5 comments about Family First: Your Step-by-Step Plan for Creating a Phenomenal Family.

1. I found Dr. Phil's advice to be very practical and reasonable. This book really helped me put my family first.



2. Dr Phil is inspiring as always. I really enjoyed this book and I think Dr. Phil is powerful and innovative. I also think his work is similar to the encouraging words of another doctor, Dr. Joan. Dr. Joan is just as good in my opinion. I would recommend her for more inspiration and positive words.
   
   Chris
   
   Check out Dr. Joan at:
   Make Your Life A Miracle



3. This book is on my mind because I recommended it yesterday while talking with a single mother. She clearly loved her kids but was at her wit's end with them not listening, not helping out at home and constantly arguing with her and each other. She said she had "tried everything" (which she later acknowledged she hadn't once she saw how she eventually gave in because the disciplinary tactics she used "weren't working"). This book immediately came to mind as one that is easy to read and will give her guidance on setting boundaries, sticking with them, being consistent and doing "what it takes" to get her family back on track.
   
   This book offers an assessment for parents to identify their parenting style and their child's personality style and provides strategies to best adapt their parenting accordingly. Make sure to measure each of your children separately - amazing how kids in the same family can be so different!
   
   This book is especially recommended for those who are (or quickly heading toward) parenting teens. Even if you feel like you've lost control of your teenage kids, this book's message that it's never too late to turn things around is reassuring and empowering. Some parents might need additional professional help but this book provides a solid start for all.
   
   Mollie Marti, Ph.D., J.D.
   Author, Selling: Powerful New Strategies for Sales Success



4. The CD set contains 6 CD's with a downloadable PDF file (75 pages) that replaces the workbook. The workbook is 200+ pages but is MUCH more broken down if you need that.
   
   The program is interactive, pausing now and then for you to read from the printout. However, the CDs are good to play in the background or in the car for refreshing or letting it sink in.
   
   The PDF file needs Adobe Reader (free online) to print. I had trouble doing this. I realized that after downloading Adobe Reader I had to go into my start-up menu and search for Adobe, right click it and create a shortcut for the desktop. Put in the cd, open Adobe Reader and go to File, select "open", and from the drop-down box at the top select the Drive the says "family First". The PDF file will appear and you can print it out.
   
   I have the book and find the CDs much easier to follow and find time for. I synced it to my Ipod and can knit/wash dishes etc while I listen. My kids can play and be loud without disrupting my "reading".



5. This is a highly recommend book by Dr. Phil. Gives excellent adise on raising a great family.

5 comments about Lady in Waiting: Developing Your Love Relationships.

1. I was a little worried that this was just another book about how to become the perfect date, girlfriend, or wife, but I was delightfully surprised to find that the authors focus on a woman as being already complete in Christ; marriage and a family are just the wonderful icing on the cake! So I bought a copy for each one of the high school and college-age girls in our group and we have been reading it together all summer--we can't put it down! The book does a wonderful job of warning women about the dangers of having our lives revolve around the pursuit of a man, and encourages us to trust the Lord with the desires of our heart and to use our single time to know Him better and to love others. I recommend this book for any woman, young or old, single, divorced, or married!



2. This book is an excellent resource for single women who are desiring God's best for them in regards to relationships. It encourages them to keep their focus on Jesus and remember He is to be their first husband. It also includes a great study guide using the book of Ruth and devotional, so it would be good for a group of ladies too!



3. This book is a must read for any single woman - not just Christian woman. Mrs. Kendall provides scriptural foundation that every woman should have whether dating or not dating, looking to marry or not looking to marry. She breaks down Proverbs 31 in a manner that everyone can understand and gives simple practical examples of how we can be better women. She makes you think about why we do the things we do in the name of love even when these things are obviously destructive. She helps us to love ourselves and understand how special we really are. She provides an outline and step by step guideline on how we can be properly prepared to receive our future husband (our Boaz) should that be part of God's plan for our life. Mrs. Kendall explains why patience is so important so that we do not delay God's blessings in our life. She explains that God has a plan for everyone's life and only by understanding His Love for us and by following his Word will that plan be revealed and begin to unfold. This book changed my life and gave me the answers that I was looking for all my adult life. You must follow this book with what I call the BOZO Book - Mrs. Kendall's A" Man Worth Waiting For - How to Avoid Dating a Bozo"!



