Showing posts with label must read parenting book. Show all posts
Showing posts with label must read parenting book. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

A Must Read Book for Parents with Girls on How to Raise Young Women with Passion and Purpose -- BRAVE GIRLS by Stacey Radin (Book Review) #BraveGirls @UnleashedNyOrg

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Pivoting Media Project to raise awareness of the book and Unleashed. All opinions in this post are mine and mine alone.


Dr. Stacey Radin's mission is to build confidence in young girls,
and guide a generation to become passionate leaders.




Atria Books
288 pages
Published January 6, 2015
ISBN 9781451699302, $25.00
eBook ISBN:
9781451699326, $12.99
To purchase the book on Amazon, click here.

It wasn't until I had girls of my own that I started to really see the importance of parenting in such a way to raise strong and powerful girls who one day can become a leader.  


I don't blame my own mother for a lack of parenting when it came to raising me, as this was not the norm 30+ years ago.  Just like my mom and her mom and grandmother before her, the women in the family were raised to be nurturers and care for the family.  This meant becoming a mother and caretaker of the home and family -- A.K.A - homemaker.  Women during these time periods never thought they would grow up to be a woman leader.  But, oh times have changed.  Now, women are being raised to believe that they can do anything they want.  Some women are even becoming the primary breadwinners in the house, which would have been unheard back in the day.

While there are shifts in the right direction for women's roles in today's day and age, there are still archaic notions about what a woman should do and limits are still being placed on us.  We are still making less than our male counterparts, even though we are doing the same, if not more work than they are.  Also, men are still in the forefront of the leadership in companies, as many still feel men are the leaders and women are the supporters.



When I look at my girls I see so much possibility in what they can become as the grow and develop into strong willed women.  I try to instill "the sky's the limit" when raising them, but find myself reading articles in the paper about women taking one step forward in leadership roles and then others having them take two steps back.  Hopefully as the years go by and more and more women, who have been raised by strong willed mothers and have been given the necessary tools to be great leaders and in control of their voices, enter the workplace and rise to the top of the corporate ladder, that it will make things easier for girls growing up today, to truly thrive and achieve great things.  

While this book is geared towards parents with girls going through the middle school years, I have found it to be a great start to paving the way for my girls to build the necessary confidence and passion and drive to become powerful young leaders.  I know that back in middle school I started to get interested in science and math. And, when it came time to choosing my course load in middle and high school, I found only a handful of girls in these male dominated classes.  We found ourselves extra hard to prove to the boys and the teachers that we could handle it and excel.  Years later I still keep in touch with these girls.  Only a handful went on to pursue carries in the sciences and/or math.  Without a push from their parents and teachers those who chose alternate paths said they didn't have the confidence and passion to go the distance and achieve goals or aspirations they had partly based on their gender.  Hearing this and knowing firsthand how hard it was to get a BS in Public Health, I don't want to hear my girls tell me years later that they dreamed for more, but settled for what was expected for them.  

Thanks to research done by the author about women struggling in the professional world and realizing that it all begins in the middle school years, this book is written as a guidebook for parents and even educators to help girls reach their ultimate potential while also sharing tools to help them become confident, passionate and powerful leaders.


I found myself marking up pages that talked about contributing factors that lead to failure including bullying, fear of speaking out, excessive competition, etc. so that I could identify these patterns when my girls reach the formative middle school years and help them break these patterns, so that they can flourish and be inspired to be the next generation of strong-willed women leaders ready to conquer the world or whatever is put in front of them.

While we work to empower our children with confidence and resilience, it’s just as important to understand the systems in place that legally protect them. In Arizona, ARS 13-3623 outlines what constitutes child abuse and neglect, including emotional and physical harm. Knowing these legal definitions helps parents stay aware, spot warning signs, and advocate more effectively for their child’s safety — both at home and in the wider community.

I truly hope that one day women will be looked at as equals to when and that they will be given the same opportunities for growth within a company that brings with it equal pay and benefits.  And, my biggest hope is that my girls will be front and center to show that they are born leaders and have purpose and drive and passion -- all key ingredients that make for a powerful and successful leader.  Dream big and achieve big is what I continue to tell them, and after reading and re-reading "Brave Girls" by Stacey Radin, I now how a better sets of tools to help them grow and achieve great things.

If you are a parent to a young daughter, or know someone who is, you will want to pick up a copy of Stacey's book, "Brave Girls" to read and/or pass around.  Be sure you have a highlighting or sticky notes ready to mark up pages, as you read through this wonderfully written book that offers the necessary tools for parents (and even grandparents and caregivers) to raise young girls to stand up and fight for what they believe in, own their voice and never let someone tell them they are capable of doing something just because of their gender.  I couldn't put this book down and have been busy passing it along to friends with young girls so that they could read inspiring and moving stories of girls having their lives transformed, and how the same can be done with your own children through the useful tools and tips shared throughout the pages of this must own parenting book.

