In this pensive and leisurely paced work, philosophy professor Carey identifies seven major junctures that can lead parents to wisdom, maturity, and grace (e.g., advocacy, guilt, gratitude) . . . Carey is a solid storyteller, beginning each chapter with a parenting scenario that features rich character development and good pacing . . . A lovely book to be savored and returned to; ideal for academically bent parents.
Library Journal
A creative use of philosophical resources to help us face the moral, spiritual, and psychological challenges of parenting. Carey's voice is original, powerful and very important.
Roger S. Gottlieb, author of A Greener Faith: Religious Environmentalism and our Planet's Future A treasure chest of insights into the difficult but rewarding work of becoming good parents. Carey deftly portrays parental turning points as rites of passage to authentic maturity. Seamus has written a valuable and important work in family ethicsssss
Michael McCarthy, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Vassar College Growing Up with Your Children is a book on parenting to help parents understand and care for themselves. A wonderful mixture of storytelling and philosophical insight, it explores fear, guilt, choices, expectations, authority, and forgiveness with deep humanness, genuine humility, and understated wisdom.
John J. Shea, M.S.W. Ph.D, School of Theology and Ministry, Boston College and author of Finding God Again: Spirituality for Adults In this book, Seamus Carey reminds us that in order for us to help our children grow up, we, too, must continue to grow as parents. He calls us back to ourselves and asks us to consider how our own life experiences that inevitably harbor old wounds which, when left unattended, may profoundly color how we are able to love our children. Through the poignant stories he tells about the power of forgiveness and the joy found in gratitude, he honors the struggle that all parents have in nurturing their children’s inner lives. His rare and compelling insights allow us to reflect on the ordinary experience of parenting with fresh eyes and his unassuming eloquence inspires us to want to be more than we are, both for ourselves and for our children’s sake. I recommend this book most enthusiastically to all parents who strive for their own increased self-understanding and who want to learn how to love their children more authentically.
Amelio A. D'Onofrio Ph.D, Founding Director, The Psychological Services Institute, Fordham University and author of Adolescent Self-Injury: A Comprehensive Guide for Counselors and Health Care Professionals A treasure chest of insights into the difficult but rewarding work of becoming good parents. Carey deftly portrays parental turning points as rites of passage to authentic maturity. Seamus has written a valuable and important work in family ethics
Michael McCarthy, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, Vassar College