This month music is a compilation of great composers of the Western Classical masterpieces.
During the month of June, my wife and I were focusing more on making sure our children have the best of our attention. Thus some of the reading was on how to do good parenting (See number 3 - 5) and two other books (one on how live as a godly man and the other is a leadership book):-
Number 5: Children Are from Heaven: Positive Parenting Skills for Raising Cooperative, Confident, and Compassionate Children by John Gray
"All children are born innocent and good," asserts Gray, author of Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus. Getting them to cooperate is merely a matter of arousing their natural desire to please their parents, without breaking their fragile will in the process. Five skills of positive parenting induce cooperation, supported by their five underlying messages, one of which is the author's mantra: "It's o.k. to say no, but remember Mom and Dad are the bosses."
In a synthesis of old-fashioned authoritarianism and modern psychological sensitivity ("soft love"), parents are urged to view a child's resistance as natural and healthy, and to listen, empathize and finally assert their authority firmly and unemotionally. If this approach sounds unrealistic, it certainly feels right in the context of Gray's penetrating (and often historically minded) psychological explanations.
In the hypnotic style of a therapist, Gray gradually replaces parental advice with empathy, and an emphasis on obedience with an emphaisis on cooperation, supplying a new repertoire of one-liners and age-, gender- and temperament-specific suggestions along the way. While placing the entire responsibility for children's behavior on their parents' shoulders, this book essentially simplifies the business of parenting in order to enable children to grow into their strongest, most responsible selves. (Oct.)
Product Description
This brilliantly original and practical system for parenting children is the brainchild of John Gray, whose Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus books and seminars have helped millions of adults communicate more effectively and lovingly with each other. Based on this idea that children respond better to positive rather than negative reinforcement, the Children Are from Heaven program concentrates on rewarding, not punishing, children and fostering their innate desire to please their parents.
Central to this approach are the five positive messages your children need to learn again and again:
It's okay to be different.
It's okay to make mistakes.
It's okay to express negative emotions.
It's okay to want more.
It's okay to say no, but remember Mom and Dad are the bosses.
About the Author
John Gray, Ph.D., an internationally recognized expert in the fields of communication and relationships, and the author of twelve bestsellers, has been conducting personal-growth seminars for thirty years.He is a Certified Family Therapist (National Academy for Certified Family Therapists), a consulting editor of the Family Journal, a member of the Distinguished Advisory Board of the international Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, and a member of the American Counseling Association.John lives with his wife and three children in Northern California.
Number 4: Teaching Your Children Values by Richard M. Eyre & Linda Eyre
One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is a strong sense of personal values. Helping your children develop values such as honesty, self-reliance, and dependability is as important a part of their education as teaching them to read or how to cross the street safely. The values you teach your children are their best protection from the influences of peer pressure and the temptations of consumer culture. With their own values clearly defined, your children can make their own decisions -- rather than imitate their friends or the latest fashions. In Teaching Your Children Values Linda and Richard Eyre present a practical, proven, month-by-month program of games, family ctivities, and value-building ecercises for kids of all ages.
* NOTE: I am not a Mormon nor a believer of their religion, but I highly respect the authors.
About the Authors
Richard M. Eyre (born 1944)is a consultant, speaker, and author of many books. He was also a candidate for the Republican nomination for Utah Governor in 1992. Richard is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is a Mormon.
Both Richard Eyre and his wife Linda have written over a dozen books, many bestsellers. These include Teaching Your Children Values which was the first parenting book to make it to the position of #1 New York Times bestseller since Dr. Spock's book. Eyre's Spiritual Serendipity: Cultivating and Celebrating the Art of the Unexpected was published by Simon and Schuster in 1997. Other books by Eyre include The Discovery of Joy (1974), Teaching Children Joy (1986), The Birth We Call Death with Paul H. Dunn, Life Before Life (2000) and How to Talk to Your Children About Sex with his wife, Linda J. Eyre. Besides writing these non-fiction works Eyre also wrote a novel entitled The Awakening. The Eyre's recent book Empty Nesting Parenting: Adjusting Your Stewardship as Your Children Leave Home has been widely recommended as reading for parents of college students.
