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9 Things A back- to- basics guide to calm common-sense, connected parenting birth-8
It is easy in our fast-paced, competitive, consumer-driven world to forget that children are not mini-adults, projects to be managed or problems to be solved. This common-sense guide to parenting and caring for children under eight, reminds us that a child’s development cannot be rushed, or crudely measured again milestones. It takes an entire childhood to grow and there is no perfect when it comes to parenting. In her informed, heartfelt way, popular Australian parenting author Maggie Dent takes a comprehensive look at the 9 Things that truly matter in raising children, and why they matter so much.
She uses the metaphor of a wise aunty, Wilma — a voice of ancient wisdom that seems to be disappearing amidst the chaos. With passion, warmth and humor, Maggie draws on current research and her extensive experience as an educator, counselor and mother of four to guide parents and caregivers in their endless decision-making, to raise children who are happy, healthy, strong, kind and resilient.
She uses the metaphor of a wise aunty, Wilma — a voice of ancient wisdom that seems to be disappearing amidst the chaos. With passion, warmth and humor, Maggie draws on current research and her extensive experience as an educator, counselor and mother of four to guide parents and caregivers in their endless decision-making, to raise children who are happy, healthy, strong, kind and resilient.
- GenresParenting
344 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2014
16 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Maggie Dent
32 books104 followersCommonly known as the ‘queen of common sense’, Maggie Dent has become one of Australia's favourite parenting authors and educators. She has a particular interest in the early years, adolescence and resilience, and is an undisputed 'boy champion'.
Maggie is the author of eight major books, including the bestselling 2018 release Mothering Our Boys and her 2020 release From Boys to Men. She hosts the ABC podcast, Parental As Anything. In July 2021, she is publishing a book based on the podcast called Parental As Anything: A common-sense guide to raising happy, healthy kids – from toddlers to tweens.
Maggie is a dedicated advocate to quietly changing lives in our families and communities. She is the mother of four sons and a very grateful grandmother.
Maggie is the author of eight major books, including the bestselling 2018 release Mothering Our Boys and her 2020 release From Boys to Men. She hosts the ABC podcast, Parental As Anything. In July 2021, she is publishing a book based on the podcast called Parental As Anything: A common-sense guide to raising happy, healthy kids – from toddlers to tweens.
Maggie is a dedicated advocate to quietly changing lives in our families and communities. She is the mother of four sons and a very grateful grandmother.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 1, 2019
I felt this was an okay book. I honestly probably wouldn't recommend it to friends for the following reasons...
There seemed to be so many lists in dot point form, I felt this was a bit of a 'easy' way out for the author and overloads the reader a bit.
There were direct quotes included almost every second page, many were from the author's own books which, to me, felt a bit pointless and slightly smug. The quotes that were used from other expert authors were then followed by that authors concept of parenting or child development, which to me felt a bit strange and disjointed. I would much rather read their actual whole book where I can actually understand the context of their quote; it felt as though I needed to have prior knowledge of that expert's work & theories, it didn't flow nicely in with what was being 'told' in this book.
Which is how I felt the narration sounded. The author was 'telling' the reader what to do essentially to not mess up parenting. I didn't appreciate the lack of individual parents instinctual choice. The author many many times implied "common-sense" parenting was lost. It came across that the author did it all exactly right & the reader needs to be like the author. I find this in a way disrespectful of the reader and almost condescending.
My final observation, and I can only speak for this edition of the book as I believe there is a later edition since published, is that the grammar was quite poor quality! I can cite many examples of sentences not making sense, not grammatically correct, almost irrelevant to the paragraph at times and at a more basic level: words were repeated twice unintentionally even. I think it really needed more closely editing by the publisher.
Long winded review but I feel quite strongly about being honest regarding this book.
There seemed to be so many lists in dot point form, I felt this was a bit of a 'easy' way out for the author and overloads the reader a bit.
There were direct quotes included almost every second page, many were from the author's own books which, to me, felt a bit pointless and slightly smug. The quotes that were used from other expert authors were then followed by that authors concept of parenting or child development, which to me felt a bit strange and disjointed. I would much rather read their actual whole book where I can actually understand the context of their quote; it felt as though I needed to have prior knowledge of that expert's work & theories, it didn't flow nicely in with what was being 'told' in this book.
Which is how I felt the narration sounded. The author was 'telling' the reader what to do essentially to not mess up parenting. I didn't appreciate the lack of individual parents instinctual choice. The author many many times implied "common-sense" parenting was lost. It came across that the author did it all exactly right & the reader needs to be like the author. I find this in a way disrespectful of the reader and almost condescending.
My final observation, and I can only speak for this edition of the book as I believe there is a later edition since published, is that the grammar was quite poor quality! I can cite many examples of sentences not making sense, not grammatically correct, almost irrelevant to the paragraph at times and at a more basic level: words were repeated twice unintentionally even. I think it really needed more closely editing by the publisher.
Long winded review but I feel quite strongly about being honest regarding this book.
September 11, 2020
I could not finish this book. It is reliant on “facts” that are disproven and outdated gender ideals. Where are the fathers in the children’s lives? Non-existent, apparently.
June 2, 2021
Insightful and easy to understand
January 24, 2023
Helpful information but too much repetition throughout.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews