Dr. Carmen Bovell’s book The Four Rs of Parenting: Conversations with Parents, Young Adults and Elders is a timely addition to the literature of child rearing which, as we know, comes with no instructions...The author’s questions, based on what she terms the four “Rs”…Respect, Responsibility, Reciprocity, and Restraint, elicit cogent responses from forty-two parents, adults, and young adults that many can relate to. These interesting, practical responses reflect the views of the respondents who vary in age, and although many of the adults are old school, some acknowledge changes that they have made while parenting in the 21st century. It is also heartwarming that the young adults interviewed demonstrate a depth of thought that spells progress for the next generation.

Overall, the responses emerge from places of deep consciousness and highlight the challenges we all face when bringing up the next generation. This book is not meant to be a blueprint, but it can function as a guide for those on their parenthood journey.

When I read through the chapters of this book, I knew that it was timely and very special. I predict that this book will help a lot of parents. I am happy to be a part of it. When I read the interviews form current parents, grandparents, and future parents I hear authentic values and beliefs from them. I am excited about getting this book in the hands of a new generation of parents.

As a parent and a grandparent, I find the book helpful as I co-parent my grandchildren with their parents. This book is about parenting with a purpose! Parenting with the values of respect, responsibility, reciprocity, and restraint is a winning strategy.

Dr. Bovell does a wonderful job of laying out the Four R’s of Parenting and their impact on parenting. Parenting is more challenging today than ever before, but Dr. Bovell addresses how the 4 R’s of Parenting can help by going back to basics as she says so eloquently.

As soon as I finish reading my book, I am passing it along to my girls.  No doubt it will be a great guide and source of encouragement to them as they move through the parenting process.  Thank you for including me in your MASTERPIECE.

In The Four Rs of Parenting, Dr. Bovell expertly combines her expertise as an early educator, mentor, parent and grandparent with the voices and lived experiences of a diverse group of parents. In doing this, she allows for the connection of parenting theory with practical application. The parents included in the book are different ages, from diverse cultural backgrounds, are parenting kids across different ages and within different family and socio-economic contexts. A real parent, in the real world, can read this book and discover a voice or scenario that resonates with their situation.

I love this book. It is exceptional and engaging because it is a topic that parents are interested in and promotes reflection. This book is not prescriptive; rather, it is rich with a variety of perspectives that include many cultures, ethnicities and religions; but underlying them are unified ideas about humanity.

Thank you for creating this inspiring, thoughtful, intentional and informative guide. It’s a keeper!

I found this book very insightful and enlightening. I really wish I had read this book before I became a mother.

The methodology of having conversations centered on distinct questions to each of the three groups of Parents, Young Adults and Elders on their points of view on the role Respect, Responsibility, Reciprocity and Restraint had in their child rearing practices is quite illuminating. Reading each parent's perspective coupled by the author's summary at the end of each section leaves the reader with an excellent summary of the essence of the section, in case a troubling situation arises that they would like professional insight on how to analyze, interpret and resolve the situation.

The selection of parents from which to hold conversations to glean their insights was a good cross section of males/females, dual parent households/single parents with non-participant biological parents/living apart, with shared custody, stay-at-home parents/dual career parents. Each parent had their own view based on their own life experience which provides readers with a wealth of points of view for a wide range of readers. It was also a great idea to have points of view of persons born in America and persons born in Guyana. The cultural difference reminds the reader that persons born or reared in other cultures or religions may have different points of view.

I love the concept of intentional parenting which instills the importance of reflecting on how one needs to plan for being a parent long before persons even consider becoming a parent. It also focuses on responding to the question, "What should I as a parent do to ensure that my child has the best future my child would like to have?" It becomes very clear in reading this book that being your child's best friend or giving your child everything your child wants is not the answer.

The book is conversational and offers helpful, user-friendly advice on ways of navigating child rearing.

Great job!