What do you think?
Rate this book
Keep Calm and Mommy On [Paperback]
Please Read Brand New, International Softcover Edition, Printed in black and white pages, minor self wear on the cover or pages, Sale restriction may be printed on the book, but Book name, contents, and author are exactly same as Hardcover Edition. Fast delivery through DHL/FedEx express.
- GenresNonfictionParenting
200 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2017
14 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 9, 2017
When I discovered 'Keep Calm and Mommy On', I couldn't wait to get it. I have been reading snippets from it since, and I have gifted it to friends who are moms with young children, in the hope that they will enjoy the insights shared by the book and find them useful. I also gifted it to a friend who was a mom to an older child because I felt the book will make her smile and feel nostalgic. A few days back, I thought that it was time for me to read the book properly from the beginning to the end.
'Keep Calm and Mommy On' is a collection of essays on questions and themes that every mom and every parent thinks about. The essays are reasonably independent and so can be read on a standalone basis. They are also loosely connected and so can be continuously read, like I did. The essays are organized into five themes - for example, Dealing with Friends and Family, How to Keep Your Child Happy, Keeping Your Child Safe. There is a beautiful introduction at the beginning, which sets the stage for the rest of the book. In the end, there is a closing chapter which sums things up nicely.
In the middle of the book, in the interconnected essays which are the core of the book, the author talks about nearly every topic and question that a mother of a pre-teen or a teenager thinks about, worries about, contemplates on - how to deal with diversity, how to talk about religion, how to introduce your children to the newspaper and the news (when the news covers a lot of violence these days), how do you handle sibling rivalry, how do you deal with friendship across genders, how do you deal with bullying and body shaming, how do you talk to your children about death, grief and loss, how do you make your kids do their homework and study for their exams without stifling their creativity and their passion for the arts, how do you answer the perennial question - science vs the arts (aka why should everyone become an engineer or a doctor), how do you make your children read and how do you handle inappropriate books - the author talks about this and other important and relevant parenting topics. She doesn't shy away from addressing questions and issues on areas that parents find difficult and awkward - like attraction, teenage romance, sex, sexual orientation - the kind of stuff which gives moms sleepless nights.
Tanu Shree Singh's prose is conversational, warm, friendly, passionate and humorous as she tackles these and other important topics and shares her insights and experiences. There were passages and anecdotes which made me smile - for example, this one which talks about how sometimes non-readers think that reading fiction is useless.
I had once won our team the class quiz. The question that clinched it was, 'Where was the first lighthouse built?' The answer was Pharos, in Egypt. Source : Asterix and Cleopatra. Reading fiction, apart from being immeasurably fun, provides an excellent opportunity to get curious, learn entirely random facts, and increase vocabulary phenomenally, in addition to a fairly long list of other good stuff.
I smiled when I read this because the exact same thing happened to me, when I was in school. Only the question was different. In my case, the question was 'What is the capital of Turkey?' Most of the class said Istanbul. When I shed my shyness from my last row for a short while, I said, 'Ankara', which was the correct answer. How did I know that? Because I read about it in a comic - 'Johnny Nero in Turkey' :)
From the start of the book, which talks about how mommyhood is challenging, to the last chapter in which the author has inspiring words for moms, the book is gripping, engaging, insightful, thought-provoking and made me smile many times.
I loved 'Keep Calm and Mommy On'. It is a beautiful book on positive parenting. It made me nostalgic about some of the experiences that I went through. It also made me realize how challenging it is to be a mom and a parent today.
So, if you are having a challenging day as a mom or a parent, if you are stuck with some intractable parenting issues, if your kids are asking questions which are difficult and awkward to answer, if your angelic babies are running amok and you don't know what to do, make yourself a cup of coffee, or masala chai, or a mug of hot chocolate, sit down with this book, and browse through. Maybe there is a chapter in here which talks about the exact thing that you are going through. Maybe it will give you some answers and offer you some insights. And I hope it will help you to Keep Calm and Mommy On.
I will leave you with some of my favourite passages from the book.
Tiger Moms! Somewhere in the Sunderbans, a tiger mum just winced at that misnomer. She doesn't push her cubs to swim an extra length or run an extra mile. She just sits idly and watches her cubs explore life, always keeping an eye out for danger and putting them in their place when they get to be a pawful. So, by that definition, I guess I am a Tiger Mom.
