Date:                     7/25/11

Title:                     Bring out the Best in Your Child and Your Self: Creating a Family Based on Mutual Respect

Author:                  Ilene Val-Essen, Ph.D.

ISBN 13:                 978-0-9675371—1-5

Pages:                    334

Publisher:              Quality Parenting

Cover:                    E-book Galley

Reviewer:              Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant – Literary Wonders!  

Rating:                  4 Stars

           Dr. Ilene Val-Essen has created a guide that helps parents better understand their children and themselves. We were all raised in different ways and in different eras, and with children in the current era, reaching them is much more challenging.

          Dr. Val-Essen defines and evaluates the three levels of self and how we all shift back and forth through these phases. This book gives examples and exercises for each level of self. It also defines how changing our attitudes can better help with the development of our children and allow parents to see themselves in a new light.

          I’d have to say, my personal opinion, I disagree with Dr. Val-Essen on the issue of spanking. Again, I said this is a personal opinion, but could be derived from the fact that I was raised in a strict environment that included spanking and I actually think it helped me in my personal development.

          Overall, I’d say that this book was written very well and has some great advice to parents. It gives possible reasons as to where a child may be, as opposed to where they could be. It gives examples of being Aggressive versus passive versus assertive.

          Although I think there is something in this book for every parent, I believe that the entire book will not be completely received by generational, religious and cultural audiences. One of the good things about this book is that although it will not be everything to everybody, there is something for everyone.

This is not a book that you just read and put on the shelf. There are actual exercises and skills that require implementation.