Product Description

In this groundbreaking book, Laura and Malcolm Gauld draw on their experience as parents and as educators at Hyde -- an organization of award-winning schools and programs -- to argue persuasively that true education springs not just from seeking good grades and achievements but from reestablishing a commitment to character, attitude, and purpose. Offering a new paradigm for reconnecting education with values, the Gaulds focus attention not on the child, but on the child's primary teacher -- the parent.

After explaining how enormous a parent's impact is on how children approach education and life, the Gaulds detail the Hyde program's 10 Priorities for meeting life's challenges so that any family can embrace them. Interspersed throughout are dozens of remarkable stories of Hyde parents and students; their funny, moving, and provocative anecdotes reveal that astonishing results are possible and that all children -- and their parents -- can exceed expectations and realize their full potential.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #340955 in Books
• Published on: 2003-07-22
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

Amazon.com
In this results-driven era of over-zealous soccer parents and SAT boot camps for kids, The Biggest Job We'll Ever Have offers parents and teachers a fresh and compelling message: a child's character is more important than his or her achievements. The authors are a teacher at and the CEO of the Hyde Schools, a group of private schools dedicated to character development and family growth. The Gaulds leverage their experiences to create a wise and workable manual for balancing character, achievement, and purpose in family life.

The book sharply contrasts "achievement culture" with "character culture" by providing 10 priorities for the development of a child's moral fiber. These include valuing "truth over harmony," "attitude over aptitude," and "principles over rules." Each priority is explored via crisp commentary, vivid stories from Hyde parents and students, family exercises, activities, and journaling assignments. One chapter describes ways for parents to explore their attraction to the achievement bias of our culture. This is a practical and persuasive book--one that will convince readers of the authors' credo: "Character is inspired, it is not imparted." --Barbara Mackoff

From Publishers Weekly
The formation of character is an elusive thing; despite concerned parenting, good schools and all the best intentions, parents worry about everything from insubordination and bad grades to hard drugs. According to the Gaulds (authors, teachers and alternative education proponents), the "biggest job we'll ever have" is developing positive habits of mind and behavior in our young. According to these authors, it is hard, it is doable and it is never too late to achieve "exceptional parenting." This how-to book offers 10 commonsense principles of character education, enlivening them with anecdotes gathered from thousands of parents and children, as well as with their own family stories. The authors accompany each rule with family exercises and activities, some of which seem contrived (e.g., writing down strengths and weaknesses; keeping a log of "mandatory fun activities"). The authors are relentlessly upbeat all the stories here are triumphs, implying that if parents simply apply the Gaulds' formula, they will achieve "personal and family excellence." This book falls into the camp that claims that the problems of society are with individuals, mostly due to flawed parenting. Hence, solutions lie in "fixing" the individuals and their families. What's missing from this perspective (and from this book) is an analysis of the social, economic and cultural factors that may cause the alienation, boredom, underachievement and family dysfunction that constitute "poor character." Scholars and educators hoping for an in-depth understanding of the complex dimensions of character education will not find it here, although families seeking a self-help boost and some informed coaching may find useful tips.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Since its founding in Maine in 1966, the Hyde School has provided an educational alternative for students having difficulty in the public school system. Hyde leaders Laura and Malcolm Gauld here tell the story of the school's success by focusing on the character education at the core of its philosophy and on its commitment to involving the entire family in the educational process. Readers interested in learning about classroom life at Hyde will be disappointed, however, as this book focuses more on the parenting lessons that Hyde provides both on campus and as part of its "Biggest Job" workshops. As the authors write, "parents are the primary teachers and the home is the primary classroom." Hence, this book is more about parenting than it is about schooling. Followers of recent calls for virtue-centric education, such as those by former U.S. Secretary of Education William J. Bennett, may be intrigued by the Hyde model (which has recently been adopted by a public charter school in Washington, DC). It may also prove appealing to the many advocates for an increased role for parents in the education of their children. For all collections. Scott Walter, Washington State Univ. Lib., Pullman

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Instruction Manual
When you are a new parent and realize the overwhelming task of raising kids and having the family that you want - you realize after much trial and error that there are no "instruction manuals" on how to be a good parent.

"The Biggest Job We'll Ever Have" is the closest thing to the "instruction manual" that every parent should read while their kids are young. Don't wait until family circumstances begin to spiral downward before reading this book. The message is loud and clear: if you want to have great kids you have to learn to be great parents. Parents have to lead and inspire their kids. The whole family will win if you apply the principles of this book early enough to prevent problems rather than use it as a guide to help correct the problems you will inevitably face when you have TEENAGERS!

A Different Perspective on Parenting
Although this book was written primarily for parents whose children are students at the Hyde Schools in Bath, ME and Woodstock CT, the principles outlined are extremely valuable for all parents dealing with behavioral and character issues with their adolescent children. Malcolm and Laura Gauld emphasize the need for truth over harmony in the home, along with honest accountability from both parents and children. The Gaulds also introduce concepts for helping young people to develop mature character and to realize their own unique potential. The priority for parents is to become an inspiration for their children. As the authors say, parenting "...is hard, is doable, and it's never too late."

Book Review, not School Review
My disclaimer is that I'm a former Hyde Student, one who was not happy while being there but also one who has the benefit of 20 years' hindsight.

I purchased the book a few days ago as I was interested to learn more of the philosophy behind the teaching I experienced first hand. I was curious to understand why I did not like my Hyde experience and what has happened in the intervening years to make me come to understand that I needed character education in my life at that time (and now, too).

While I don't have children of my own, I read the book with fervor and interest as I saw MY childhood and MY parents mirrored in its pages. Flashbacks to various interactions was common - and I had a series of intense emotional responses at times while I read things that hit so close to home I would've sworn that they were writing about my life. The book very clearly lays out the priorities which would've made my childhood more productive (in my humble opinion) and I look forward to being able to put these priorities into practice with my children.

As the title of this review states, I think it's very important to remember that this is a book on parenting. It's a spurious argument to say that if Hyde doesn't practice what they preach 24/7, that the book is inaccurate or that the authors are disingenuous. Living up to these priorities is hard work - and no one is going to be perfect at it, not even Hyde. In fact, the authors clearly detail their DAILY struggle with living up to these priorities in their own personal lives, not to mention helping others do it, too.

Regardless of whether this book is used to market the Hyde programs, whether Hyde is appropriate for you, and whether you've had a good Hyde School experience, the message of the book remains true. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in having a relationship with another human being, not just with their children/parents.