Rating: 
Summary: It is the most complete book on parenting Ive ever read!
Review: I've been a preschool teacher for more than 12 years and a mother of 8, so parenting and child education have been the major topic of my last 20 years of reading. This is the most complete, concrete and exciting book I've ever read! It covers all the human dimensions: spiritual, intellectual, volitional, affective, physical and social. The García-Prats present their philosophy with respect for othres' and sprinkle it beautifully with daily life examples of how to get it done. Its amazing their oldest sons, still beleive and live the parent's ways even after they're out of the house, as it appears in a chapter written by them. After reading the book you get the feeling that as anything that is worth in life, you have to put all you've got into it. And working to get a good family is worth it! There is nothing else in the world that can fulfill you and give you a sense of purpose as leaving it all on the field, loving and being loved by your family. Everyone who belo! ngs in a family must read it!
Rating:
Summary: Proof that hard work parenting pays off
Review: My husband and I bought this book and passed it back and forth for a week till we had both finished it. I appreciated how the first chapter dealt with having a STRONG marriage to bring children into. (Single parents will get some guidance as to what to look for in a potential mate.) Each chapter was filled with BOLDFACED type to underscore important points (I usually mark up my books with highlighter pens, but the Garcia-Pratts made that unnecessary!) Lots of down to earth advice, but be warned they set a high standard on having a "child-centered home." My husband and I are putting lots of effort into creating what the Garcia-Pratts have: a large, loving, well-mannered family. I wish all parents would read this!
Rating: 
Summary: Some good advice, but not what I really need
Review: Now that I've seen all the rave reviews of this book, I feel a bit bad about saying anything negative about it :-). I can certainly understand what people see in this book- the authors do indeed give some very important principles for raising kids, and they back up their words with some definite success stories!However, I really think this book might be more powerful if it weren't so careful to avoid controversy. In other words, most of the principles found in the book can be found in other books on child rearing- be an example yourself, respect the child, be positive, read to the kid... the bulk of the book is taken up with this sort of advice which, while certainly true and valid, has been abundantly covered in other sources. To be frank, when I picked up the book I was hoping it would discuss at length how to keep kids protected (but not overprotected!) from the popular culture. While television and "appropriate" movie choices are covered very briefly, the serious but touchy problems of influencing book and music choices aren't. What do the Garcia-Prats do? How do they/will they handle problems with computers, including internet and video games? Another vitally important issue that is not adequately covered is sexuality- with ten boys, it's an issue they must grapple with at some length. How??? This book takes a remarkably sunny view of the outside culture, considering it was published in '97. Problems with bad schools (e.g. condom pushing and other sex ed woes) are not discussed, though cooperation with the schools and teachers is. The Garcia-Prats seem to have access to a couple of good schools; any advice for those who do not? What about problems with bad or unsuitable friends? Similarly, books and reading are presented as universal goods, without addressing the obvious problem that many books for adults, and even some for teens, are pornographic, easily available at the library, and innocuous in appearance. So as a conclusion, I'll say that while this book is a fairly solid contribution for the general populace, it will not be a complete resource for the parent who wants Christian guidance about some of the worst trends going on in our country today.
Rating:
Summary: Some good advice, but not what I really need
Review: Now that I've seen all the rave reviews of this book, I feel a bit bad about saying anything negative about it :-). I can certainly understand what people see in this book- the authors do indeed give some very important principles for raising kids, and they back up their words with some definite success stories! However, I really think this book might be more powerful if it weren't so careful to avoid controversy. In other words, most of the principles found in the book can be found in other books on child rearing- be an example yourself, respect the child, be positive, read to the kid... the bulk of the book is taken up with this sort of advice which, while certainly true and valid, has been abundantly covered in other sources. To be frank, when I picked up the book I was hoping it would discuss at length how to keep kids protected (but not overprotected!) from the popular culture. While television and "appropriate" movie choices are covered very briefly, the serious but touchy problems of influencing book and music choices aren't. What do the Garcia-Prats do? How do they/will they handle problems with computers, including internet and video games? Another vitally important issue that is not adequately covered is sexuality- with ten boys, it's an issue they must grapple with at some length. How??? This book takes a remarkably sunny view of the outside culture, considering it was published in '97. Problems with bad schools (e.g. condom pushing and other sex ed woes) are not discussed, though cooperation with the schools and teachers is. The Garcia-Prats seem to have access to a couple of good schools; any advice for those who do not? What about problems with bad or unsuitable friends? Similarly, books and reading are presented as universal goods, without addressing the obvious problem that many books for adults, and even some for teens, are pornographic, easily available at the library, and innocuous in appearance. So as a conclusion, I'll say that while this book is a fairly solid contribution for the general populace, it will not be a complete resource for the parent who wants Christian guidance about some of the worst trends going on in our country today.
Rating: 
Summary: Parents need to enjoy their children and see them as gifts.
Review: Parenting is an on-going process that entails hard work, love, respect, commitment and reliance on one's faith in God.The time and energy parents expend on their children is rewarded many times over. May our book provide you guidance in raising your children and enable you to enjoy them as individuals and enjoy your family as a whole.In spite of the hard work, we are richer by the dozen because of each other.
Rating:
Summary: Wow! Really sums up what so many parents look for.
Review: The Garcia-Prats are wonderful people. They are appearing on Oprah and Gayle King, all to tell their stories of raising 10 children. I am so happy that I know them personally; they are a real inspiration. The book is a real down to earth book on topics that face parents daily. Well written and the GP's should be proud.
Rating:
Summary: Complete, inspiring and well written!! I loved it!
Review: The Garcia-Prats have written a complete guide to the secrets of raising and being a terrific family. From discipline to dealing with teachers to making a marriage work, the authors have covered it all! I would recommend this book to anyone who is committed to raising responsible, caring children in today's crazy world.
Rating:
Summary: Parenting advice with real credibility
Review: The market is full of parenting how-to books. As a father of nine children, I've read a lot of them. Few pack the powerful credibility this book. Here is golden advice from the crucible of real life - dross all gone. Just the right mix of humor and seriousness. A great book!
Rating:
Summary: Parenting advice with real credibility
Review: The market is full of parenting how-to books. As a father of nine children, I've read a lot of them. Few pack the powerful credibility this book. Here is golden advice from the crucible of real life - dross all gone. Just the right mix of humor and seriousness. A great book!
Rating:
Summary: An excellent summary of good-parenting techniques
Review: This is an engaging and well written book. While the author's techniques are not always easy to implement, it is difficult to imagine how such techniques would not result in children to be proud of
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