Wommack's The Art of Parenting: Lessons From Parents and Mentors of Extraordinary Americans by David Wommack is a delightful book which covers the precise details of setting an example and providing advice to children and young adults. The author quotes from important mantras developed by well known Americans like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julia Child and Warren Buffet. Wommack sets forth a famous personality followed by mantras which apply to the person in everyday life.
For instance, Warren Buffet explained that taking children to work and involving them with the inner mechanics of the business would instill important lessons for later life. Buffet showed how his father took him to the business and allowed him to do research. In addition, his father would assemble everyone to the dinner table each night to discuss the news of the day, money and philosophy.
Buffet also spoke of the importance of teaching children the benefits of saving and investing money. Buffet had a considerable paper route as a boy and had to figure out how to deliver newspapers to the customers in the most efficient manner. This experience taught him to cast aside arrogance as a character trait and deal forthrightly with people. Warren believed that people should be able to think for themselves and support decisions with clear logic.
Wommack explains and provides examples of how parents should make every day count and serve as role models. Criticism should be slow while compliments should be more frequent and generous in nature to build confidence. Fear of failure is often a stumbling block for attempting anything important or great. Obstacles should be seen as opportunities which inspire action. Consequences of actions should be thoroughly supported with details and logic.
Wommack's The Art of Parenting: Lessons From Parents and Mentors of Extraordinary Americans is a good primer for parents to instill values in young adults beginning at an early age. Most parents will have seen some of the material enunciated by the author but not all of it.
Just about every important situation is covered by Wommack together with short stories which elucidate the concepts in everyday practice. The presentation is politically neutral. That is, famous persons on both sides of the political aisle are cited and quoted extensively. The author's neutral stance adds considerable credibility and objectivity to the presentation.
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