Review: The Strong-Willed Child: Birth Through Adolescence

The Strong-Willed Child: Birth Through Adolescence by James C. Dobson

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I pulled our old copy of this book off the shelves because I was looking for some guidance for dealing with our youngest, who is about a year and a half old. Although I think the general approach to discipline he advocates is quite sound, I was hoping to find more specifics for dealing with children at that young age. Sadly, kids that young are really not the focus of the book.

It is interesting to see the range of reviews in this book. Many of the very negative ones seem to come from two sources:

- People who are vehemently opposed to any form for corporal punishment; These will, of course, not approve of Dobson's belief that it is appropriate in some circumstances. Dobson repeatedly emphasizes the need for fairness, clear expectations, moderation, appropriateness, and parental self-control when giving such punishment. He also continually drives home the fact that all such punishment must be within the framework of total love where a child always feels worthwhile, cared for, and safe. But there are many who equate physical punishment and child abuse, and all rational thought stops once they hear about spanking.

- People who disagree with Dr. Dobson because he is a Christian, or a conservative, or because he doesn't think homosexual behavior is healthy and must be promoted and affirmed; These people want to disagree with whatever else he says.

It is interesting, really, because he spends some time discussing Dr. Spock in this book. Dr. Spock wrote a very influential book on child-rearing back in the '50's. At the time of Dobson's book (the '70's), Spock was criticized by many for being too permissive, and encouraging parents to not be stern enough with their children. Dobson notes that many of Spock's critics were really made at him (Dr. Spock) because he opposed the U.S.'s involvement in the Vietnam war and therefore they misrepresented what Dr. Spock wrote. Things have come full circle. Now Dr. Dobson is being accused of being too harsh, but you can often see their complaints are really not because of what he wrote in this book. It is obvious that some of his detractors are actually angry with him for opposing abortion, or divorce, or homosexual behavior, or some other pet cause they may have.



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Review: Breakfast with the Pope

Breakfast with the Pope by Susan Vigilante

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, I share the opinion of many of the other reviewers here that it is an encouraging, honest, and very interesting look at Susan Vigilante's life and faith. I found (most of) it to be uplifting and inspiring. It was especially gratifying to see someone struggle with the teaching of the Catholic Church and come down on the side of the following Christ!

What disappointment I have with the book is two-fold. This first is really my fault. I read the book at the recommendation of a friend. She just told me she really liked it and thought I would too. But she didn't tell me anything else about the book, and I didn't ask. From the title I expected it to be a memoir about Pope John Paul II. Consequently, I thought there would be a lot more about him in the book. The book is really about Susan and her relationship with God, her husband, and her friends. It is very "girly". That doesn't make it bad by any means, but it is a little less my cup of tea.

WARNING: SPOILER AHEAD!

The second disappointment had to do with the rupturing of the friendships, the growth of which were so beautifully documented throughout the book. I had a hard time understanding why her friends felt so betrayed by the fact that she wrote this book. I just don't get it. Secondly, given how her friends felt, I don't understand how she went ahead and published the book anyway. To think that these once loving and happy friendships in the Lord have been dissolved made me very sad. I felt almost like I had contributed to it by reading the book!

My puzzlement with both of these questions caused the end of the book to leave a bad taste in my mouth.

Part of it is my difficulty really empathizing with passionate, artistic people. I just don't feel the drive, the *need* to write or sing or paint.

Of course, for someone who doesn't feel the *need* to write, I ramble on quite a bit with these reviews, don't I?




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All War, All The Time

George Weigel presents a summary of the history of the struggle between Communist governments and the Catholic Church over the last century.

What I find amazing is the brutality and disregard for the truth exhibited by those that opposed the Church. It is frustrating, also, to see how many people where duped by them. Still, today, there is an amazing lack of appreciation for just how horribly evil those systems of government were. The Left in this country has not come to face the horrendous evil that it defended or excused and minimized.

Those of us who love the Church should also not be naive about how ruthless and unscrupulous Christ's enemies can be. And we must be equally aware that the way to defend the Church is with good. We must draw close to Christ, love Him with our whole hearts and our neighbors as ourselves. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, love will fuel holy lives while holy lives will strengthen love. Loving, even to the point of giving our lives, is how we will defend the Church and rescue those who are deceived.

Review: Discerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision Making

Discerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision Making by Timothy M. Gallagher OMV

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Very clear and encouraging, as have been all of Fr. Gallagher's books. This one focused on discerning God's will in "large" decisions such a vocation, move, job change, etc.







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Book Log: Rethinking Expertise

Rethinking Expertise by Harry Collins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Interesting exploration of the meaning of scientific expertise.



This was one of my first forays into the world of e-books. I bought the Nook version and read it mostly on my Android phone. I discovered that the software for the phone is really not up to what is necessary for this kind of book. The images were illegible, and it is very cumbersome (to the point of not being worth it) to look at footnotes. I'm afraid that my frustrations with the medium may have affected my outlook on the book, so I'm going to refrain from commenting much more on it.





