Ancient Advice for Modern Parents - The Parent's Tao Te Ching

I've purchased this book now 5 times and have given it away to people in need of clear decisions about their child rearing. It is insightful and right on the money no matter what you may be going through. I hope this is the one I get to keep, but if someone is having a question, I will simply purchase another.

The book arrived very quickly and in great condition. I ordered the slowest shipping and it still arrived 2 - 4 weeks sooner than stated on the store.

A great transaction, and as smooth as it should be.

The yin to the Bible's yang. Compatible with other religions or none at all, rather than endeavoring to explicitly detail all life's answers through chronicaling the stories of others, it relates as concisely as possible a methodology to glean life's lessons from the living of one's own.

An endorsement of contentment, flexibility, and acceptance and written in a western prose framework, it is a "how to" and "how not to" guide for parenting that is universally applicable in peaceful times and across all cultures.

This is the ONE book on parenting that everyone (parents, grandparents, caregivers, anyone at all who cares about children of all ages) should read and carry with them, always. It is especially helpful for those who have limited exposure to non-Western ideas, spiritual or otherwise. What is so special about Mr. Martin's book? It forces one to focus on the CHILD, and one's reactions to the child, and to stop worrying about classifying everything and overanalyzing the child. Parents these days get so worked up about raising the perfect child, and parenting perfectly, that no one winds up happy, and I for one think many of these current generations will suffer because of this. If only more parents would read Martin's book, they'd realize that children will grow up, with or without our interference. This book will guide those who choose to let the child become who THEY should be, rather than who we WANT them to be...wise words for us all.

I think this is meant to serve Tao Te Ching parents as a daily or weekly 'devotional' or a simple guidepost to think about or reflect back upon. For that purpose it is great; highly recommend it! If you're looking for almost anything ELSE from it, you might be disappointed. Not that it's not deep -- on the contrary -- it's just something you pick up, read a page, put down and 'chew' on for a while, similar to a devotional or something of that sort...

When I recieved this, I read it in starts but it began to creep into my consciousness. After reading so many books on children, I began to take solace in these simple reflections on what it truly means to be a parent. Only in recent decades did the word 'parenting' even become a verb.

Martin translates the 81 poems or songs of the Tao to relate to modern parents. The simple prose and obvious truths resonate, buy you must let them sink in. Read it sparingly, and not necessarily in any order. I've highlighted half my book, sent passages to friends and find myself going back to it often. I have given many copies of this book to new parents.

Here are just a few examples:

#22 If you want them to have much, show them how to enjoy little.

#67 teach your children compassion, pateince and simplicity ... some say this is absurd. Thy would teach instead, ambition, drive and consumption.

#76 Children become confused when parents become rigid, holding rules above love. Be consistently flexible. Hold tight only to compassion.

28 If you complain about politics.... your children will learn to whine instead of laugh

52 Seeing your pain, they forget as well and everyone is in darkness.

Imagine, if #67 were true, and a child were a patient, compassionate and simple being, oh what a joy! What a rarity in today's high self esteem, over scheduled and all-about-me culture.

It transformed me and the type of person I've become. Enjoy.

I received this book as a gift and it's wonderful. It's almost like a book of poetry, but with mindful and inspiring passages about parenting. I flip to a random page and I often open to something that is relevant to whatever I'm going through as a parent. It's like no other parenting book I've ever encountered.

In an age where parenting can feel so busy, stressful, and high pressure, it is so refreshing to ponder the merits of embracing simplicity and self-compassion. This book is full of pearls of wisdom about these things. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this together!

William Martin's walk on the spiritual side of parenting is a path that few people are brave enough to travel. In a world full of how-to-do-it-in-five- easy-steps help books, The Parent's Tao Te Ching rises above, creating a place where parents can dig deeper into their own spiritual wisdom. Instead of following the guidlines of another "expert" who has never met the readers' children or lived a day in their lives, parents are encouraged to seek the knowledge that is inherant in everyone; mother, father, guardian and child. I love this book and have bought several copies for all of my friends who are weeks away from becoming parents for the first time.

This book should be required reading for every parent or parent to be. I go back to it quite often and it is always helpful. My one regret is that I could never convince my ex-wife to read it. It has helped me and I am sure it would help her if she'd allow it. I would recommend this book to anyone, William C. Martin has written the best manual for child rearing that I have ever seen. It not only makes me be a better parent but teaches me much about myself.

The Parent's Tao Te Ching is not about behavior modification and table etiquette. There are plenty of other books for that sort of thing. How many times have you read on of those "How to Raise a Perfect Child" books and tried to apply their practical advice to your unpractical offspring? (note: I have just counted and I have 37 books about practical parenting on the shelves of my living room library that I have collected over the past 19 years of being a mother). I can't count how many times my children have looked at me with smirks on their little faces and said, "What book did you read that in?" when I've tried yet another spin on an old parenting technique.
I am so grateful for Mr. Martin's book. It does not tell me I can be Martha Stewart, Mother Goose and the Pink Power Ranger all rolled into one as long as I follow the steps. It simply reminds me of what is real. For example, here is an excerpt from one of my favorite passages:
"They look so small and frail but they are great and magnificent. They are born of the same womb that birthed the cosmos and knitted together the galaxies."
This book is a simple, elegant reminder of what truly matters. I have two copies. One for my bedside and one for the office. I open the second one when my husband calls with the latest child- related disaster update.
I highly recommend Willam Martin's other Tao Te Ching related books: The Couple's Tao Te Ching and The Sage's Tao Te Ching.

