Official Review: Parenting an Independent Child

Rachaelamb1 · Post by **Rachaelamb1** » 21 Apr 2015, 03:57

[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Parenting an Independent Child" by Mary Fontenot.]

3 out of 4 stars

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Parenting an Independent Child by Mary Fontenot is a non-fiction book designed for parents with children of any age. It is a short guidebook which gives practical advice on how to nurture independence in your child. The author's expertise comes from raising her own 2 children. In the book, she gives real-life examples not only from her experience as a parent, but also from her experience as a child.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. It is fast-paced and short which makes it easy, even for busy parents, to find the time to read it. It consists of 12 chapters, each one only about 2 to 3 pages in length. In addition to being a quick read, this book also reaches a broad audience. The advice given can be helpful whether your child is a toddler or a teenager. While this is good in some ways, it could be a turn off to someone who is looking for more age-specific advice.

I do not think the advice in the book is necessarily anything new or very thought provoking. Even so, it is a good reminder of simple truths that we often forget. Some of the topics include: Lead by Example, Pick your Battles, and Ask Many Questions. It is pretty basic parenting advice, but the examples in the book are excellent. I found them to be clear and concise while giving you a good picture of how you can use that information in your own life.

My only gripe is that the conclusion is a bit weak. Since I was reading on an electronic device, I did not see that I was nearing the end and was surprised when I came to the last page. Because so many books are read electronically, I think it is important for authors to make a distinction when you are near the end of the book. Perhaps if she had used different phrasing, it would have been clear that I was in the concluding chapter.

All in all, I give Parenting an Independent Child 3 out of 4 stars. It is well written with very little to criticize. I think any parent could find something helpful or, at the very least, something with which they can agree. The only reason I am not giving it 4 stars is because there was not anything to make it memorable. It is a good book but not necessarily one I would think about very often.

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Parenting an Independent Child
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