"Mama Rock's Rules" by Rose Rock with Valerie Graham
April 14-22
Rose Rock has raised ten children and 17 foster children. Now she's here with Mama Rock's Rules to explain how she has managed to turn 27 kids into self-reliant adults.
It starts with an explanation of what differentiates parents from friends, and the relationship children should have with the adults in the house. She covers setting boundaries, explaining consequences, and making hard choices. Plus, as you might expect from a woman who has successfully raised 27 children, she comes at you with strong, solid ideas for one of the hardest conversations every parent needs to have with their children: responsible sexual choices.
Bring a Kleenex to wipe the dirty words from your mouth, and prepare to see parenthood in a completely new light!
Where to find more about Mama Rock's Rules and author, Rose Rock:
Hear interviews with Rose Rock:
MSNBC
New York Daily News
Gayle King
Here's what MotherTalk reviewers are saying about Mama Rock's Rules:
Vivirlatino says "What I really liked about the book was how it reminded me about how the small things make all the difference, like keeping simple family traditions or rituals."
So a Blonde Walks Into a Review says, "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."
Zen Sarcasm Reviews says, "Overall, her style is devoid of frills or sugarcoating-- another two things that some parenting guides boast in spades, possibly to shield parents of anything that might sound like criticism. Mrs. Rock is who she is through and through, from her own memories of raising her family and her hints and tips (labeled 'Mama's Mojo') to the serene and straightforward way she tackles spirituality and religion."
Dirty Little Secret says, "I liked it so much I wish I could have given it to a mom at the park the other day. Her son (who was about 3) kicked my son every time he tried to climb the ladder. And she would say, 'No, no, don’t do that honey,' while I comforted my hysterical two year old. Ironflower and Lovebug have each physically assaulted another child once. And each time, we left the park immediately. And now they don’t do it anymore. I’m pretty sure Mama Rock would approve."
Mom Reviews says, "Like Mama Rock, we have always told our children that there is nothing they can’t tell us, no matter how much they think they will get in trouble for it. The consequences for being caught in a lie are always worse than admitting the truth. She also has a brilliantly clever way to get a kid to confess to something without asking them a 'yes' or 'no' question."
Gotcha Baby says, "Rose Rock fills this book with practical advice--ways to incorporate routine that children crave, ways to facilitate the family dinner hour, and ways to give your children responsibility. She talks about the importance of parents as teachers--about instilling a love of reading, teaching family and cultural history and instilling a strong self-worth. There are many stories and anecdote of the Rock clan growing up that illustrate the benefits of routines and high expectations."
Whatever Blows My Skirt says, "Although we know parenting isn't easy, she seems to have the right strategy. She has been an educator for many years and there is a reason she is so great at what she does. With a combination of rules, respect, reading, and spirituality she has managed to raise her family as well as give us the most 'no frills' approach to parenting that we have sort of forgotten about. Parents nowadays give in, give too much, lose structure, and forget about the important things like eating together as a family, reading together, telling precious memories, talking things out, including children in things you do, and most importantly, laying down rules and expecting children to follow them."
Doobleh-Vay says, "I enjoyed the issue of tradition and families and liked that Mama Rose explained traditions can start anytime and how it is the glue that really defines and holds a family together through good and bad times. It sparked a sense of purpose and drive for me to think more about my own family traditions and rituals."
Karma Calling says, "Mama Rose, in a charmingly old-fashioned way, gives it to you as it is. She is not the kind who minces words. You know that kind, don’t you? And I like that. Too many too politically correct parenting books out there. Too many parenting books not quite in touch with reality. This one is refreshing."
Jason, for the Love of God says, "Rose Rock's advice is very simple. None of it groundbreaking. None of it is amazing. And perhaps? That's the most amazing part of it. Because it IS so simple. Because it IS common sense. And because it IS WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR."
Lookit! I Spy... says, "From the start of this book to the very end of this book I was engaged. I was entertained. And most importantly? I was learning a thing or two."
Our Seven Qtpies says, "Rose Rock raised a houseful of successful kids, so she certainly can write a book about raising successful kids!"
A Wrung Sponge says, "The rules cover the whys and hows of setting boundaries, discipline, structure, respect, positive communication, routines and traditions, integrity, education, expectations, responsibility, inspiration and determination. I found her no-nonsense approach to be heartening and based on common sense."
CursingMama says, "The ten basic rules provide a great foundation for anyone taking the plunge in the parenting game. Each rule is expanded, explained, and tips are highlighted as pull quotes known in the book as 'Mama's Mojo'. Some of the rules seemed pretty common sense to me (I Am Your Mama Not Your Friend) but others I know are the kinds of rules that have fallen by the wayside in many families (Feed Them and They Will Tell You Anything)."
Rockin Mama says, "My favorite chapter, Reading is Righteous, reinforced and renewed my love of reading. Mama Rock reminded me of the immense opportunities for discovery posed by reading. Despite how how feeble my attempts to read to my son seem at present, one day my little boy will remember and hopefully acquire the same reverence for reading his mommy does."
ReadingWritingLiving says, "Mama Rock is a down-to-earth, no nonsense and yet warm and funny person. She IS a rock: she’s rock solid, she’s strong, and she knows how to head a family. I love her rules. Her first rule, which is nothing new really but something that practically every parent *I* know (myself included) has a very hard time with. Which is, you are not here to be your child’s friend; you are here to be their parent."
Lastly, Uncommon Misconception says, "Instead of pointing to scientific studies about the merits of "sleep methods" or the effects of breastfeeding of grown men's ability to bond, blah blah blah - Rock bases her rules on real-life experience. Experience gained by raising, as the title says, a whole household of successful people. Ten kids plus 17 foster children, to be specific. Add to that her lifelong work as a preschool and special needs educator, and by golly you've got a woman I'll listen to."