Rating: 
Summary: REALLY Committed to Your Kids? Here's Your Book!
Review: As he reveals in this exceptionally creative book, Sonny Elliott has had to navigate himself through some tough family times. What he has learned - and the discoveries he has made - are remarkable. This easy to read paperback is an astounding contribution and obvious lifetime commitment to the betterment of the family unit. Every parent would do well by taking this information to heart...and also to the family. The humanity, insight, and sensitivity Elliott brings to his topic translate to practical and immediately useful ideas. Curiously (and refreshingly), he points to children as the much overlooked key to creating and maintaining the strong family unity. Elliott delivers unique ways of communicating with our children which in themselves are worth far more than the investment in his book. The big bonus, though, is the structure Elliott provides for loving and supportive family meetings. Finally, here is a simple way for children and parents to safely communicate with and deepen their love for each other. In today's world, with kids going haywire seemingly at random, here is an author whose message is unquestionably a major part of the solution.
Rating:
Summary: REALLY Committed to Your Kids? Here's Your Book!
Review: As he reveals in this exceptionally creative book, Sonny Elliott has had to navigate himself through some tough family times. What he has learned - and the discoveries he has made - are remarkable. This easy to read paperback is an astounding contribution and obvious lifetime commitment to the betterment of the family unit. Every parent would do well by taking this information to heart...and also to the family. The humanity, insight, and sensitivity Elliott brings to his topic translate to practical and immediately useful ideas. Curiously (and refreshingly), he points to children as the much overlooked key to creating and maintaining the strong family unity. Elliott delivers unique ways of communicating with our children which in themselves are worth far more than the investment in his book. The big bonus, though, is the structure Elliott provides for loving and supportive family meetings. Finally, here is a simple way for children and parents to safely communicate with and deepen their love for each other. In today's world, with kids going haywire seemingly at random, here is an author whose message is unquestionably a major part of the solution.
Rating:
Summary: How to effectively communicate with your kids
Review: Having Sonny Elliott so beautifully describe his abusive childhood and how he emerged a stronger person and parent should be required reading for every parent. His insights and recommnedations are appropriate for families of all sizes and ages. The book is easy to read and filled with many suggestions that make perfect sense.
Rating: 
Summary: My book shows how communication can alter family life.
Review: Hi readers! I'm Sonny Elliott, the author of "Mom, Dad Are You Listening?" Thank you for your interest in my book. I found writing this book easier than writing this review!When I was a child being raised in a very abusive environment, I would daydream that one day I would take care of all the unhappy children, so they would not live like I did. Of course, I had no idea of the reality of this dream, and as I grew up, those thoughts faded into the background, for I had more urgent items to address as I grew into manhood. I began my quest for emotional freedom while I was in my mid-30's. Looking back, I realize that it was a desperate search for happiness. One morning as I awoke to the voice of Peggy Lee singing, "Is that all there is?" I reviewed my life, and I was devestated by the state of my affairs. My two sons were living in another state and not speaking to me. I was in the middle of my second divorce. I had a job I loathed. I was living in an 800 square foot apartment. I was broke and driving an old junker - all this with a college degree I had earned through great hardship! It was on that very day I vowed to become a "student of communication." At that point, I did what any desperate man would do - I began my search for the Holy Grail. I began to immerse myself in numerous self-help books, seminars, group therapy, Gestalt, and Transactional Analysis. I found myself becoming more confused depending on who the self-help guru of the day was. Eventually, I managed to sort out a path for myself and found that we teach what we need to learn. Armed with my newfound knowledge, I began to share with others what I discovered in the field of relationship dynamics. Around that same time, I remarried and helped my new wife, Sue, raise our four sons. I also began to enjoy putting my years of self-searching to a useful purpose - contributing to the positive development of individuals, families and businesses though professional speaking, coaching and writing. Today, I serve as Director of Relationships for a publicly traded company - a rare title and job description for a public company. "Mom, Dad Are You Listening?" takes the reader on a journey from my childhood struggles to present day. I review the challanges I faced, the way I approached life, and how I was able to heal myself. I describe the process by which I moved from being a victim to being a person filled with understanding, peace and harmony. I explain how I accepted responsibility for my actions without the shame and guilt that typically accompanies responsibility. My book is loaded with examples, stories and technology to support those who are looking to move on from their past. The book concludes with a communication process I call "The Family Connection" which has been tried, tested and utilized by hundreds of families - even mine! "The Family Connection" is a simple, yet powerful three-step process that can be lead by children as young as eight years old. Mine is a book that will touch your heart and leave you looking at the quality of your relationships with your loved ones, your extended family, your co-workers and society in general. I invite you to sit down, read this book and rediscover your magnificence. And in the end, go out into the world and contribute your gift to others, as we are all teachers. Thank you for your time!
