- Relatively quick read
- Each story or anecdote is a page or two
- Many easy to implement ideas for making magic
- A little pricey in hardback but check around for bargains
- Love, Magic and Mudpies is broken into small segments that are easy to read in a short amount of time.
- Dr. Seigel offers important counsel on taking the time to make life both magical and practical for our children.
- The book focuses on teaching our children the human skills they need to flourish in their lives, including giving back.
- Each segment of the book includes the wisdom of a seasoned father with practical ideas for implementing his counsel.
This book covers the gamut of parenting with love and focus. Not only does Dr. Seigel offer interesing insights about all aspects of being a parent, and specifically a father, but he offers very practical ideas for implementing what he teaches.
Love, Magic and Mudpies starts with a review of important values that can be taught best in the home. Dr. Seigel teaches about the importance of words to live by, of handling both success and failure, of education at home and at school, and the importance of giving children a chance to be young. He writes about the critical nature of love in a family, about humor and the lubricant it provides to family life, and about creativity in our relationships.
But he doesn't ignore things like rules and responsibility and managing trying times. But he keeps them in their proper perspective without being overly sentimental.
Finally, Love, Magic and Mudpies concludes with an important reminder about taking care of yourself as a parent. It is so easy in our busy world to give so much to others, including our families, and neglect to fill our own reservoirs of strength. Dr. Seigel's counsel in this regard is welcome and refreshing.