Number 3: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Get your kids' cooperation...without arguing. Morning hassles and bedtime battles disappear when you apply the communication techniques these experts have been teaching parents nationwide. Even if you've felt you had no other alternative than to lecture or criticize, you'll be able to reduce the wear and tear on yourself and your family with this practical program. Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish -- once frustrated mothers themselves -- use real-life situations to show how you can respect and respond to your child's feelings and satisfy your own needs.
You'll learn to: Avoid turning simple conversations into arguments Instruct rather than criticize when correcting your child Choose effective alternatives to punishment Show your child how to make amends Allow him to experience the direct consequences of his actions
See immediate changes in your relationship with your children -- changes that will mean the difference between bad feelings and good ones; between fighting and loving.
Visit their website @ http://www.fabermazlish.com/
About the Authors
Internationally acclaimed experts on communication between adults and children, Adele Faber (Left) and Elaine Mazlish (Right) have won the gratitude of parents and the enthusiastic endorsement of the professional community.
Their first book, Liberated Parents/Liberated Children, received the Christopher Award for "literary achievement affirming the highest values of the human spirit." Their subsequent books, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk and the #1 New York Times bestseller Siblings Without Rivalry, have sold over 3 million copies and have been translated into more than twenty languages. Their group workshop programs and videos produced by PBS are currently used by thousands of parents' groups around the globe. Their most recent book, How to Talk So Kids Can Learn-At Home and in School, was cited by Child magazine as the "best book of the year for excellence in family issues and education."
Both authors studied with the late child psychologist, Dr. Haim Ginott, and are former members of the faculty of The New School for Social Research in New York City and The Family Life Institute of Long Island University. In addition to their frequent lectures throughout the United States and Canada, they have appeared on every major television show from "Good Morning America" to "The Oprah Winfrey Show." They currently reside in Long Island, New York, and each is the parent of three children.
Number 2: The Man in the Mirror: Solving the 24 Problems Men Face by Patrick Morley
From the Publisher
Do you know anyone who has ever won the rat race? Probably not. And yet, everywhere you go you see men who are tired--worn out from trying to win this race that nobody wins.
Is there hope? According to this book, yes . . . absolutely. The Man in the Mirror reveals twenty-four secrets of how to live successfully with the man in your mirror. This book is written for you, the man grappling with the pressure and stress of everyday life.
Here are some of the questions this book explores:
- I want my life to count, to make a difference. How can I satisfy my need to be significant?
- I'm more financially successful than my parents, but I suspect I many not be better off. Am I missing something?
- In the wake of my ambition I have left a trail of broken relationships. Can I have another chance?
- Does God want Christians to have money? How much money is enough?
- I have made some terrible decisions which have resulted in a lot of suffering. How can I do a better job making life's big decisions?
- Sometimes I get so angry I think I'm going to explode! Sometimes I'm paralyzed with fear. How can I conquer these emotions?
- If my wife knew my secret thoughts, she would divorce me. I would give anything to master my thoughts. Do other men struggle with a secret thought life?
- I'm more financially successful than my parents, but I suspect I many not be better off. Am I missing something?
- In the wake of my ambition I have left a trail of broken relationships. Can I have another chance?
- Does God want Christians to have money? How much money is enough?
- I have made some terrible decisions which have resulted in a lot of suffering. How can I do a better job making life's big decisions?
- Sometimes I get so angry I think I'm going to explode! Sometimes I'm paralyzed with fear. How can I conquer these emotions?
- If my wife knew my secret thoughts, she would divorce me. I would give anything to master my thoughts. Do other men struggle with a secret thought life?
