Posts Tagged ‘books for the parents’
Naomi on June 10th, 2009
Alice Waters’ book about rethinking an inner-city Berkeley middle school as a training ground for future gourmands and gourmets is nothing short of visionary. Edible Schoolyard is inspiring on so many levels, from an educational and community activism standpoint as well as from a culinary perspective. As the mom of two wishy-washy eaters, I appreciate Waters’ zeal in exposing children to the glories of good food. Utilizing gardening as an incentive for better dietary habits is brilliant, especially in kids who don’t really have their own yards. She uses vegetables as tools for social change. What could be better than an Edible Schoolyard?
Naomi on April 8th, 2009
Jasper is a crummy sleeper. Unlike his big sister, who would still nap everyday if I asked her to, Jasper fights sleep tooth and nail. Literally. He screams and wails, thrashing around and scratching at an imaginary sandman. It’s pretty exhausting just trying to wrestle him into his crib but when he starts screeching at 2am, my brain turns to jelly.
Elizabeth Pantley’s excellent No-Cry Sleep Solution series of books offers gentle advice in a non-judgmental way for sleep-deprived parents. First and foremost, they let you know that you are absolutely not alone. In the middle of the night, when your child is throwing a tantrum it sometimes feels like you are at the bottom of a vast hole, sinking lower with each outburst. It is comforting to realize that many children and babies have sleep problems and that you CAN work through them without resorting to corporal punishment or abandonment…
The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers worked wonders for us in getting Jasper to sleep in his own crib instead of our bed. On me. Pantley details steps for understanding nightmares and night terrors, incrementally changing bedtimes to lessen the blow of Daylight Savings Time (I didn’t grow up with DST so it completely freaks me out, every single time) and encouraging consistency in your daily schedule. It was also a great resource to lean on when Roo kept waking up too early, wanting to cuddle with us. The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers also touches on the importance of naps, which helped me to understand that Jasper couldn’t nap according to Roo’s schedule.
Pantley’s newest book is The No-Cry Nap Solution and it is really a great resource for parents. It underscores the importance of naps and emphasizes the connections that nap problems might manifest in your child’s behavior. Jasper is generally a sweet kid but he is prone to tantrum when he’s sleepy. Which is more often than I realized, apparently, since he has a habit of “micro-napping” and ruining his actual sleep times. Pantley notes: If your child hits a tired zone and is lying on the sofa, sitting in a swing, or going for a ride in the car, he may nod off for five or ten minutes. This micro-nap doesn’t give your child the full benefit of a real nap, but can be just enough to rejuvenate him and prevent him from being able to sleep when you put him in bed later for a nap. To circumvent this problem, avoid putting your child in a nap-inducing environment, like a ride in the car, or time in his swing, at a time when he’s likely to need a nap, unless you can leave him for a full long nap.
Right now, we’re suffering a backpedaling in sleep problems due to Jasper’s recent cold (yes, I let him sleep on me again and ruined the whole solo crib sleeping thing he had finally achieved…) and the change of season. It’s sunny and bright until past bedtime so it’s hard to convince Jasper to go to sleep. I am pretty sure we’ll be able to get back on track, though, with the help of the No-Cry Sleep Solution series. And soon enough, we’ll be reaching for The No-Cry Potty Training Solution…
Laura on January 16th, 2009
When I was pregnant with Lennon, I knew I had all the answers when it came to mothering a baby. What I was most sure about was that he’d be a great sleeper, and be sleeping through the night within weeks…a couple of months at the most! Noel was a suburb sleeper, and the book that we went by to keep him calm and comforted as an infant would work with Lennon too. I know, I know…all babies are different, but they couldn’t be that different, right?
I’ll give you all a moment to compose yourselves…stop laughing already!
Remember all those months I spent not blogging? It might have had something to do with the fact that not only did I now have the responsibility of two babies (if they’re both still in diapers, they’re still babies!), but we had the overwhelming responsibility of a baby that catnapped, had reflux, and didn’t want to be very far from his mama…for TEN FREAKING MONTHS. Ok, the reflux only lasted a couple months, but the clinginess and crappy sleeping habits lasted a very long time.