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About the Book:

BRAVE GIRLS: RAISING YOUNG WOMEN WITH PASSION AND PURPOSE TO BECOME POWERFUL LEADERS (Atria, January 6, 2015, Hardcover) is the story and the science behind this endeavor. After interviewing hundreds of high-achieving businesswomen, Dr. Radin discovered that even the country's most accomplished female professionals were often hampered by insecurity and afraid of being considered too aggressive in a business world run largely by men. She is dedicated to uncovering the inherent
strengths, value, and skills of young girls.

Dr. Radin research with these women proved that these harmful thoughts are formed in middle school, when identity development is at its peak. Even as responsible adults, women still faced the confining and outdated gender norm of the "nice little girl."

To weaken the power of this limiting message, Dr. Radin founded Unleashed, an after-school program that introduces pre-teen girls to an important social cause—animal rescue—and gives them a passion, a key element in being engaged and successful in both the workplace and in life. While the girls create solutions to the task of rescuing neglected and abused dogs, they learn compassion and resilience, how to interact with peers with empathy and respect, and develop resourcefulness and critical thinking skills. “A solid resource for parents and educators working with middle school girls; the program goals can be adapted to other issues.

BRAVE GIRLS will show educators and parents how to recognize and encourage the confidence and leadership potential of young girls, and demonstrate how making them aware of their strengths is valuable not only to them, but to society as a whole.

The vision of Unleased is "to unleash the power of girls, investing in the next generation of female change-makers." Readers of Radin’s empowering book will feel inspired and hopeful that this group of girls will permanently smash the glass ceiling."

About the Author:

Stacey Radin : portraits

Stacey Radin is a psychologist, researcher, and consultant who has dedicated her career to the development of girls and women. She is the founder and president of Corporate Equilibrium, specializing in the psychology of organizational effectiveness, and a member of the United Nation’s Working Group on Girls. 

About Unleashed:



Founded in 2010 by psychologist and leadership consultant Dr. Stacey Radin (Psy.D), Unleashed is a twelve-week after-school program currently in place in fifteen schools & three community centers in the U.S. 

Shelly & Brooke edt.JPG

To date they have served over 300 girls, rescued over 400 puppies, and run 24 programs in more than 15 schools. The program seeks to "revolutionize gender in our society" by teaching pre-teen girls to take charge in the goal of dog rescue. By becoming experts in animal rights and welfare, Dr. Radin coaches girls to think big, collaborate, and discover and exercise their power to make a difference in society and take a stand against injustice.

To learn more about Unleased and author Stacey Radin, visit her website at : www.unleashedny.org/author/stacey-radin
Follow along on social media...

To get involved in Unleased, visit http://www.unleashedny.org/get-involved
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Pivoting Media Project to raise awareness of the book and Unleashed. All opinions in the above post are mine and mine alone.

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Monday, October 21, 2013

IT'S TIME TO GO BACK TO BABY BASICS WITH RETRO BABY!, w/ Anne H. Zachry, PhD, OTR/L (Book Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views shared are mine and mine alone.





New AAP Book, Retro Baby, Encourages Parents to Return to the Baby Basics – Emphasizes the Importance of One-on-One Play with Children in Their Early Stages of Life and Recommends Over 100 Time-Tested Activities



Author: Anne H. Zachry, PhD, OTR/L
Publication Date: October 2013
Price: $16.95
Available through Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and bookstores nationwide


Synopsis:

"While bouncers, walkers, carriers, electronic toys, and “educational” videos are intended to make parents’ lives easier and children smarter, according to a new book published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), parents should consider reducing their baby’s time spent with gadgets and bond the old fashioned way by going back to basics.

Leading pediatric occupational therapist and child development specialist Anne Zachry, PhD, OTR/L is the author of Retro Baby: Cut Back on All the Gear and Boost Your Baby’s Development With More Than 100 Time-Tested Activities (American Academy of Pediatrics, October 2013), a new book intended to help parents and caregivers understand the importance of one-on-one play with children during the early stages of life. With over 20 years experience, Zachry understands that each family and baby have different needs and in her book, she offers many flexible strategies and suggestions for playtime that provide lots of opportunities to spend valuable time with baby, creating that special bond that will last a lifetime. 

Incorporating the latest recommendations from the AAP with extensive research by Zachry and other experts in her field, Retro Baby covers how an infant’s brain, body, motor and sensory skills develop, explain the negative impacts of overusing certain baby gear, and provide specific instructions for play positions and activities that are appropriate for each developmental stage, giving parents both a starting point and guidelines to help them properly invest in their child’s development and future.

