It Takes a Parent: How the Culture of Pushover Parenting Is Hurting Our Kids -- and What to Do About It by Betsy Hart

Synopsis

Syndicated columnist and mother of four Betsy Hart presents a passionate, provocative argument against today's "parenting culture"-parents who put their kids on a pedestal, shy away from discipline, and cede the power to take decisions, large and small, to their children. Covering hot topics, from spanking and discipline to giving kids way too many choices, this commonsense book shifts the focus back to the role and responsibilities of parents for guiding the character and hearts of their children, so they'll grow up to be responsible adults themselves.

Library Journal

Have the parenting experts of the last decade gone too far in their empathetic philosophies? Are kids today being raised by wimpy parents and, as a result, growing into selfish, pampered, disrespectful adults? The authors of these two books would answer yes for different reasons. Hart, a mother of four and a nationally syndicated columnist ("From the Hart"), is somewhat strict in her views. Writing from a conservative religious standpoint, she argues that parents should impose limits, values, and decisions on their children-or else risk encouraging wayward behavior. Many credos of the "parenting culture" are challenged in a humorous and commonsense way. Meanwhile, clinical psychologist Mamen (Who's in Charge?: A Guide to Family Management) explains how pampered children, because of their atypical behaviors and difficult attitudes, are being misdiagnosed with serious mental disorders like depression and ADHD. She believes the solution is for professionals to begin accurately diagnosing what she calls "the pampered child syndrome" and for parents to take back their authority. Unfortunately, her ten suggested strategies do not address the complexity of the problems facing pampering parents: the "Godfather" strategy suggests offering up alternatives to a child's bad behavior. Although Hart brings many articles and book references to the table, she does not substantiate her claim that liberal parenting leads to behavioral and social problems. Her chapter on spanking-a disciplinary action that she approves of and uses-might also offend some readers. As for Mamen, she may help parents start thinking about their permissive parenting styles, but they will have to look elsewhere for a real action plan; her book is recommended for only larger public libraries. Hart's book is recommended only where the author has a strong following.-Maryse Breton, Baldwin P.L., Birmingham, MI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Biography

Betsy Hart is a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist for the Scripps Howard News Service. Her weekly column on cultural, family, and political issues, "From the Hart," is distributed to 350 newspapers across the country. A frequent television news commentator, she lives in the Chicago area with her four young children.