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Parent Power!
Presents a sensible approach to raising children by taking charge of one's children, setting guidelines and controls, giving clear direction, and following one's own instincts
358 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
39 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
John Rosemond
54 books73 followersJohn Rosemond has worked with families, children, and parents since 1971 in the field of family psychology. In 1971, John earned his masters in psychology from Western Illinois University and was elected to the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society. In 1999, his alma mater conferred upon John the Distinguished Alumni Award, given only once per year. Upon acceptance, he gave the commencement address.
From 1971-1979, he worked as a psychologist in Illinois and North Carolina and directed several mental-health programs for children.
From 1980-1990. John was in full-time practice as a family psychologist with Piedmont Psychological Associates in Gastonia.
Presently, his time is devoted to speaking and writing. John is syndicated in approximately 225 newspapers nationwide. He has written eleven best-selling parenting books. He is also one of America’s busiest and most popular speakers and most certainly the busiest and most popular in his field. He’s known for his sound advice, humor and easy, relaxed, engaging style.
In the past few years, John has appeared on numerous national television programs including 20/20, Good Morning America, The View, The Today Show, CNN, and CBS Later Today, as well as numerous print interviews.
All of his professional accomplishments aside, John is quick to remind folks that his real qualifications are that he’s been married to the same woman for over forty years, is the father of two successful adults, and the grandfather of seven children…make that seven well-behaved grandchildren.
From 1971-1979, he worked as a psychologist in Illinois and North Carolina and directed several mental-health programs for children.
From 1980-1990. John was in full-time practice as a family psychologist with Piedmont Psychological Associates in Gastonia.
Presently, his time is devoted to speaking and writing. John is syndicated in approximately 225 newspapers nationwide. He has written eleven best-selling parenting books. He is also one of America’s busiest and most popular speakers and most certainly the busiest and most popular in his field. He’s known for his sound advice, humor and easy, relaxed, engaging style.
In the past few years, John has appeared on numerous national television programs including 20/20, Good Morning America, The View, The Today Show, CNN, and CBS Later Today, as well as numerous print interviews.
All of his professional accomplishments aside, John is quick to remind folks that his real qualifications are that he’s been married to the same woman for over forty years, is the father of two successful adults, and the grandfather of seven children…make that seven well-behaved grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 3, 2011
John Rosemond is VERY much into discipline and fostering independence in kids. I agree with a lot of the book, but some parts I don`t agree with. What I find annoying is his dogmatic attitude that he is always right. (Although at the very end there is a small paragraph saying that parents should do what they think is best.)
December 7, 2010
I have mixed feelings about this book. It definitely did not turn me into a John Rosemond advocate, and out of all the parenting books I've read, it wouldn't be the first one I'd recommend. Still, I did agree with him on some points.
For example, he recommends a no-nonsense, consistent approach when disciplining children, and I like that. One of the things he says often throughout the book is, "Make them an offer they can't refuse," which basically means you don't bribe children with offers of candy or ice cream, but instead, you take away privileges...those things that they're already enjoying on a daily basis. I'm already implementing his tips on how to get your child to eat what is being served for dinner because that was one of the areas where his advice really resonated with me and made sense.
As far as advice I didn't like...I'm sure it would vary from parent to parent...but I really didn't agree with his take on allowances versus chore money. He says that children should not be paid for chores because you shouldn't get paid for doing your part to help the family. He says children will come to expect payment for any job they do. While I can see his point, I then cannot understand why he advocates an allowance, and a hefty one at that. Isn't an allowance teaching a child that parents will give him money just for being alive? At least with the chore money, they're actually doing some work to earn it. (Although, I totally agree that there should be at least some jobs that children do just because they are part of the family, without any sort of payment involved.) Also, Rosemond really makes the push for children to have very few toys (we're talking like three), so I have to wonder, what does he even expect children to be doing with all that money their parents are lavishing upon them?
Also, I was just really bugged by Rosemond's attitude that the way he was raised was best. The undertone of the book was, "I had a hard childhood. My parents were divorced. I only had three toys. I never got to play sports. Therefore, your children should also have a rotten childhood because I turned out okay (just a little cynical), and they will, too." Of course, he didn't actually say this, but for all his sense of humor, he did seem just a titch bitter.
All in all, I liked the book, but then, I kind of think I'm a parenting book junkie, so I just enjoy different points of view, and I like finding things to disagree about. :-)
For example, he recommends a no-nonsense, consistent approach when disciplining children, and I like that. One of the things he says often throughout the book is, "Make them an offer they can't refuse," which basically means you don't bribe children with offers of candy or ice cream, but instead, you take away privileges...those things that they're already enjoying on a daily basis. I'm already implementing his tips on how to get your child to eat what is being served for dinner because that was one of the areas where his advice really resonated with me and made sense.
