Commonsense Childrearing: Unconventional Wisdom for a Nourished Childhood

by Thomas Cowan

Genres: Health, Nonfiction

168 pages, Hardcover

Published January 14, 2025

Reviews

[Mairin Schuman · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Christian, I have never read a book on childrearing that is not explicitly Christian until now. While not a Christian book, Common Sense Childrearing presents ideas that are still (mostly) aligned with a Biblical worldview. It is a fantastic bird’s-eye-view philosophy of childrearing applied to our current society/paradigm and some of the main topics worth our consideration. A lot of his observations and suggestions confirmed the “common sense”/intuition I have experienced as a mother that has sometimes gone against the grain of what I grew up with/around. Most of the information was not new to me as I have read most of Dr. Cowan’s books and listen to his weekly live Q&As, but it is helpful to have all of the topics organized succinctly in one resource! The chapters are an approachable length and not too wordy. I flew through this book just reading it while nursing my baby in 10-15 minute chunks. He does an excellent job not getting too far down the rabbit holes that each chapter could easily get into but rather simply explaining enough to get his point across while providing either appendices or further outside resources for personal research. Reading this book alongside other books about educational philosophy by Charlotte Mason made for some excellent overlap & lots of good ideas to chew on and talk with my husband about. Overall, I recommend this book and expect to revisit it from time to time.

[Meg Gavey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lot of good stuff here.

I liked the idea of letting children play, reserving 1-2 hours for education each day (focused on their interests). If I think of my own childhood, I should have been happy to spend it on a homestead, in the forest, painting--until I was in 5th grade--then devouring books and writing the rest of the time. I've retained very little of the math and sciences, even from junior college (something about tectonic plates in oceanograohy?? Little beyond mean, median, and mode from statistics?), though classes like creative writing didn't feel like an ordeal, but a privilege. My brother, who couldn't be made to do anything, taught himself piano in a period of months as a teenager and plays better than many who took lessons from the preschool years.

But it's a lot to gamble on kids who you only have one shot with.

The people I know who have had the chance to explore their interests tend to play basketball or videogames with all their time and fail to launch, as there are only so many jobs for basketball players and game designers, especially those that have not learned discipline. Gen Z and Alpha (in my humble opinion) are not interested in being carrot-planters or part of the orchestra; they want to be ticktockers and streamers. I feel school can help you learn what you like and good education cultivate your tastes!

I'm glad I read this book (even while I disagree with many of its philosphies and mysticism), especially as it encourages me to ask each day--
Who is this child? How can I help him fulfil his destiny?

[Michaela Vindel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book explores a primarily Waldorf perspective of child raising. Although I don't share similar perspectives on some of the topics I appreciate his effort to share his wisdom gained throughout his time as a doctor, parent and grandparent. I gave it three stars because I prefer and expected more research based advice.

I really enjoyed the chapter on food and how to approach it with children.

[Frederik · Rating 2 out of 5]

An American friend recommended me this book. I read a combination of open doors, romanticizing of European practices and contempt of common US practices. As an European (Dutch) with a wife and neighbors that work outdoors with kids and having lovely diversified education around us (Waldorf, Dalton, Montessori), I read mostly this I'm familiar with or that I just don't agree with like antivax.
Cowan doesn't reason, only anecdotal evidence. Could be a better book if he had backed up his claims with science and more in depth reviewing of certain viewpoints, including the ones he doesn't share.

[Emilie McGowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally finished this book after a few months of chipping away. I enjoyed the premise: “get on your child’s side and stay there no matter what.” I also enjoyed the authors suggestion to focus on “life skills” in the early years of life such as sewing, gardening, baking, cooking, and other useful skills.

I felt the purpose of the book bounced around a bit as there were a few political tangents. Overall, I enjoyed bits and pieces of it and could see the big picture in the end.

Worth a read!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I agree with the premise of this book and his recommendations. However this book is Iight in detail and feels to be more of a rebuttal to previous books he has published.

[Jolee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved! Recommended to everyone I know and need to read his other books now.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

He doesn’t go very in depth as others have mentioned, but the macro provided is a good starting point to consider these important topics as a parent. Far good read. I’d recommend.

[Alicia Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing, heartfelt, honest truth. Getting back to Nature and natural living.