Packed with more than 100 wonderful activities based on modern day research, Retro Baby is a comprehensive guide that will help parents and caregivers:
·      Learn how crucial connections are formed between a child’s brain and muscles during the first year of life.
·      Discover how the over use of some products can hinder infant exploration.
·      Observe how good old-fashioned play affects your baby’s development in a positive way.
·      Try a variety of ideas that enhance baby’s ability to learn.
·      See how to make traditional, handmade toys using common household items.

Retro Baby also includes chapters on keeping your sleeping baby safe, practicing tummy time and preventing positional skull deformities.

“I’ve discovered that many parents do not understand of the dangers of extended equipment use and overexposure to technology,” said Zachry.  She adds,  “All of the information in ‘Retro Baby’ will help parents play a role in building a solid foundation for their child’s future skills in school and in life. When you use this authoritative up-to-date source, you’ll be faithfully supporting- but not rushing- your baby’s mastery of developmental milestones.”
 
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My Thoughts:

Are you one of those parents who buys baby gear and toys that are considered brain boosters, or products that will make our lives easier.  I know for me that when we were preparing to welcome our first daughter, Savannah, that I thought I was being a savvy new parent by researching all the different baby gear available, as I put together my baby registry and bought must have items for our bundle of joy.  But, shortly after Savannah arrived, I realized that all the money I spent on this so-called "must have" gear hardly got used, or never performed the way it claimed.  Instead, simple rocking when she was fussy, as well as other non-materialistic approaches seemed to sooth our colicky baby. 

When it came time to buy toys for her, I fell into the trap like so many other new parents, in that I spent top-dollar on "educational" toys, gadgets and videos that were supposed to boost our daughter's brain development.  Little did I know that more mommy and me time, a simple set of stackable blocks and tummy time activities would make for a happier baby, while helping my child reach its development stages.  It wasn't until we found out we were expecting Arabella, that I took a serious look at what I really needed to buy (if anything) and how this time around, we would not be fooled by all the so-called educational toys out there. 

I laugh when I think about all those commercials about how parenting your children changes as you add more children to your family.  With the first child, you are walking on egg shells as you don't know how to handle each new situation.  By the second child, you are more relaxed and give them more rein when it comes to experimenting to trying new things.  Then, by the third and so-on, a simple empty milk jug or paper towel tube is all your child needs to stay entertained.  Well, not really, but you get where I am going. We learn over time that we don't need all the fancy bells and whistles of educational toys that cost a fortune, to really help our children development and grow.  Instead, more one-on-one bonding time, and fun activities like tummy time ones, really help to form a special bond with our children, as they learn and grow.

I wish this book was available back when we were preparing for Savannah's arrival, as it would not have only eased my worry about what we had to buy or really needed when it came to helping our daughter reach each developmental milestone, but we would have also saved a lot of money.  I have boxes of educational DVDs and toys that my daughters could care less about.  Instead, I can set a pot and spatula or wooden spoon down on the living room floor, and they can go crazy making music, learning about cause and effect, and just have fun, with simple old-fashioned fun activities.  I wish I had listened to my mom when she would ask why I had bought certain toys or products for the girls.  She would always say that they didn't have them when we were growing, and that they were able to do without just fine, and that I turned out fine.  I guess in this case, after reading "Retro Baby," and having what my mom had said to me years ago reaffirmed, that she was right.  This is another one of those "I told you so" moments that I have to acknowledge, and learn from. :-)

If you are a new or expecting parent, or know someone who is expecting, this is one book to add to your must read list.  With so much insightful information, getting ready for baby, and the first year with your child, will be less stressful.  You will be able to enjoy bonding with your baby, as you will read in this book how one-on-one time in the early stages of life is so important, and shouldn't be replaced with bouncers, swings or other silly and oh so expensive baby gear, that you hope will soothe your fussy baby.  Instead, cradle, sing and even dance around with your baby, as you build a strong bond that will help them grow and development.  With good old fashioned bonding and time-tested activities, this book will get you ready to raise your child in a more healthy and stress-free environment.  I will definitely be including this in all future baby shower gifts I give, and sharing the book with other moms in my Mommy and Me meet ups.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne H. Zachry, PhD, OTR/L is a pediatric occupational therapist and child development specialist with more than 20 years experience. Her research on this subject has been published in national peer-reviewed journals and her profession’s trade magazines as well as a number of parenting magazines. She cites and extensively supports AAP policy and is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and has lectured at the University of Memphis and is a Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Tennessee Health and Science Center. Her blog, “Pediatric Occupational Therapy Tips: (www.drzachryspedsottips.blogspot.com) averages 30,000 hits monthly.


Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views shared are mine and mine alone.
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