need to take that very seriously and examine how we live our lives in light of that.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark and I are currently facilitating a weekly parenting class and this is the book (and workbook) we are studying. Very helpful so far in taking a deep look into parenting traits that matter the most - affirming / patient / attentive / visionary / connecting / celebratory / authentic / comforting / insightful and prayerful. Some good stuff in this study and it is a real joy to see young couples with little ones earnestly wanting to learn how to be the best parent they can be. This book should be one of many literary tools in every parent's toolbox! I'll give it a full review once we are finished.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good book to read if you're short on time, or if you need some jumping off points to discuss on with your spouse. I found it had some good points, but didn't go very in-depth. It's designed as a super easy read and to be easy to pick up and put down when interrupted by kiddos running about, but I would have appreciated more expounding on the topics.

[Faydra Stratton · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Mother's League gals are proving very sluggish readers so I've picked this for the February AND March book. We'll do half at a time.

Started it and like it a lot.... emphasis on who you are not just what you do... i.e. it gets to the root. Very easy read but not dumbed down.

[Lacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was set up in small sections that were packed with good information. The layout made it easy to read between toddler-chasings. ..Very applicable and practical no-nonsense, yet loving, parenting principles.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only read through p. 157, wasn't in the mood to finish. Decent topic but could have been covered in shorter book. I like the Parrotts' ministry and the points they make, just feel their books are a bit... too lighthearted? too novice? I'm not sure what bugs me about them.

[DeNae · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I'll read over and over again to gain new nuggets of parental wisdom.

[Kristen Genet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I'll have to come back to this one and re-read it periodically. I can always use a reminder.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.