4. We are using this book as a teaching tool in a group setting for single women at various stages in their Christian walk. They each have their own copy and do the homework & journaling. It's wonderful to see how the ladies are responding to the material and growing in their thought processes.



5. This book is great for a single woman at any point in life. Whether you are a young adult preparing to enter the dating world or a veteran single, the content of this book will change your mindset on singleness. This book has opened my eyes to the freedoms of being a strong, single woman of God, yet I feel prepared to appropriately handle any potential relationships that might come my way. This is not your average Christian dating book.

5 comments about Dateable: Are You? Are They?.

1. A a seventeen year old girl struggling to balance relationships and Christianity I found this book EXTREMELY helpful. Justin and Hayley are direct so if that isn't your style or you aren't ready for the truth then this book isn't for you. I have already bought a copy for my bestfriend and lent my copy to one of my other close friends and both of them loved it. I really liked that it is written for boys AND girls and found that they gave a lot of insight into a boys mind. No book is perfect and although I cant say I completely agreed with all their ideas I did find it to be a balanced take on how to be in a relationship as a Christian teenager. I would recomend it to anyone who is seeking the truth about relationships no matter their age!



2. Great book with valuable information that can save your teen's life! It has made an impact on my teens and their friends as well.



3. This book is perfect for those who are of dating age. It makes clear how each gender approaches the other and helps teenagers to find their way through the maze of emotion and hormone-filled pressures with wisdom and purity. I sent one to each of the teenagers in my family.



4. My friend gave me this book to read after both she and her 15 year old son read it. I got through three paragraphs and almost demanded my daughter return home from a date so she could read it. See, my daughter thinks she's going to be with this boy FOREVER, and chapter 1 bluntly states that it's going to end. Thank goodness someone else is telling her and I don't have to be the bad guy.
   
   I wish I would have had this book as a teenager. Hayley and Justin are RIGHT. I love the Christian approach, although it's not shoved down teens' throats. It makes the so-called 'lectures' we give as parents a lot more credible when they're in print by two trusted authors. My daughter is already taking a more realistic approach to this relationship.
   
   Let's make teens read this instead of Shakespeare!!!



5. I thought this book had smart ideas like how some people have trained their brain that they must breakup, even when things are going good, they must find something wrong. But it also seemed like the authors were trying to brainwash. My friends were getting mad at me and hiding this book from me. They make ridicuous claims that laying horizontal or having tickle fights are NONOs cuz they can lead to more (sex.) It is made obvious that the authors are christians who do not believe in sex before marriage. THE BOOK WAS ABOUT NOT HAVING SEX BASICALLY. Being dateable had nothing to do with it, except they imply noone wants a used car type of thing.

5 comments about Positive Discipline for Teenagers (Positive Discipline).

1. Whether your teen is simply refusing to clean his room, or your worried about tougher issues such as sex and drugs, this book teaches parents effective and respectful ways to deal with the whole child.
   This is not a "How To" book with a lot of simple, short-term solutions. It is a basic parenting philosophy which, once understood, will permeate your decision making and way of being with your child.



2. I found this book very insightfull and full of information on how to deal with the changes that occur with my child becoming a teenager.



3. Great advice and examples for parents who don't want to use corporal punishment!



4. This book is exactly what we needed. My son just turned 15 and my husband who's very controlling still treated him like a child giving him little or no space to develop on his own. It was getting scary between them. They would fight often and my son threatened to run away. I bought two copies so we could both read it before someone got hurt! It's helped to open our eyes and realize it's OK for kids to make some mistakes. This book is a must for anyone who thinks that controlling your kids every move is the way to go. It also discusses the opposite parenting styles and helps create a balance. If you have a teen you need this book.



5. Book had good information. It's just that it's pretty much the same as a lot of books I've already read about this subject. I was looking for something more out of the box creative.

5 comments about Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers.

1. If you've ever thought that your kids just don't live on the same planet as you, and wonder why they abhor your company in favour of their peers, read this book.
   
