My Children's Children

Abstract

This is the first book written by Dr. Robert A. Saul, a pediatrician and geneticist practicing in South Carolina. To better understand the main perspective of this book, it is important to have some background information on the author. Dr. Saul lived large part of his life in Colorado. In 1999, after the tragic shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, he felt compelled to write a letter to the editor of his local article in which he urged all Americans to take personal responsibility for the difficulties that face society today. Over the next few years, Dr. Saul wrote over 160 articles to the local newspaper on that topic. Dr. Saul then decided to compile and rewrite those letters in “My Children's Children,” in which he calls people to action to become better citizens, better parents, better individuals, and ultimately to have a better society. He cites a few pediatric research articles from peer reviewed journals, but for the most part, the book seems to be inspired by Dr. Saul's experiences and personal views. His arguments are constructed in a comfortable and nonconfrontational manner, although often with idealistic views of how society's complex problems can be fixed. Dr. Saul formulates 5 steps to address these concerns. He challenges readers to try these action steps in their everyday life with the purpose of making a positive difference in our society. The first step, Learn to Be the Best Parent You Can Be, is composed of 17 short chapters in which he describes various situations that can be encountered through parenthood. The author touches upon delicate and current subjects such as breastfeeding, bullying, gun control, and childhood obesity. He explains, in a somewhat oversimplified manner, some general recommendations and gives examples to the reader with a brief take-home message at the end of each chapter. The second and third steps are Get Involved and Stay Involved. The author gives a forceful explanation of why the only way change can occur is if each person becomes personally involved and accepts individual responsibility for society's problems. Having this as a foundation, he proceeds to give examples of ways in which the reader can get involved in different settings, such as in the community and with children as parents. To Stay Involved, Dr. Saul lays out the traits that he considers needed to continue to engage in the community, such as persistence, optimism, patience, tolerance, compassion, commitment, and empathy. Although Dr. Saul touches upon important aspects of advocacy, the specific examples and steps he recommends are somewhat vague and decontextualized from the complexities of durable solutions. Love for Others is the next step; here, the author describes how love is defined more by actions than by words. Therefore, acting through positive deeds and overcoming intolerance is the advised way to help fellow citizens and the community. Forgiveness is the last of the 5 steps; Dr. Saul considers this step a requirement for progress. He associates the inability to forgive with such things as hatred and intolerance, exhorting the reader to accept responsibility, forgive ourselves and forgive others. Dr. Saul writes in a very personal and earnest manner. His personality, point of view, and Christian beliefs are tightly embedded in this book, especially in the last 2 steps. Throughout this book, Dr. Saul gives us a glimpse of his many personal roles as a father, husband, son, and Christian, as well as a pediatrician and a fierce advocate for children. The style and content are geared to a general audience and not specifically for those seeking an in-depth policy or research-based review. With this book, he calls for action by describing various opportunities that the reader might have to make a difference. As developmental and behavioral health care providers, he reminds us of the responsibilities we have toward our patients. The title “My Children's Children” makes reference to our patients as “our children.” Thus, the primary relevance to us as pediatric health care providers is that it activates the humanistic side of our professional roles to remind us that we have the potential to make a significant positive impact on our communities.