Title: Peanut Butter Principles: 47 Leadership Lessons Every Parent Should Teach Their Kids
Author: Eric Franklin
Basic Overview: As parents, we all wish we had been given an Owner’s Manual when we left the hospital with our first-born child, and probably each child after that–each model has it’s own unique characteristics and requires a little different approach, right? This book is packed with principles that we can teach to our children that will “stick to them like peanut butter sticks to the roof of your mouth.” Within each chapter you will find at least one of these principles–easily identified by the spoon and peanut butter jar — within the framework of a more broad subject, like my personal favorite chapter “Life Is Not Fair, Get Over it.” If you are at all concerned about the Entitlement phenomenon, you will love this chapter as well.
Franklin points out that he was raised in a solidly middle-class neighborhood, with doctors, lawyers, laborers, teachers, factory workers, all living in the same place. The assumption that the most “successful” adults would produce the most successful children, was not the case. He states: “What I noticed was that the common denominator in determining whether a person of this neighborhood would excel in life was whether or not they were raised under a firm set of principles–not rules, but principles that were easy to comprehend, remember, and apply to a lifetime of situations.”
Parts I Like Best: Well, Chapter 1, for sure. And I quote: “Shielding children from loss and rejection gives them an unrealistic sense of accomplishment. When every child walks away from a competition with a ribbon or a medal, these prizes reward them just for the act of showing up; it has nothing to do with excellence. Years later, do you think a college professor will applaud every student who shows up to class or an employer will pat each employee on the back for arriving on time to work?…they come to expect accolades for what should simply be expected of them.” Sound familiar? Here is a favorite line from Chapter 12: “We should set up children in an environment where they can be held accountable for their actions. We need to give them challenges, give them tools, and let them work it out.” If you tend to be a “helicopter” parent, this is great advice for change. Here is another quote from the same chapter: “Feed your children’s curiosity when they are young so that they will want to explore the possibilities, tackle challenges head-on, and become independent thinkers. remind them (and yourself) that parenting is about empowering children to be better–just like leadership.” Love that!
How This Book Made an Impact on Me as a Mother: My girls are grown, married, and one has two kids with another on the way. I wish this book had been around when they were little. So many good principles to teach them to be successful people are in the book. Now, as a mother of adult children, and as a grandmother, I hope to be able to share this book and the lessons learned so that my girls can be proactive moms as they raise my grandchildren to be leaders. I will be able to supplement their teaching now that I have these peanut butter principles stuck to the roof of my mouth.
Share your comments below and you will be entered to win a free copy of PEANUT BUTTER PRINCIPLES!! Giveaway ends 11/15/14.
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I would love to read this! I agree about the ribbons and trophies for just showing up. They have no meaning for the kids. Entitled for sure!
Sounds like one to add to my “to read” list. I love the principle approach so this sounds like a good read for me. Thanks fit providing a great review and letting me know of another good read.
I’ve just added it to my to-read list. It sounds like good, common sense but I can always use reminders and new ways to apply it. Thanks!
I could use a good book. Power of Moms always has good content.
Thanks for the recommendation–I’ll add it to my “pile”!;)
I am definitely not a helicopter parent, and I struggle with not second guessing myself when I know other parents are judging me for allowing my children more freedom than they think is appropriate or safe. I love reading things that remind me that what I am trying to accomplish in the long run is far more important than whether other people think I need to be parenting differently.
I would love to read this book, especially since I’m dealing with a sense of entitlement with my almost 5-year-old. Each week at swimming, he asks me why he didn’t get a ribbon, even if he mi b there have gotten one the week before. He’s constantly requesting a surprise fromantic me. It’s gotten so bad that I am going to start him on a gratitude journal this week. I think he needs to focus on all of the good things he has rather than the things he doesn’t have. Thank you for the opportunity to win this book!
Sounds like a book for me… This is how I want to raise my children. I need to stop worrying about my daughter getting her feelings hurt.
This book sounds amazing. I would love to win a copy and try some of those tips on my own children.
I would love to read this book. It sounds great!
This sounds like just what I’m looking for, I recently have myself a mothering evaluation that was part of my learning circle and the thing I need to work on most is teaching my children principles! Thanks for all the great learning circle articles and resources here online!
Jenilyn, you won! Please email [email protected] with your name and address and we will get the book shipped out to you!
I would love to read this! I have two kids with very different strengths and personalities. Would really appreciate learning strategies to approach each of them.
Thanks for the recommendation! I am totally concerned with the Entitlement phenomenon, especially with my 8th grader. Despite mine and my Husbands best efforts, he see’s what the other kids have at school and thinks he is entitled to it too.
Adding this to my to-read list right now.
This is definitely being added to my must-read list! Thank you for highlighting such an interesting read!
I’d love to read this book – I’m always on the lookout for good parenting books!
This book sounds really good and just what I need. With five young children I always love to read parenting books and improve my parenting skills.
I would love to read this book! I am interested in the entitlement phenomenon and would love to read more about it while my kiddo is still young.
Thank you to all who entered and congratulations to our winner, Jenilyn!