   Parents with kids of any age, and anyone working with kids (and their parents or care-givers) should read this book. The earlier in their lives the better, as it gives a very clear and compelling treatment of the issues of 'attachment' and the consequences of not achieving this well.
   
   Despite feeling towards the middle like attachment issues are at the root of all ills, it makes a very persuasive case and goes on to offer some good advice as to what we can do about it.



2. 
   Negative negative negative. Repetitive repetitive repetitive.
   
   I usually "eat up" good parenting books, especially "radical idea" parenting books, but this one made me nauseous at each subsequent "bite." The authors do have many MANY good points, and I feel somewhat bad only giving it two stars, because there is a lot of good thinking in here, but I had to because their delivery/writing style was so incredibly painful, I could barely read the thing.
   
   I found the tone extremely negative, sometimes "alarmist", often condescending, and most frustrating was just how repetitive they were in making their points. I found myself starting to skip sentences, then paragraphs, then sections, then almost whole chapters. (Though I had to consciously convince myself to not do that, as I did feel I might miss something...)
   
   The main take aways from this book are:
   a) encourage your children to be very emotionally close to you - not just as babies (where they are by default) but as children and teens too, be a big part of their lives - a bigger part than their peers.
   
   b) if you don't...you AND your children could be in for tough times later on.
   
   I'd say about 90% of the book describes those tough times and then the remaining 10% addresses how to resolve the issue.



3. It is a long book for a simple idea of what its seems to be the root of the problems of parenting, the fact that all humans need someone to understand who we are, a compass point. When this compass point is the parent this turn out as it should. But when peers enter the equation is like an affair in a marriage, kids search for love and approval in the wrong places and this result in endless problems.



4. A hundred notes in the margins and 90% of this book underlined... yeah, I loved this book. If you're one of those parents that just knows deep down in their heart that all this peer obsession is just plain wrong and NOT what the world says it is; (just good old-fashioned teen friendship & rebellion, a phase they will grow out of) then this book is going to speak to that insightful heart. All of my daughters went through this peer obsession, it destroyed our family, the stress of it all contributed greatly to my developing cancer, and eventually, more or less, they grew out of it, HOWEVER, if anyone thinks it is a phase that has no consequences, beware. Not only can it destroy families and cause hard feelings for years, but the kids that go through it are socially stunted, they have no idea what true respect is, not even for themselves and their values are completely screwed up. I WISH I had had this book when it all began. No one was on my side, no matter how desperate or depressed I became trying to tell them what was happening, everyone just brushed me off as over-reactive, square or just plain overbearing. Reading this book was healing to ME however because in the aftermath it tells me I was not wrong, I saw something others did not and I was a good, moral and loving mother. For the most part the relationships between myself and my daughters, even the most over-the-top one, have been repaired, but I think there will always be a small part of me that remains forever hurt by the cruel heartless things peer oriented kids said and did to me. Get this book if your kids are starting down this road, maybe you can spare your family the damage mine went through.



5. The content is excellent, and I am ordering another 12 copies as gifts. Everyone should read this book. I agree with what other reviewers have said. Take note, however, the type-font throughout this book is about 8 points. It's a strain on the eye even if you have 20/20 vision. It's worth reading, so just buy a cheap pair of higher magnitude reading glasses.

5 comments about Positive Discipline: The First Three Years: From Infant to Toddler--Laying the Foundation for Raising a Capable, Confident Child (Positive Discipline Library).

1. I really like this book and highly recommend it. It's easy to follow and a quick read.



2. Positive Discipline: The First Three Years-Laying the Foundation for Raising a Capable, Confident ChildWell written, easy to read and very practical. My daughter is 13 months old. This book has helped me to understand life from her perspective. I now am more likely to enjoy her tenacity and have tools to keep her safe without all the "fussing".



3. I've incorporated most, if not all, of their suggestions for my 15 month old twins. Tips on avoiding power struggles have been especially helpful. I will get their book about the next age group when that time comes.



