sandreasen's review against another edition

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3.0

Pretty bland narrative, but some interesting insights into the Amish culture.

mnreece's review against another edition

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4.0

Fast read and very interesting!

tf0701's review against another edition

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2.0

I thought it would give more practice advice and tips. Instead, I felt like my kids are already doomed because I can’t do certain things (raise them around family, give them farm chores to complete, stay home with them, etc.). I appreciated the references and insights to Amish culture but I guess I was expecting more of a hidden secret to parenting which I didn’t find.

everydayreading's review against another edition

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It took me a long time to get through the last quarter, but I loved the majority of it. So fascinating and lots to learn both about the Amish community and parenting in general.

deannah's review

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4.0

I am simply fascinated with Amish living. I sort of want to be them, in that I want their self-sufficiency and simplicity but with the perks of electricity. This book only added to my crush. Points that stood out: making your children contributing members of the family. Amish children go everywhere with their parents: to their work, to funerals, to weddings, to church, etc. And they have responsibilities that are appropriate for their ages. They contribute at a very early age to family life. Also Community. The community I think is the reason for their success. They can parent the way that they do because they have the support of an entire community. A rather homogeneous community with identical values, just not spiritual values but lifestyle values. You can send you children to play with the neighbors and not worry about what they are watching, games their are playing, etc. because they have the same ideas regarding those topics. That is a very alluring idea.
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