This practical and easy-to-read book shows parents how they can raise happy, responsible, respectful, and yes, AMAZING kids by simply living their lives and inviting their children to join them in the everyday situations of life.You probably think that parenting is challenging. Good news – you’re not crazy, you’re right. It is challenging. But, it can be wonderful and rewarding too. The key is in not giving up everything you loved and enjoyed just because you decided to have children. You can maintain the integrity of your life and raise terrific kids.

My Review:

I have read quite a few parenting books in my son’s 9 years of life.  Not that he is hard to parent, more that I wanted to know how to be the best parent possible.  None of them gave this well-rounded view of parenting as Deborah did.  So many things are common sense but we don’t think are children can handle simple tasks these days.  The  key is to incorporate your children into your life at home, even home repair!  There are so much they can learn from folding laundry, shopping, dishes, simple home repair and even cooking dinner.  In the end, your children will have it much easier when they leave home.  They will know how to do their own laundry, shop, write a check, know when to get their oil changed and cook a meal.  I know when I left home, I have never done my own laundry.  On the other hand, my husband learned to do laundry when he was my son’s age, only because he wanted to wear his purple bell bottoms every day to school.

What I loved and learned while reading  Raising Amazing Children:

• The main concept of the book: take the time to involved you child in your life in any way possible and your child wins and so do you!
• Doing Laundry can teach math, language and critical thinking skills.
• It is possible to have children adjust to your schedule and your life instead of changing your life to accommodate your children.
• If you approach life with positive energy your children will learn to do the same.
• If you share whatever comes along in your life, good and bad, you and your children will grow.
• I love the tasks chart that lists the skills learned from each activity and the ages they can start doing them.  Did you know a 3 year old can be taught how to set the table without breaking anything?
• I loved the cleaning section: Deborah shares lots of natural cleaning products that your children can use safely.
• A five year old can learn to read labels and help with shopping.
• Don’t dread the long drive on family vacations.  By including your child from the planning and searching for fun things to do when you get there, the trip can be as much fun as the destination.  The author’s packing method would be great for large families!
• I love the party section with a large list of low cost crafts and party fun to use at your next party.
• By including our children into our daily lives, we are building their self-esteem.  That can’t be learned without positive parenting!
• “Remember to be the kind of parent you wanted to have and the kind of person you want your child to be!”

Mom Does Reviews gives this unique parenting book 5 out of 5 stars!  I hope I can make the right changes so my son continues growing and developing his self-esteem.  And boy, he needs to start doing more chores!

About the author:

Deborah Carroll is a former teacher, educational consultant, wellness coach, and the mother of three “amazing” children. She grew up in New York and Philadelphia where she taught in the public schools for ten years before becoming the Manager of the Education Department of the Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News. She has conducted hundreds of workshops and has appeared on Good Morning America with her first parenting book. That appearance, while lots of fun was also one of her most embarrassing moments so if you meet Debby, be sure to ask her to tell you about it.

Be sure to follow Deborah on Twitter and like her Facebook page.

The Giveaway: