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A review by aallyoop_reads
No Regrets Parenting, Updated and Expanded Edition: Turning Long Days and Short Years into Cherished Moments with Your Kids by Harley A. Rotbart, Harley A. Rotbart
3.0
No Regrets Parenting offers advice on how to make the most of your time with your children. It is broken into very short chapters and emphasizes limiting distractions (for both you and your kids), being intentional, and developing a strong child-parent relationship. The advice was practical, yet not groundbreaking and although the tone was generally positive, I did feel a bit lectured to at certain points.
What I liked:
This book centered the reader on ways to make sure that you are spending time that counts with your children and not getting caught up in the day to day. I related to the idea that it is of the utmost importance to not deprive your kids of the 8 essential requirements:
1. Security
2. Stability
3. Consistency
4. Emotional support
5. Love
6. Education
7. Positive role models
8. Structure
I also liked the sections focused on grandparenting, and how parents should set boundaries and talk with their parents/in-laws about desired caretaking responsibilities and values.
What I didn’t like:
Some parts almost made me feel guilty for taking time to myself when needed. With a young child at home, it is crucial for me to take some “me” time so that I can offer my best self when I am home with my daughter. I don’t feel guilty about this when she is in the care of loving caretakers. At times, Rotbart seemed to emphasize that togetherness is the most important thing – and finding ways to include your kids in your day to day activities, even bringing them to work. I personally like to keep some boundaries, though I understood his intent.
As previously mentioned, I didn’t find that anything was especially revolutionary about the advice given. However, I did appreciate listening to this audiobook and considering how to apply (or not apply) the advice within my own family. If anything, it encouraged me to take a step back and think about what kind of parent I want to be.
What I liked:
This book centered the reader on ways to make sure that you are spending time that counts with your children and not getting caught up in the day to day. I related to the idea that it is of the utmost importance to not deprive your kids of the 8 essential requirements:
1. Security
2. Stability
3. Consistency
4. Emotional support
5. Love
6. Education
7. Positive role models
8. Structure
I also liked the sections focused on grandparenting, and how parents should set boundaries and talk with their parents/in-laws about desired caretaking responsibilities and values.
What I didn’t like:
Some parts almost made me feel guilty for taking time to myself when needed. With a young child at home, it is crucial for me to take some “me” time so that I can offer my best self when I am home with my daughter. I don’t feel guilty about this when she is in the care of loving caretakers. At times, Rotbart seemed to emphasize that togetherness is the most important thing – and finding ways to include your kids in your day to day activities, even bringing them to work. I personally like to keep some boundaries, though I understood his intent.
As previously mentioned, I didn’t find that anything was especially revolutionary about the advice given. However, I did appreciate listening to this audiobook and considering how to apply (or not apply) the advice within my own family. If anything, it encouraged me to take a step back and think about what kind of parent I want to be.