More than babysitting
588594
Preparing My heart for Grandparenting shares many stories from experienced grandparents who have loved,lived and modeled grandparenting with a perspective looking for a future impact with their grandchildren. You can laugh and cry when reading this book. As I read it I was challenged not only from real life stories from other grandparents but from the Bible to make this role a lifetime of learning. The study part of the book brings insight and challenges to make each moment spent with our grandchildren a time "more than babysitting" but a time of legacy building.
737531
This was a great book. I found a lot of these things i was already doing but found more that i could be doing as a parent... I like the chill pill part of the book
4750750
This book, like its characters, has an identity crisis. It's trying to be a children's book, but I think it's really for grown ups. Mr. Gantos has done a superb job of exposing the workings of the mind of a troubled and confused youngster and the impact of the actions of the sometimes feckless, sometimes neglectful, sometimes abusive adults in his life. This dead-on true-to-life story careens non-stop through the misadventures of this hyperactive kid who gets only bad examples and confusing demands from the people who should be guiding him towards discovery of his best self.  As a pediatrician and as a teacher, I have known children like Joey-aka-Freddy, lost in families like this. So I really appreciate how Mr. Gantos has laid bare the real difficulties of special-needs kids who get just what they don't need from their parents. But who is this book for? It is decked out in a cover which bespeaks zany humor and suggests that it is appropriate for ages 10 and up. I don't think so. Child abuse and neglect just aren't funny. Like Mark Haddon's&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/The-Curious-Incident-of-the-Dog-in-the-Night-Time/dp/1400032717/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time</a>&nbsp;this story will be of great interest to educators and people preparing for careers in which they will work with troubled children and dysfunctional families. I can envision it being extremely useful in a support group for parents of hyperactive kids or in a parenting class for fathers who want to do better by their kids. But it's not for preteens. Kids who are just beginning to be able to think about thinking need more reality-processing in their literature. Kids who, like Joey, get no good models from adults at home are probably better served by stories that model a constructive inner dialog and appropriately supportive family relationships. This story is a masterpiece, but it's too raw for preteens.
4881314
Celebrating Grandmothers, by Ann Richardson is a nonfiction book with a collection of interviews from many grandmothers. The stories reflect how grandmothers see themselves, their role, their children and their childrens partners, and their grandchildren. It was an enjoyable read. I enjoyed reading different perspectives from grandmothers in a different place than the United States. I noticed that there were so many similarities to how grandmothers may feel here. Despite different cultures (some were from India and other places but reside in London), there was definitely a theme. Some were worried about their kids, their grandkids and the use of technology. I can certainly relate that those stories very well being a young grandmother myself. Technology seems to be taking over. Some had difficulty in emotionally connecting with their kids and grandkids. Some were very involved in the raising the grandkids. So many stories to sit down and read with a nice cup of coffee or tea, especially if you're a grandmother.
The presentation in the book is professional and well put together. Very organized and a clear focus.
4430419
Cleaning House by Kay Wills Wyma is a fascinating book about modern day parenting, youth entitlement and ways to raise strong, independent children. It is presented in a journal style as Kay conducted her year-long experiment to remove the youth entitlement that was evident in her children's lives.

She rightly points out that today's parenting involves doing everything possible for your children and making sure they are happy at the expense of actually learning anything new. As part of the experiment the book is based on, she gets the children involved in chores around the house ranging from small chores like making beds and helping clean-up to large chores like preparing meals, doing washing and helping with handyman tasks where possible.

I found this book very interesting as I am no longer a teenager but not yet a parent, so I approached it more from the teenager's opinion than the parent's opinion. Initially my opinion of the book was quite sceptical in terms of using children to do meal preparation and handyman tasks but I can definitely see the benefits for both parents and children in this experiment. In the end children playing video games all day will not help them when they have to fend for themselves in the future.

The narration was very good once again. Tavia Gilbert is very good at making these books come to life and she adds a lot of expression to the audio.

This book is a great resource for parents with children or teenagers who believe that money grows on trees and that their mother is just there to serve them day and night. In a culture based around selfishness this book has a refreshing focus on helping others and in the process creating strong children.

This audio book was gifted as a part of the christianaudio Reviewers Program in exchange for my unbiased review of this work. More information can be found about this and other Christian audio books at christianaudio.com.
1452903
As I read this book I was surprised by the focus. Rather than being focused on 'doing' the material seemed more focused on 'being'. The reader will gain valuable perspective on being a person of godly character in order to bless and be a blessing to children. A great book not only for parents but also grandparents, neighbors, childrens workers, etc. Very refreshing perspectives from a great man with an awesome pastor's heart.
2749873
Marc Parent gives the reader a sense of what it would really be like to work for child welfare by taking them for a ride on his four-year stint as a New York public service worker.  He vividly describes several of his most  moving and breath taking cases and shows how draining each day on the job  can be.  By the end of the book not only did I feel a little of what Parent  must of felt but I also got a first-hand look at child services and how  important these people are.
543469
This book challenges traditional thinking about children and brings to light the Biblical importance of not only teaching, but mentoring children. Stafford shows that this takes time together which can be forfeited while participating in segregated ministry. Great insights into the personal tragedy of child abuse, as well.
1209229
Cindi Walton has a terrific sense of engagement with not just children, but also with parents and adults alike with this small publication. It has much heart, enthusiasm, and it evens doubles as a workbook to encourage interaction with the poems that much of the time use language seemingly designed as conversation pieces. There are quirky stories in many of the poems, and some have more direct lessons imbedded in them as tutorials for growing as a young person into a confident grown-up. As an uncle of three young boys, I appreciate this collection. And while the interior format could use a little correction, the text itself is enjoyable for many age groups. I wish Walton success in developing her audience.
3065750
Most of the research mentioned in this book is not new. But reading about it in a neatly organized way has a powerful effect that left me thinking. The author's personal journey makes it more interesting and approachable than a purely academic text.

This book doesn't promise to fix you, and it won't. It might offer some ideas, but the solutions are not simple, nor easy. The whole point of it is that self help is not enough. It's time we start helping each other.
595485
This book places activities to do with grandchildren in the context of the child's development at different ages.  That's not surprising, given that the author is both a professional in early childhood development as well as an involved grandmother.  Unlike many other books, the activities are simple enough that they don't require elaborate preparation.
2309731
As a father of two young children, one of the things that has been on my mind for a long time is how I need to teach my children to be generous and compassionate with other people, especially those in need.  The problem is where to begin.  Between long days at work and trying to find more time to spend with my family, teaching my kids about generosity sometimes feels like a bucket list item -- something I want to do but can't seem to find the time.  Mr. Formsma really opened my eyes to the fact that opportunities are everywhere:  the grocery store, the gas station, the coffee shop, the airport.  All it takes is an open mind and a desire to help, and opportunities will arise.
925301
This book is not just about making money.  Full of very important life skills.  One needs to read it with the ability to see beyond the times it was written in.  The information is far, far more valuable than the cost.
4617448
Some other readers have expressed dismay at thinking that this was a guidebook based on the title. I too thought that, but then again, I don't think that everyone who is taking care of an elderly parent needs everything they read to be a how-to. I think people in that situation would enjoy reading about the experiences of someone else who is facing the same challenges and obstacles. So yes, this book is more of a memoir.

But even as a memoir, it still provides useful information. For instance, one chapter tells of her mother taking a bath after eating spaghetti sauce straight from a jar. They plan to get her mother into a dry tub then fill it with water. But rather than squatting to get into the tub her mother simply falls back, pinning Stefania in between. Even while she is talking about her experience, lessons for others who might face that situation sneak in.

The "9 realities" are each of the nine chapters about different experiences. Each chapter is based off of an important thing that must be done in taking care of an elderly parent, such as organizing finances and  planning for the inevitable death. But the author writes about her own experiences in story form rather than as a how-to. If this sounds good to you or you just want to read something that proves you are not alone in your experiences, then this is the book for you!
1257432
This book is not only helpful for parents and teachers, you can use it in your own way to help yourself. I have always tough that humans are better helping others, than helping themselves, but if you think about it, it is the author that is helping you, and your child, get a normal life, a enjoyable life.
3896277
This book is about making passive income through outsourcing different types of tasks and projects.

This title starts out by answering the question of who should outsource and gives a few various types of relatable scenarios.

Next, there are a list of reasons why outsourcing work will help you. There is then a wealth of information on how to go about outsourcing a job, where to turn to, and ideas on what sort of jobs you can and may want to outsource.

I would recommend this book to people that want to learn more about passive income or outsourcing projects.
4768358
With a wealth of ideas on being full participants in the world around us, from the very young on up, Growing Up Global is more than a toolbox of information.  At its heart it is a call and encouragement to service and friendship, those most fundamentally uplifting human potentials that are so desperately needed in a global culture.  Using both her personal experience as a mother, and her insights from her own international interactions Ms. Tavangar addresses a wide range of possibilities from  the introduction (literally...how to make and greet friends around the world) to service and giving.  For those who "aren't planning to travel farther than Disneyland" with their children and those who are ready to undertake major international adventures, there is something here for you and your whole family to begin expanding your interactions with the world.