I am still made to read aloud. Ten minutes and a child is all it takes for one to become a storyteller. I am a storyteller for my boys. While I narrate to them, I see their faces change. The teenage aloofness melts away, and is replaced by smiles and sparkling eyes. The books picked by them for me to read out are mostly way below the 'recommended reader level'. We march on, reading some quietly in a corner with a mug of hot chocolate, and listening to others amidst loud giggles and squeals.
As parents, we somehow tend to measure everything by its usefulness. Does a book have a moral? If not, it is useless, and there is no need to read it. Does going for storytelling sessions increase my child's vocabulary to formidable levels? No? Bah. Do toys serve any purpose other than drain the pocket? Absolutely not. What underlies this is that as parents, we are always trying to balance spending money with the benefits that the child gets in being better equipped at handling the competition ahead. There is nothing wrong in limiting how much you spend on your children : the problem lies in the focus on utility or tangible outcome.
Have you read 'Keep Calm and Mommy On'? What do you think about it?
'Keep Calm and Mommy On' is a collection of essays on questions and themes that every mom and every parent thinks about. The essays are reasonably independent and so can be read on a standalone basis. They are also loosely connected and so can be continuously read, like I did. The essays are organized into five themes - for example, Dealing with Friends and Family, How to Keep Your Child Happy, Keeping Your Child Safe. There is a beautiful introduction at the beginning, which sets the stage for the rest of the book. In the end, there is a closing chapter which sums things up nicely.
In the middle of the book, in the interconnected essays which are the core of the book, the author talks about nearly every topic and question that a mother of a pre-teen or a teenager thinks about, worries about, contemplates on - how to deal with diversity, how to talk about religion, how to introduce your children to the newspaper and the news (when the news covers a lot of violence these days), how do you handle sibling rivalry, how do you deal with friendship across genders, how do you deal with bullying and body shaming, how do you talk to your children about death, grief and loss, how do you make your kids do their homework and study for their exams without stifling their creativity and their passion for the arts, how do you answer the perennial question - science vs the arts (aka why should everyone become an engineer or a doctor), how do you make your children read and how do you handle inappropriate books - the author talks about this and other important and relevant parenting topics. She doesn't shy away from addressing questions and issues on areas that parents find difficult and awkward - like attraction, teenage romance, sex, sexual orientation - the kind of stuff which gives moms sleepless nights.
Tanu Shree Singh's prose is conversational, warm, friendly, passionate and humorous as she tackles these and other important topics and shares her insights and experiences. There were passages and anecdotes which made me smile - for example, this one which talks about how sometimes non-readers think that reading fiction is useless.
I had once won our team the class quiz. The question that clinched it was, 'Where was the first lighthouse built?' The answer was Pharos, in Egypt. Source : Asterix and Cleopatra. Reading fiction, apart from being immeasurably fun, provides an excellent opportunity to get curious, learn entirely random facts, and increase vocabulary phenomenally, in addition to a fairly long list of other good stuff.
I smiled when I read this because the exact same thing happened to me, when I was in school. Only the question was different. In my case, the question was 'What is the capital of Turkey?' Most of the class said Istanbul. When I shed my shyness from my last row for a short while, I said, 'Ankara', which was the correct answer. How did I know that? Because I read about it in a comic - 'Johnny Nero in Turkey' :)
From the start of the book, which talks about how mommyhood is challenging, to the last chapter in which the author has inspiring words for moms, the book is gripping, engaging, insightful, thought-provoking and made me smile many times.
I loved 'Keep Calm and Mommy On'. It is a beautiful book on positive parenting. It made me nostalgic about some of the experiences that I went through. It also made me realize how challenging it is to be a mom and a parent today.
So, if you are having a challenging day as a mom or a parent, if you are stuck with some intractable parenting issues, if your kids are asking questions which are difficult and awkward to answer, if your angelic babies are running amok and you don't know what to do, make yourself a cup of coffee, or masala chai, or a mug of hot chocolate, sit down with this book, and browse through. Maybe there is a chapter in here which talks about the exact thing that you are going through. Maybe it will give you some answers and offer you some insights. And I hope it will help you to Keep Calm and Mommy On.
I will leave you with some of my favourite passages from the book.
Tiger Moms! Somewhere in the Sunderbans, a tiger mum just winced at that misnomer. She doesn't push her cubs to swim an extra length or run an extra mile. She just sits idly and watches her cubs explore life, always keeping an eye out for danger and putting them in their place when they get to be a pawful. So, by that definition, I guess I am a Tiger Mom.
I am still made to read aloud. Ten minutes and a child is all it takes for one to become a storyteller. I am a storyteller for my boys. While I narrate to them, I see their faces change. The teenage aloofness melts away, and is replaced by smiles and sparkling eyes. The books picked by them for me to read out are mostly way below the 'recommended reader level'. We march on, reading some quietly in a corner with a mug of hot chocolate, and listening to others amidst loud giggles and squeals.
As parents, we somehow tend to measure everything by its usefulness. Does a book have a moral? If not, it is useless, and there is no need to read it. Does going for storytelling sessions increase my child's vocabulary to formidable levels? No? Bah. Do toys serve any purpose other than drain the pocket? Absolutely not. What underlies this is that as parents, we are always trying to balance spending money with the benefits that the child gets in being better equipped at handling the competition ahead. There is nothing wrong in limiting how much you spend on your children : the problem lies in the focus on utility or tangible outcome.
Have you read 'Keep Calm and Mommy On'? What do you think about it?
June 4, 2017
Not just for Moms ,an essential read for daddies too .
July 1, 2017
For all those women who shrivel under the weight of this terror called “Mommyhood” and for all those men who have absolutely no clue about these challenges, or they have a clue but have no idea how to deal with it, you have now your very own handy guide. Read it whenever in doubt, for the recipe of raising good, respectful, sensitive and empathetic citizens. It is the need of the day.
There are many self help books in the market but there are certain things that differentiate this one from the others. I will try and list them out here.
1) Practical solutions: It doesn’t just say “Do this and that” – It explains WHY one must do this or that and gives us a few ways to do those. It doesn’t leave one hanging in mid-air wondering “Wow! That was amazing. But how does one do it really?” Tanu Shree has shared some real doable activities that she says have worked in her household and one can always try their own permutations to bring out their own best which eventually will bring out the best in their child.
2) The charm of real life instances: What stops the book from getting preachy is the fact that the author has shared some real life experiences and conversations that she had with her children. Some of these conversations moved me to an extent of tears and a lumpy throat.
3) The author has a delightful wit and humor. Some very serious incidents have been narrated in such a light vein that the book manages to make you chuckle and in some excerpts, laugh your heart out.
The author has also tried to keep the discussion gender neutral owing to which it gains a few points more. Grave issues like bullying, exposure of children to ugly facts like rape and death, feminism in boys, significance of imbibing values such as compassion and empathy have been dealt with in detail and quite pragmatically without letting it sound like a “know-it-all”. It never got boring or sermonizing in any place ever.
My only grouse with it was that while the author has given her points of view, an honest interview with the kids would have enhanced its value a tad bit more, because coming from the horse’s mouth directly about how these methods have worked in bringing them up would have been a treat to read.
As a parting note, a small snippet. After I finished this book, my 62-year old Mom picked it up and I heard her say that though she may not have been able to follow all this in my growing years, she would try and see if there are some amends that she can still make. After all, parents never cease to be parents, no matter how old the child is and it is never too late to make changes.
That said, parenting is and will always be an ever-changing process. Every child is different and what worked for one child may not always work for another. The disclaimer of Tanu Shree tells us very clearly that the notion of super-mom is indeed far-fetched. We hassle on silly things and we let go of some major things in a bid to let the child grow. It is critical to seek the balance between intervening and letting go in order to keep the bridges - taking you to your child and bringing your child near to you -intact. Too much of anything may burn the bridge and this book is exactly what you need for starting to figure out where to begin. The book doesn’t have a specific intended audience. Anyone who has some interest in dealing with kids can read and cherish it. Goes on my “re-read” shelf.
