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Mister Rogers Talks With Parents
This book describes the understanding of children that forms the core of Mister Rogers' communication. There's nothing magical about this understanding, and Fred Rogers and Barry Head share it with anyone who reads this book. 6 inch. x 9 inch., 320 pages
315 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1985
6 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
About the author
Fred Rogers
121 books751 followersFred McFeely Rogers was an American educator, minister, songwriter, and television host. Rogers was the host of the television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, in production from 1968 to 2001. Rogers was also an ordained Presbyterian minister.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 12, 2018
MISTER ROGERS TALKS WITH PARENTS
If ever there is a book for parents that needs to go back into print, it's this one. I am now a grandmother and also write for children, so am reading this book with great appreciation. This is as thoughtful and full of common sense and invaluable knowledge as a parent could want or need; I don't understand why it ever went OUT of print!
Several reviewers commented that there are parts which are "outdated" and gave it a 4-star review for that reason. I wholeheartedly disagree! Children and the nature of being a child don't change--the world they live in and how adults approach parenting is what changes. The wisdom contained in this book is as relevant today as it was when the book was written.
And I feel the need to mention something in Fred Rogers' defense:
He has been unjustly blamed for the fruition of a largely "entitled" generation. When Fred Rogers expressed to children "you are special just as you are," he was most definitely not saying "you are more special than everyone else" or "you don't need to do anything to reap rewards" or anything of the sort. His many years in television and all things related to children were done specifically to benefit and care for children's well-being. He was doing what he could to instill good self-esteem, and validation for their feelings and who they were as individuals--something good teachers and parents still (and should continue to) emphasize.
The generation/s of "entitled" individuals stemmed, not from Mr. Rogers, but from psychologists who touted that reprimanding children was detrimental, and encouraged superfluous praise to build self-esteem. In turn there were many parents who took this to an extreme by not disciplining a child when necessary and garnishing excessive praise when unwarranted. That, along with a parent or caregiver's belief or need to be a "pal" instead of a "disciplinary parent," (parents can be both), and over-protecting them from the world's harsh realities is what led to a noticeable increase in an entitled mentality and inability to cope.
Everything Fred Rogers offered to children was to help them achieve the polar opposite--to become balanced, confident, happy people, comfortable in their own skin "as they are" and live their lives knowing that their feelings mattered, and to be members of society who positively contribute to their families and communities. He also offered to adults his knowledge and wisdom in order to help children do just that through TV specials and books like this one.
MISTER ROGERS TALKS WITH PARENTS is a gem of which I now own a vintage copy, and—if it were still available—belongs on bookshelves in every home and library :)
Several reviewers commented that there are parts which are "outdated" and gave it a 4-star review for that reason. I wholeheartedly disagree! Children and the nature of being a child don't change--the world they live in and how adults approach parenting is what changes. The wisdom contained in this book is as relevant today as it was when the book was written.
And I feel the need to mention something in Fred Rogers' defense:
He has been unjustly blamed for the fruition of a largely "entitled" generation. When Fred Rogers expressed to children "you are special just as you are," he was most definitely not saying "you are more special than everyone else" or "you don't need to do anything to reap rewards" or anything of the sort. His many years in television and all things related to children were done specifically to benefit and care for children's well-being. He was doing what he could to instill good self-esteem, and validation for their feelings and who they were as individuals--something good teachers and parents still (and should continue to) emphasize.
The generation/s of "entitled" individuals stemmed, not from Mr. Rogers, but from psychologists who touted that reprimanding children was detrimental, and encouraged superfluous praise to build self-esteem. In turn there were many parents who took this to an extreme by not disciplining a child when necessary and garnishing excessive praise when unwarranted. That, along with a parent or caregiver's belief or need to be a "pal" instead of a "disciplinary parent," (parents can be both), and over-protecting them from the world's harsh realities is what led to a noticeable increase in an entitled mentality and inability to cope.
Everything Fred Rogers offered to children was to help them achieve the polar opposite--to become balanced, confident, happy people, comfortable in their own skin "as they are" and live their lives knowing that their feelings mattered, and to be members of society who positively contribute to their families and communities. He also offered to adults his knowledge and wisdom in order to help children do just that through TV specials and books like this one.
MISTER ROGERS TALKS WITH PARENTS is a gem of which I now own a vintage copy, and—if it were still available—belongs on bookshelves in every home and library :)
January 20, 2015
This is juuuuust shy of 5 stars for me, and only because there are a few things that are adorably outdated (written/published 1983) but that aside, this is exactly at spot-on and perfect as you'd expect from Mister Rogers. I smiled through the whole thing. He says the most common sense, AHA OF COURSE things in the most gentle language. Simple genius. Exactly what I needed this week.
February 20, 2013
Outstanding parenting book by such a wonderful teacher. This book was published in 1983 and has excellent and surprisingly *current* parenting advice. I happened to find this book in the library and being a huge fan of Mr. Rogers as a child, I decided to check it out.
As a new parent, it is almost impossible to avoid the deluge of information & wild popularity of the Attachment Parenting (AP) movement. While I do not at all strictly adhere to the principles of Attachment Parenting, I do incorporate some AP-related things such as breastfeeding, baby wearing (only until 9 mos though, he got too heavy!), responding with empathy to children, seeking to understand a child's reasons/motivations for behaviors, etc.
Mr. Rogers was AP way before it became popular! And he incorporates these methods without allowing the parenting to become so excessively child-catering that discipline is lost. Impressive.
He covers topics such as bringing home a new baby, how children resolve problems through play,discipline techniques, an excellent chapter on television for children, competition, family get-togethers, etc.
He writes with a great deal of compassionate understanding about the day-to-day struggle to be a good mom or dad.
