Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book, free of charge,from Penguin Publishing, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it
This new book releases January 5th!
synopsis:
Already the biological parents of a seven-year-old son and a five-year-old daughter, Claude Knobler and his wife decided to adopt Nati, a five-year-old Ethiopian boy who seemed different from Knobler in every conceivable way. After more than five years spent trying to turn his wild, silly, adopted African son into a quiet, neurotic, Jewish guy like himself, Knobler realized the importance of having the courage to love, accept, and let go of his children.
In this wonderfully written memoir, Knobler explains how his experiences raising Nati led him to learn a lesson that applied equally well to parenting his biological children: It’s essential to spend the time we are given with our children to love them and enjoy them, rather than push and mold them into who we think they should be.
Review
Not every parenting book fits every parent, or child. Period. Kids have different natures, and different needs. But at its core, what this book is trying to teach is to ENJOY the moment, and let go of all the pressure and anxiety that we place on ourselves as parents, that is UNNNECESSARY. Do we need to worry about teen drinking? Yes. Sexual predators soliciting our kids on the internet? Yes. Having a spotless room? No. Needing to be directed in play or future career path? No.
In essence, he is harking back to our childhoods. When our parents were more hands off and gave us more independence, as a way of learning for ourselves. It is no wonder the current crop of teens opt to stay at home for so long. All their needs are taken care of, and they feel no need for independence. This book is meant to provide the answer- learning to let go of micromanaging and letting your kid's nature come through. See them not what you WANT them to be. Dealing with them, as they are also gives parents less stress, not more. Accept the B is the best they will give, and they might just surprise you with As, when the pressure and stress is gone, and now they WANT to study and do better.
While the path may not work for all kids, like any parenting mode, it is valid to read and give thought to letting go. There are times to stress and panic, but most of the time, we need to trust in our kids, and in our own parenting, and not focus on what we 'should' be doing! In doing so, you may find more golden moments with your kids than ever before, and truly connect with them!
In essence, he is harking back to our childhoods. When our parents were more hands off and gave us more independence, as a way of learning for ourselves. It is no wonder the current crop of teens opt to stay at home for so long. All their needs are taken care of, and they feel no need for independence. This book is meant to provide the answer- learning to let go of micromanaging and letting your kid's nature come through. See them not what you WANT them to be. Dealing with them, as they are also gives parents less stress, not more. Accept the B is the best they will give, and they might just surprise you with As, when the pressure and stress is gone, and now they WANT to study and do better.
While the path may not work for all kids, like any parenting mode, it is valid to read and give thought to letting go. There are times to stress and panic, but most of the time, we need to trust in our kids, and in our own parenting, and not focus on what we 'should' be doing! In doing so, you may find more golden moments with your kids than ever before, and truly connect with them!
About the Authior
Claude Knobler’s work has been featured on NPR’s “This I Believe,” as well as in one of the radio program’s literary anthologies, This I Believe: On Fatherhood, and Worldwide Orphan Foundation founder Dr. Jane Aronson’s Carried in Our Hearts: The Gift of Adoption (Tarcher, 2013). He has also been featured in Parents magazine and Parenting.com. Prior to adopting Nati, Claude spent over 14 years performing a syndicated radio feature on over 150 radio stations around the country, including on morning shows in Dallas, Chicago, and San Diego. Listen to his interview with “Press Play with Madeleine Brand” on KCRW (Santa Monica NPR Affiliate). He lives in Santa Monica, CA with his wife Mary, daughter Grace, and son Nati. His son Clay is attending Duke University. Learn more at www.morelovelesspanic.com
That sounds like a great book. Thanks for sharing your review! Happy New Year!
ReplyDelete