(Disclaimer: Some might say that the author is a dear friend and hence this; however the review is from a non-friend perspective. I have tried hard to balance the goods and bads of the book but if you find that the bads are lesser in comparison to the goods, then that’s only because it is a fact and nothing conjured up from a friend’s mind. If you do not agree with what I have to say you can check out Tina Sequeira’s review here: http://www.womensweb.in/2017/06/keep-... Tina Sequeira is an author with Women’s Web and is totally unrelated to Tanu Shree Singh)
July 16, 2017
'Our parents didn't have any 'books' to refer to, and we still turned out fine.' This is my take on most parenting books and the reason I avoid this genre entirely. But with Tanushree coming to Chennai, I was tempted to buy and get a signed copy. Before I could, my kind hearted friend, Vishy gifted this. Now, with a book in hand, there is nothing to do but read. So, I started.
With my assumptions and prejudices in place, I began reading. From the first chapter, it's clear this isn't an ordinary book talking about ordinary issues. It dives right into the heart of all the issues we consider controversial and hence shield our kids against them or simply bury our head in sand and pray it goes away.
Tanushree talks about things as simple as allowing children to read newspapers, sibling rivalry, Santa Clause to issues like sex education, body shaming, pornography, teenage romance, death and grief, bullying, lying, screen addiction and many such subjects that are relevant but not openly discussed. She gives relevant pointers and of course, she has mentioned several books that can help us help our kids understand the varied issues they may deal with.
I'm so impressed at the combination brevity, intelligence and wit, which makes this one a wonderful, enjoyable read.
With my assumptions and prejudices in place, I began reading. From the first chapter, it's clear this isn't an ordinary book talking about ordinary issues. It dives right into the heart of all the issues we consider controversial and hence shield our kids against them or simply bury our head in sand and pray it goes away.
Tanushree talks about things as simple as allowing children to read newspapers, sibling rivalry, Santa Clause to issues like sex education, body shaming, pornography, teenage romance, death and grief, bullying, lying, screen addiction and many such subjects that are relevant but not openly discussed. She gives relevant pointers and of course, she has mentioned several books that can help us help our kids understand the varied issues they may deal with.
I'm so impressed at the combination brevity, intelligence and wit, which makes this one a wonderful, enjoyable read.
August 14, 2018
A short and sweet read. Quick and breezy. Tips on mommyhood. Touched many topics. Sometimes useful wisdom, sometimes too preachy. Some useful examples and some instances of perfect kids. A decent read, even if imperfect.
March 30, 2019
No wonder all the five stars are from people who don’t have kids and are this author’s friends. I know the author from a reading group which she runs where she is rude and mean to others. So her tips for raising kids will be equally bad considering how well she interacts with other folks online and how nicely she treats others.
The reading group was just a platform to push bad books that she or her friends write. People who pretend to be more active on the group and pretend to agree with everything the admins do get to promote their book, even if it is crappy and nobody is allowed to say anything bad about any book. Others on the group read these books thinking they are the best books ever written because of seeing only positive reviews of such books. That’s how this book and few others got so many reviews. Not because they were good books.
I regret buying a copy of this. There are plenty of better books on this topic.
The reading group was just a platform to push bad books that she or her friends write. People who pretend to be more active on the group and pretend to agree with everything the admins do get to promote their book, even if it is crappy and nobody is allowed to say anything bad about any book. Others on the group read these books thinking they are the best books ever written because of seeing only positive reviews of such books. That’s how this book and few others got so many reviews. Not because they were good books.
I regret buying a copy of this. There are plenty of better books on this topic.
June 4, 2017
most sorted book ! great read for all parents and kids. Best is no fancy ideas in there only practical stuff every parent can relate to. Loved the fact that the author has very openly shared about her own experiences with her boys and how they have handled situations. Such books are real stuff not just make belief. I hope to use these pointers with my lil one as and when need arises.Look forward to another one post this.
July 2, 2017
Little did I realize how bloody good this book would turn out to be when I first laid my hands on it! The author, Dr Tanu Shree Singh has a knack of enticing her readers right away with her intelligent wit, creative bent of mind, endearing humility and a wildly free-spirited attitude.
The book is a clever, cheeky pun on this whole halo surrounding parenthood, more so, motherhood in particular. Dr. Tanu Shree Singh has a lot of clever parenting tips and tricks under her sleeve along with tons of parenting advice and wisdom to get around even the most trickiest child.
You can find my full book review on the following Women´s Web link - http://www.womensweb.in/2017/06/keep-...
