Looking for a last minute gift suggestion. I would recommend Love, Magic, and Mudpies for any mom or dad on your shopping list. It is a book I am glad to have read.

With a strong understanding that love is all, Mr. Siegel shares stories and insights from his family and professional life on what it takes and means to raise, and love our kids. Offering help for new parents, fresh perspective on parenting young children and teens, and props for kids and their parents to stand on their own two feet.

Siegel has put together a caring, wonderfully written collection of two page views, on topics such as, hidden talents, living in the moment, help them follow their bliss, to spank or not to spank, for example, but the topic list is very long, and chronicles many aspects of raising children and life beyond. Each chapter, or view point, begins with a thoughtful quote and ends with a theory on how to create this particular brand of missing magic. A terrific formula, compact and concise, and the reason this book works for moral support or reference.

One thing Siegel claims to have learned as a father of 5 is to maintain, and live life with, a healthy sense of humor. Laughter is the best medicine, and it is also a valuable teacher. Siegel states, “Remember, parents are the co-creators of life, so decide what you desire to create and begin now. Your children are the finest raw material you will ever have to work with.”

Love, Magic, and Mudpies is an inspiring, loving reminder that we as parents, and our families, are and will be OK. And although it is written in a gentle voice, this book is not a lightweight, it offers thoughtful, solid, advice and direction from each of it’s eight sections.

For example, in part 5, “The Three R’s, rules, regulations, and responsibilities,” Siegel says, “Keep your personal power, don’t give it away to anyone or anything, and teach your kids to do the same.” His recipe for making the magic includes sharing your mistakes with your child to give them the courage to risk making their own, and in turn empowering them to be successful.

Siegel says he survived many disappointments by remembering wise words like: “This too shall pass,” or “God is redirecting you.” Bernie shares many inspiring quotes in this book and offers a few of his own.

“From my experience as a father of five, grandfather of eight, pediatric surgeon, counselor to those with life-threatening illnesses, and as a Chosen Dad for the suicidal and abused children I have met, I know our childhoods have a profound effect on our lifelong health. I've seen that what we learn in our earliest years has a direct effect on our self-esteem, behavior, and choices. It makes me realize that the parenting
we receive is truly the number one health issue in most people's lives.

This book will uplift, strengthen, and guide you through the inevitable ups, downs, joys, and heartaches of parenting; it may even help you re-birth and re-parent yourself.” - Bernie Siegel