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First Impression: A book for parents shaped by parents to help raise well-adjusted children.

the book on parenting book cover

Every parenting manual promises to be the one that will finally share the enlightenment that will help you raise happy, healthy, successful children. No doubt, many come close should you be fortunate to pick the right one that aligns with your own parenting style and abilities. The Book on Parenting: 22 Principles for Raising Successful Children by Giovanni Yarabek is no different in making such claims, only it might just be the book of novel ideas that work as a one-size-fits-all.

Sending a massive thank you to Giovanni Yarabek for sharing this book with me. The gift of a free copy in exchange for an honest review allows me to gather these thoughts for you.

The book offers some very frank advice from straight off the bat. This includes considering the type of parent you will be and the fact that society actually prefers one stay-at-home parent, at the very least until the age of seven. (I can testify to this school of thought in the ‘Western’ world). However, the main thing Yarabek wants to get across from the very beginning is that parenting is a series of sacrifices, particularly in terms of time.

Each chapter opens with an apt quote from some well-known figures such as Thomas Jefferson, Leonardo Da Vinci, Edgar Degas, and Stevie Wonder. These quotes are on point and define the context of the supporting text to come. The consistency of this style works wonderfully for signposting the reader in a book that is not necessarily intended for cover-to-cover reading, but more as a text to dip into when the relevant reference material is required.

The book teaches principles such as how to learn through a range of different, family tackled projects, though to trading no longer wanted/needed toys, and even music appreciation. Honestly, there are principles in this book that although are intended for parents to use in child rearing, they are great for parents that were never taught these things by their own parents, like how to save, and why!

As you read, the nuggets of wisdom appear to be common sense. Unfortunately, sense is not always common. Consequently, this is a book to be enjoyed by all parents, new and not so new, young, and old. Provided you still have preteens, there is much useful advice to be imparted. The ideas conveyed are cost conscious and practical and although all children are different, there are solutions to cater for these differences. What sets this book aside from many other parenting books is the fact that a lot of the solutions involve working with the child rather than trying to impact upon them, whilst also acknowledging that you are the parent and not the friend. A brilliant read well deserving of attention!

Quick Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ / PG-13

Have your say: What is some of the best parenting advice you have received? Feel free to drop your responses in the comments below for the Papergirl Community to discuss.

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