The Blessings of a Skinned Knee

The Blessings of a Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children
by Wendy Mogel

Anyone read this? I am about 1/2 way through it and am really finding it helpful in a lot of ways. I'm not jewish, and the book isn't heavy on the jewish theology, just sort of uses it as a jumping off point for parenting advice. It's a perfect book for my soon-to-be 6 year-olds, and I can see it being really useful in the years ahead.

For instance, I just read the chapter on wanting things. Perfect!! I'll write more later, if anyone's interested, but I have to go pick up my kids from their summer Pre-K program

 

QUOTE
I'll write more later, if anyone's interested


Or not! :lol:

I'm hopeful that the reason no one's replied is that when your kids turn 6 you no longer need parenting advice! That would be awesome! I can't wait

 

I actually put this on my Amazon "to buy later" list long before I even got pregnant because I read an interview with the author and I thought it sounded like a really wonderful book, so I wanted to be able to remember the name of it when the time came! I would be interested in hearing more about it even though I think we're still a few years off from it being relevant.

 

I'd love to hear more about it. I may go look it up on Amazon.
What is the general philosophy?

 

Hi Ellen, it had been a long time since you've posted! How are the boys?
I've read this book a long time ago, and it's one of my favorite books on parenting. Our synagogue even had a class for parents based on the discussion of this book. We share a lot of views described in this book, and I think about it often when the I have to face another parenting dilemma. I agree that this book could be very useful for any parent, not just a parent rasing Jewish kids.

 

Hi Anna! I would love to be in a discussion group about this book. My poor husband -- he's crazy busy right now, but I keep hounding him to read this so I can talk to him about it.

Marcia, I am only about 1/2 way through it. If I had to sum it up at this point, I'd say that she sees Jewish teachings as addressing age-old parenting issues. They are relevant today because they are tried and true. Not that it's a book about the Jewish religion. She uses passages or teachings as the beginnings for talking about parenting issues.

One thing I really like so far is the way she encourages respecting your child's particular nature. Rather than trying to "cure" a child of an annoying trait, she encourages seeing it in a different light. As, perhaps, his/her greatest strength if directed positively. I think all people possess that ying/yang of strengths/weaknesses. What can be a strength can also be someone's downfall depending on how they channel it.

Having identical twins is to be made aware every single day/moment that children come largely pre-programmed. If that weren't true, my boys would be just the same! So, how to help them each realize their strengths and become responsible, good people? That's what I think this book will help me with. At least I hope so!

 

Ellen, I will have to look for that one. Also, if she is using passages, they are probably from the Old Testament, so they are still relevant to Christians who may be hesitent to read it.

 

Just looked it up, I think I'll buy that one

thanks

 

I will have to check this out too.

Thanks for the recommendation. My girls are 4 but any edge I can get helps. lol

 

Sounds like a good one to read...I'll have to check it out. Thanks

 

Will have to look at that one. My girls are starting to have very distinct (and different!) personalities. I've been looking for something that may be able to help me through the journey of raising a very stubborn and strong willed (and did I mention stubborn?!) child. Definitely worth looking into. Maybe it will teach how to look possitively at this and turn it into something creative, or at least help me make it through the struggling times, lol. Thanks for the book suggestion.

 

I definitely will take a look at at, because it sounds like an awesome book and the fact that I have 2 six year olds

 

FANTASTIC BOOK!

I am Jewish, my husband is Catholic. My dad bought me the book. I loved it. I recommend it to anyone, Jewish or not, if you are open minded.

I would like to share two pieces I found valuable.

1. "Because I said so" is a perfectly good reason. You are the parent, they are the child. It goes into more explanation.

2. Maintain your seat at the table. You and your spouse should not give up your seats at the table. It shows that you are the parent.

My kids always want to sit in my seat "Just for today", and the book helped me handle this.

It goes into all sorts of areas of parenting, and has great stuff. It does root some of it in Jewish teachings from the Talmud, etc... but if you are open minded, it all makes sense.

Read it! Great book!