“For parenthood to fade before childhood ends is disastrous for both parent and child!”

“Children’s attachments to parents are no longer getting the support required from culture and society. Children are increasingly forming attachments that compete with their parents, with the result that the proper context for parenting is less and less available to us.”

“When we are stripped of our parenthood, our children lose the positive aspects of childhood. They remain immature, but are deprived of the innocence, vulnerability and childlike openness required for growth and for the unfettered enjoyment of what life has to offer. They are cheated of their full legacy as human beings.”

These quotes are from the publication "Hold on to Your Kids" by Dr. Gordon Neufeld, a Vancouver based developmental psychologist who consults with parents and professionals regarding children and their problems. His book is about the pivotal importance of children's relationships to those responsible for them, and the devastating impact in today's society of competing attachments with peers.

His message is that if parents do not hold that position of positive influence in a child's life, that child will be shaped by the peer and social pressures of today. This is very evident in the choices a child makes when it comes to drug and alcohol use and other risky behaviors.

Reference Source: “Hold on to Your Kids - Why Parents Need to Matter More than Peers" by Dr. Gordon Neufeld & Dr. Gabor Mate. Quotes are excerpts from the book, Pages 7 & 263.

In 2004 "Hold on to Your Kids" received rave reviews from "Publisher Weekly" and was on Amazon.ca's top selling Canadian non fiction book list.

Check the website: www.gordonneufeld.com for books and DVDs.

Corporal Richard DeJong
DOCAS Coordinator
Vancouver, BC