With solid answers to these and many other questions just like them, this just could be the most important book you ever read. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
From the Author
Business leader, author, and speaker Patrick M. Morley has been used throughout the world to help men and leaders think more deeply about their lives and to equip them to have a larger impact on the world.
He is the bestselling author of several books, including the award-winning Man in the Mirror, Walking with Christ in the Details of Life, The Rest of Your Life, The Seven Seasons of a Man’s Life, Getting to Know the Man in the Mirror, and Devotions for Couples (formerly Two-Part Harmony).
Morley has a ministry focused on the needs of men and leaders, and teaches a weekly Bible study to men in Orlando, Florida, where he resides with his family.
Number 1: Leading at a Higher Level: Blanchard on Leadership and Creating High Performing Organizations by Ken Blanchard
About the Book
Leading at a Higher Level will help you dig deep within, discover the personal "leadership point of view" all great leaders possess--and apply it throughout your entire life. For everyone who wants to become a better leader...in any company, any organization, any area of life Set the right targets, follow the right vision Focus on the "bottom lines" that really matter Serve your customers at a higher level Deliver your ideal customer experience, and create "raving fans" Beyond ego: the way of the servant leader Listen, praise, support, guide, and help your people win Lead at a higher level. Lead your people to greatness as you create high performing organizations that make life better for everyone. This book will guide you, inspire you, provoke you, and be your touchstone.
Blanchard and his colleagues have brought together all they've learned about world-class leadership. You'll discover how to create targets and visions based on the "triple bottom line"...and make sure people know who you are, where you're going, and the values that will guide your journey.
Blanchard extends his breakthrough work on delivering legendary customer service and creating "raving fans. " You'll find the definitive discussion of the renowned Situational Leadership(R) II techniques for leading yourself, individuals, teams, and entire organizations.
About the Author
Kenneth Hartely Blanchard was born May 6, 1939, in Orange, New Jersey. He married Marjorie McKee, a business consultant, in 1962. He founded Blanchard Training and Development in 1977. Blanchard has cowritten several books on management, including one of the best-selling management books of all time, The One-Minute Manager (1982) with Spencer Johnson. In the book, the authors describe effective and efficient management skills. The basics to good management are setting goals, praising, and reprimanding. Blanchard says that these skills can easily be translated to work in the home as well as the office. Blanchard lives in San Diego, California.
Leading at a Higher Level will help you dig deep within, discover the personal "leadership point of view" all great leaders possess--and apply it throughout your entire life. For everyone who wants to become a better leader...in any company, any organization, any area of life Set the right targets, follow the right vision Focus on the "bottom lines" that really matter Serve your customers at a higher level Deliver your ideal customer experience, and create "raving fans" Beyond ego: the way of the servant leader Listen, praise, support, guide, and help your people win Lead at a higher level. Lead your people to greatness as you create high performing organizations that make life better for everyone. This book will guide you, inspire you, provoke you, and be your touchstone.
Blanchard and his colleagues have brought together all they've learned about world-class leadership. You'll discover how to create targets and visions based on the "triple bottom line"...and make sure people know who you are, where you're going, and the values that will guide your journey.
Blanchard extends his breakthrough work on delivering legendary customer service and creating "raving fans. " You'll find the definitive discussion of the renowned Situational Leadership(R) II techniques for leading yourself, individuals, teams, and entire organizations.
About the Author
Kenneth Hartely Blanchard was born May 6, 1939, in Orange, New Jersey. He married Marjorie McKee, a business consultant, in 1962. He founded Blanchard Training and Development in 1977. Blanchard has cowritten several books on management, including one of the best-selling management books of all time, The One-Minute Manager (1982) with Spencer Johnson. In the book, the authors describe effective and efficient management skills. The basics to good management are setting goals, praising, and reprimanding. Blanchard says that these skills can easily be translated to work in the home as well as the office. Blanchard lives in San Diego, California.
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