Rating: 
Summary: good intentions but poor results
Review: I was looking for answers to deal with some problems I was having with my teenager kids, when a friend of mine recommended that I read this book. I borrowed it and read it and what a dissapointment it was! Mr. Elliot seems to have very good intentions, but the book reminded me of the old salesman at the top of the wagon selling remedy that "cured everything" to people who knew very little and were very desperate. This book fails to present a straight line of thought, it is convoluted, it points out only minor aspects of the family life today and, above all, it has a lot of useless pages (for example, the entire chapter about Mr. Elliot not making the basketball team! ) If the point is that not making the team puts the kid in need of support, he just could have said so in three lines. I also fail to see any piece of modern psychologic theory. I don't know where Mr. Elliot got his psychology degree and/or knowledge but he sure does not show it in his book. Also, as Mr. Elliot admits, he has been divorced and has neglected his kids for quite a while; then, how come, out of the sudden, is he the ultimate expert in family relationships? How can I even trust his advice? Like I said before, it seems like we have another "doctor" at the top of the wagon selling "miracle remedy." All for the money, or their egos. I am glad I just borrowed the book and did not buy it.
Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Option for Increased Family Communication!
Review: Mr Elliott has written a book full of powerful personal examples that illustrate a method of increasing communication within the family unit. More than another "self-help" book for families in crisis, this book offers not only advice, but a specific system for helping all family units be more open and communicative. I was impressed at the emphasis on "Listening" and "Understanding" and will recommend this to my friends with children of all ages!
Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Option for Increased Family Communication!
Review: Mr Elliott has written a book full of powerful personal examples that illustrate a method of increasing communication within the family unit. More than another "self-help" book for families in crisis, this book offers not only advice, but a specific system for helping all family units be more open and communicative. I was impressed at the emphasis on "Listening" and "Understanding" and will recommend this to my friends with children of all ages!
Rating:
Summary: A Practical Tool for Family (and other) Relationships
Review: Small book makes a big difference. After reading this book you are left with more than just feelings or some good ideas, you are left with a practical step by step tool for building relationships within your family. We just followed the recipe for the family meeting at the back and opened up completely new possibilities. It is critical to us that as our children grow up we can be their trusted best friends instead of the outsiders who don't understand!
Rating:
Summary: A Great Tool for Opening the Doors of Communication!
Review: Sonny Elliott keenly demonstrates the importance of communication and how a person's feelings can alter his or her ability to listen and understand what someone else is saying or doing, especially in the family environment. His ability to weave the story of his own life and his determination to break the cycle and make a difference in his life and the life of his children is inspiring. I applaud his commitment to share these tools with the public. I have used Sonny Elliott's guidelines to enrich my relationships with my three grown step-children, my husband, and my siblings. There is established trust in our relationships which allows for open expression of our feelings. This is a must read for anyone who wants to nurture relationships in their lives!
Rating:
Summary: Works With My Students!
Review: Sonny Elliott's communication techniques allow anyone to express their feelings without fear of reprisal. His techniques have allowed my ESL (English as a Second Language) students to communicate verbally, improve their mastery of the language, and share their hopes and fears as immigrants to this country. It has enabled them to relate to one another in what educators call "authentic" language. In order for learning to occur, the subject content should be meaningful to the student's life, thereby "authentic". Elliott's techniques described in his book facilitate the language process, empower the student, and engender a feeling of connectedness to others using the process. Bravo for Sonny Elliott. Parents and educators take note!
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