Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Raising kids without pain and trouble

By Peter West - posted Monday, 30 July 2012


Juul says children need to be seen and recognised. This doesn’t mean praise for kicking that special goal or coming first in maths. Kids just want to know that they are there in their parents’ lives. Children treated with respect treat others with respect.

I have some experience raising three kids and now help out with grandkids. I’ve written about aspects of raising kids, especially boys. But I still wonder whether I fully understand all that the author has to say.

There could be some problems in translation (the author is Danish). I look sometimes at the words and wonder if there’s some reason why I don’t follow what’s being said.

Advertisement

It’s also true that there are some mistakes in the printing. Words are oddly hyphenated.  “Desert” is confused with “dessert”. There are sudden and surprising gaps in the text. And so on. Should I mention that the book was printed in China? There is no index. But I can’t find any reference to kids in blended families, kids with single mothers, gay parents, kids of refugees, Hindu or Muslim or Jewish kids, and all the complicated ways in which families have changed, and are changing.

I can say that this book will get parents talking and thinking. From the experience of a university education lecturer, a father and a grandfather, I doubt that there is any sure-fire way of raising kids. It’s an inexact science. If I had all the answers, I’d be a billionaire.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

3 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Dr Peter West is a well-known social commentator and an expert on men's and boys' issues. He is the author of Fathers, Sons and Lovers: Men Talk about Their Lives from the 1930s to Today (Finch,1996). He works part-time in the Faculty of Education, Australian Catholic University, Sydney.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Peter West

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Peter West
Article Tools
Comment 3 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy