Customer Reviews

Hidden Messages: What Our Words and Actions Are Really Telling Our Children

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Oh please. The examples were all cheesey, and it was so obvious what the "hidden message" was. Parenting would be EASY if all you had to do was be as obvious as the examples given. I bought the book expecting a more complex treatment of hidden messages and child development, but all we get are a bunch of vignettes which are pretty easy to avoid in your own life if you're paying any attention at all.

I have not finished the book yet. But I should say that I am very happy I picked up this one. I am learning many things that otherwise I would have never thought about.

Some situations look so normal to me, until I read about the hidden messages, and realize how wrong I was for thinking the original story was fine. I like that they also give you examples of how you should have acted instead. It is a most read book.

Powerful is the only word to describe this book. I can't believe the impact it can have on your life. I think if all parents were required to read it before their children were born our world would be a place I'd be more than happy to raise my 2 children in!
Jessica Hudson
Sexy & Stylish Maternity Clothing and Nursing Clothing at Eva Lillian Maternity & Nursing Boutique

Powerful eye-opening messages that expose the errors in our innocent daily actions with our children. Each chapter opens with a very typical and common parent-child situation. You'll be nodding in agreement as you'll see yourself displayed clearly. Then the author presents a description of the Hidden Message shown in the action and you'll stop and restructure your thoughts on the insightful take on a seemingly harmless interaction. For example, if you always do for your child by packing his lunch, tieing his shoes, cleaning his room then you may be robbing him of the ability to take care of himself. Every parent should read this book - and the younger your child the better. Excellent.

Once again Pantley has done it. What a fabulous window into myself and my children. I must confess that I think I am a most devoted and conscientious parent. With a background in early childhood education, I feel well prepared to competently reer my two boys. But Elizabeth's book has me re-examining some of my everyday decisions, such as cleaning up after my three year old or staying after him to do it. More importantly, reading certain scenarios was a reminder to me that every interaction with my children has an impact on their fragile little developing personalities. And frequently the impact is more far reaching than I anticipate.

Hidden Messages is not only valuable information. It also compellingly written by an author who is as competent and experienced as she is earnest and compassionate.

This book is a "must read" for parents!

You THINK you know, but sometimes you are fooled. There are things that this book uncovered for me that showed me the error or my way of thinking. A simple example, maybe, but I used to make all my kids lunches for school. Since reading this book I taught them how to do it and they take pride in doing it on their own - even the first grader! I enjoyed the Chicken Soup style stories and the information that followed each story was incredibly helpful in making decisions about how to avoid (or fix) the issue in your family. Highly recommended.

I could not stop reading this book! The short stories make it so interesting that I couldn't wait to read the next. I think all parents will be able to relate to many of the stories and learn so much!!!

Our son is only 2 1/2, and a lot of the stories in this book apply more to kids who are a little older, so it has served us more as a warning before we have a chance to send many messages that we don't mean. _Hidden Messages_ really made us stop and think about what our son is actually learning from what we're trying to teach him. We've never been disappointed by an Elizabeth Pantley book, and this is no exception!

I love this book. It gives real life examples of common parent behavior that have surprising implications and influence on kids. It opens my eyes as to how our day-to-day and casual talks and actions, no matter how well-intentioned we are, can send damaging messages to our loved ones. In fact, I see myself and my friends featured in some of the stories and I'm grateful for the "hidden messages" uncovered. It's surely an exciting discovery of your own parenting style.

I love the format of this book and the messages it accompanies. You read a story about a parenting situation and think, well, I do that, what's the big deal? Then you read the hidden message you are sending your child and a light bulb goes on in your head. I highly recommend it to every parent.