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Do you most times feel like a gerbil running on a wheel inside a cage as you scurry from place to place, chauffeuring your children from one endless action to another? What if, for one moment, you could just step off of the wheel . . . and relax? How would you feel then? And what if that single moment could stretch into an hour, or even a whole day? It’s Your Kid, Not a Gerbil will provide practical solutions and helpful clear or deep perception to get off the action wheel so that you may put your time and energies where they genuinely count: in establishing strong reputation and a love for home and family that will serve your kids well for a lifetime.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #56727 in Books
- Published on: 2011-08-01
- Original language: English
- Number of items: 1
- Dimensions: .70″ h x 5.50″ w x 8.20″ l, .65 pounds
- Binding: Paperback
- 272 pages
Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
breaking free of the gerbil syndrome
By Karl Dumas
Kevin Leman has written the book which should turn parenting upside down, and in the process strengthen the family. The title, It’s Your Kid, Not a Gerbil says it all.
For years we’ve heard that we have to get our kids on the fast track, they have to be involved in sports and arts; they should have study time and develop good study habits. And that’s all good stuff, but there’s a limit. Leman reminds us that at some point we have to say no to the `good’ in favor of the `better’.
Gerbils get in the little wheel, expend a lot of energy going in circles, and end up going nowhere. All too often it seems like we want our kids to get on that wheel and run nonstop. But what’s the cost?. Yes, we want the kids to develop good study habits, social skills and everything else, but when the kids are pushed so that the parents can brag about the accomplishments – it’s time to step back.
Dr Leman points out that at some point parents need to step up and be parents. Spending time with our kids when they’re young is ultimately more important than having them be recruited to an Ivy League school before they’re out of junior high. Family time is more important to a child than all sorts of lessons, and most kids would rather have their parents love them for who they are and not just for what they do.
Leman writes with a blend of humor and wisdom that engages the reader on any number of levels. He points out some of the misguided attempts at parenting that we all make, and he offers some great techniques and skills that parents can learn.
One of the things that I really liked about this book is that I never felt put down for being a poor parent, but often felt encouraged that I am trying hard and there are ways that will make it easier for me to do even better at offering my child the best future possible.
You probably know somebody that needs to read this book.
5/5 stars
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.Less is more
By D. Kinney
Kevin Leman is at it again reminding us parents that raising a child is not rocket science. Being busy does not equal a fulfilling life. Sometimes less is more. Kids really just want more time with their parents not more stuff. Mostly the advice is common sense, but sometimes we need a little help making sense of it all.
Even though it was hard to hear, Kevin Leman tells us straight up that we are just too busy. We need stop trying so hard to make everything meaningful. Routine and rituals are meaningful enough. Some of our best childhood memories are not from big events but from an almost meaningless event that thrilled us like no other.
The one thing that hit me hard was that after a negative behavior in my child, I should respond, not react. I have been reacting a lot lately. With encouragement from this book, I see now that responding is a much better response. Yes, pun intended.
Tyndale has provided me a free copy of this book in exchange for this review which I freely give.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful.Great book!
By Kara Swanson
Kevin Leman is one of my favorite writers. He writes mainly on matters related to parenting and marriage, and he’s hilarious. Absolutely hilarious. His books are insightful and practical, and he shares many of my values and beliefs. What more can you ask for?
His latest, It’s Your Kid, Not a Gerbil: Creating a Happier & Less-Stressed Home, is a book that addresses the pitfalls of our fast-paced lifestyle. What’s ironic is that his ideas aren’t really revolutionary — they’re actually pretty old-fashioned. Let kids be kids. Spend time together as a family. Limit activities outside the home.
Even though his message is simple, not very many of us are heeding it. Most of us are overscheduled, stressed out and our families are suffering. For example, Joe and Susie do not need to be involved in soccer, dance and Tae Kwan Do – all at the same time. He suggests limiting each child to one activity per term. This is something that we’re already practicing, and it has worked well for us so far.
Even though his writing style is humorous, Leman doesn’t gloss over the hard issues. He tackles them head-on and is direct about what he believes is best for children, parents, and families as a whole. I respect him for this.
This books is very highly recommended for any parent!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the Tyndale House book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
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