As far as advice I didn't like...I'm sure it would vary from parent to parent...but I really didn't agree with his take on allowances versus chore money. He says that children should not be paid for chores because you shouldn't get paid for doing your part to help the family. He says children will come to expect payment for any job they do. While I can see his point, I then cannot understand why he advocates an allowance, and a hefty one at that. Isn't an allowance teaching a child that parents will give him money just for being alive? At least with the chore money, they're actually doing some work to earn it. (Although, I totally agree that there should be at least some jobs that children do just because they are part of the family, without any sort of payment involved.) Also, Rosemond really makes the push for children to have very few toys (we're talking like three), so I have to wonder, what does he even expect children to be doing with all that money their parents are lavishing upon them?
Also, I was just really bugged by Rosemond's attitude that the way he was raised was best. The undertone of the book was, "I had a hard childhood. My parents were divorced. I only had three toys. I never got to play sports. Therefore, your children should also have a rotten childhood because I turned out okay (just a little cynical), and they will, too." Of course, he didn't actually say this, but for all his sense of humor, he did seem just a titch bitter.
All in all, I liked the book, but then, I kind of think I'm a parenting book junkie, so I just enjoy different points of view, and I like finding things to disagree about. :-)
February 13, 2012
I like John Rosemond and I usually agree with his advice. I was interested in this book mainly as motivation. As a SAHM, I sometimes need a kick in the pants to begin to get creative about discipline. Some of the ideas in this book have really worked for me already with my 3 year old. The best advice for me right now in this book was to keep explanations to under 25 words, and that I had full permission to use "because I said so" as my explanation. This is actually working much better for me than my old way of letting my kiddo question me ad nauseum about why he had to take a bath, etc. Another brilliant nugget was that I now feel enabled to send him to his room when I just don't want to deal with the whining or tantrums. There are fewer tantrums now that I took away his audience!
As always, Rosemond seems a bit pompous and heavy-handed in his discipline methods, but I knew this when I picked up the book. The book reads well, with personal examples and letters with questions from other parents answered in every chapter. As with any discipline book, I weigh the advice, take what seems like it will fit into our lives, and take the rest with a grain of salt.
As always, Rosemond seems a bit pompous and heavy-handed in his discipline methods, but I knew this when I picked up the book. The book reads well, with personal examples and letters with questions from other parents answered in every chapter. As with any discipline book, I weigh the advice, take what seems like it will fit into our lives, and take the rest with a grain of salt.
January 29, 2016
I can't tell you how many times my husband and I have turned to this book for advice. I've read a good many parents who think his parenting style is cold and unloving, but I've found it to be neither. Rather, it is very practical and, if done with gentleness and calmness, in the spirit of love, can really give young children a great sense of security and foster a solid sense of well-being. Dr. Rosemond's writing style is very straight forward. It is not a book for parents who want to be in the "in" crowd of today's helicopter parents; but, it is a book for parents who want to raise children who are happy, secure and, ultimately, independent and responsible.
June 11, 2012
I know he has good intentions but after seeing him in person.....never again will I recommend his books.
May 10, 2018
This was a good, common-sense book. Which might make it sound like it's unnecessary but quite the opposite. If I followed too closely what I perceive as the pressures, trends, and expectations of parenting, I might drive myself and my kid crazy by catering to her every whim, protecting her from every upsetting thing, and generally spoiling her.
This book helped me to keep my head on straight and be reasonable about things, not getting too worried if she gets upset about decisions I make, not being overly worried about protecting her from getting upset. She's almost 4 now and she's happy, reasonably stable, and well-behaved. It's working out pretty well.
This book helped me to keep my head on straight and be reasonable about things, not getting too worried if she gets upset about decisions I make, not being overly worried about protecting her from getting upset. She's almost 4 now and she's happy, reasonably stable, and well-behaved. It's working out pretty well.
August 28, 2017
Fantastic book!!! Helpful for me in 1983 and now I'm giving it to my children for their children.
September 2, 2014
I knew of John Rosemond long before I ever became a parent. I read his newspaper column simply for the sake of reading. And quite a bit of it stuck with me. When I was pregnant the first time, I managed to avoid What to Expect When You're Expecting because I was told it was a terror manual. Having looked at it later, yup! The one book I found I really, really needed as the parent of a new baby and small child was What to Expect the First Year. I blended all the technicalities and upheavals of that time in a relatively easy to use manual. This book might be the next step.
