You Want To Do What?: Instant answers to your parenting dilemmas is written by Karen Sullivan and is aimed at parents with children between ages 8-18.
I have written a series of short discursive posts based on the book and the following topics;
Abortion
Babysitting
Clothing Allowances
Criminal Responsibility
ADHD
Morals
The books covers a lot of topics, which range from babysitting to bedtimes, exercise to ear-piercing, the index really is quite exhaustive to anything you may be faced with as a parenting. Most of the topics are covered in a balanced and widely acceptable way ie don’t encourage smoking, don’t sweat the small stuff like fashion choices.
Parenting being a very personal thing there are bound to be areas where you will disagree, mine were the sections on boyfriends/girlfriends, fizzy drinks, magazines and pornography, all of which I felt were either to strict or the dangers outlined were a little far fetched, and in one case, very far-fetched. Can you guess which one?
Overall I think this book makes an excellent read from the point that it forces you to think about issues (hopefully) before they happen and thus have your ideas/standards/expectations/reactions planned ahead so that you aren’t caught out. I also think as a point of reference, especially on legalities, it is good, however as a direct guide to be followed word for word, probably not. As I mentioned above, parenting is a personal thing and what will be acceptable in one family will not be acceptable in another, and to be fair the book does acknowledge that.
**I will be giving two brand new copies of You Want To Do What? away over the coming weeks. Subscribe now so you don’t miss out!**
5 Responses to “You Want To Do What? - Book Review”
Okay, I’ll guess. Fizzy drinks?
Hi Amy, Wrong! It was pornography, where I thought the suggestion of ‘pshychosexual therapy’ for teenagers viewing pornography was very extreme, I’ve never heard of any teenager requiring such a therapy! I felt it was very much a reflection on today’s society as a whole where our answer to everything seems to be therapy.
I think even if teenagers do become a little ‘too interested’ in such material, it is likely that they will grow out of it in most cases. I also think that in the most extreme cases, where a teenager has becomes a bit obsessed there are other avenues rather than psychosexual therapy.
Even though I am the mom of three, with the oldest being 14, I haven’t taken the time to read a book like this and I think I should asap! Thanks for the heads up!
Do I even want to know what “psychosexual therapy” is? Sheesh.
I know a family that has dealt with the fallout of pornography, and it’s a tough battle. The damage that stuff does to marriages and families is extensive…this guy got exposed to it at the age of 7. It is something we need to be vigilant to protect our boys from but I’m agreeing with you that therapy may not be the best first response.
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