The book is a clever, cheeky pun on this whole halo surrounding parenthood, more so, motherhood in particular. Dr. Tanu Shree Singh has a lot of clever parenting tips and tricks under her sleeve along with tons of parenting advice and wisdom to get around even the most trickiest child.
You can find my full book review on the following Women´s Web link - http://www.womensweb.in/2017/06/keep-...
October 9, 2017
I still remember 12 years back one December morning when my wife gave me the breaking news "I think I am pregnant", my first reaction was "WHAT??", "Why, I mean how? Are you sure? We don't even have a car yet?". "You think we are ready for a baby?". Seriously, no jokes. But as the news sank in, I started my research, got loads of book on what to do and what not to, during those days, which was the easy part. As there were so many books and information available that by the time she delivered my darling daughter, I was actually ready to stand near the delivering doctor as if I could assist her too :D. Imagine what good books can do to you. But the real struggle started once the baby grew up to 3+ years. Till the time they don't walk, run, talk and go to school, life is simply great but the havoc starts when they go out and mingle with outside world then the trouble starts and starts a new education for us parents as what and how to do the right thing. It got me thinking what actually is the right thing to do? Unfortunately there were no books available at that time on the subject (hardly any) but now after reading this one I can very well vouch that this is the perfect book helping parents while their kids reach and cross that challenging teenage and enter into the adults world. As I read this one through, kept thinking why something like this wasn't available then :) it would have made our life so easy.
Keep Calm and Mommy On (you can replace the mommy with the daddy very well), was a terrific joyride. Fortunately may be the Author's background or thinking or the way she perceives things was a terrific match with my own thinking or my background and the way my parents has brought me up (they still take my class) - it did feel "been there done that" thing. As my Mom always (read ALWAYS) had the same attitude as Tanu Shree has in her narrative and the way she handles the issues before they blow out of proportions. In today's challenging and competitive environment where our children are taking more brunt than us parents, this is an eye opener of sorts especially for those parents who are still a part of the rate race and the one's who are living in the future and messing with their kids present which can be so beautiful. I am glad to have come across this and it gives me a superb confident feeling that I am doing a lot of things perfectly right as she guides. When it comes to choosing Arts over Science, or No TV and Gadget (limited may be), understanding your children's requirements, Needs VS Wants, the most important aspect of parenting - Communication, when to say "No" and that too with total confidence and frankly. Superbly analysed and served in the most interesting (Hilarious) way for its readers. This is one of those very few "Self Help" books which indeed put a big wide smile on my face throughout its course and every-time I finished one topic or chapter, I will close the book, think of the same episode in our own household and have a grin on my face from ear to ear to know that we are not alone, almost all of us parents are travelling in the same boats (directions may be different).
When I bought this book and while it wasn't delivered I was thinking. Can parenting really be taught by a book? And I realized three decades back I had come across a plethora of books on English Speaking, Boxing, Judo, Karate and what not. Although none of them helped me become any better. But this is one book that I would love to share with all my friends who have young kids, heading for that teenage we all dread (parents) and take the journey as Dr. is advising with the right dose of humor. It may not make you any smarter but will surely give you some real good pointers and responses when you are going to get asked those questions which you have no responses to so far. Also, it has loads and loads of book references as expected :). So if you want to know what more to read, even that is pretty much very well covered and addressed in here. On top of that its such a breeze, light read and short, that it gets over in no time. Makes me wonder can there be a sequel ;) who knows, she may come out with some like "Keep Calm Here Come's The Daddy". If you have read this, do share your thoughts but if you haven't, you've got to read it.
Keep Calm and Mommy On (you can replace the mommy with the daddy very well), was a terrific joyride. Fortunately may be the Author's background or thinking or the way she perceives things was a terrific match with my own thinking or my background and the way my parents has brought me up (they still take my class) - it did feel "been there done that" thing. As my Mom always (read ALWAYS) had the same attitude as Tanu Shree has in her narrative and the way she handles the issues before they blow out of proportions. In today's challenging and competitive environment where our children are taking more brunt than us parents, this is an eye opener of sorts especially for those parents who are still a part of the rate race and the one's who are living in the future and messing with their kids present which can be so beautiful. I am glad to have come across this and it gives me a superb confident feeling that I am doing a lot of things perfectly right as she guides. When it comes to choosing Arts over Science, or No TV and Gadget (limited may be), understanding your children's requirements, Needs VS Wants, the most important aspect of parenting - Communication, when to say "No" and that too with total confidence and frankly. Superbly analysed and served in the most interesting (Hilarious) way for its readers. This is one of those very few "Self Help" books which indeed put a big wide smile on my face throughout its course and every-time I finished one topic or chapter, I will close the book, think of the same episode in our own household and have a grin on my face from ear to ear to know that we are not alone, almost all of us parents are travelling in the same boats (directions may be different).
