Read to Me Talk to Me Listen to Me: Your Child's First Three Years

by Nancy Devlin

Being just a mother is the highest calling one can have. The problem is that no one believes thisnot the mother, not the workplace, and not the government.

50 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 17, 2015

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Devlin provides good solid advice for raising young children. She calls for companies and the government to be even more lenient to parents who choose to stay home to nurture their children for the first few years. This little book has a lot to say: stimulating experiences, not rote learning is the major issue she tackles in various ways. She addresses signs to look for that your child may need extra help (hearing, etc) and helping children make good moral choices. Raising our children really is our most important "job". This book would be ideal for young adults as required reading or for expectant or very recent parents before they get defensive about the choices they have already made.

Women who worked instead of staying home during those crucial first years may feel insulted by the premise that the best situation for young children is to have a stay at home mother. Later she expands her idea to include the grandparents as a good choice for parenting, which softens the sting to those who couldn't. Her point is that children will thrive in an environment where the adults are invested in that child's success as opposed to a day care where they may be more of a way to make a living. That said, anyone who will take the time with that child and give attention to their learning experiences could be a good choice when a parent has no choice but to return to work. (When you have a plop in front of the TV parent or a parent making even poorer choices, Early Start or another stimulating environment could be the better choice.) Remember that Devlin is ultimately saying that if child rearing was given the importance it deserves, government and employers would make it easier to make this a priority.

I feel like this book would be best received among future parents who have some money and education. I thought this might be something I pass on to parents at my poverty stricken school, but realize it's mostly out of their experience and above their heads. A simplified version with just the important childrearing pointers would be an excellent next book, Dr. Devlin.

(I received this in a goodreads giveaway.)

[J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author Devlin proposes that society systematically undermines the value of mothers and motherhood through an abundance of day care, only short-term maternity leave options, and the social pressure put on a female ability to hold a paying job. As a licensed psychologist, she uses her experience and education to build a case that the first three years of a child’s life is the most critical to future well-being. She presents some very interesting example and opinions, but fails to support her thesis with sources through footnotes, endnotes, or list of references. There is an index listing seven names, but page numbers are missing. Expecting parents should use the short 37-page book to trigger questions and discuss what the best options for their unique situations are.