Non fiction - education/parenting How do we live with our children so that everyone wins? This book explores practical ways of creating an environment of consent within family life. -- Publisher: Cinnamon Press
One of the most difficult life tasks, for which very few of us are trained, is bringing up children successfully, where parents and children end up respecting each other and still on speaking terms. Most parents, with hindsight, would have done some things differently. Many have sought guidance at some point from experts. This book sets out to provide parents with advice on how to achieve success in parenting by consent, that is by finding mutual solutions to problems as they arise rather than by compulsion. It is a controversial method and many will find the ideas challenging. Jan Fortune-Wood is a mother of four, a 'parenting and education adviser' and the author of many previous books, chapters and articles. Four of her previous titles are on parenting and education. Her aim is for parents and children to achieve a 'win-win' situation where neither is dominant or a 'victor' in any situation but all is agreed by consent. The twelve chapters cover all aspects of family life where conflict between parent/s and child/ren can arise. One of the most controversial, perhaps, is 'Eating junk?' where, among other options, it is suggested that 'preparing spaghetti bolognese for two children whilst another has a baked potato with cheese and beans, another has a burger and Mum and Dad have a lamb stew (previously cooked and frozen in portions) can take as little time as preparing one main meal.' For some mothers such a meal would cause considerable stress. Many ideas in this theory of parenting may meet with scepticism from some, as it is proposed that children of all ages have the same rights as their parents in making decisions affecting them, although they have none of the responsibilities. Other suggestions in the book are very appealing and would probably lead to a much less fraught relationship between parents and children. One example is that of what children wear. Jan Fortune-Wood suggests that, by using this theory of parenting by consent, parents can be seen by their children as trusted advisers and the question of what the child wears can be resolved by discussion, although in the end the views of the child should prevail. This book presents the theory of parenting by consent very clearly and very thoroughly. It would benefit from a more thorough proof reading for any further editions. It is well worth reading, with open minds, by prospective parents and those who are finding themselves in conflict with their children. -- Beryl Thomas @ www.gwales.com