4. I would recommend this book to any mother who would like to take a second look at discipline methods. The spanking, slapping, and pinching didn't make sense to me, and I didn't feel right doing it, but I didn't know how else to discipline. This book shows you how to discipline positively without all the hitting and yelling and bad feelings and attitudes. It is already working with my two year old son, and i feel so much better as a mom. I'm able to relax and enjoy my son instead of feeling constantly on edge thinking I have to scold him for every little thing he does. The biggest part of positive discipline is understanding where your little one is coming from developmentally. This book is great! A must must must read!



5. I read (and unfortunately bought) this book ... and it does say you should not let your child sleep in your bed. It may not say you have to wean by 12 months, but it does suggest you look for weaning signs at that time ... AND THEN a paragraph or two later mentions that if you decide to breastfeed beyond this point you will have critics ... AND that some people breastfeed up to 6 or 8 years old. She is clearly driving people away from extended breastfeeding, probably inadvertantly, but still doing it with her presentation of the issue. Read this section yourself and see what I mean. IMHO, specifically on breastfeeding and cosleeping, the author is VERY anti-attachment parenting.

No comments about My Secret Garden.

5 comments about 101 Things I Wish I Knew When I Got Married: Simple Lessons to Make Love Last.

1. this book is amazing. i stumbled upon it in the bookstore and it was the last copy on display. i picked it up and thumbed through it and i was hooked. i'd never heard of the authors and this book. unfortunately i think we give a lot of credit to authors who get on major television shows and some authors that have good stuff to say don't ever get the credit they deserve....
   
   back to the book...it's a great book the chapters are short and sweet (but not too short) and as other reviewers have mentioned the couple has lots of experience as therapists and a real married couple. i plan to suggest to my boyfriend that we read a couple of chapters an evening and discuss them. i really like the concepts in the book and think if you're in a serious relationship leading to marriage you owe it to yourself to get this. i suspect if you're already married you can still benefit too!



2. Don't let the title fool you. This book is great for anyone who is in a relationship.



3. I found this book to be very inspiring. It reminds me to look at the positive things about my relationship and encourages understanding and kindness in a relationship. It does support my own needs as well and the necessary things to feel fulfilled in a marriage. I would highly recommend it. It's super easy to read and relate to.



4. "Marriage is not a fixed entity but a work in progress, inviting ongoing refinement." ~ pg. 20
   
   One of the things I've realized after twelve years of marriage is that reading books about marriage has truly helped me not to become a statistic. While over half of all marriages end in divorce it is not necessary to end a relationship just because you have conflict. Linda and Charlie Bloom show couples how to communicate effectively to dissolve conflict and open the way to a more nurturing relationship. Instead of expecting there to be no arguments, the authors explain how to argue so you both win.
   
   "Love isn't always enough to sustain a marriage." ~ pg. 63
   "The real issue is usually not the one you're arguing about." ~ pg. 70
   
   I found these two thoughts to be especially true in my own marriage. When there is conflict a deep commitment to the marriage can help you survive rough spots. From the stories in this book you can also see beyond what couples are fighting about to get to what couples actually want from a marriage. Linda and Charlie Bloom encourage couples to ask for what they truly want instead of dwelling on the negatives.
   
   Throughout this book you can learn about what holds a marriage together and what drives people apart. By reading the 101 ideas you can learn how to deepen trust and intimacy in any marriage. There is also an interesting story of how members of a tribe in Africa handle marital problems.
   
   While the authors do spend a lot of time showing how unrealistic expectations can set you up for disappointment they also explore the idea of how raising your expectations for a good marriage can also work in your favor. By following the practical advice in this book you can heal a broken marriage and save yourself the pain of divorce.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



5. Very thought-provoking book. Covers a great many things that many may not think to ask about their potential spouse.
   
   This book was read by me after I had gotten married, but many of the questions gave food for thought and are good for opening discussion.

5 comments about Science is Simple: Over 250 Activities for Preschoolers.

1. This book has a nice layout and is very user friendly. Endless supply of ideas!



2. Teaching science to preschoolers since 1998, Peggy Ashbrook draws upon her considerable experience and practical expertise in "Science Is Simple" to showcase 250 child-friendly activities spanning 39 fun and informative science concepts ranging from magnets, to bubbles, to insects, to volcanoes, to plant life, to physics. "Science Is Simple" features both solo projects and group projects; an invaluable appendix listing science websites and other resources; a bibliography of children's literature related to science concepts, letters for explaining to parents each concept to be studies by the child; open-ended questions for creativity and self-discovery; and child-involving experiments for every season. "Science Is Simple" will prove a welcome addition to preschool, day-care center, elementary school, and homeschooling reference libraries and curriculums.