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Book Log: Philosophy of Mind: A Beginner's Guide by Edward Feser

Philosophy of Mind, Revised Edition: A Beginner's Guide by Edward Feser

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I really enjoyed this book. Feser's writing is clear and accessible. He does a great job of giving an overview of Philosophy's approach to understanding the mind and especially how the mind relates to the brain.

This is an area I've thought about a lot, but I have done no serious reading on it before now. This book was exactly what I was looking for as an introduction to the topic. I could follow most of it (although a lot of detail went past me), and it really gave me a great deal to think about. I strongly recommend it.



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On a more personal note: It has been wonderful to do some serious reading that does not involve computers! It seems that it has been ages since I've read something like this that really forced me to do some thinking. I didn't think as deeply as I probably should have, but I did think more than I have been recently!

Fwd: Very cute even guy's can read it!!

I receive a copy of all the e-mail my children get in their accounts. (My kids are quite aware of this, and every once in a while need to remind their friends of that fact.) My girls (pre- and early-teens) receive these endlessly-forwarded messages containing words of (supposed) wisdom for how girls and boys should relate to each other. The messages are horrible amalgamations of sappy sentimentality, really bad advice on communication, inappropriate suggestions, and misleading descriptions of what boys and girls "really" mean when they say something. The whole package is expressed with poor grammar and bad spelling, and often ends with a threat of endless heartache if it is not immediately forwarded to all of the reader's friends.

Seeing how popular these message appear to be, I can see both why women's magazines are so popular and why so many people seem to have a hard time forming stable, loving relationships. It is enough to make a father sigh.

Well, last night when another one of these came through the inbox (its subject is the title of this post), something in me snapped and I produced the following. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed mocking it.

The normal text is the original message. My additions are in italics, with the original text in strike-through where I thought appropriate.

When a Girl is quiet ... millions of things are running in her mind.

she is wondering what's for lunch.

When a Girl is not arguing ... she is thinking deeply.

Those are your only two choices: deep thought or arguing. Deal with it.

When a Girl looks at u with eyes full of questions ... she is wondering how long you will be around.

if she should tell you about the piece of spinach stuck between your teeth.

When a Girl answers ' I'm fine ' after a few seconds ... she is not at all fine.

When a Girl answers "I'm not fine," after a few seconds .. she is not at all fine.

Face it: She's not fine! And it's your fault!

When a Girl stares at you ... she is wondering why you are lying.

why she never noticed that long hair growing out of your nose. And she's still worried about the spinach between your teeth.

When a Girl lays on your chest ... she is wishing for you to be hers forever.

she is really exhausted. Go get her a pillow! Then take a hint and leave!

When a Girl wants to see you everyday... she wants to be pampered.

has a lot of free time.

When a Girl says ' I love you ' ... she means it.

even though according to the rest of this e-mail she doesn't plainly tell you anything else she means.

When a Girl says ' I miss you ' ... no one in this world can miss you more than that.

Except maybe your Dog. Or another Girl.

Life only comes around once make sure u spend it with the right person....

preferably someone who can spell the word "you".

Find a Guy .. who calls you beautiful instead of hot.

Unless you live in Arizona and you really are hot because the temperature is over 110 degrees. Then, if he calls you beautiful when you're all gross and sweaty, he's probably a liar.

Who calls you back when you hang up on him.

Because it would be completely unreasonable for him to expect someone who cares for him to be polite on the phone, right?

Wait for the guy who ... kisses your forehead.

Then, help him buy some eyeglasses so he doesn't miss next time.

Who wants to show you off to the world when you are in your sweats.

That will show he's really sensitive to your feelings. You really want the world to see you in your sweats, right?

Who holds your hand in front of his friends.

Because he's afraid you'll hold hands with one of his friends?

Who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares about you and how lucky he is to have you.

It is good to be appreciated.

Who turns to his friends and says, ' That's her!! '

"That's the girl that hung up on me! (And she keeps staring at my teeth!)

If you open this you have to repost it, guy or girl, or you will have bad luck for the rest of your life!!!!!

But no pressure.

If I don't get this back I guess your not my friend. If you have a lot of love for someone. copy and send this to your whole list. In 5 minutes your true love will call or message you.

How could it not work?

Tonight at midnight your true love will realize they like you. (Too bad, because before midnight, your true love thought they loved you. And what's with "they"? Does he have a split personality? Do you have multiple true loves? Shouldn't you sort this out before you're laying your head on his [excuse me, I mean "their"] chest [chests?]) Something good will happen to you at approx. 1:42pm (approximately!) tomorrow, it could be anywhere.

So get ready for the biggest shock of your life. If you break this chain, you will be cursed with relationship problems for the most important time of your life. (Again, no pressure.) send this to 15 people in 15 minutes to carry on the chain...and spare yourself the emotional stress..

No! I waited more than 15 minutes!