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Family First: Your Step-by-Step Plan for Creating a Phenomenal Family
From Dr. Phil's Letter to Parents:
I want to talk to you about family: yours and mine. I know and feel that as parents, you and I share some very important priorities. Just like you, I love my family more than anything in this world and I want us all to be safe, healthy, happy and prosperous in everything we do both within our family and as we go out into the world. Cynics will tell you that in our fast-paced society "family" is becoming obsolete, that it is just an old-fashioned, lost concept, getting buried in a busy world of "enlightened" people. I'm here to tell you that that is not right, not even close. Family is even more important today than in generations past, and its erosion is unacceptable. This is a fight we can and must win. This is a fight we will win if we just do our homework and plug in. What I intend to do in Family First is tell you with great precision what you need to stop doing and what you need to start doing to lead your family with such a pure purpose and power that the competing messages and influences are drowned out. I plan to help you define success and then take the steps to create and claim it for you and yours. Your children are the stars in your crown and it is time for them to shine; it is okay for them to shine and, if you do your job, shine they will. -- Dr. Phil
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
85 people are currently reading
814 people want to read
About the author
Phillip C. McGraw
86books518followersPhillip Calvin McGraw, best known as Dr. Phil, is an American television personality, psychologist and author who is the host of the psychology themed television show Dr. Phil. He gained celebrity status following appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 9, 2015
SEPTEMBER 2015: Still a good book doing what it aims at doing.
AUGUST 2011: Now that our daughter is two years old I thought I'd better re-read this again, as she is now at the age where it is relevant;-) Will be interesting if I think the same this time around.
2008:
By the end of the year we're going to have a child, so I thought I better start learning something... I am barely halfway into the book, but so far, so good. Yes, it is fairly light reading--but sometimes that's a good thing;-) Light doesn't always entail you can't learn a thing or two (or ten or fifty, hehe)...
More later, when I've read it from cover to cover...
Later, JUNE 24:
Definitely a good read. It does what it is supposed to do: Give some good pointers what to take into consideration--and, importantly, do and not-do--when the time comes to raise children and have a family. It is demanding for the parents! All told in a straight, easily understood language and in a way that makes sense.
I also liked that he is neither condencending nor judgmental beyond the obvious. And he is very open to the fact that some people may not buy into all of it, yet hopefully it can still inspire and raise awareness.
And that it did. So I can only recommend it:-)
AUGUST 2011: Now that our daughter is two years old I thought I'd better re-read this again, as she is now at the age where it is relevant;-) Will be interesting if I think the same this time around.
2008:
By the end of the year we're going to have a child, so I thought I better start learning something... I am barely halfway into the book, but so far, so good. Yes, it is fairly light reading--but sometimes that's a good thing;-) Light doesn't always entail you can't learn a thing or two (or ten or fifty, hehe)...
More later, when I've read it from cover to cover...
Later, JUNE 24:
Definitely a good read. It does what it is supposed to do: Give some good pointers what to take into consideration--and, importantly, do and not-do--when the time comes to raise children and have a family. It is demanding for the parents! All told in a straight, easily understood language and in a way that makes sense.
I also liked that he is neither condencending nor judgmental beyond the obvious. And he is very open to the fact that some people may not buy into all of it, yet hopefully it can still inspire and raise awareness.
And that it did. So I can only recommend it:-)
August 24, 2007
What a schmuck (me--for even picking this book up for free). It's clearly written to capitalize on his new notoriety and is largely repetitive soapboxing of arrogance interspersed with DUH! common sense. Some narrow-sighted 'quizes' are also included. He had a couple of points that were good reminders for me, but I should've read them from a parenting book whose philosophy I'm behind. Suck it, Dr. Phil.
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September 21, 2014حقاإنه من الكتب الملهمة التي لا أستطيع إلا أن أقول بأنه من الكتب التي سأعيد قراءتها ان شالله ..مع أني قرأت الكثير في هذا المجال وكنت قد صرفت النظر عن متابعة القراءة فيه ..إلا أن عنوان الكتاب ومقدمة الكاتب أشعرتني أن فيه شيئا مميزا وجديدا نوعا ما .. وبالفعل لم يخب ظني فالكتاب يحمل في طياته الكثير من النصائح والدروس والعبر المهمة والقيمة لكل مربي .. وأهم ما يميز هذا الكتاب عن غيره الاختبارات السيكلوجية والنفسية لمحاولة دراسة نفسية المربي قبل أن يشرع في تقويم اسلوبه التربوي .. !
يتحدث الكتاب عن الأسرة وكيفية المحافظة على كينونة الأسرة ورعايتها، ويقدم الخطوات الفعّالة لبناء أسرة منسجمة وناجحة، تعتمد على ترتيب وتنظيم الأولويات ترتيباً صحيحاً بوجود قيادة رشيدة، مع التأكيد على حماية الأسرة..
