Rating: 
Summary: FANTASTIC
Review: This book is controversial and will strike at the emotions of most who read it. It seems most things to do with parenting fall into this category! I felt its main attempt was to bring parents together in a "lets not lay blame or guilt, lets tell the truth about kids and parenting and try and help one another". As a mother, I mourn my freedom, my privacy and my hard-earned dollars. But I mostly regret that everyone told me how amazingly fulfilling and fun mothering is. For years I wondered what was wrong with ME if everyone else enjoyed this unique experience 24/7! I asked my partner how he would feel if he had to be at work 24/7, no pay, no holidays, loads of guilt, no pats on the back and constantly dealing with people who argue, make a mess and have no respect for privacy. His answer: "I'd quit". My answer: "I can't". For anyone considering this 'job', read the book and don't say I didn't tell you!!
Rating:
Summary: Opening up a dialogue
Review: This book reassures those who are silently despondent over childrearing that they're not alone in finding parenthood so very, very much more difficult and disappointing than our society allows us to admit. Jeffers is correct to point out the insidious dangers of the conspiracy of silence around this issue. Her views are sure to enrage some, but the raw truth of what she unearths is priceless, especially the quotes from parents who finally admit their ultimate frustrations. A societal dialogue (confession?) on this issue is badly needed right now, and this book is the perfect starting point for discussion.
Rating:
Summary: The more prepared you are, the better!
Review: Though this book may appear to be negative, I believe that was the author's intention exactly. Positive images abound in the media on how wonderful children are, and that the only negative are dirty diapers and teen angst. As far as I a concerned, this is the BEST book on children and parenting that I have ever read. People are pushed into being parents by their family and by society, and for some it is a shock as to how demanding and how destructive a third wheel could be to their relationship and their lives - but armed with the knowledge that this WILL happen to every parent, one is prepared for the worst. And by preparing for the worst, you free yourself to enjoy the best that parenting has to offer. One other point the author tries to make is that parenting advice is a fad - and gives examples of contradictory advice given to parents over the years. Her point is empowering - that you are the best judge for what is right for your children and family, and to ignore those who would try to guilt you into doing something you feel is wrong.I send this book as a congratulations present to every newly pregnant couple I know, and have reccomended it to everyone else. Yes, it may convince some people that they aren't meant to have children, but if reading one negative (read truthful) book causes them to make this decision, then they probably aren't ready to be a parent yet anyway.
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT BOOK ABOUT PARENTHOOD!
Review: Tired of people telling you how to be a perfect parent, and that our children's behavior is directly linked to our abilities as a parent? Then this book is for you! Susan Jeffers tells it like it is- that you can fiercely love your children, but hate certain aspects of raising them. That our wonderful, adorable kids can also be bratty and cruel, and it's not our fault. As a mother of many kids, who wouldn't have it any other way, I found BRAT to be a funny, engaging, amazingly honest, positive reflection of who we are as parents, and who our children are as people. Finally, a book which reaffirms our responsibilty to ourselves to parent (or not) with dignity and self-respect, and to let go of the guilt which so easily attaches to our every parental decision. Whether you are already a parent, want to be a parent, are not sure whether or not to become a parent, or simply don't want to be a parent, there is something in this book for everyone. Definitely worthwhile reading!
Rating: 
Summary: I feel betrayed...
Review: To the author, Thankyou and bless you for this wonderful,insightful audio tape on parenting. You lay it out there and tell it like it really is. It was BY FAR the most down-to-earth, real life material on parenting I have heard/read in my 17 yrs as a mom. I have read books by the score on parenting and they always made me feel that I didnt quite measure up to the book's ideal,(more guilt).
Your words have provided great insight, comfort, and reasurrance that it's Ok not to fit societies mold of maternal perfection. There does seem to be that conspiracy of silence re: the frustration of raising children. This was a remarkable book and I feel sooo much lighter now..
Rating:
Summary: A Maternal lifeline,
Review: To the author, Thankyou and bless you for this wonderful,insightful audio tape on parenting. You lay it out there and tell it like it really is. It was BY FAR the most down-to-earth, real life material on parenting I have heard/read in my 17 yrs as a mom. I have read books by the score on parenting and they always made me feel that I didnt quite measure up to the book's ideal,(more guilt).
Your words have provided great insight, comfort, and reasurrance that it's Ok not to fit societies mold of maternal perfection. There does seem to be that conspiracy of silence re: the frustration of raising children. This was a remarkable book and I feel sooo much lighter now..
Rating:
Summary: Should be required reading for every would-be parent!
Review: When I first heard about this book months ago, I was so excited that I ordered it from Amazon's UK site so I didn't have to wait for the US release. Boy, was it worth it! We had been struggling with the issue of having children and this book spoke honestly about the harsh realities of raising them. This aspect alone makes the book a must-have, as it is almost unheard-of for anyone to write the painful truth about actually being someone's parent. I can't recommend this book highly enough for everyone: parents, would-be parents and the childfree - no matter your status, you'll be glad you have it on your bookshelf!
Rating:
Summary: Oh, Wow. Could one woman be any more resentful of her life?
Review: Ya know, much of what this woman says is true insofar as the emotions associated with childrearing go. Yes, we are weary. Yes, it is difficult. But honestly, I have never in my life read anything so hopeless. Under the guise of honesty about parenthood, this woman spews negativity about the burden of children. Unaware that most things worth doing *are* difficult, she neglects to mention that there are many blessings along the way. I was not born with the baby-loving gene. I can't wait to have the opportunity to pursue my own intrests again one day. So should I moan about my inability to have my own life for a few short years? This author thinks so! Those of us who are responsible adults come to terms with the reality that life is not always fun, that sometimes one must die to self for awhile in order to better someone else. It's not about being a martyr, but rather about a maturity that does not place Self at the center of the universe. Thankfully, this woman is not a grandmother to my children. I wonder if she was as great a burden to her own mother as her children were to her. And I pray that she'll get over herself, and should her own children bear her 25 grandchildren, that she might find it in her heart to love and enjoy them just a bit. Life is to short to walk around with such hatred.
Rating:
Summary: I'm Okay, You're a Brat
Review: Yet another fine example of how parents today do not wish to take responsibility for their own behavior, much less for their children's . Bad parenting = bad children. Period. Every day I see little girls looking very much like little women and boys acting like pimps, then I laugh when parents wonder why kids are having sex at 13 - oh, right, its music and video games. Well who's buying the clothes? Music? Video games? Or kids running amok in an inappropriate place while the parents carry on as if nothing were amiss. Who is teaching your child responsibility, manners, and respect if you as a parent are avoiding all of the above. Sure, go ahead and buy this trash, stick your head in the sand, and when you're 80 and wondering why your selfish bratty little kids became selfish bratty adults - think back to the teachings of this book and ask yourself if it was really in the best interest of kids or parents to publish this garbage. Irresponsible parents will eat this book up having finally found validation for their own selfish disrespectful method of "No Blame" parenting. Good parents may for a moment try to believe it be sound advice so as to find some relief from the often daunting (in the end rewarding) task of raising a decent human being, but their conscience will win over in the end.
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