Toddler behaviour books - suggestions?

[spanners45]

Hello everyone,

My lovely boy is quickly growing up and moving into toddlerhood which is mega exciting. A lot to explore for him and a lot of things for us to come to terms with as he moves into the next stage.

I was wondering if anyone had good reccomendations on toddler behaviour/psychology books to help us understand and handle what he will be going through (temper tantrums, learning that there are some rules in life, etc etc). I know books aren't everything and that some things you just have to go through on your own and handle them as best you can but it would be helpful to have a little something to fall back on if needed.

Thanks for any help!

[hanstands]

'How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk' by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

'Letting go as children grow' by Deborah Jackson

'Complete secrets of happy children' Steve Biddulph

Books can really help some people...I'm defo one of those...Reading up latest research has really helped me find my own way in parenting...and not just go with what my parents did with me or what my peers are doing with theirs kinda thing. Hope the above three are at least worth a look, for you...and that you find the books that will encourage your own way of doing things... [all have been great for me, in different ways with my toddler and have allowed me to pick and choose from them what seemed to work for us--really great in fact]. All the best!!!

[DVnewbie]

Toddler Taming by Christopher Green...

[Info@]

Toddler Taming by Christopher Green - agree, although we try it our (my!) way first then turn to Mr Green when it doesnt work! It was so easy when they did what you asked them to - we had maybe 2 months when Lulu understood and complied; she now understands and defies!

[bobbly]

Raising an emotionally intelligent child by John Gottman.

[Saffron]

I thought the Christopher Green "Toddler Taming" book was very patronising, pejorative, not at all helpful. In addition to which he recommends giving toddlers sedatives as part of routing sleep training for "problem" sleepers, which I fundamentally disagree with. That being said, he's not a total crackpot, and he does have a few good things to say and is easy to read.

I recently pulled out the Penelope Leach book, "Your Baby and Child", and was disappointed to find the toddler info very middle-of-the-road and offering few practical solutions for our particular situations. Although in general I like her ethos and find her easy to read.

Having heard good things from others regarding the Faber and Mazlish book, I might make this one my next read.

[KattyKit]

I have generally found anything by Dr William Sears and Martha Sears sensible - although it may be a bit american for some and their attachment parenting ethos might not be everyone's cup of tea.

I think they do a toddler book.

[Saffron]

I have the Sears&Sears infant book and have found it a very good read, although I think I would struggle to do everything just as they say. Probably like most families we try to combine the methods that work best for us, but in general the attachment parenting priciples are deeply rooted in good child psychology. Hmm, Little Saff 19 months...perhaps time to give the toddler book a read.

[damzel]

Okay, so not just about toddlers but a book I was recommended to read which I have found really useful and will always keep close to hand is "The Secret of Happy Children" by Steve Biddulph. The advice is so darn obvious AFTER you've read it. It should be handed to every parent by the stork.

[snowboarder]

Has anyone read 'the happiest toddler on the block'? I have got as far as all toddlers are cavemen but no further...is it worth it?

[spanners45]

thansk all, much appreciate the suggestions. I've got some reading to do!

[anna_r]

damzel Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Okay, so not just about toddlers but a book I was

> recommended to read which I have found really

> useful and will always keep close to hand is "The

> Secret of Happy Children" by Steve Biddulph. The

> advice is so darn obvious AFTER you've read it.

> It should be handed to every parent by the stork.

I liked this too. Some things have really stuck with me (I think that was where I read them?) like instead of saying 'don't fall' say 'hold on tight' to help them visualise the positive outcomes and say what they should do rather than shouldn't. And never to say any sort of negative name as a joke. Although my dad is a psychologist and always called me miss podge which im sure would not be considered a great nickname and i'm fine, no eating disorders!! Lots of other nice things in this book though and very easy to read.