What All Children Want Their Parents to Know: 12 Keys to Raising a Happy Child

by Diana Loomans, Julia Godoy, Julia Loomans (With)

Diana Loomans provides another great book to help parents connect with and lovingly raise their children. Focusing on twelve key child-rearing lessons based on insight from children themselves, What Children Want Their Parents to Know encourages moms and dads to do things like "teach by example," "give appreciation and acknowledgement," "allow room to grow and make mistakes," and "practice true listening." Each chapter opens with a child’s statement of what he or she needs and wants from a parent. Then, using inspiring and heartwarming examples from her personal experience and from her many years educating children, Loomans shows how each statement reflects an important parenting principle. Practical advice and playful, easy-to-do exercises round out each chapter, helping parents work each idea into their individual approach. As always, Loomans makes learning seem casual and fun, and comes across less like an expert and more like a fellow parent sharing the wisdom she has gained through the everyday realities of raising children.

Genres: Parenting

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book for new parents as well as those who are not new parents. Great book for really anyone really. This Book offers great stories and ideas on how to be a better person. This Book is filled with many great quotes from people famous and not so famous offering words of wisdom. I have read some of her other books too, she does well at telling you what's real.

[Terabug · Rating 5 out of 5]

After thirty years of raising children, this is the book I would have written. I recommend for all parents.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very very recommended :D

[Oxana Gutu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly and warmly recommended.

[Zvezdi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many memorable quotations from great thinkers to start each of the 12 chapters. While I had some disagreements about the authors view, the book is a good read. So may more parents include its advice in raising kind, empathic and fulfilled children.

Found inside quoted the beginning of Jack London's credo:

I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark
should burn out in a brilliant blaze
than it should be stifled by dry-rot.

I would rather be a superb meteor
every atom of me in magnificent glow
than a sleepy and permanent planet.

The function of man is to live
not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.

Which brought to my mind the great song of Simon & Garfunkel - El Cóndor Pasa:

I'd rather be a sparrow than a snail
Yes I would
If I could
I surely would

I'd rather be a hammer than a nail
Yes I would
If I only could
I surely would

[Kea]

Just started it, so far so good!