When I bought this book and while it wasn't delivered I was thinking. Can parenting really be taught by a book? And I realized three decades back I had come across a plethora of books on English Speaking, Boxing, Judo, Karate and what not. Although none of them helped me become any better. But this is one book that I would love to share with all my friends who have young kids, heading for that teenage we all dread (parents) and take the journey as Dr. is advising with the right dose of humor. It may not make you any smarter but will surely give you some real good pointers and responses when you are going to get asked those questions which you have no responses to so far. Also, it has loads and loads of book references as expected :). So if you want to know what more to read, even that is pretty much very well covered and addressed in here. On top of that its such a breeze, light read and short, that it gets over in no time. Makes me wonder can there be a sequel ;) who knows, she may come out with some like "Keep Calm Here Come's The Daddy". If you have read this, do share your thoughts but if you haven't, you've got to read it.
September 10, 2017
I picked up this book only because I am acquainted with the author (no free copies were offered neither was cake nor was there chocolate, so this review is solely my impression on the book), and also because I am curious why some children are extremely well-behaved and some are not. I know the parents in both the cases as friends, and am invested in these children, more than I'd like to be.
I like the narration style of this author, she has a way to weave subtle bits of humor in a serious paragraph, and this I like. She does the same in this book too. I get to read the subject from a third person's perspective, so I am dispassionate about it, and hence can appreciate the research and subject matter backed by science.
If you are a parent, I believe you should read this book. Read it even if you are not, like I am not, for a broader view on what Mommies go through.
A few points that stand out for me in this book, and the reason why I want many more people to read this book are -
- Six and seven year olds learn from adults and their instruction, not experience
- If you have to discipline a child, research on what methods work for the child
- Ask yourself why you want the child to have strong religious beliefs. How does you could react to cases like - people of other religions dying in terror attacks?
- Cocooning children from reality... Do you really want a child that grows up thinking the world is all nice and that she/he is a precious snowflake or you'd rather the child know the realities of the world from you, and that he/she is special nevertheless?
- Give the children the courage to choose the path that's the-right-thing-to-do no matter what the repercussions would be. Show them you'd have their back always
- Dealing with bullies in school and life, identify if your child is the bully or the victim
- Teaching to respect both genders and be sensitive to their differences; teaching sexism by practising a casual form of it around them
- Screen time, the more or less of it
- Needs vs wants - does your child know what he needs vs what he wants? How materialistic is your child growing to be? In love with things or with experiences?
- Introduction to books - do you think reading is important? Does your child see you reading ever, coz trust me, he/she won't read if he/she doesn't see anyone in the house do it (Thank you, Tanu, for an entire section on this in the book!)
It is true, the older I grow, the more I appreciate my parents. No wonder why I bring them up more and more in conversations as I grow older. Given their very limited education, and having to bring up children in the 90s amidst the economic, social and information changes, they have taught me the right stuff, stuff that helps me be logical and experience/assert my freedom. And for this, I cannot be grateful enough.
By now, even I know that parenting is not a one size fits all and that every child is different. But reading the book makes me believe that the fundamentals of raising a good human hasn't changed.
The book comes with possible solutions, references to additional reading material and tall life examples that even I could relate to, so just pick it up already!
I like the narration style of this author, she has a way to weave subtle bits of humor in a serious paragraph, and this I like. She does the same in this book too. I get to read the subject from a third person's perspective, so I am dispassionate about it, and hence can appreciate the research and subject matter backed by science.
If you are a parent, I believe you should read this book. Read it even if you are not, like I am not, for a broader view on what Mommies go through.
A few points that stand out for me in this book, and the reason why I want many more people to read this book are -
- Six and seven year olds learn from adults and their instruction, not experience
- If you have to discipline a child, research on what methods work for the child
- Ask yourself why you want the child to have strong religious beliefs. How does you could react to cases like - people of other religions dying in terror attacks?
