Update: Please note the new deadline of April 27 for this contest. I'm bumping up the date so that I can feature this contest in the very awesome Bloggy Giveaways Carnival! Click here to enter all of the other fabulous giveaways going on there. Good luck!As a parent of three, I've been learning and growing along with my children for over 18 years. And you know what? "You learn something new everyday" is quite true, even after all this time.
Imagine if you were able to get sage advice and tips from a mother who has successfully raised
27 children? If you're like me, you'd jump on the chance to do so.
You'll have the opportunity to do just that when you read
Mama Rock's Rules: Ten Lessons for Raising a Household of Successful Children (
Harper Collins) by Rose Rock with Valerie Graham. Rose Rock is the mother of comedian Chris Rock, and has raised ten children as well as 17 foster children.
Anyone who can do that...and do it successfully, has my full attention! The book is full of wonderful words of wisdom, and I like that Mama Rock is very "old school." She tells it like it is and believes in setting rules and limitations for children. She believes that parents should be parents and not friends with their children (Amen to that!)
To bring home the points she makes in each section, she offers "Mama's Mojo" which is a short but sweet summary of some of her rules. Her children also offer their point of view in quotes in the sidebars of the book.
The celebrity lover in me enjoyed getting a glimpse into the childhood of Chris Rock. Mama Rock tells so many funny/charming stories that you feel like you're right there in their household, trying to cover up the broken gumball machine right along with them (one broken piece at a time carried out of the house under coats, lol).
My favorite piece of advice was how Mama Rock got her children to admit to doing something wrong. She advises parents to never ask a "yes" or "no" question. Don't ask your children if they broke a vase. The answer will always be no.
Instead, sit them down, make them comfortable with something like a delicious bowl of ice cream and then make them believe that you already know more than you do (don't you just love her already?). Then ask them something like, "
When you did this (broke the lamp or piece of china), were you bouncing a ball or did you throw it around the room with someone else?"
I am so going to use that from now on with my kids! In fact, I clearly remember using this on a boyfriend of mine who I suspected was cheating on me in middle school. He'd gone to a skating rink on a Friday night and when he got back I said, "I heard you were skating with that girl."
Of course, I'd heard no such thing, but it worked. He apologized profusely and I quickly dumped him. Why didn't I ever think to use that tactic with my kids? Thanks, Mama Rock for reminding me that a little manipulation can go a long way in bringing out the truth!
I don't agree with all of the rules in the book (for example, I don't believe in handing my children a condom and so far my approach has worked as my oldest is heading off to college as a virgin and plans to save herself for marriage), but I think most parents would be hard-pressed to completely agree with all the rules another parent has for their kids.
But I do agree with most of the rules, and I think you will too.
Want to find out if you do? I am giving away my review copy of Mama Rock's Rules to one lucky reader. Simply leave a comment here to be entered. Deadline to enter is at 11:59 p.m, April 27. Winner will be selected at random using Random.org and announced on April 28. Good luck!Labels: bloggy carnival, book review, giveaways
# Posted by Blonde Blogger @ |
3:33 PM
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33 Comments:
I would love to read this book.
Thanks for the review.
dolls123[at]gmail[dot]com
By
dolls123, at April 15, 2008 7:08 PM
Sounds like this could be a good book. :)
By
Lesha, at April 15, 2008 9:10 PM
Sounds like an interesting read. I'd love to be entered!
By
Gina, at April 16, 2008 8:28 PM
Your review got my attention. Parenting books are tricky. You've got to find something that works, but doesn't go against your beliefs/instincts. It sounds like this book would work for us.
Crossing fingers
Please pick me. :-)
By
Reiza, at April 17, 2008 11:15 AM
Sounds great to this mom! Sage advice never hurt anyone. As far as I am concerned, she is practically a saint! LOL Please enter me in your book drawing. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com
By
windycindy, at April 18, 2008 10:02 PM
I've been hearing lots of great things about this book!
By
imadramamama, at April 23, 2008 2:18 PM
I would love to be entered into this contest. Sounds like a great book!
By
jskell911, at April 23, 2008 2:35 PM
It sounds like a great book. Any advice on parenting is welcome.
By
Dawn, at April 23, 2008 3:19 PM
It sounds like a very interesting book.
I can be reached at the URL linked to my name. THANKS!
By
Kimberly, at April 23, 2008 3:38 PM
Sounds a terrific fun book to read. I would love to win.
Thanks for the giveaway!
ann dot guns at mac dot com
By
gunzie, at April 23, 2008 3:59 PM
I would like to win this book very much!
jennifer @ quiverfull family .com no spaces
By
Jennifer Bogart, at April 23, 2008 4:47 PM
27 kids! My two exhaust me! I'd love this book!!
By
Mari, at April 23, 2008 5:39 PM
I would love to win this book..I am tired with my 3 boyz
By
Hipmomofboyz, at April 23, 2008 6:30 PM
This looks to be a great book with humorous and helpful advice.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
By
Anonymous, at April 24, 2008 2:29 AM
This sounds like a fun and useful read. :) Thanks for the chance to win it. :)
adashofsassitude(at)gmail.com
By
Audra Marie, at April 24, 2008 12:49 PM
Sounds great! 27 kids, that's insane. She must know something to make it through that.
By
WorldsGreatestMommy, at April 24, 2008 5:57 PM
Enter me, please!
By
M.E., at April 24, 2008 6:07 PM
This sounds like an awesome book not only am I a single mom but I also work with troubled kids. I would love to read this
By
Sarah Berry, at April 24, 2008 7:12 PM
I would love to read this book. Sounds like a great read. Every now and then we all need a little
"old school" refresher!!
By
LeAnne, at April 24, 2008 9:38 PM
I'd love to get my hands on this book!
digicat@sbcglobal.net
By
carolsue, at April 24, 2008 10:49 PM
If my son grows up to be anything like his father, I'm going to need this book! :)
By
Marly, at April 24, 2008 11:03 PM
I have read reviews of this book and I want to read it!
grace [at] sandierpastures dot com
By
grace, at April 25, 2008 2:07 AM
I'd love to read this book =) Thanks for offering it.
By
Alitheia, at April 25, 2008 2:34 AM
Thank you for the giveaway, it's great! I would love to win. nw_wife(at)hotmail(dot)com
By
The Chatty Housewife-, at April 25, 2008 3:06 AM
I love Chris Rock. I'm sure a book by his mom is great!
By
Audrey, at April 25, 2008 3:25 AM
This sounds like a great book! I could use some new mom tips.
By
Suzie G., at April 25, 2008 4:07 AM
I bet this is full of laughs!! I would love to read it!
By
frugallm, at April 25, 2008 11:58 AM
I saw her on the Today show and would love to read it!
gitrecca at gmail dot com
By
Rebecca, at April 25, 2008 12:28 PM
I saw her on The View. I really want to read her book. She's an amazing woman.
By
nottryingforaboy, at April 25, 2008 1:41 PM
please enter me
By
susan1215, at April 25, 2008 2:18 PM
I saw her on the Today show and ever since then I've wanted to get her book!
What a wonderful giveaway you are doing here.
Have fun with your giveaway. Don't forget to head on over to my blog and enter mine!
By
Kim, at April 25, 2008 7:39 PM
I have wanted to read this since I saw her on "The View". Thanks for the giveaway!
By
Jinxy & Me, at April 25, 2008 7:44 PM
ohh i bet this book is great -- is aw her on tv and wanted to read it
Great giveaway! I hope i'm the lucky winner! :)
By
Reeva, at April 26, 2008 1:59 PM
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