I was given this book to review in exchange for an honest book review, but that in no way shaped my opinion of this book.
Since I have two boys (10 & 6), I was eager to read this book. I honestly expected it to be a good read and helpful for raising my boys in the proper manner. This book is filled with tons of valuable information. However, it is really boring! I had a very hard time getting through this book.
I’ve read many parenting books, articles, and even watched many shows on the topic throughout my life. I felt like I was having to reread all of that information all over again. This honestly and truly felt like it was a case of copy and paste from a wide range of resources. I’ll grant you that they gave credit where credit was due.
However, I honestly didn’t learn anything new. That was the whole purpose behind me picking this book to review. I wanted or rather NEEDED something new to try when it came to getting these boys back in line. I’ve had this book BEFORE Del quit working, and I’m just now getting done with it. If that tells you how hard it was to read. I literally felt like I was reading a textbook.
IF I hadn’t done my due diligence before my kids were born, and wanted a book that covered many of the important scientific facts to raising boys, then this book would have been perfect! I feel like they’ve done a great job of putting all of the valuable research out there in one book. I don’t think they did a good job of doing was making it entertaining!
There are many people who have read this book and have enjoyed it! They didn’t think it was boring, but yet rather insightful. They classify it as a great combination of Science and Biblical background in one book. They love the fact that it’s focused solely on how boys act and think (I love that detail myself!)
Seriously, it depends on your background and what you’re looking for as to whether or not you will devour this book with great pleasure. I would recommend it to someone who doesn’t really go out of their way to read parenting books that often, and needs some serious insight on the issue.
Have you read this book yet? What are your thoughts about it?
I have a girl, but I think the basics are pretty much the same either way.
I have to agree to some extent. Although, I feel a girl has a totally different personality set than the boys do. At least that’s the case in our home.
It’s a relief to see that I am not the only one that couldn’t get through this book. Sadly, I thought it was boring, too. 🙁
I thought I was being overly critical of it. I wanted to like it because the cover is really very entertaining and appealing to the eye! Not to mention the title is giving me hopes of finding a way to do it without all the headaches, and heartaches.
I often wonder if there really is any secret to raising boys LOL.
I’ve reached the conclusion it’s a lot of letting them RUN, PLAY, CLIMB, and BUILD. Does that sum it up for your kids too?
I really need a good book to read! Going to see what this is all about.
It’s a very detailed book about raising boys in a nice scientific manner complete with references from other top books I’ve read through the years.
No, I haven’t read this book yet and so many parenting books I’ve read in recent years have fallen sort of flat with me so I have just been avoiding most of them.
I can certainly understand avoiding them. I’ve been sorely disappointed in many of the ones I’ve read too.
I’ve heard of this book and since I just had my second boy I’d been thinking about picking it up but now it definitely doesn’t sound like I need to. Thanks for the honest review!
It’s a decent book, but if you’ve read MANY other parenting books like I have then it’s a huge repeat.
I haven’t read this book, but I have 7 boys and they are all very different. I’m sure I could find a few useful tidbits. Thanks for an honest review.
Kimberly,
This is a huge round up of a lot of useful bits of parenting in one book.
I feel like I’ve probably gotten at least some nugget of goodness from every parenting book I’ve read—obviously some more than others. I love that you gave us such an honest review!! Thanks!! –Lisa
Lisa,
In some ways, I feel like I was a bit to harsh on this book, but it did honestly feel exactly like I wrote it. You’re right every parenting book has their benefits.