Every page hits home. The author, through Tao, distills the only points that matter. Every parent should read. This is not a book just for parents of young children! I have teenagers and it makes so much sense and helps so much. Even your kids would benefit from reading. Goes fast -- you'll want to read it more than once.

I really love this book. It is simple, like a cup of coffee in the morning and doesn't require that I apply each chapter to the raising of my children like a course in Parenting 101. I feel the author William Martin understood I was searching for an inner understanding, not more rules for parenting that can be so hard to obey because they only work once. It seems to be a real challenge to raise our children, keeping them safe, all the while being aware of the subtle difference between teaching and controlling. I have often found myself questioning my decision to become a parent, a job I cannot walk away from. After reading this book, I have started to understand where the real parent in me resides and she's a lot stronger, and frankly, a lot more fun than I had given her credit for.

Wow.I couldn't find this at my local bookstore so I had to order online without seeing any of it except the popular 'make the ordinary come alive' section. But rest assured, the entire book is such a gem. I couldn't believe the jewels I was reading. Definitely one for any parent who loves reading Eckhart Tolle and who is interested in Buddhism/Zen.

I attempt to parent listening to my intuition as my primary guide. This is not to say that advice from friends and family and words from books can't be just the thing I need at any given time. Thing is, most of the books I've looked at just don't do it for me. I'm not saying they don't contain gems, even if they're Gina Ford!, but this book...

...is only gems. Every page opens at the perfect words I need...or my Baby father need. It's funny how we open the book ramdomly on such totally different pages.

Note: I'm sure you could read this book in order, but It's not that kind of book really.

p.s. another book I found very helpful as well is 'The Science of Parenting', by Margot Sunderland.

I recently read about this book in Oprah Winfrey's magazine (September issue of "O") and thought it might be a nice gift for my brother and his new wife- as they are thinking about taking on the gift of children. I picked up the book and flipped through it with the intent of putting it in the mail immediately... then I couldn't stop reading. Each short and simple chapter was like a drink of cool, refreshing water. I have no intention of giving up this copy (autographed) so I'm planning on buying several more as gifts to all of my friends. I also picked up "The Couple's Tao Te Ching" by William Martin. That is going on my gift list, also.

Ever since I became a father about one year ago, I've been reading voratiously on the subject(s) of parenting, fatherhood, etc. This is an absolutely wonderful and indispensable book!!! It should be made a required reading for every parent aspiring to create, raise and live in a happy and healthy household. Its pages burst with wisdom and deeply felt insights without being esoteric... If I owned a hotel, I'd put this book in every room and/or give it as a gift in the nation's baby delivery rooms...

Bill Martain has once again shared the wisdom of a self centered soul. Having attended many of his lectures, I'm glad to see him share his ideas in print. Very useful advice on teaching a child to be a caring thoughtful citizen.

This is such a wonderful book! From the moment I read the first page until the last one, I knew how true the words were. Whether you have a lot of time to read or not, this is a great book for you. The short passages struck true to the word.

In the midst of wrestling with the middle school years, I was looking for a parenting philosophy/approach that came from the heart and which was different from the command/control version I grew up with. This book is excellent if you're open to taking a new approach to interacting with your child and seeking a heart or spirit driven connection.

I love this little guide. It's so beautifully written and helps me return to the the really important aspects of parenting: honoring each child's individuality and letting go of control. I read one or two passages each morning to remind me that I have a choice in how I interact with my children. This little guide is a must have if you feel the world is spinning a little too fast.

This book is simple. It is hopeful. It brings back the wonder... to weary parents.
It applys to babies as well as teens.
Share it with those who need it.
Great text for parenting classes that doesn't read like an owners manual.
This book not only brought parenting alive to me but after many readings, any many translations...
it brings the tao alive as well.
Be prepared it is written in poetic form. And requires your input...

It is a nice book of little essays, poems and general thoughts. It doesn't really provide any direction or substance just nice sentiments. If you want some inspirational thoughts it is a good book but if you want practical advice try another book.

This is a perfect book for new parents. You don't need to have a lot of time in one chunk, since it's a compilation of thoughtful advice pieces. These are very insightful and can give new meaning every time they're read. I give them to all new parents I know and they rave!

The 2,500 year old tao te ching is a mysterious book to read and then put down and make it your own truth. If you care to apply the original to one thing or another, that is fine. But should it be fit to a pop culture "modern parenting"? I do not think so.