THE PARENT'S COMPLETE GUIDE

A comprehensive guide to raising children and preparing them for later life.

In this parenting book, retired educator Rhodes draws on her experience teaching school and parenting three sons as she offers observations about how to raise children to become likable and capable adults. She addresses how parents can establish positive attitudes in their kids and how they can collaborate with teachers; she also touches on effective methods of discipline and safety strategies. Along the way, Rhodes explores the conceptual bases for her advice (“Choices are one of the most effective parenting tools available”) and offers specific tools, such as note-taking tips for reluctant students. The book is engagingly written and well organized, and it covers a wide range of topics. Its tone is encouraging and supportive throughout, and this positive approach is welcome. The chapter on establishing consequences for misbehavior is particularly well done, as it breaks down the elements of setting expectations and making rules and stresses the importance of providing an example. However, the book’s conservative tone won’t connect with all readers. Rhodes expresses a preference for straight, two-parent families in the opening pages and also encourages the development of religious beliefs. An undercurrent of idealistic nostalgia also runs through the work (“In the good old days, before our society became so mobile...”). Overall, Rhodes’ book offers a substantial amount of solid information, but it will likely connect most with readers who, like the author, think that television was better when I Love Lucy’s Lucy and Ricky had separate beds.

A generally solid parenting manual whose appeal may be limited by its conservatism.