A review by tanyarobinson
The Parenting Breakthrough: Real-Life Plan to Teach Your Kids to Work, Save Money, and Be Truly Independent by Merrilee Browne Boyack

3.0

This book was recommended by my father, who heard it praised in their stake conference. I got a lot out of the first half, but was progressively annoyed by the author's glib manner. I agree with the idea of teaching children life skills as they get older, thus not sending them out into the world clueless as how to clean, cook, budget, make doctor's appointments, etc. I agree that they should be made financially responsible for many things. But I feel she takes things too far, and is depriving her children of a true childhood. I feel her child-rearing philosophy has too much manipulation and not enough respect. I was very bothered by the fact that she tells her children that if they don't use the money they save for missions and education specifically for those things, she will donate it to the missionary fund or children in Africa. I believe that my children are free agents, that money they earn belongs to them, and I have no right to confiscate it if I don't like how they're spending it. This is just one example that I feel shows lack of respect.

Though I will be ignoring many of Boyack's suggestions, I really liked her ideas about teaching about taxation, credit cards, various savings accounts, and the stock market. There are some good sections in this book, but I would not recommend it overall.