The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
lcgerstmann's review against another edition
5.0
This is the absolute best parenting book ever written...
.. and unfortunately, it won't be read by very many parents because it was written by an atheist.
Although it does talk about how to raise children who do not believe in God, that part can be over-looked by those with minds open enough to get the much more important message: how to raise children who think for themselves!
I am very aware that not everyone wants children that think for themselves; many people want children to simply listen and obey. This book is not for you if that is your philosophy (and shame on you by the way)!
But if it is not enough for you or your child when your child asks, "why is that moth black?" to say "God made it that way" then this book is for you. There is actually a scientific reason the moth is black and in discussing that with your child you open the door to talking about pollution, the environment and what we can do to take care of our planet. So, for anyone who wants a child to wonder why the world is the way it is and to wonder what they can do to change it for the better, then this book is for you! It is full of resources for exploration and wonderful ideas on how to learn together. The simplest thing I learned was not to automatically answer questions, to ask my child what they think, help them think it through, and then help them find the answer. I am not afraid to have children that want to understand the world and ask questions, even if they question authority, even if that authority is me. You will learn to help your children be kind and compassionate in their quest for knowledge!
Amazing book!
.. and unfortunately, it won't be read by very many parents because it was written by an atheist.
Although it does talk about how to raise children who do not believe in God, that part can be over-looked by those with minds open enough to get the much more important message: how to raise children who think for themselves!
I am very aware that not everyone wants children that think for themselves; many people want children to simply listen and obey. This book is not for you if that is your philosophy (and shame on you by the way)!
But if it is not enough for you or your child when your child asks, "why is that moth black?" to say "God made it that way" then this book is for you. There is actually a scientific reason the moth is black and in discussing that with your child you open the door to talking about pollution, the environment and what we can do to take care of our planet. So, for anyone who wants a child to wonder why the world is the way it is and to wonder what they can do to change it for the better, then this book is for you! It is full of resources for exploration and wonderful ideas on how to learn together. The simplest thing I learned was not to automatically answer questions, to ask my child what they think, help them think it through, and then help them find the answer. I am not afraid to have children that want to understand the world and ask questions, even if they question authority, even if that authority is me. You will learn to help your children be kind and compassionate in their quest for knowledge!
Amazing book!
debi_g's review against another edition
2.0
I found this book difficult to read, primarily because it's little more than a compilation of resources. The layout is busy and pamphlet-like, with limited bits of prose and advice-column reprints surrounded by names and addresses of organizations, lists of recommended books and movies, and suggested activities.
badassmama's review against another edition
3.0
A useful starting place for thinking about holidays when the religious ones aren't meaningful.
gohawks's review against another edition
5.0
Okay,so for some, five stars may be a bit much. But this book was perfect for me and my family. First of all, I am a very practical person. Now, I do hem and haw about problems, but I do best with a concrete solution for attacking things. This book has chapters of practical solutions, many of which I've already tried, for raising your children to think for themselves. This, of course, includes religion. Dale McGowan encourages us as parents to let children explore religion for themselves. He doesn't espouse trying to dissuade them if they are trying out Buddhism or Islam - as long as it is not harmful to themselves or others. Rather, he persuades us to ask the child what makes them attracted to those beliefs. This can encourage discussion about what you believe in as well.
My review makes it seem like the whole book is about religion. It is not. Though McGowan appears to be either Atheist or a Secular Humanist, this book can be read by all parents who desire to raise smart, out-of-the-box thinking children. There are sections on punishment, fostering a curious mind, and dealing with death. The book is an extension of McGowan's website which is now on hiatus as he writes his next book. It is packed with resources that are extremely helpful. Movies and books that can help supplement what you are trying to instill as well as age appropriate guides. My copy has already been attacked by a highlighter. For me, it has been one of the most helpful books on parenting so far. (Those sleep books were about as useful as a pile of dirt.)
My review makes it seem like the whole book is about religion. It is not. Though McGowan appears to be either Atheist or a Secular Humanist, this book can be read by all parents who desire to raise smart, out-of-the-box thinking children. There are sections on punishment, fostering a curious mind, and dealing with death. The book is an extension of McGowan's website which is now on hiatus as he writes his next book. It is packed with resources that are extremely helpful. Movies and books that can help supplement what you are trying to instill as well as age appropriate guides. My copy has already been attacked by a highlighter. For me, it has been one of the most helpful books on parenting so far. (Those sleep books were about as useful as a pile of dirt.)
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
5.0
I found this book a while back after I read The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. Yes, it's by atheist/secular humanist authors and so you know that's what these people think and that those are their core beliefs. Yes, they're beliefs. So, overall, they are very hard on the fundamentalist religions, they do show how the more progressive religions mostly parent in the same way as the secular humanists. This book is CHOCK FULL of resources on lots of different topics. This book has been a great help for me in finding good resources on how to talk about lots of topics with my daughter. And contrary to what you might thing, this book doesn't advocate atheism for your kids. What it does advocate is finding out information about all sorts of different religions and belief systems and answering your kid's questions factually without bias so that they can make their own decisions and try out things that appeal to them and make sense to them. And most importantly, they can feel free to change their minds as often as they want to. I highly recommend this one.
esselleayy's review against another edition
4.0
A useful resource for secular and humanist parents that articulates things you possibly already feel into more concrete exercises and techniques. At this early stage in my parenting life, I found Chapters 1 (The Inquiring Mind) and 7 (Death and Life) to be the most immediately compelling. I hope I'll retain lessons from the chapter on sex and the body for the preteen years.
I'll admit, like others here, I actually cried a few times. Without a church-like community to share your beliefs with, reading a book like this can be quite a relief and reaffirm your own values.
As an aside, I have found Sunday Assembly gatherings a great place to start for church-like community. I can't go as often as I'd like, but if you are looking for an alternative to UU or Ethical Societies, it's worth checking out.
I'll admit, like others here, I actually cried a few times. Without a church-like community to share your beliefs with, reading a book like this can be quite a relief and reaffirm your own values.
As an aside, I have found Sunday Assembly gatherings a great place to start for church-like community. I can't go as often as I'd like, but if you are looking for an alternative to UU or Ethical Societies, it's worth checking out.
dei2dei's review against another edition
4.0
I read this awhile ago, and it's continued to stick with me. For readers who may have children or interact with children, but do not want to do so from within a religious context, this is a valuable read, addressing ways to teach children about religion without requiring they adhere to it, as well as accepting different people's beliefs, even if they cannot wholly support them.
dandelions2's review against another edition
4.0
Has a great list of resources.
It's written as a question/answer from real questions they received. I found a lot of it to be repetitive and skimmed most of that except where the questions applied to my own children. The resources though are amazing. Long lists of games, movies, books, websites, clubs, etc. with descriptions of them all. I found that to be very valuable.
It's written as a question/answer from real questions they received. I found a lot of it to be repetitive and skimmed most of that except where the questions applied to my own children. The resources though are amazing. Long lists of games, movies, books, websites, clubs, etc. with descriptions of them all. I found that to be very valuable.