The Parents' Guide to Boys: Help Your Son Get the Most Out of School and Life

by Dr Abigail Norfleet James

AMAZON BESTSELLER IN PARENTING! How often, as a parent, have you said, "I wish there was an instruction manual"? Abigail Norfleet James' experience in the classroom, at home as the mother of a son, and throughout her life as a learner and teacher seeking the best approach to helping kids learn, tells her that parents want to give their children the best preparation for life they possibly can. In "A Parents' Guide to Boys," Abigail James shares tips for giving your boys a great start in school, keeping them engaged in the classroom, and creating a happy, self-sufficient young man.

338 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2012

Reviews

[Rebekah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has a very specific aim, only to the parents of boys in school to support them in a school system, she says very specifically it is not a book on parenting. This is also a companion book of sorts to the teachers guide to boys that the author previously wrote. This is to help parents support teachers, not parents support their boys. It's for the system. She also gives very specific instructions to not teach your child academically but leave that to your child's teacher. I agree don't do your childs work for them but being a parent means teaching all kinds of things outside the classroom. If you are a parent and fit this target audience and want a very simple overview of how to help teachers and understand what they do, then you will probably benefit from this book. I personally would be looking for something to reach a broader audience and with a lot more research and books that have the parent as the primary teacher in a child's life, even if their boy goes to a public or private school. I prefer books like Boys Adrift, Why Gender Matters and Father Hunger to consider how to help and understand boys.
Her idea of academic support is this 'What follows is information based on the latest research as of the time I am writing this'... no references, no footnotes, no reference to what study, it's almost like she was going off stuff she heard! Like we are just supposed to take her word for it!
I did like the authors Peter Pan quote and did agree that boys should have more freedom to persuade a larger variety of much needed jobs, but other advice like 'Find out what your son wants to do and cheer him on, no matter what the activity' I tend to disagree with as well. Children's have a tendency to change their mind many times or pick a job that maybe they don't have the drive for. How many kids want to be an astronaut someday but fail algebra? Or something completely abstract like a girl wanting to be a princess when they grow up. There is a reason why children need parents, they lack wisdom and experiance. We need to help them discover their gifts and talents for sure, think outside of society's one size fits all college track, but with a little more structure than promote and provide for your child to pursue anything and everything they want. I know some children who were raised this way, and while they are interesting adults with a ton of hobbies, few of them even in their 30's can support themselves financially with any of those activities.

Sorry, the more I read this book the more frustrated I got. Can't reccomend it.

[Kyle Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

On November 3rd, 2016, my wife and I watched some TV. On November 4th, 2016, my wife and I had a son. Funny how little things can make a big difference. Dax Spencer Harrison is my first born child, and a boy. My son. Never stops feeling strange to say.

[Ilana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit skeptical at the beginning because of the idea of treating separately boys and girls, but actually there were a couple of psychological and developmental arguments used which convinced me of the approach. It is a very detailed and specific reading for the main life stages, from pre-school to the teenage years, offering guidance to both the parents and teachers, as well as professionals working with children, about various aspects to be considered, from language development until learning issues and life skills. It helps to be a better parent or teacher, preventing from making too many mistakes until only the psychological support can save until it is not too late. The task of raising a child is an awesomely difficult one, and such books are helpful resources for making logic and smart parenting decisions.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Sarah · Rating 1 out of 5]

The topic of this book is very narrow, so I'm not sure why I requested this book from NetGalley a while ago, but I thought I'd give it a go. A little bit into the book I realized that the author was quoting "facts" and statistics without any form of citation. I can't get behind that, so I gave up.