Parenting Book Review - Knights in Training
I read a lot of fiction and non-fiction but haven't read a lot of self-help books or entire books about parenting (this being the exception). I am a part of an online community with learning modules centered on positive parenting practices but am always looking for new strategies and ways of raising kids.
I've picked up a few books from the local public library and am happy to share my thoughts with you and would love to know what books you recommend!
Part 2 (11 chapters): How to teach your sons to live up to a knight's code in today's world including practical applications.
Part 3 (1 chapter): The need to continuously work on these skills throughout boyhood.
I always like to have the importance of imaginary play, limited screen time and outdoor play highlighted which the author did - it's the way I orient my parenting. I feel like often imaginary play is something that goes to the wayside for boys more quickly than girls, as it's not cool, and the allure of video games and sports quickly pulls them away.
Chapter 10 was about respecting women and any negative feelings I'd had about the beginning of the book and the use of boy stereotypes were tempered by this chapter. The author didn't shy away from the tough topics and addressed the objectification of women including rape and pornography. Chapter 8 was about standing against all types of injustice which directly feeds in to one of my main parenting goals for our kids.
Insights on teaching situational awareness was really helpful to keep in mind for training as were topics of perseverance and the pitfalls of praise as well as how to disagree respectfully. So much in the body of the book was directly applicable to our family.
Chapter 6 is about loving God. If a higher power isn't something you ascribe to, don't discount the whole book, I think it's still beneficial for your family. That being said I really liked the section in this chapter on A Reason to Live... Outside Oneself, with Virtue, with Purpose, with Hope. Really helped narrow down how to explain to my kids why my faith is important to me.
I've picked up a few books from the local public library and am happy to share my thoughts with you and would love to know what books you recommend!
Initial Impression before reading:
As a mom of 2 boys, looking at the title, who doesn't want honourable, courageous and compassionate boys? But I was a little reluctant to even start the book, wondering how long it would take chivalry to turn into misogyny.Run down of the book:
Part 1 (3 chapters): Why are boys different than girls, how culture shapes how we raise boys and how we should do it differently.Part 2 (11 chapters): How to teach your sons to live up to a knight's code in today's world including practical applications.
Part 3 (1 chapter): The need to continuously work on these skills throughout boyhood.
Lowlights:
For me, gender stereotypes are frustrating and I don't like them. And yet I read a parenting book about boys specifically - maybe not the smartest idea. The first few chapters of this book were either about "kids these days" (potty humor, lack of manners, entitlement) or about boy stereotypes (adventure, being strong, needing to move, needing to know why) which for me are more just about children in general. I almost stopped reading but I'm glad I didn't.
I also did not love the second last chapter on pursuing excellence. While there's obviously nothing wrong with doing your best and attaining goals, pursuing excellence comes too close to requiring perfection for me. Maybe that's just my own childhood issues coming through, but it seems like a lot of anxiety-inducing pressure to "do your best, be your best" and "go the extra mile", "have intense focus" in many facets of life. It felt a bit of a let down after the perseverance chapter which I liked a lot.
Highlights:
I liked chapters 5-14. Each of these chapters gave specific ways to cultivate a different (positive) characteristic in your child.I always like to have the importance of imaginary play, limited screen time and outdoor play highlighted which the author did - it's the way I orient my parenting. I feel like often imaginary play is something that goes to the wayside for boys more quickly than girls, as it's not cool, and the allure of video games and sports quickly pulls them away.
Chapter 10 was about respecting women and any negative feelings I'd had about the beginning of the book and the use of boy stereotypes were tempered by this chapter. The author didn't shy away from the tough topics and addressed the objectification of women including rape and pornography. Chapter 8 was about standing against all types of injustice which directly feeds in to one of my main parenting goals for our kids.
Insights on teaching situational awareness was really helpful to keep in mind for training as were topics of perseverance and the pitfalls of praise as well as how to disagree respectfully. So much in the body of the book was directly applicable to our family.
Chapter 6 is about loving God. If a higher power isn't something you ascribe to, don't discount the whole book, I think it's still beneficial for your family. That being said I really liked the section in this chapter on A Reason to Live... Outside Oneself, with Virtue, with Purpose, with Hope. Really helped narrow down how to explain to my kids why my faith is important to me.
Conclusion/Recommendations:
This was a really quick skim read for me. I highly recommend chapters 6-14! If you're looking for a short book that has great parenting tips and training tools without a lot of psychological/developmental explanation this is a great start. The knight theme could either go over really well in your house or be a complete flop, but either way the characteristics described and how to develop them in your child will be very beneficial.
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