50 Rules Kids Won't Learn in School: Real-World Antidotes to Feel-Good Education

by Charles J. Sykes

Book Overview

Charles J. Sykes offers fifty life lessons not included in the self-esteem-laden, reality-light curriculum of most schools. Here are truths about what kids will encounter in the world post-schooling, and ideas for how parents can reclaim lost ground---not with pep talks and touchy-feely negotiations, but with honesty and respect. Sykes's rules are frank, funny, and tough minded, including:

#1 Life is not fair. Get used to it.
#7 If you...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 031236038X
• ISBN13: 9780312360382
• Release Date: August 2007
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.7" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Stating the painfully obvious...

Why is it that only a very small minority of authors will state things that are painfully obvious? "Life is not fair. Get over it" would be an obvious example. In fact, the problem with our schools goes back at least to the time of the French Revolution. Flaubert has a memorable character in "Sentimental Education" who works for a while as a school-teacher, and is FANATICALLY OPPOSED to the awarding of prizes as "fatal to equality." Well, Charles Sykes is here to remind us of the obvious: your school may have tried to get rid of "winners and losers," but reality has not! To flesh out the somewhat philosophical rules offered here, I completely recommend Adam Shepard's "Scratch Beginnings." Adam Shepard made a completely voluntary journey from "Soft America" to "Hard America," and the two books make excellent reading together. One of the underlying messages in this book, it seems to me, is this: "Affordable daycare? Universal preschool? Hasn't it occurred to anyone here to do it themselves?" No, Mommies must have "prestigious careers" as HR flunkies in the Silicon Valley -- so much MORE rewarding than raising a family BY YOURSELF. Everyone wants to save the planet, but nobody wants to help clean the house! :-) Maybe the Do It Yourself concept will make a huge comeback, with the huge difference that it won't be about woodworking, or oven-baked bread, or keeping bees: it will be about raising your own children yourself. All this aside, Sykes' book is tremendous reading, and very thought-provoking.

Another great book ......

If for no other reason I like the book because it does indeed deal with common sense issues. Now this may sound obvious to those of us who know what common sense is and how valuable thinking before one does something is. But in an era when so many parents and teachers have allowed children to become dumbed down, don't take well thought out risks, or try sensible new challenges, the author hits the nail on the head. And its nice to read a book where someone writes about the effect of ideas like childhood games where no one is allowed to win, or the idea that all children are winners, even if they never try to do well. Reminds me of my Dad and his reminding me that failure is a part of succeeding, and that it in trying over and over again that is valuable and leads in the long run to great lessons as well as success.

Excellent!

Charlie Sykes, once again, proves that common sense isn't completely dead. A few examples: Rule #1: Life is not fair. Get use to it. Rule #9: Your school may have done away with winners and losers. Life hasn't. Rule #14: Looking like a slut does not empower you. Rule #30: Zero tolerance=zero common sense. Rule #35: If your butt has its own zip code, it's not because McDonald's forced you to eat all those Big Macs. If you smoke, it's not Joe Camel's fault. Rule #36: You are not immortal. Some simple truisms that could benefit both kids, and adults!

All parents should read this book

I heard this author on a local radio station. He was very entertaining but spoke about important issues I've been seeing in young adults today. I bought this book and enjoyed it so much that I'm purchasing more to give to others I feel should read it as well. His rules are right on and they are delivered in a real but amusing way. If you are interested in helping a young person in your life become a better, stronger young adult, I highly recommend this book.

Excellent Book

The best book I've read in years. A very interesting perspective of what kids and adults are missing. It's nice to read something that verifies what I have been thinking and dealing with in a business setting for a long time.