Reviews
Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers by Gabor Maté, Gordon Neufeld
letsreadd's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
A must read for all parents
lpip's review against another edition
3.0
Does it count as reading the book when you skipped half of it? Lots of skimming for me, but I have lots of ideas to think about so I guess it did the trick. Look, these authors are preaching to the choir, I’m on their side. I agree with the premise and most of the arguments here, but this probably could have been a 30 page essay and not a 200+ page book (is my dislike of parenting/self-help books showing?).
some1uused2know's review against another edition
2.0
I struggled to finish this book as it contains significant biases and some seriously outdated views and beliefs. Some of the views are so extraordinarily naive to the realities of many households and places more responsibility on mothers than fathers.
Control, control, control and keep friends out seem to be such a recurring theme of this book that I am honestly confused as to why the book was so long.
Disappointing read.
Control, control, control and keep friends out seem to be such a recurring theme of this book that I am honestly confused as to why the book was so long.
Disappointing read.
becky_hubbard's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
badassmama's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the parenting books that I’ve most appreciated. It discusses the need children have to form attachments with caring adults and the positive results it creates: the self-worth that comes from unconditional love and the sense of identity that accompanies the transmission of culture.
The book seems most concerned with older children, and the dangers of peer-orientation for teens in particular, though I find the information about the value of children’s connection to adults to be important and useful reading for any age.
Two ideas that especially resonated with me were the instructions for “collecting” children –behaviors that draw our children to us and encourage attachment – and the call for an “attachment village” – a group of caring adults who support each other in nurturing children and passing down values.
The book seems most concerned with older children, and the dangers of peer-orientation for teens in particular, though I find the information about the value of children’s connection to adults to be important and useful reading for any age.
Two ideas that especially resonated with me were the instructions for “collecting” children –behaviors that draw our children to us and encourage attachment – and the call for an “attachment village” – a group of caring adults who support each other in nurturing children and passing down values.
cj_quartlbaum's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Prior to reading this book I hadn't thought much about peer attachment but this thought provoking work has challenged me to think more about what it means to keep my kids close
ashleynoble5's review against another edition
4.0
This should be a must read for all parents, grandparents, teachers or anyone else interacting with children. It could have been condensed though-it was very wordy and repetitive at times. While this material is wonderful for parents, if you understand the psychology behind this book, it would change so many lives in a public school setting where there are many challenging behaviors. Remove punitive measures and add in more connection and attachment with positive adult role models! The world would be a much happier place if all children had an attachment to someone like they deserve. A true genuine attachment.
auntiechewie's review against another edition
4.0
Lots of info to take, some to leave....
Well worth reading.
Well worth reading.