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The Collapse of Parenting: How We Hurt Our Kids When We Treat Them Like Grown-Ups by Leonard Sax
cdjdhj's review
5.0
I decided to read this book after hearing a marriage and family therapist I respect recommend it on a podcast. This book is straightforward and hard-hitting in describing the crisis we have with children and teens today (the book was written in 2016 but is even more relevant in 2022 than it was when originally written). According to the author, Dr. Leonard Sax, the crisis of our children, which includes rising rates of depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses, (as well as over-medication for such conditions), is caused by parents who are hurting their children with permissiveness and abdication of parental authority. As a high school teacher, I see the result of what Dr. Sax is talking about every day in my classroom. Children are growing up without a standard of right or wrong, and a complete lack of discipline. Kids look to their peers or the internet for direction, often with disastrous results. I wish I had read this book earlier, when my now grown children were younger, but it did confirm to me that my husband and I did most things right with respect to raising our children. I read one of Dr. Sax's other books, Boys Adrift, and found that book also spot on and very helpful. I even gave a copy to a friend who was worried about her son. Dr. Sax draws on his experiences as a family physician and psychologist as well as interviews and studies to show that parents must reassert their parental authority, discipline, set limits, dare to say NO and take back their families. Excellent book. Highly recommended for all parents, grandparents and teachers.
klemily's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
Parenting should be about providing boundaries, but we don't do that very well anymore.
sllaclaire's review against another edition
4.0
A book every parent should read- even if you disagree with parts, it gives clear issues and some (albeit a few) ways to take back parenteral authority.
elsez326's review against another edition
5.0
This was another great book by Dr. Sax, this time straying from his usual topic of gender differences to talk about parenting, specifically strategies and pitfalls of that role. Based on his experience with patients and research of others, he has some solid ideas about both. Having heard Dr. Sax speak, he has a great sense about children, parents, teachers, and how we all can work together to help each group be successful and happy in their roles. At the end of it though, Dr. Sax focuses on children and how adults in their lives can understand and aid in their growth.
kristenkaplan's review against another edition
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
I listened to this book as an audiobook. It was relevant to parent concerns and themes that are current. The author gave direct examples and direct advice. I enjoyed the quick pace of this book and felt motivated from reading it. My children are only 3 and 4-years-old, which absolutely influenced my perspective.
oallman's review against another edition
5.0
I think any parent that wants to raise children who have integrity, are resilient, humble, honest, and have self-control should read this book.
“Conscientiousness is the highest predictor of success, happiness and wealth. Self control is the biggest indicator of conscientiousness.”
“Conscientiousness is the highest predictor of success, happiness and wealth. Self control is the biggest indicator of conscientiousness.”
treasureboxofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This book. THIS BOOK! This is THE book!
If only every parent would read this book and follow it.
As a parent of little kids who feels lost and clueless and wtf-am-I-doing most of the time, this book just got my priorities back on track.
As a product of an ideal parent (as discussed in the book), I can truly say, this book is ON POINT and every single topic discussed is absolutely true.
If only every parent would read this book and follow it.
As a parent of little kids who feels lost and clueless and wtf-am-I-doing most of the time, this book just got my priorities back on track.
As a product of an ideal parent (as discussed in the book), I can truly say, this book is ON POINT and every single topic discussed is absolutely true.
kaitylou23's review against another edition
4.0
This is a good read for any parent today. While I don’t agree with all of his claims about parents today, I do think he makes some really good points and some of his assessments are absolutely true. In general, our society needs to do a better job of instilling positive character traits in our children that benefit the common good and not just themselves.