John Rosemond's New Parent Power! (Volume 11)

My sister loaned me this book a couple of weeks after my daughter was born and I just finished it today (16 weeks later). It is a great book! When I started reading it my mom was staying with us and I said to her: "Now I know why we had such a difficult relationship when I was growing up." I recognized so many scenarios from my childhood, it was almost freaky. I realized at once that our situation was neither unique nor difficult to overcome.John Rosemond makes a couple of very profound points that serve as the underpinning for all of his advice.1) The parents are the nucleus of the family. As such, their marriage is the single most important component of a healthy family and should be treated as such. Single parents should also make sure that their needs are taken care of and their position in the family center isn't abdicated in favor of the child(ren). The child is not the most important part of the family. Treating children like they are results in self-centered children.2) Parents must be reliable and fairly dispassionate disciplinarians. Discipline requires consequences in order to be taken seriously. Meanness isn't strictness. Confusing the two is what gets parents (and kids) into trouble.And his conclusion, that when adhering to these principles parenting is actually enjoyable and pretty simple, is quite revelatory in an age when people like Oprah Winfrey are constantly talking about how motherhood is the toughest job there is. No, crab fishermen in the Bering Sea have the toughest job. Motherhood is far better.**Update** - I finally ordered my own copy from Amazon since my daughter is now 4 years-old, my son is nearly 3, and I find myself wishing I had it around the house as a reference. I still consider the two principles I discussed above to be the backbone of my parenting philosophy. I'm proud to say that I have a couple of really cool kids who don't make a fuss at the grocery store, etc., are polite with each other(!) and everyone else, and don't need to be bribed into doing what they are supposed to do. My mother-in-law just visited from out-of-state and was so blown away by their behavior that she said I should tell people how to parent for a living! I simply suggested she get this book at tell her friends about it.

I like Rosemond's advice for the most part and intend to use it as my child grows up. However I find his advise about the pacifier and toilet training less useful. For one my son doesn't seem to mind wetting himself contrary to Rosemond's observation. And his being in diapers is much easier for me as I don't have to make sure he has gone to the bathroom before we leave the house. I don't have to take him into filthy public restrooms whenever he has to go and don't have to stop the car every few minutes to find a restroom. As for the pacifier, I wanted to wean him off of it when he was younger before he got attached to it but my wife did not. So I took the approach that it would be up to her to wean him and if he took the thing to college so be it. But I have since found that a whole lot of the nasty stuff he sticks into his mouth can be elimanted simply by letting him have his paci. I'd rather him have that paci than the used chewing-gum that's under the diner's table or some object he found on the playground. Like another reviewer I find the paci and toilet training issues simply not a big deal. I believe I have bigger fish to fry.Aside from that I think the rest of his advice is priceless.

I got this book after being given his book "Parenting by the Book". I was impressed with his thoughts on why kids are the way they are today and what needs to happen so that they can become productive citizens and content adults. As a teacher, I began looking for ways to deal with kids and parents in a society that promotes attachment parenting. I found this book. While I read this book as a new mother, I also have found help as to how to deal with kids. While I don't fully agree with his thoughts on dealing with babies (birth - 18 mths), I do find his thoughts beyond this age group insightful and true. If you want to read how to raise your baby as part of the family and not the center...read BABYWISE. If you want to read how to discipline your toddler (or older) and how to keep them as part of the family but not the center, read this book or any of John Rosemond's books.

All parents should read this book. Whether you agree with his "Benevolent Dictatorship" style of parenting or not I think pretty much all parents will be able to see themselves in many of the senarios John Rosemond's mentions and can certainly learn a thing or two about how to be a better parent. I have started using several of the techniques mentioned and realize, although I thought I did, I really don't have a backbone and am very wishy washy with my children which creates chaos. Not gonna miraculouly "fix" your children's behavior. You have to work at it. We are on week 2 and my kids are giving me major push back but I can see positive changes and think it will make all of us better in the end.

This is a book that all parents should read. It is clear, common-sense, practical and makes a priority of empowering parents to raise their kids in a way which will help them become responsible adults. It is not just theory but deals with the daily issues with which parents struggle, and gives concrete examples for dealing with them. It is also very enjoyable reading as Dr. Rosemond has a great sense of humor. Don't be overwhelmed with the size of the book. If you don't want to just read through from cover to cover you can choose the topics that interest you. It is an easy read. I'm sorry it hadn't been written when my kids were little.

Loving this book so far! I really appreciate John Rosemonds take on parenting. I first heard him speak on a Christian radio station and was really intrigued after hearing amazing reviews from other parents especially on transforming their children’s behavior. I look forward to putting to practice all the info provided by this book! I also really like the book is so thick! Great deal!

I am still reading this book but I have learnt so much strategies on being a better parent . I feel so much in control now and my shouting as reduced which is something I have struggled with in the past! John Rosemond is the best.. I love his humorous but serious sense of writing

Excellent book.Very Helpfull for new Parents. It came on time and was in a rather good condition for a used book...