Here are a couple of inspiring quotes:
"When we choose to become parents, we accept another human being as a part of ourselves, and a large part of our emotional selves will stay with that person as long as we live. From that time on, there will be another person on this earth whose orbit around us will affect us as surely as the moon affects the tides, and affect us in some ways more deeply than anyone else can....When young people tell me that they're going to raise a family, I long to be able to give them at least an inkling of what lies ahead...I'd like them to be able, at least, to sense the depth and intensity of parenting. But even that does not seem possible to get across, any more than conveying our complex feelings when we catch our aging reflections in a store window. It's only 'if you've been there' that you'll know what I mean. Essentially parenthood is not learned, parenthood is an inner change."
and this gem about acceptance:
"there is one universal need that we all share: we all long to be cared for, and that longing lies at the root of our ability to care for our children. If the day ever came when we were able to accept ourselves and our children exactly as we and they are, then I believe we would have come very close to an ultimate understanding of what 'good parenting' means"
I think Fred Rogers is one of those people who lived out his life's calling exactly as he was meant to and we still benefit from his dedication to positively affecting the lives of children everywhere. thanks Mr. Rogers!
As a new parent, it is almost impossible to avoid the deluge of information & wild popularity of the Attachment Parenting (AP) movement. While I do not at all strictly adhere to the principles of Attachment Parenting, I do incorporate some AP-related things such as breastfeeding, baby wearing (only until 9 mos though, he got too heavy!), responding with empathy to children, seeking to understand a child's reasons/motivations for behaviors, etc.
Mr. Rogers was AP way before it became popular! And he incorporates these methods without allowing the parenting to become so excessively child-catering that discipline is lost. Impressive.
He covers topics such as bringing home a new baby, how children resolve problems through play,discipline techniques, an excellent chapter on television for children, competition, family get-togethers, etc.
He writes with a great deal of compassionate understanding about the day-to-day struggle to be a good mom or dad.
Here are a couple of inspiring quotes:
"When we choose to become parents, we accept another human being as a part of ourselves, and a large part of our emotional selves will stay with that person as long as we live. From that time on, there will be another person on this earth whose orbit around us will affect us as surely as the moon affects the tides, and affect us in some ways more deeply than anyone else can....When young people tell me that they're going to raise a family, I long to be able to give them at least an inkling of what lies ahead...I'd like them to be able, at least, to sense the depth and intensity of parenting. But even that does not seem possible to get across, any more than conveying our complex feelings when we catch our aging reflections in a store window. It's only 'if you've been there' that you'll know what I mean. Essentially parenthood is not learned, parenthood is an inner change."
and this gem about acceptance:
"there is one universal need that we all share: we all long to be cared for, and that longing lies at the root of our ability to care for our children. If the day ever came when we were able to accept ourselves and our children exactly as we and they are, then I believe we would have come very close to an ultimate understanding of what 'good parenting' means"
I think Fred Rogers is one of those people who lived out his life's calling exactly as he was meant to and we still benefit from his dedication to positively affecting the lives of children everywhere. thanks Mr. Rogers!
September 20, 2020
As other reviewers have noted, some of the content in this book is a bit outdated (video games are not the sign of the Imaginary Play Apocalypse, but Fred Rogers couldn’t have predicted MYST and Sim City, so I’ll give him a break). However, the core of his message shines through the grime of decades: radical love and acceptance, and the confirmation that every person has value, is not only a good strategy for your personal life, but the greatest gift you can give your child. I know I’ve started telling my kids more often “I love you just the way you are, and you make each day special just by being yourself. It’s you I like.” Thanks, Fred, for the warm hug my parenting needed this year.
March 24, 2008
This book was awesome. Mister Rogers has such a great perspective of developing children. I learned a lot - some of which I used helping Sam deal with Tommy's surgery.
This book deals almost entirely with the emotional development of kids - fears we don't think about (like going down the drain, all of the blood coming out of our body when we get cut) to remind us that kids are not just short adults. They need a lot of guidance and love to help learn about this big world.
I haven't seen this book in stores, but I'm starting to buy his other books. :-)
I love Mister Rogers.
This book deals almost entirely with the emotional development of kids - fears we don't think about (like going down the drain, all of the blood coming out of our body when we get cut) to remind us that kids are not just short adults. They need a lot of guidance and love to help learn about this big world.
I haven't seen this book in stores, but I'm starting to buy his other books. :-)
I love Mister Rogers.
May 11, 2018
You can't read this and not hear Mr. Rogers' voice the entire time. Slightly dated in parts, but overall still an excellent source for understanding emotions no matter your age.
June 8, 2023
Wish I had read this when my children were younger.
June 25, 2023
This is a book my mom read when she was raising me. Mr. Rogers has so much wisdom and insight to share regarding children. I made any notes while reading this.
October 29, 2016
A very helpful book for parents--not a"how to" book, but a guide from someone who has raised children and spent his life thinking about children on how to be a parent who doesn't quit when the going gets tough (and how to understand what is going on when it does get tough). As a parent of a toddler and an infant there was much practical help that was immediately useful. However most of all this book helps parents who find themselves feeling that they must be doing everything wrong to understand that everything--including parents and children--grows together.
March 10, 2017
Mister Rogers breaks down many of the anxieties of growing children as well as the anxieties of growing parents. His gentle, caring voice comes across on every page. The book may be a little dated, but the truths it presents are appropriate for all generations. Mister Rogers Talks with Parents is simply a must-read for all new parents who want to know what is going on in the heads of their developing children.
October 2, 2014
Mr. Rogers continues to be an amazing influence on my life even now that I am now the Parent and no longer the child! I recommend this book to ANYONE who ever has any kind of connection with a child.
February 28, 2008
This is a good one. Mister Rogers is a hero for our times.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews