Can parenting ever be taught as “rules” to be followed?  Is there even a right answer to most questions concerning parenting?

I must confess, my initial response to the title – Rules of Parenting – was one of apprehension.  I was sure that this one had got it wrong: After all each child-and-parent situation is unique, and rules could only do so much to help.  But, I was wrong.

I was left so impressed with the contents that, at any point in time, I now have multiple copies of this book in my house – ready to be gifted away to needy parents.  In part, this is also on account of my frequently encountering parents who have absolutely no idea how to address the critical demands of parenting.

Templar’s simple rules will reveal the small things that you can do to make a big difference; the behaviours, the motivations, the ways of thinking that will help you through both the early and later years of parenting. None of them guarantee success, but they all increase your chances of bringing up happy, healthy children. And they will all show you how to remain sane, keep your sense of humour and be a great parent; after all, it’s an important job to get right.

The “rules” are neatly classified into a variety of helpful categories like Everyday Rules, Crisis Rules, Grownup Rules, etc.  In the author’s own words: “Rules of Parenting are the set of golden behaviours that help you to help your kids look after themselves, enjoy life, be caring and kind, and help you to enjoy the whole experience too.”

As Michael Levine noted, “Having children makes you no more a parent than having a piano makes you a pianist.”  In our own case, even though the wife and I are quite well-read on most aspects concerning our children, there were a number of very helpful pointers in the book, that we could both benefit from.

Don’t miss this one.  It’s definitely worth a read…