Review by Booklist Review
Ehrensaft's searing account of parental guilt and reparation is not for the thin-skinned or defensive, for an ability to accept constructive criticism of the most personal, intimate sort is a prerequisite for the concerned parent. Parents who persevere through Ehrensaft's graphic analysis of the conditions of contemporary parenting will be rewarded with informed, workable tactics for overcoming personal, situational, and cultural obstacles that inhibit healthy, happy family life. Even as it sparks in readers rueful recognition of their own mistakes or limits as parents, Ehrensaft's remarkably deft exploration of childhood today encourages parents to make hopeful decisions in adopting more successful ways to raise children. Personal experience, case studies, and scholarly references all enhance Ehrensaft's lively exposition. --Kathryn Carpenter
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Ehrensaft, a northern California psychologist, coins the word kinderdulthalf baby, half miniature adultto describe the dual identity that she believes characterizes many of today's children. Overvalued and overindulged, yet granted freedoms far beyond their ability to handle, these children "face many risks and shoulder heavy psychological burdens," including self-centeredness, aggression and chronic anxiety. To integrate this troubling double-exposure and give childhood back to these kids, the author urges parents to offer their children more time and less pressure to be "perfect." Citing numerous cases of conflicted families from her private practice (including one with an eight-year-old who chillingly describes herself as "a princess responsible for nothing"), as well as sharing her own parenting missteps, Ehrensaft examines the stresses on families in light of the fast-track contemporary American culture in which there are no clear parenting directives. The author's approach, which focuses on psychological analysis, limits her suggestions for concrete behavioral changes but at the same times avoids reductive or formulaic declarations and encourages parents to consider this insightful, well-argued discussion in the context of their own parenting styles. (Nov.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
Ehrensaft, a developmental and clinical psychologist, provides an analysis of parenting aimed at both parents and experts in child development. The key to understanding her theories is her concept of "kinderdult," a word coined in this work to describe the paradox of children who are given both too much indulgence and too much power. Ehrensaft feels that parents and children alike are confused by the dual and opposing phenomena of excessive child-centeredness and adult self-centeredness. She hopes to empower parents to sort out their own needs, to stop being overinvolved with their children, and to use assertiveness when appropriate. A thoughtful title; recommended for larger public and academic libraries.Kay L. Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills., Md. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Booklist Review
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Review by Library Journal Review