3. This book is a must have for teachers/parents of young children. It is written in an excellent format and has great experiments. I conduct numerous hands on science experiments with my class of four year olds and turn to this book more than any others I have. The parent info. page for each section is an added bonus. Wish I had written it.



4. The ideas presented for exploration in this book are simple and accessible to even a non-science minded person. I especially like the children's book suggestions pertaining to the topic - it gives me some resources for further "research" with the kids. Unlike many curricula-type books it is not particulary designed for multi-child experience... so for me and my 2 kids it is very easy to use with little adaptation for homeschool work.



5. The book is great and I'm glad I bought it, though, if your child is under 4 or even 5 you might need to wait before you can actually enjoy this book.

5 comments about PREPAREDNESS NOW!: An Emergency Survival Guide for Civilians and Their Families.

1. As an M.D. involved in disaster planning, and who lives in a hurricane zone in Florida I have read extensively in the field and this is one of the best survival books I have found. It is not an "arm yourself to the teeth and build a bomb shelter" book. It is a book all Americans should own and read. Practical, sensible advice, and excellent list of quality equipment sources.



2. The information found in this book is very useful, exact, correct and spot on. I can find no flaw in the INFORMATION of this book what-so-ever. I recommend this book to everyone who is interested in the subject matter. That said, there is one fatal flaw. Overt Liberalism from the author (which, I guess for Liberals make this a great book!). From claiming to know something bad (i.e. 9-11) was going to happen to the World Trade Centers and warning all his family and friends to stay away as early as Feb. 01, to commenting on Weapons of Mass destruction--saying something along the lines of "real WMD's, not imaginary ones that weren't found in Iraq" the author proves again and again that he's always right and that everyone else (i.e. the government) is always wrong. But, again, the Author's writing style is my only complaint.



3. While promising, this book has some serious flaws.
   
   In addition to a leftist philisophical and political bent which is out of place among the facts, the urban-focused survival orientation limits the value of the information to non-city dwellers.
   
   Some of the information presented is just factually wrong. For example, his comments about firearms are clearly acquired from someone with limited knowledge of the technical aspects of firearms, and regurgitate a number of misconceptions and urban myths about them. These errors cause me to question the validity of many of his other perspectives, especially when they seem to be politically driven.
   
   There is some good information here, but it must be gleaned from the chaff and outright propogandizing in order to find it. Unfortunately, the reader must already be knowledgable about the subject matter in order to determine preparedness fact from fiction.
   
   The book has merit for those who already posess good survival knowledge, and might make a decent addition to a good preparedness library. A good resource for those living in cities, who will suffer the worst should disaster strike. At the very least, it makes the reader consider personal preparedness planning and take stock of one's degree of readiness.
   
   For a novice who does not live in an urban area, or belong to the Green Party, the book would not be among my top recommendations.



4. Great product. The lists and explinations are a supurb starting point for anyone who wants to be prepared when bad things happen. The author is very careful to emphasize that physical fitness and acquiring certain skills are key to survival; just good common sense. He also provides web sites and resources for items on his list. I've used all of his lists to build my car, home and personal kits. In an all electronic age, we are VERY reliant on electricity...which gets knocked out when grids are overloaded. Well written and easy to read, I would recommend this book to anyone as an initial intro to self-reliance and disaster preparedness. Be prepared!



5. This is more of a recommended shopping list than a long term emergency survival guide. Having said that, it does offer more than a few helpful hints if and when disaster strikes. It could be greatly expanded as it mostly caters to those in urban areas; also no mention is given to what may be used as money if calamity strikes the nation at large, or where to get food and water from etc.. Again this is more geared to 'small' scale events like Katrina, California quakes etc. It is nonetheless a great book to have and I did buy a few things after reading it. 5 stars if expanded to cover complete breakdown of America, did enjoy it a lot though. Check out the website for a few more hints.