Just when I was reaching the point of desperation, who should step in but Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution. The No-Cry Series of books offers comforting, soothing ideas for getting your children sleeping soundly without the freak-outs, the drama, and the heartbreaking method of “crying it out”. Pantley gives you tools to assess what your baby really needs when they cry. We had let our situation go on so long, that I believe it had just become habit for Lennon to get up 3-4 times a night to nurse (yes…every, single night for 10 months). We took a leap of faith, and started enacting Pantley’s methods, and lo and behold, within just a few days, we had our boy sleeping through the night!
Now, clearly, I am not going to say that The No-Cry Sleep Solution will work for everyone, but it has worked for us. I like the gentle approach to getting your baby to sleep, and The No-Cry Sleep Solution has been a good solution for my family. We’re all better rested, and definitely happier! Next on my list from the No-Cry Series: The No-Cry Potty Training Solution. I will keep you posted…
Laura on September 12th, 2008
I can’t believe that I read this book TEN years ago. Seems like a lifetime! I was only 22 when I first read Harry Potter. My husband actually recommended it to me. I was hooked! I don’t care if it makes me a dork. Harry Potter is COOL. And once again, I find myself a decade older, celebrating that Harry Potter is turning 10! If any of you out there are Potter geeks like me, you will be psyched about this contest!!! Yes, I said psyched.
WIN IT!
One (1) Grand Prize
- Complete Box Set Books #1 – #7
- Copy of the 10th Anniversary Edition of ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’
- Collectible Harry Potter Gold Pin
- valued at $195
Four (4) Runners Up
- Copy of the 10th Anniversary Edition of ‘Sorcerer’s Stone’
- Collectible Harry Potter Gold Pin
- Each copy valued at $30
Contest Starts today, 9/12, and will end on October 13th at 11:59 CST.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER, and tell us what your favorite Harry Potter book is. Winners will be chosen randomly and notified via email.
This beautiful collectible edition has been produced in celebration of the 10th anniversary of HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE, in stores September 23rd. It features the following:
- New Jacket artwork by Mary GrandPré
- Additional four-color frontispiece artwork from Mary GrandPré
- Two pages of special content from J.K. Rowling
- Full cloth case with gold stamping
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE
The wickedly funny debut novel from master storyteller J.K. Rowling tells the story of Harry Potter who, having endured 11 miserable years with his hideous aunt and uncle, is invited on his 11th birthday to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There he learns of his distinguished wizard pedigree—and his frightening destiny.
Thanks to Big Honcho Media and Scholastic for hosting this great giveaway! Go enter!
Laura on January 18th, 2008
As a new parent, you get a lot of advice, some good, and some, you can just let go in one ear and out the other. A few weeks before Noel was born, I was at my friend’s house, and it was time for her 1 1/2 year old to go to bed. He stood at the stairs and waited at 7 PM. She took him up, and was back down stairs with him quietly in his crib at about 7:02 PM. I was stunned! How did she do it? From the day he was born, she used the techniques outlined in The Happiest Baby on the Block and stuck with them.
To “make” a happy baby, just follow the “5 S’s” outlined in the book. The author, Dr. Harvey Karp, a pediatrician, bases these principles on what he considers a “missed” 4th trimester, in which a baby’s nervous system is not quite ready to be out of the womb, but because of the constraints of a human body, it must be. I know that this might sound a bit confusing, but once you read the book, it will make so much sense!
We incorporated the 5 S’s (swaddling, swinging, sucking, shushing, and the side/stomach hold) into Noel’s routine while we were still in the hospital. The night he was born, he slept with me, tucked in my hospital gown. When he heard another baby cry, he started to whimper, and I started shushing…he was immediately quiet and went right back to sleep. I knew then that I would be a “Happiest Baby” convert, and I was! Noel slept soundly almost all the time. If ever he would get really upset, we’d use all the S’s at once, and he’d calm down! I was in awe of how well these techniques worked to calm him down.
The Happiest Baby on the Block is it. Period. I have told everyone I know about this book since we used it with our son when he was born. If you want to get sleep with your newborn, this is a must read and must use process. I have my Amazing Miracle Blanket (the best swaddling blanket on the market-guaranteed!!!) washed for the hospital, and we are armed and ready to go with the other S’s when Lennon arrives. If there is one read for any parents of a newborn, The Happiest Baby on the Block is a MUST READ!
