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with a little bit of you
Monday, April 14, 2008
Call for help!
Okay, I'm far enough into the James Dobson book to know that I'm going to need some serious detox. This is a call to you mom's and dad's out there - send me your parenting book suggestions! What do you guys find helpful and inspiring?
The only book I've read about the other side of parenting, told from a geek's perspective: The Poo Bomb, by Jeff Vogel (http://www.amazon.com/Poo-Bomb-Tales-Parental-Terror/dp/0740750453).
I found Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn very inspiring. Jen gave me good advice, though, and that is, if you feel too badly about your parenting at the beginning, skip to the 7th chapter. The first 6 can make you feel bad before getting to the inspirational part.
Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting, Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn...it's been awhile since I last read it but I remember liking it at the time.
My advice is to not read books on parenting. If you have a particular problem, then read about that- or ask someone knowledgable, but every child is not at all the same so books can only give very general advice. Love, encouragement, acceptance and discipline are what they need -and all they will need to remember. :-} Go with your own parental insticts and you will be fine!
Thank you, dh4j, for your comment. However the truth is, I really enjoy reading parenting books. I find them inspiring, when they're the right ones, and I do appreciate the advice. Much like this blog, I appreciate the words of wisdom and support I receive from my friends, families, and yes, strangers. So while I agree wholeheartedly that my parental instincts will get me far, I also enjoy hearing another take.
we read and re-read Dr. Sears "fussy baby and high-need child" with naomi...re-read it with micah...and now haven't read much with eliza...hmmmm.
though we do read the unconditional parenting bits on line.
and the whole conscious discipline angle has good stuff to apply to parenting (though i just made a judgement and i'm not supposed to do that).
the reality is that we can find a stack of books to back up anything we want (or don't want) to believe...so yes, i think there is a strong element to trusting your gut on what is working (or what isn't) and then supporting yourself (which is why we read the book we did so often...it fit what felt right for us)!
9 comments:
The only book I've read about the other side of parenting, told from a geek's perspective: The Poo Bomb, by Jeff Vogel (http://www.amazon.com/Poo-Bomb-Tales-Parental-Terror/dp/0740750453).
I found Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn very inspiring. Jen gave me good advice, though, and that is, if you feel too badly about your parenting at the beginning, skip to the 7th chapter. The first 6 can make you feel bad before getting to the inspirational part.
oh, and one that's on my wish list, but i haven't read yet is "playful parenting" by lawrence cohen.
Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting, Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn...it's been awhile since I last read it but I remember liking it at the time.
My advice is to not read books on parenting. If you have a particular problem, then read about that- or ask someone knowledgable, but every child is not at all the same so books can only give very general advice. Love, encouragement, acceptance and discipline are what they need -and all they will need to remember. :-} Go with your own parental insticts and you will be fine!
Thank you, dh4j, for your comment. However the truth is, I really enjoy reading parenting books. I find them inspiring, when they're the right ones, and I do appreciate the advice. Much like this blog, I appreciate the words of wisdom and support I receive from my friends, families, and yes, strangers. So while I agree wholeheartedly that my parental instincts will get me far, I also enjoy hearing another take.
we read and re-read Dr. Sears "fussy baby and high-need child" with naomi...re-read it with micah...and now haven't read much with eliza...hmmmm.
though we do read the unconditional parenting bits on line.
and the whole conscious discipline angle has good stuff to apply to parenting (though i just made a judgement and i'm not supposed to do that).
the reality is that we can find a stack of books to back up anything we want (or don't want) to believe...so yes, i think there is a strong element to trusting your gut on what is working (or what isn't) and then supporting yourself (which is why we read the book we did so often...it fit what felt right for us)!
wow, like that long comment?
I guess my must read it...How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
SPOCK SPOCK SPOCK!
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