Hi Mamas, I gave up reading books when my daughter was about six months old. I found them to be contradicting and confusing. Now that she's hitting the "terrible-twos", I could use some practicle advice/tips on effective disciplining. Overall, she's a great kid, but my negotiating skills could use a tune-up! Any suggestions for some books?
I went on Amazon and bought "Have A New Kid by Friday." Good book; give practical, realistic advice.
Sorry to say this but......wait until she is 3!!! It gets worse!
Hands down, the best book out there is The Discipline Book by Dr. William Sears. His entire line of books is amazing. You will not be disappointed. He's VERY practical in his approach. Several of my friends of used his advice and it has been really working for them. Good Luck!
Have heard really fgood things about Have a New Kid By Friday, but have not read yet. Have read and really like his advice and approaches- The happiest Toddler on the Block by Dr Karpp. HIs infant book saved my sanity and so far his advice for toddlers is working for us!
Mary
John Rosemond is my common-sense parenting hero! I love his book "Parent Power!" for parenting advice on any age child. I also have "Making The 'Terrible' Twos Terrific" in which he gives tons of great advice specific to the toddler ages.
How to Talk so Kids will Listen. How to Listen so Kids will Talk. by Faber and Mazlish
I think the positive discipline books are great. Also keep tabs on your own anger level and how you approach or enter into disciplinary situations.
Any parenting book by Dr. James Dobson works well! I believe the title of the two that were recommended to me were Strong Willed Child & Breaking the Will but Not the Spirit. To be honest, I haven't used them, but one was recommended by our day care lady & the other was recommended by a mother at church whose feisty son is in the same class as my feisty daughter. :)
The Key to your childs Heart by Dr Smalley.
It is great and not contradicting. We have seen a lot less tears and I have used the principles with adults to and it works.
Jane Healys positive discipline books! I like positive discipline A-Z, so I can do a quick topic search... good luck
We have liked Love & Logic. this program gives kids the chance to learn from their choices and to learn to make choices, by letting her choose at times that it doesn't matter to you or to choose between two things you are ok with. By giving her some control, you can then take control of things that really matter.
I found "1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12" by Thomas Phelan to be very good at helping to set limits.
1-2-3 Magic!
I've read it, plus Positive Discipline and taken seminars in Love & Logic.
You need to find what works for you and your child, but for me 1-2-3 Magic works best.
I can't say enough about Setting Limits with your Strong-Willed Child by Robert MacKenzie. You'll love it. Wish I had purchased it when my kids were 2! It talks about setting clear boundaries with your children..... You just have to read it.
http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/reviews/parenting_books/setting_limits.html
Order it on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Setting-Limits-Your-Strong-Willed-Child/dp/0761521364
I'm another fan of 1-2-3 Magic by Thomas Phelan. I see he has a bunch of other books on amazon.com
I read it when my daughter was 5, but should have read it when she was 18 months, becasue you can use his methods on very young children. Good luck!
Years ago when my kids were small, I had the same complaint about books on discipline. I discovered Dare to Discipline by Dr. James Dobson. He said basically the same things the others had said, but his presentation was so much easier to read and understand. He approaches discipline, not from a standpoint of the 'expert' giving advice, but from the standpoint of a fellow parent who has experienced the same things we all do, and has learned how to deal with the problems. Dr. Dobson was for many years the clinical child psychologist at UCLA med center, so is an 'expert' but does not present his information with a detached air as so many do. This makes his advice easier to follow.
I would recommend '1-2-3- Magic' (don't know the author, sorry) as a terrific, detailed explanation of how to use time-outs effectively.
Focus on the family has some wonderful books.I know there was one coming out called Bringing Up Girls that Dr Dobson wrote.
"Dare to Discipline" by Dr. James Dobson. It is so simple but so effective!
Greetings Gabbi: As the mother of 5, a grandmother, and as a foster mother I just want to give you some wonderful news---- this to will pass!!
In the great adventure of parenthood I have found that I tossed the books into the fire and went with my heart. I have some very adventerous children really can say that with 2 of my sons I think between them they broke every bone possible from all kinds of things, they thought up. Now I have the next generation to watch be high energy and maintance.
Please know that 2 year olds are not trying to be a problem but need to test boundries and they need to know that those boundries are firm, filled with your love and that you are the parent and not the friend. I have never tried to be my childrens friend but I am their mother 100%.
we have set rules of moral conduct, family rules of what is acceptable and was is not. We try to whisper in their ears how much they mean to us and how very blessed we are that they are part of our family. WE have a set pattern for everyday and as a grandparent I have to honor that. Since you are both working full time make sure that you have her in the same rules that she has to live by at the day care. Since she is there for many hours a day this is important. My daughter in law does something special since there is a long drive between home and day care-- she has her 2 year old call grandparents or her uncles or aunts to talk about her day- this way she learns things that she might not!! She is also very aware not to be on the phone to anyone but my son when it is her little ones time. She keeps her business calls to after her child goes to bed at night. My other children are doing the same. When they are off work it is parenthood that matters so then the child feels secure and loved. When the child knows that you are set in a routine and vary only rarely gives them security. If they know that you are in charge and not them that is important as well.
Since I have also run a day care I know that little ones are constantly making growth changes and again I have learned from that they just want to know who is in charge and what the boundries are. I have one grandchild that has at 2 decided that she doesn't have enough of her daddy- so she won't go to bed without him - so mom reads to her and gives her a bath and then he rocks her and holds her hand til she falls asleep But when it can't happen he just calls her and says goodnight and she will have to accept it. Good Luck, in your adventure of parenthood. It is the most rewarding thing that I have ever done and my greatest achievement in life. There is nothing like it. Nana G