I say might be, because it's not really an easily accessible manual type book. It's a series of essays for ages and stages that outlines Rosemond's general parenting philosophy. Each essay is followed by a series of questions, most of which seem to be written for the book, not as genuine questions parents might have submitted. As such, it becomes pretty repetitive and skimmable. Later, there are several sections on generalized topics like biting, toilet learning, bed wetting and general overviews of growth to age 19 or so.
I would have liked to have read this book a little earlier in life, but it still works for me now. Best to have read it before you need it.
I say might be, because it's not really an easily accessible manual type book. It's a series of essays for ages and stages that outlines Rosemond's general parenting philosophy. Each essay is followed by a series of questions, most of which seem to be written for the book, not as genuine questions parents might have submitted. As such, it becomes pretty repetitive and skimmable. Later, there are several sections on generalized topics like biting, toilet learning, bed wetting and general overviews of growth to age 19 or so.
I would have liked to have read this book a little earlier in life, but it still works for me now. Best to have read it before you need it.
January 7, 2008
New Parent Power! is two books in one. The first, is the Rosemond's updated Six Point Plan for Raising Happy, Healthy Kids. I loved this part of the book. He talks about how children should not be the center of the family, and should not be given too much attention. He also talks about being firm, proper spanking, and being strict. He talks about consistency, not giving second chances (or warnings) and not trying to be fair. He believes in chores. He also thinks that today's kids have too many toys and too much tv. Less is more. I enjoyed this part of the book, and found that I agreed with a lot of what he said, so now I just need to implement them!
The second part of the book is focused on different ages (infancy, toddler, preschool, school-age, tweens, teens), and different sections on specific things (divorce, adoption, bed-wetting, thumb sucking, and more. This part was interesting but not as helpful as the first section of the book.
The second part of the book is focused on different ages (infancy, toddler, preschool, school-age, tweens, teens), and different sections on specific things (divorce, adoption, bed-wetting, thumb sucking, and more. This part was interesting but not as helpful as the first section of the book.
March 6, 2008
Great parenting book--I've read many, this is one of my favorites! It's a book you want your husband to read along with you! It is a large book (570 pages)with a lot of information. Half of the book talks about six basic points for raising happy healthy children. It also includes chapters broken down for each age from birth to nineteen years old--which I found very helpful. It is a great resource book. It also includes several chapters confronting specific issues, i.e. toilet training, food fights, bed-wetting, etc. His first chapter suggested that the most important aspect for raising happy healthy children was to have a strong marriage. It was hard to put down after the first chapter!
January 10, 2008
I believe this is one of the best parenting books I have read. And that is saying something because I have read 2-3 dozen in the last 11 years. Practical, down to earth advice for every parent that will work with most children.
June 5, 2008
This book has helpful, logical information for raising your child. It was fun to read too. You can use it as a tool- and look up specific questions or read straight thorugh. I did both- and still do.
June 6, 2008
This is a terrific book about parenting. Rosemond is hilarious and takes you back to the basics of no-nonsense parenting and discipline. His approach may not work for everyone, but I really have found his ideas to be helpful in raising good, respectful children.
August 10, 2010
I loved this book. I love the ideas and problem solving in this book. We have used these methods on our children many times. I actually really need to read it again. I could probably use a refresher on it.
August 6, 2013
Useful. Not as good as his other book that I just read. But mostly that's just because while this edition is "updated," it's just a bit out of date (that is, it was updated too long ago).
Still, useful, insightful. Right on, as they say.
Still, useful, insightful. Right on, as they say.
August 9, 2007
This is my other favorite when it comes to parenting and raising children. I love John Rosemond! He is right on target when it comes to parenting.
August 1, 2008
Great stuff!! I think this book is great, a reference book that I will always refer to I am sure!
February 8, 2008
I like all his books!
October 18, 2008
I am loving this book. It is great advice for kids.
February 14, 2008
A MUST READ FOR EVERY NEW PARENT AND PARENT STILL LEARNING EVERYDAY!
April 1, 2008
My go to reference guide.
February 11, 2010
no nonsense parenting; the relationship between the parents is the focus of the family, rather than the children.
November 19, 2010
I love this book!
May 6, 2011
Excellent. A book I will likely reference for many years to come.
January 20, 2015
This is my parenting bible. I love John Rosemonds logic. I have used this now for 8 years and agree whole heartedly with his disciplinary routines. Every parent should have a copy of this.
June 21, 2013
My go-to book whenever a parenting issue arises. Succinct, with plenty of dry humor.
November 3, 2015
Interesting bits about different ages.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews