"Keepers of the Children" (subtitle: Native American Wisdom and Parenting) uses little known Native American secrets to teach parents how to raise children who know their nature and use their strengths to create lives of meaning and contribution. By raising children to unfold the uniqueness in their hearts, parents touch the depths of their own. By teaching children the secrets of genuine fulfillment, they grow up to lead purposeful lives and cherish their parents for this gift. ("Keepers of the Children" is the first in a trilogy of parenting books.) In an exquisite blend of Native American ideals, child development and human psychology, Keepers of the Children presents a child-rearing guide based on balance and mutual respect. --Lynda Lukow, MyShelf Laura Ramirez writes knowledgeably and with passion about the necessity of having a clear vision for our children and of understanding the sacred nature of our part in their lives. --Bob Collier, Parental Intelligence This book teaches how to support your child's quest for identity. It is a lack of identity that are behind most of the teen problems we are seeing today. Insight into these concepts is invaluable. --Dr. Asoka Selverajah, Self Growth Regardless of your personal beliefs in Native American culture, this book is strewn with nuggets of valuable information ANY parent can use to raise balanced, sensible, loving and independent kids. --Dr. Mani Sivasubramanian, Pediatric Heart Surgeon This book will not only benefit children, but parents and grandparents as well. I've gotten direction from the book's wisdom that I will be able to draw from in relating to my grandchildren, especially my three-year old grandson. --BruceAnn Yellowega "Laura Ramirez is a natural teacher who proclaims that being a parent is a sacred gift and the noblest of enterprises. Contrary to conventional wisdom, she demonstrates that parenting is the decisive influence on children--not genetics or peers or media. Keepers of the Children is destined to contribute to our national dialogue on what it really takes to raise integrated, self-efficacious and joyful children." --Joe Santoro, Ph.D. Co-Chairman of SLS Health, psychologist and author of The Angry Heart: Overcoming Borderline Personality Disorder " Keepers of the Children is an example of a non-Indian application of Native American philosophy to raise children in a multicultural society. We all benefit through shared vision and worldview for balance and wellness." -- Jim Warne , Ogalala Lakota, Director of the Center for American Indian Rehabilitation "I found this book delightful to explore. There are endless passages which echo the principles of good discipline. Laura Ramirez' poetic articulation of human development and selfless nurturing, however, deliver instruction in an eloquent and fascinating way." -- Laura Marineau , Community Education Coordinator for The Children's Cabinet "In Keepers of the Children , Ramirez combines her own sound convictions about parenting and child development with ancient wisdom of Native Americans. The result is a powerful little guide, that, I am sure, will help many parents and educators. I recommend it." -- Johann Christoff Arnold , author of Endangered: Your Child in a Hostile World Laura Ramirez is a keynote speaker and parent-and-child advocate who is the mother of two boys and the wife of a Pascua Yaqui Native American man (who was recently inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame for his career in baseball.) In raising her children to embrace the fullness of their heritage, she has created a way of parenting that combines the most humane practices of two worlds. Ms. Ramirez has a degree in psychology, has written numerous articles on raising children and is the publisher of Family Matters Parenting Magazine. Excerpt from Chapter 1 of "Keepers of the Children: Native American Wisdom and Parenting" by Laura M. Ramirez. A Real Life Story "Where vision lives, children flourish." When I think about the difference that loving parents make in their children's lives, I remember my encounter with the championship boxer, Oscar de la Hoya. At a promotional dinner in Las Vegas in November 2002. Oscar was posing for photographs with his fans. During a lull, I approached him for an autograph. As I handed him a poster of himself to sign, I said, "Oscar, write something you believe in." He looked at me, "What do you mean ... something I believe in?" "A statement about something you feel is important in life." "Something I believe deep down in my heart?" he asked, grinning boyishly and tapping his fist against his chest. I nodded. He signed the poster, then handed it back to me. Above his autograph, he'd written the words, "I love my MOM." His eyes twinkled and I smiled in recognition. Oscar de la Hoya, who holds seven world titles in five different weight classes, had confirmed that his big heart was nurtured first outside the ring, in the lov