- Cocooning children from reality... Do you really want a child that grows up thinking the world is all nice and that she/he is a precious snowflake or you'd rather the child know the realities of the world from you, and that he/she is special nevertheless?
- Give the children the courage to choose the path that's the-right-thing-to-do no matter what the repercussions would be. Show them you'd have their back always
- Dealing with bullies in school and life, identify if your child is the bully or the victim
- Teaching to respect both genders and be sensitive to their differences; teaching sexism by practising a casual form of it around them
- Screen time, the more or less of it
- Needs vs wants - does your child know what he needs vs what he wants? How materialistic is your child growing to be? In love with things or with experiences?
- Introduction to books - do you think reading is important? Does your child see you reading ever, coz trust me, he/she won't read if he/she doesn't see anyone in the house do it (Thank you, Tanu, for an entire section on this in the book!)
It is true, the older I grow, the more I appreciate my parents. No wonder why I bring them up more and more in conversations as I grow older. Given their very limited education, and having to bring up children in the 90s amidst the economic, social and information changes, they have taught me the right stuff, stuff that helps me be logical and experience/assert my freedom. And for this, I cannot be grateful enough.
By now, even I know that parenting is not a one size fits all and that every child is different. But reading the book makes me believe that the fundamentals of raising a good human hasn't changed.
The book comes with possible solutions, references to additional reading material and tall life examples that even I could relate to, so just pick it up already!
October 31, 2017
Full & Detailed review: https://cynthology.blogspot.com/2017/...
Tanu Shree Singh has a PhD. Sound science determines her parenting style. I go by a mixture of instinct, and what I learned from my parents. And yet I found myself nodding vigorously in agreement with what she said.
Tanu talks about the issues most likely to be felt in families everywhere. Each section begins with speech bubbles. Snippets of conversations that tell us about the topic, and the chapters that are dealt within it. The topics are We are the World, Keeping Your Child Safe, Dealing with Friends and Family, How to keep your Child Happy, and Reading the World.
There are a range of chapters under each topic. For instance, the topic, We are the world, consists of chapters on the prejudices that children learn from grownups, ways to discipline kids, religious beliefs, how to build resilience, children who are abandoned or orphaned, and exposing children to reality as the newspapers portray it.
I found the chapter titled, Should Kids Read the Newspaper?, particularly helpful since I’d been thinking about the best way to introduce my kids to reading the newspaper.
Keeping your Child Safe talks about the difficult conversations we must inevitably have with our kids, especially once they near their teens, about teenage romances and sexuality, and dealing with peer pressure.
Dealing with Friends and Family discusses sibling rivalry, friendship across genders, death and grief, bullying, body shaming, raising responsible boys, about what happens when girls bully boys, lies and truth and cultivating empathy.
How to keep your child happy includes chapters on the importance of kids doing nothing (something I espouse too), learning respect from scratch, the needs of teenagers, addiction to digital devices, working independently, the education system, the definition of success. This section was where my personal beliefs aligned completely with the author’s.
She writes with a wisdom that knows when to step in and when to let the kids do what they would want to. All imbued with self-deprecating humour that I particularly liked.
I believe that every parenting experience is worthwhile, and could offer valuable lessons to others.
And this book, which combines her knowledge with instinct, is quite helpful.
Tanu Shree Singh has a PhD. Sound science determines her parenting style. I go by a mixture of instinct, and what I learned from my parents. And yet I found myself nodding vigorously in agreement with what she said.
Tanu talks about the issues most likely to be felt in families everywhere. Each section begins with speech bubbles. Snippets of conversations that tell us about the topic, and the chapters that are dealt within it. The topics are We are the World, Keeping Your Child Safe, Dealing with Friends and Family, How to keep your Child Happy, and Reading the World.
There are a range of chapters under each topic. For instance, the topic, We are the world, consists of chapters on the prejudices that children learn from grownups, ways to discipline kids, religious beliefs, how to build resilience, children who are abandoned or orphaned, and exposing children to reality as the newspapers portray it.
I found the chapter titled, Should Kids Read the Newspaper?, particularly helpful since I’d been thinking about the best way to introduce my kids to reading the newspaper.
