I'm the kind of gal who loves to do lists. Not so much the to do part as the list part. Lists make me happy; exact requirements are my friend. Unfortunately, parenting doesn't come with a series of checklists as much as with a series of moments of realizations that you missed the boat...again. Dang, forgot to get my child into violin at age 3. Nuts, didn't know playing Mozart in the womb raised I.Q. 20 points. Do you ever feel like you're three steps behind everyone else? Maybe you aren't as much as you think.
The book "Their Name is Today" by Mark K. Shriver, was 1 part inspiring, 1 part depressing and 2 parts only worth skimming (with the occasional golden sound bite) The first part of the book was all about getting back to playing. Children will learn so quit driving yourself and your child nuts by striving for perfection. Of course, by playing, he meant screen free playing. It's all true but you'll have to excuse me while I point out that life gets in the way of the best intended plans. Call me defensive but for the author to come off sounding like the world is doomed because our kids don't play is a bit dramatic and to think that pushing your child to strive equals bad parenting is ridiculous. The whole point of parenting is to raise well rounded adults, not soft whimps who don't know how to work.
One sound bite that I did love is found at the beginning of chapter 9 and is a quote from Henry Ward Beecher. "There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots; the other, wings." So true. I want my children's feet planted firmly on the ground while they reach of the highest mountain top.
I can't say I loved this book. I found it to be discouraging, doomsday-esque, without at least a nice checklist to follow at the end to get yourself out of poor parenting. Okay, maybe that last part was a joke but only kind of. Please don't tell me I'm a dreadful parent if you aren't willing to give me practical advice to change the situation.
On the other hand, even though I found myself skimming large parts, the book did make me pause and re-evaluate how I do some things around here. Am I spending enough time with my kids? Am I instilling important values? Am I allowing them to grow through discovery? Of course there are always room for improvements and perhaps it is important to, every once in a while, read a book that makes you stop and think.
Sooo, did this review make you want to run out and buy a copy? Haha, not likely. Well then it's your lucky day. Leave a comment below letting me know you want your name in the draw for a copy of "Their Name is Today." and you might win a copy without having to buy it. I love free stuff! :) Draw will be made October 16th, 2014 Good luck.
And now for some legal stuff:
"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”
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