Laura on October 14th, 2007
Don’t we all look back on our childhoods and say to ourselves, “I will never be like that,” or “I’ll never say _____ (fill in the blank) to my kids.” Then, the moment comes, that inevitable time, when you are talking to your child, and you think to yourself, “NOOOOOOOOOO! Did I really hear my own mother’s voice just come out of my mouth!?!” We all fall in to the trap of trying to be a perfect parent. Let’s face it-we won’t ever be perfect, and that’s ok. However, Dr. Jenn Berman has created an A to Z guide to help us out along this parenting journey.
The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids is one of the better parenting books I have read. This book touches on all the topics we struggle with: self-esteem (F), healthy relationships with food (A), family meals (N), marriage (W), raising a down-to-earth child in this “gimme” society (G), raising boys (Y) and girls (X), and much more. Dr. Jenn is not only a therapist, but she’s got her own children, so she really understands the ins and outs of this parenthood adventure. The book straightforward and helps you to understand the reason that certain scenarios may occur with your children. A to Z isn’t just for parents of older children either. The foundations we set up for our families early will have lasting effects on us and our children, so we should start now giving our families a firm one to grow on. This book will lead you in a good direction to guide your parenting skills in a direction that will help you and your children to thrive in a happy, functional household.
Get your own copy here, or…
WIN IT!
We are giving away two SIGNED copies of Dr. Jenn Berman’s excellent and resourceful guide. Email us (themums @ mumsthewurd . com) with what is your biggest parenting challenge, and put A to Z in the subject line. Contest will run through next Sunday, October 21st, at 10 PM. GOOD LUCK!
Amy on August 22nd, 2007
Dear Applicant:
We received your application for the Family CEO position. We would like to extend this rewarding opportunity to you, as we think you are a great fit for the position. You have made an exciting, yet challenging career choice. In case we forgot to mention this in the job description, you’ll be working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (plus overtime) without breaks or insurance. All of this in addition to your current career obligations. Oh, one last thing…your annual salary is $0. Welcome to the team!
Sincerely,
Your Family
PS: We’ll need you to take out the garbage and make dinner, too.
Does that sound a lot like your career?
Maybe it’s time to read “Desperate Households”, a very well written home management book by America’s Family Manager, Kathy Peel.
I had the distinct honor to meet and have lunch with Kathy at last month’s BlogHer Conference. This woman is so passionate about family management that it is hard not to lend her an ear. She passed along some fantastic tips, one being the four “F” words of motherhood. They are Fair, Firm, Fun, Flexible and they are all very reasonable expectations of a mother who is cool, calm, collected and in control of her and her family’s lives.
Aside from her most important job of wife and mother of three, Kathy is also founder and CEO of Family Manager Network, Inc. and AOL Body’s Kids & Family Coach. She also writes for popular magazines such as, Family Circle, Reader’s Digest, Parenting and HomeLife. Kathy’s signature “Family Manager Makeover” stories have been featured on Oprah and HGTV, among various other networks and programs. If that isn’t enough, she is also a breast cancer survivor. Girl can multi-task!
Kathy’s newest book, Desperate Households
is just one of her 18 top selling family management books. It is full of realistic solutions to common problems that life is sure to throw your way. I know that I have much to accomplish if I am to succeed at my career as Family CEO but I am confident in my success because of the passion that exudes from someone like Kathy. I will continue to refer to this book on a regular basis as a means of reaffirming my career choice.
WIN IT!
We have a copy of Desperate Households to give away to one lucky MTW reader!
Two things you need to do to enter:
1. Comment on this post with just ONE of your “job” responsibilities. I know this will be difficult, as we Family CEO’s wear MANY hats but just one is all we need.
2. Sk*rt this post! Just click the “Sk*rt This” button at the bottom of this post. (Sk*rt is a place to find and/or link to anything and everything on the web that you’d like to share.)
*Edit: If you are not a member of Sk*rt and don’t want to sign up for a free account there you can still enter our giveaway! Just promise us you will spread the word about MumsTheWurd! =)
Once again, please include your email address so we are able to contact you if you win.
This giveaway ends on Monday, August 27th at 10:00 pm CST.
Good luck (and I really mean it because this book is a must-read!)
*Download FREE Family Manager forms HERE.
*Find out how to get your own Family Manager Makeover HERE.
*Want to learn more about becoming a Family Manager Coach? Click HERE.
*Check out Kathy in action HERE!