إذا أردت أن تفهم أطفالك لابد إن تفكر في أسرتك كمنظومة وهذا ينطبق على الأسر المكونة من زوج وزوجة وأطفال أو الأسرة المكونة من أبوين فقط أو أسرة تتألف من أبناء لأحد الزوجين أو أسرة كبيرة تتكون من أجيال متعاقبة ويعيش الأجداد في المنزل الأسرة هي نظام وليست مجموعة من الأفراد .. يتحدث عن الأسرة وكيفية المحافظة على كينونة الأسرة ورعايتها ويقدم الخطوات الفعالة لبناء أسرة منسجمة وناجحة و تعتمد على ترتيب وتنظيم الأولويات ترتيباً صحيحاً بوجود قيادة رشيدة مع التأكيد على حماية الأسرة ..
" المكافأة التي تتلقاها الأسرة التي تدار جيدا وتعيش في سلام ..هي الحياة الجميلة ..لذا فإن الأمر يستحق!"
يتحدث الكتاب عن الأسرة وكيفية المحافظة على كينونة الأسرة ورعايتها، ويقدم الخطوات الفعّالة لبناء أسرة منسجمة وناجحة، تعتمد على ترتيب وتنظيم الأولويات ترتيباً صحيحاً بوجود قيادة رشيدة، مع التأكيد على حماية الأسرة..
إذا أردت أن تفهم أطفالك لابد إن تفكر في أسرتك كمنظومة وهذا ينطبق على الأسر المكونة من زوج وزوجة وأطفال أو الأسرة المكونة من أبوين فقط أو أسرة تتألف من أبناء لأحد الزوجين أو أسرة كبيرة تتكون من أجيال متعاقبة ويعيش الأجداد في المنزل الأسرة هي نظام وليست مجموعة من الأفراد .. يتحدث عن الأسرة وكيفية المحافظة على كينونة الأسرة ورعايتها ويقدم الخطوات الفعالة لبناء أسرة منسجمة وناجحة و تعتمد على ترتيب وتنظيم الأولويات ترتيباً صحيحاً بوجود قيادة رشيدة مع التأكيد على حماية الأسرة ..
" المكافأة التي تتلقاها الأسرة التي تدار جيدا وتعيش في سلام ..هي الحياة الجميلة ..لذا فإن الأمر يستحق!"
November 30, 2007
yes I admit I read Dr.Phil books.
September 9, 2013
Dr. Phil words things the way I wish I could, know what I mean? On his show, he knows just how to read two people barking at each other and just how to help them. It's unrealistic to assume every guest swallows his 30-second life-changing advice at the very end and walks away hugging relatives and chasing butterflies, but I still like hearing him out.
So listening to this audio book was helpful. Family first. Amen to that. I particularly was intrigued by his references to his own childhood and, despite his father's horrible actions, he still managed to speak well of him. It speaks well to Dr. Phil's character that he did this because he later advised his readers with hurtful parents or ex-spouses to not speak ill of them in front of the kids.
Wisely said, doctor.
So listening to this audio book was helpful. Family first. Amen to that. I particularly was intrigued by his references to his own childhood and, despite his father's horrible actions, he still managed to speak well of him. It speaks well to Dr. Phil's character that he did this because he later advised his readers with hurtful parents or ex-spouses to not speak ill of them in front of the kids.
Wisely said, doctor.
October 27, 2014
It really did take me a year and a half to finish this one...I wish I'd stuck with it because the tools he describes in the second half of the book are true gems. I have seen every episode of Dr Phil ever filmed, I think, and this book was very much like a distillment of his family advice, but with a lot of workbook activities added in. Invaluable info in my opinion, especially if dealing with difficult family dynamics but also useful even if things are rolling along pretty well. He asks you to confront some of your own past truths and dig into some painful personal history, which really helps get at the root of problems so that they can be fully addressed. A great advice book.
October 12, 2009
I'm not a huge Dr. Phil fan so I was skeptical in reading this. It was a good, light read with some key points in there you can take to heart. I do like the interactive assessments he has that allow you to find your parenting style and the personality type of your child/children. It is nice when you can personalize his suggestions for your family based on those. He has some good reflection questions that allow you to evaluate your parenting skills and set goals for changes you might wish to make. Overall I give this two and a half stars.
March 1, 2016
Dr. Phil's logic makes good sense to me. In all of his books I've read, I didn't see anything that was difficult to implement, or for which logic was complex. For me this book was an easy read since nothing came as a surprise to me, only as good ideas or in some cases good reminders.
The book says "Family" First but actually it talks mostly about relationship of parents with kids. If you have any difficulties with your kids, or even if you dont, this book can be a good help.
My rating: 9/10
The book says "Family" First but actually it talks mostly about relationship of parents with kids. If you have any difficulties with your kids, or even if you dont, this book can be a good help.
My rating: 9/10
February 4, 2008
Lots of exersizes & assessment solutions for specific problems & the steps you need to take. How we as parents are our childrens models & the fact that most of us are failing at this. Mostly the book has a lot of good sound advice, some I did disagree with. Like for example if the parents are neat the child will be too.
September 16, 2011
There was definitely some good info in here for parenting your everyday child and managing a family.
However, much of the advice/strategies were not applicable to our situation...a child diagnosed with ADHD will not respond/change based on these data. It did help me to study our child and our parenting styles and begin to analyze our own particular needs as a family.
However, much of the advice/strategies were not applicable to our situation...a child diagnosed with ADHD will not respond/change based on these data. It did help me to study our child and our parenting styles and begin to analyze our own particular needs as a family.
March 10, 2012
In this book Dr Phil tells you how to raise a phenomenal family. And guess what? It's not going to be easy. If you are committed, you can do it. Even if your family is in a mess right now he tells you how to set it straight. But I have to wonder how many are prepared to put in the necessary work.
Read this book before you decide to have a family. If it doesn't put you off then go ahead.
Read this book before you decide to have a family. If it doesn't put you off then go ahead.
May 27, 2007
Practical and yet over the top the way that only Dr. Phil can be. Many helpful insights - even if you don't have a "problem" child or "dysfunctional" family. I found this book to be a positive learning experience and look forward to applying the methods to my family.
January 19, 2008
I kinda like Dr. Phil. He's practical. I don't always agree with how he says things. "You gotta chase that skunk into the hole, ride the dog in and chase your grandma!" What? Ok, so he didn't really say that, but that stuff is there. I liked the book.
September 13, 2016
Why is this man so popular? He says nothing of substance. The only reason I read this book is because Border's gave it to me free during a premotional period. Who am I to look a free book in the face?
own-but-not-read-yet
September 8, 2009I got almost halfway through this book but then I started reading something else and got away from it. Now it's been too long so I've taken it off my currently reading list and put it back on my to-read list and then I'm going to start over at some point.
October 30, 2008
Not sure how I felt about this book. There is some good advice in there, obviously, but I think I'm not the self-help type of person. It was motivating at the time, though I can't really remember anything about the book almost two years later except that Dr. Phil quoted the Blackeyed Peas...
August 7, 2014
So i had a hard time reading this book... I have heard a lot of failures for the author in his personal life....and really believe in practicing what you preach...so low rating...i think the content probably ok...just didn't feel like it was original either...similar to love and logic methodology.
July 16, 2009
I think this was really helpful for me to understand how and why my children respond the way they do to my style of parenting... now if I could just get better at parenting them the way that is best for them.
August 31, 2009
liked the ideas presented but some of them are more ideals than practical ideas. still, i think if all parents wold read it, at least they would have more tools for parenting and maybe we would have a generation of children who grow up more balanced and socially adept.
December 15, 2009
I've learned a lot about being flexible with my parenting style. I think alot of the book had common sense advice but still great reminders. I especially liked the last two chapters on focusing on what qualities are most important to you in your family.
September 9, 2011
This is not the first time I have read this one. I love dr. phil and agree with him on most everything. Lots of work involved in this book if you do it correctly but I think we could all work on ourselves.
March 27, 2011
I got a lot of good ideas from this book, things to try in my family and to try to improve myself. Good reading, if you like Dr Phil's style. I even highlighted parts that I want to really work on, remember and put into practice, and now I am going to do a quick-reference notebook or something :)
July 30, 2012
I am a big fan of Dr. Phil and his straightforward advice. This book offers a lot of useful information and, while the tips and advice did not really pertain to my family, reading this book made me feel that I already have a phenomenal family.
September 6, 2013
Chocked full of ideas and things to think about when becoming a parent Every couple should read this and discuss what kind of family they want when they have their first child. Really liked this book.
August 3, 2016
I always enjoy Dr. Phil's books, they are inspiring and so matter of fact. I tried to do more with this book, introducing it to my wife, trying to do the exercises with her, but she just wasn't into it, so nothing happened.
I thought it was a good book!
I thought it was a good book!
Currently reading
August 9, 2007Hoping to find new things to make our family great!
April 11, 2008
I hit or missed this book. Some of this is common sense...which some people don't have. Some stuff I thought was too hard for me to remember in the heat of the moment...
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December 15, 2007I was given this book from my wish list over 2 years ago and I still look forward to reading it!
March 26, 2008
I have only given it # stars so far because I have only read about 5 chapters so far. I'm sure by the time I am done it will get 5 stars.
July 10, 2008
He really tells it like it is. A great read for parents.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
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