The following review appeared in Equilibrium, June 2002

If we are truly moving into a global mind set, and if it really does take a tribe to raise a child, then Caron B. Goode's Nurture Your Child's Gift is the "how-to" parenting book of the future.

In simple clear language, she asks the reader to give up dated, fundamental assumptions about raising children. Instead Caron invites parents, grandparents, teachers and child care givers to look at children as "living souls who came to this world with a unique gift and dream to fulfill."

Caron writes, "Our given gift, a dream, is a blueprint that steers the course of our children's lives. Our children's dream are wrapped like gifts in their unconscious, waiting for parents to open them. Gifts can appear at any age, and we watch for clues in our children's interests, imagination, intuition, temperament and intelligence."

Her book is filled with examples of children who were encouraged to listen to the inner world of their dreams. Each child's unique dream led them to their life's passion.

Because life dreams never leave us, Caron doesn't focus just on young children. She offers stories and advice for children of all ages.

Caron also points out the need to see children as complete and unique individuals. Children have their own sense of timing, a inner knowing of what is right for them. What they lack is the communication skills to express themselves effectively.

Moving the reader through the understanding of children's development of emotional patterns, temperament and intelligence, Caron points out where the clues can be found in the signals that children are giving.

"Children's dreams usually emerge in their areas of talent and strength. By observing throughout childhood where children gravitate in their interest and motivation, parents can create dynamic as well as peaceful environments and interactions to encourage dreaming, skill-building and proactive steps toward achieving goals."

Once an understanding has been developed, Caron presents the building block for dream nurturing: Esteem, Empowerment and Wholeness.

"Esteem is the fuel children need to ignite their dream, face challenges, and see it through in their lives," Caron writes. She also points out that esteem is the gift that parents give to their children.

The last third of the book is devoted entirely to simple tools that foster a child's dreams: mental fitness, breath and music. Each tool takes a very holistic, wholebody view of nurturing.

"Sound, rhythm, and music are tools that can help our children express and release emotions and learn to cooperate and listen. Most importantly, they can be keys that activate their dream."

In a desire to give parents and children caregivers as many resources as possible, Caron finishes the book with 13 pages of additional books, web sites and audiocassettes.

Caron B. Goode's insights are drawn from her 15 years in private psychotherapy practice and 30 years of experience in special education, personal empowerment and therapy. Her web site www.inspiredparenting.net serves as a mind body resource for parents and child caretakers.

Nurture Your Child's Gift is published by Beyond Words Publishing, Inc. and is available in most bookstores.

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