In the Midst of Parenting: A Look at the Real Dramas and Dilemmas

Rating:
Summary: Refreshing & Broadminded
Review: Having read many parenting books during my 19 plus years of parenting, I was pleasantly surprised by the refreshing eclectic approach taken by the author, Carol Smaldino. This is not a step-by-step handbook that will tell you how to raise your children, but rather a guidebook that will take your hand and walk you through the many challenges you face as a parent. Ms. Smaldino's approach is not a one-size-fits all approach, because she acknowledges that we are all individuals and that our lives and those of our children are fluid--we are on parallel journeys. Ms. Smaldino's anecdotal approach to sharing her clinical and personal knowledge and experiences with us is both informative and personal. This book contains a perfect balance of clinical information, historical perspective and real life examples. I found "In the Midst of Parenting: A Look at the Real Dramas and Dilemmas" both reassuring and reaffirming of my own childrearing philosophies. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Insightful, interesting, and inspiring
Review: I just happened to see a copy of In the Midst of Parenting, by Carol Smaldino, in my local coffee shop; I took a glance, long enough to know I wanted to buy my own copy. I just wanted to share some thoughts about this book, because I found it so exciting. It's about parenting, but also more than that, it's about continuing to grow- with children or without them. It has advice but it is thoughtful and it helps the reader try on different approaches. It is not a preachy book but ever so comforting for those of us in touch with many mixed feelings or mixed up feelings. And it is extremely comforting to new parents who really need permission to enjoy the ride and get good help, without listening to so much advice that's often pushy.
I found this book challenging because the author believes we need to grow- perhaps throughout life. That is good for readers like me who embrace this kind of challenge. For me it meant the challenge to be authentic but with some knowledge. I hope there will be more books like this one!
Sincerely, Karen Leonard, Ph.D.

Rating:
Summary: Insightful, interesting, and inspiring
Review: I just happened to see a copy of In the Midst of Parenting, by Carol Smaldino, in my local coffee shop; I took a glance, long enough to know I wanted to buy my own copy. I just wanted to share some thoughts about this book, because I found it so exciting. It's about parenting, but also more than that, it's about continuing to grow- with children or without them. It has advice but it is thoughtful and it helps the reader try on different approaches. It is not a preachy book but ever so comforting for those of us in touch with many mixed feelings or mixed up feelings. And it is extremely comforting to new parents who really need permission to enjoy the ride and get good help, without listening to so much advice that's often pushy.
I found this book challenging because the author believes we need to grow- perhaps throughout life. That is good for readers like me who embrace this kind of challenge. For me it meant the challenge to be authentic but with some knowledge. I hope there will be more books like this one!
Sincerely, Karen Leonard, Ph.D.

Rating:
Summary: In the Trash
Review: This is a poorly written book which gives bad advice. Her tenent is that to be a good parent you should only follow your own true inner voice. She critiicizes other authors on parenting (both named and unnamed) as being wrong and even abusive, and advises avoiding parenting classes because of their one size fits all philosophy. She cautions against taking advice from other people and even from community standards. Her own inner voice has given her some really bad advice. She says she "was often given looks of horror when I refrained from putting an end to my children's rowdiness or back talk." She confused a restaurant with a playground. They "patronized family friendly restaurants ...because Paul, a curiuos and friendly child could not resist wandering around and chatting with everyone in the room." Heaven help the waitress tripping over the kid. She explains she self through brief, oversimplified examples from her mostly adult clients, and her own family.

There are chapters and subheadings, but it's mostly one long ramble.

Rating:
Summary: In the Trash
Review: This is a poorly written book which gives bad advice. Her tenent is that to be a good parent you should only follow your own true inner voice. She critiicizes other authors on parenting (both named and unnamed) as being wrong and even abusive, and advises avoiding parenting classes because of their one size fits all philosophy. She cautions against taking advice from other people and even from community standards. Her own inner voice has given her some really bad advice. She says she "was often given looks of horror when I refrained from putting an end to my children's rowdiness or back talk." She confused a restaurant with a playground. They "patronized family friendly restaurants ...because Paul, a curiuos and friendly child could not resist wandering around and chatting with everyone in the room." Heaven help the waitress tripping over the kid. She explains she self through brief, oversimplified examples from her mostly adult clients, and her own family.

There are chapters and subheadings, but it's mostly one long ramble.