Her Family's Rock

I must admit that when I first received the book I'll be reviewing for MotherTalk, Mama Rock's Rules: Ten Lessons for Raising a Household of Succesful Children, I wasn't too impressed.

The jaded part of me (96.7% at last check) was wondering what the mother of someone famous --in this case Rose Rock happens to be comedian Chris Rock's mother-- would ever teach me about parenting.  I remember rolling my eyes a little, huffing about how anyone gets a book deal these days.

But Rose Rock, if you're reading this I just want to say that I would love to sit at your kitchen table anytime.  You have created a believer here, and I thank you.  And I can't wait to try your recipes!!!

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There are many books dealing with advice and with parenting out there, and as you spend more and more time as a parent you know that any stranger on the street feels compelled to issue even the lightest edict on how a child should be reared or disciplined or even told how to eat or not eat.

But few people have not only the experience of having raised seven children but also about seventeen foster children and many neighborhood children.  And not many people are able to dish advice that seems at once solid and common sense --like the kind of advice you would hope to receiver from your own mother, given with straightforward honesty; and yet, novel and the kind of advice that makes you have an "Aha!" moment.

This was my experience reading what Mama Rock had to say: a series of moments mumbling, "That makes perfect sense" mixed with a few of, "But of course! THAT is how you do it!"

Items such as having dinner with your family, or understanding organically that you cannot be a good parent who is your child's friend or pal, are not just common sense but are actions that are worth repeating in a world where it seems some children are conceived as status mascots and not as the enormous responsibilities that they are.

My favorite section title, for instance is, "Don't Lie Down With Anything You Don't Want to Live With Forever"-- which seems at first kind of a jokey catchall, but it has a deeper meaning that may not be popular with some people: sex, especially when you're young and inexperienced, is not to be taken lightly but treated seriously and with the future consequences it can have ALWAYS.

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Overall, her style is devoid of frills or sugarcoating-- another two things that some parenting guides boast in spades, possibly to shield parents of anything that might sound like criticism.  Mrs. Rock is who she is through and through, from her own memories of raising her family and her hints and tips (labeled "Mama's Mojo") to the serene and straightforward way she tackles spirituality and religion (which in my opinion is done tactfully but unapologetically enough that it might step on a few toes) you can see the steely determination of someone who has a talent for being a lifelong educator.

Even when reading something that might be a hot button issue (spirituality and religion is such a thing in our household, but others might take exception to her looking down on some aspects of popular culture), you can't help but find solace in Mrs. Rock's serenity.

And then there are her recipes, which I cannot wait to try.  (BISCUITS!!!!!)

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Thank you to MotherTalk for making me a part of this blog tour.  And thank you to Rose Rock for sharing her insights and her recipe for sweet potato pie, which if I am to take her word for it should be worth the price of the book alone --or its weight in gold.

(but I'm not thanking her for the pounds I'll be gaining)