Keeping your Child Safe talks about the difficult conversations we must inevitably have with our kids, especially once they near their teens, about teenage romances and sexuality, and dealing with peer pressure.
Dealing with Friends and Family discusses sibling rivalry, friendship across genders, death and grief, bullying, body shaming, raising responsible boys, about what happens when girls bully boys, lies and truth and cultivating empathy.
How to keep your child happy includes chapters on the importance of kids doing nothing (something I espouse too), learning respect from scratch, the needs of teenagers, addiction to digital devices, working independently, the education system, the definition of success. This section was where my personal beliefs aligned completely with the author’s.
She writes with a wisdom that knows when to step in and when to let the kids do what they would want to. All imbued with self-deprecating humour that I particularly liked.
I believe that every parenting experience is worthwhile, and could offer valuable lessons to others.
And this book, which combines her knowledge with instinct, is quite helpful.
November 20, 2018
"That is exactly what motherhood seems like sometimes - velvet bugs scattering from a broken jar."
I laughed out loud. Both at the vivid imagery that sentence evoked, and at the ironical fact it evinced... that parenting is a journey fraught with peril and pitfalls.
It's a really long 'examination' on the subject of 'Life' - one that lasts a good twenty years or more... One where a hapless mom or dad can only hope and pray to pass graciously, not come out with shiny honors!
Because the "exam questions" are really, really tough.
* Am I an adequate parent?
* Is there a defined parenting path I followed?
* Did I ensure optimal levels of "cognitive functioning"?
* Have I "charted their trajectories" properly?
How CAN we, as parents, ever hope to answer them?!
But this book lets you dare to dream bigger. To anticipate a richer, better, more fulfilling experience in raising a child. And do it, not with rosy hopes and unreal fantasy, but while being rooted in solid ground truths and sober pragmatism.
I laughed out loud. Both at the vivid imagery that sentence evoked, and at the ironical fact it evinced... that parenting is a journey fraught with peril and pitfalls.
It's a really long 'examination' on the subject of 'Life' - one that lasts a good twenty years or more... One where a hapless mom or dad can only hope and pray to pass graciously, not come out with shiny honors!
Because the "exam questions" are really, really tough.
* Am I an adequate parent?
* Is there a defined parenting path I followed?
* Did I ensure optimal levels of "cognitive functioning"?
* Have I "charted their trajectories" properly?
How CAN we, as parents, ever hope to answer them?!
But this book lets you dare to dream bigger. To anticipate a richer, better, more fulfilling experience in raising a child. And do it, not with rosy hopes and unreal fantasy, but while being rooted in solid ground truths and sober pragmatism.
January 8, 2018
The best parenting book I have read thus far ! Dr. Tanushree offers guidance without being preachy ! Loved the sections on sibling wars, cultivating empathy, teenage years and developing a reader. Some sections made me highlight for reference , some had me nodding my head and some places I choked with a tear or two (yes ! ). Thank you for such a wonderful book.
December 2, 2019
I don't know what to say! This book just reinforced all my beliefs and practices in parenting..with justifications. I might re-read this book everytime I am in a dilemma in handling situations with my sons. It doesn't give any dos and don'ts as pointers..just that..Ur confused thoughts might get cleared! Loved this book..to the core..as it really helped me to calmed down the storm in this mommy!
June 5, 2017
An excellent handbook on parenting which has a very practical approach. The suggestion seem very doable and relevant to the current generation. The best thing is that the author hasn't shied away from the so-called taboo issues.
October 14, 2017
Simple. Easy and quick read. Yet the book is thought provoking. This book is to me at least helped me in clearing my thoughts about various aspects to check if I am doing right things, particularly related to books.
November 23, 2017
Parenting never came with an instruction manual. But this book is such a relief , just convinces that I am not the only Mom having meltdowns and all. Totally agree with the views the Ms. Tanu Shree Singh has expressed ...we all go thru the same issues more or less.
October 18, 2018
An interesting and honest read. I'm going to gift this to my mommy friends.
May 19, 2023
loved reading Tanu shree singh's opinions and strategies and stories about her boys .......loved it as a mom of a boy!
November 20, 2025
No words...
August 21, 2017
How often do you read a non-fiction book that is unputdownable? This is that and more. The book is hilarious and has some good ideas to offer and implement. Not a book that can be passed over. It is definitely one that you have to pass on.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews