RAVE REVIEWS FOR THE SELF-AWARE PARENT.......

Click here to read a rave review of The Self-Aware Parent on BellaOnline:  The Voice of Women

Reading this is like having a leisurely skinny latte at the neighborhood coffee shop with your best girlfriends.  Cathy's experiences make you laugh, cry and nod your head while her practical, down-to-earth advice offers real solutions for today's parents.

~ Tamara L. O'Shaughnessy, Editor of Chicago Parent Magazine

We have been trying to find a book for behavior guidance groups for parents.   We finally have it! Two staff members have read your book.  They each said the following:  1.) Each topic presented can be read in one sitting;  2.) It is not preachy;  3.) It’s written in language everyone can understand.  4.) It helps parents see from the child’s perspective;  5.)  It helps parents see their part in parent-child conflict;  6.) The book is authentic, not formulaic  AND 7.) It’s engaging. Behavior management is, as you might imagine, a big topic for parents.  We operate our interest groups like small study groups.  The format of your book is perfect for this approach!

~ Janet Heverling, Department Chair, Family Life, Skagit Valley College, WA

Cathy’s carefully considered examples and observations from her own life as a parent, as well as from those she has counseled or coached, fill her writing with insight into the world of parenting.  Cathy's approach to coaching parents is always supportive and understanding, never blameful.  Her essays and stories are a gift from her heart as well as her mind.

~ Debra Gilbert Rosenberg, LCSW, author The New Mom's Companion and Motherhood Without Guilt

It is not often that we are given insightful glimpses of a mother's reflections over the span of six years that inspire and draw us in to our true nature. In this tenderly written book, Cathy Adams gives us that and more. While showing parents how to ‘balance self-awareness with self-acceptance’ she poetically, and unequivocally, demonstrates the profound power of love and its many blessings—for ourselves and for our children.

~ Gloria DeGaetano, Founder and CEO, Parent Coaching Institute

I seriously love the advice in this book, and I love that it's delivered with stories (adorable stories!) about your own experiences.  It's not preachy or condescending, you know what I mean?  My kids are older now, but this book has given me faith in my own parenting instincts.

~ Dot Kane, Children’s Storyteller (www.dotkane.com)

Just finished your book--LOVED IT!!  I think my two favorite "lessons" were the The Paci Party and The Tantrum.  I will recommend it to clients!

~ Beth Miller, Wilmette, IL

This is a wonderful book Cathy. I will continue to recommend it to all the parents I know. My favorite thing about your book is that you do not come off as someone who thinks she is better than the rest of us, like some kind of expert that looks down on the rest of us lowly, stumbling parents. You admit that you, too, struggle with the best way to help your children. It makes your advice feel more natural and comfortable. Thank you for writing this. I know I will continue to read it as a reminder of why I'm a parent, of peace and strength, and of focusing on helping my children become who they are instead of who I or someone else thinks they should be.

~ Deb Casey, Elmhurst, IL

I thought this book was beautifully written, and filled with so many little pearls of wisdom (my favorite story is The Paci Party!).  You present with such clarity that it seems as if you've been a parent forever, rather than still being in the throws of parenting small children.  And the best thing is that you write in your own voice... it was like you were just talking to me.

~ Ellie Taylor, Elmhurst, IL

I love the book!  I just ordered 4 more copies. I want to give them to every young or old parent I know.  Just to reassure them that they already have it within themselves to be the best parent to their own children. You have mirrored my thoughts in all your lessons and illustrations.

~ Sherri Moss, Cleveland, OH

It is not often that we are given insightful glimpses of a mother's reflections over the span of six years that inspire and draw us in to our true nature. In this tenderly written book, Cathy Adams gives us that and more. While showing parents how to ‘balance self-awareness with self-acceptance’ she poetically, and unequivocally, demonstrates the profound power of love and its many blessings—for ourselves and for our children.

~ Gloria DeGaetano, Founder and CEO, Parent Coaching Institute

Your book was fantastic! You have a beautiful writing style and, with 3 children very close in age to yours, a message that resonated with me. Your openness and vulnerability makes your writing and lessons even more poignant. The book was a wonderful affirmation to what I am doing as a parent as well as a reminder of what is truly important.

~ Malia Petulla Hart, Raleigh, NC

I really enjoyed this book.  It was a great reminder to slow down and cherish the moments.
~Jeni Keane, Elmhurst, IL

Cathy’s carefully considered examples and observations from her own life as a parent, as well as from those she has counseled or coached, fill her writing with insight into the world of parenting.  Cathy's approach to coaching parents is always supportive and understanding, never blameful.  Her essays and stories are a gift from her heart as well as her mind.

~ Debra Gilbert Rosenberg, LCSW, author The New Mom's Companion and Motherhood Without Guilt

This book is great Cathy – I could relate to a lot of the stories.  I felt as if we were just sitting down and talking about our families!

~ Vicki Divane, Niles, MI

To all the moms out there - you need to buy The Self-Aware Parent.  It’s a wonderful book for us moms!

~  Christy Swanson, DeKalb, IL

Some Amazon.com reviews......

5.0 out of 5 stars BUY THIS BOOK!, December 18, 2009

By Amy E. Keck (Batavia, IL)

I can't wait to recommend this book to my sisters and friends! It's honest, relevant, funny and touching. With a daughter under 2 yrs, I found myself relating to certain chapters and easily absorbing life lessons for future experiences of other chapters. I enjoyed it from beginning to end!

5.0 out of 5 stars So inspiring!!!, November 4, 2009

By StarKid (Los Angeles, CA)

Cathy Cassani Adams' book, The Self-Aware Parent, has helped me on so many levels. Her knowledge and insight has completely changed my perspective on some of the most challenging parts about being a parent. I feel that this book has helped me grow independently and as a result I'm more present for my kids. I would recommend her book to anyone, whether they have children or not!

5.0 out of 5 stars A must read for anyone who loves children!, November 30, 2009

By Pogbear (Port Charlotte, FL)

Recommended by a family member, I read this book the weekend it came out and was TOTALLY impressed! The author's substantiating the importance of parents' growing right along WITH their child(ren) is a much needed realization in the art of parenting. Each of the nineteen lessons shares a personal and heart warming description of Adams' own experiences as a parent. I found myself engrossed in each as though I was experiencing the situation myself. Some brought laughter; some brought tears; each was thought-provoking. Whether read in one sitting as I did (couldn't put it down!) or one 'lesson' at a time, I believe people of all ages will find The Self-Aware Parent inspiring and helpful. While the target audience is certainly parents, it is not just a book for moms and dads but a guide for anyone who loves children. I have purchased several to share with my friends as gifts. I wish I could give it SIX stars!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Parenting Book!, November 14, 2009

By J. Cannek (Naperville, IL)

I would highly recommend this book for all new parents as well as experienced parents who are looking for new strategies to deal with difficult family situations.
This book is NOT a manual preaching one type of parenting, like some other parenting publications, but rather a series of entertaining, and a times heartbreaking, parenting discoveries made by the author during her first six years as a mom. By sharing her relatable personal life experiences, she is able to show the reader how to use her simple parenting strategies in real life situations.