Parenting & Families Books - Page 17

My Big Boy Potty

Joanna Cole

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 46 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

One of the best books ever for potty time (and for today's politics) 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Although ostensibly written to teach small children a basic lifeskill, this is also a fine book to teach Republicans some basic conservative principles.

It begins by explaining how, when Michael's diaper is wet or dirty, "he tells mommy or daddy. Then they put a new diaper on, and Michael is clean and dry again." Now, think Presidential and how voters will replace "Diaper George" with either Barack or John.

After Michael's parents bring home a potty, George (I mean Michael) does the obvious; he sits on it, fully clothed. Then he sits his Teddy Bear on it, 'cause he likes Teddy (Roosevelt). Sounds like Michael (I mean George) needs some on-the-potty (I mean on-the-job) training ... or at least to listen to his Daddy.

The book is a beautiful, sensitive and helpful guide to training a young child in one of the basics of life. It's written in language simple and clear enough for any Republican (I mean parent) to understand in teaching the basics of what's important.

It took Michael (George) some time. "Michael sat and sat. This time something happened. Mommy and Daddy and Michael looked in the potty. They saw pee and poop." Sounds like what prosecutors saw in the Abramoff lobbying scandal, doesn't it? Of course, cleaning up pee and poop is a lot easier than cleaning up Washington.

Consider the following sequence: "One day Michael forgot to use his potty. His pants got wet. The floor got wet, too." During Hurricane Katrina a lot of pants and floors got wet. Remember, "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job"?

Please, don't let the political similarities deter you from buying this book. It deserves the high ratings others give it. What's more, when your child is properly potty trained, pass it along to some Republican to help them start over again from the basics.

They may need it more than your child. Just look at the mess they've made. Don't you wish someone had read it to George when it was published in 2000?

Editorial Review:

"What a big boy you are!"

Potty training can be fun. With warmth and sensitivity, Joanna Cole and Maxie Chambliss guide young boys though the challenges and rewards potty training—from the first steps to the joy of graduating to big boy underpants! A helpful "Note to parents" is included.

Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders

Kenneth Bock, Cameron Stauth

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 43 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Autism is an epidemic: It has spiked 1,500 percent in the last twenty years. ADHD, asthma and allergies have also skyrocketed over the same time period. One of these conditions now strikes one in every three children in America. But there is hope. Leading medical innovator Kenneth Bock, M.D., has helped change the lives of more than a thousand children, and in this important book, with a comprehensive program that targets all four of the 4-A disorders, he offers help to children everywhere. This is the book that finally puts hope within reach.

Doctors have generally overlooked the connections among the 4-A disorders, despite their concurrent rise and the presence of many medical clues. For years the medical establishment has considered autism medically untreatable and utterly incurable, and has limited ADHD treatment mainly to symptom suppression. Dr. Bock and his colleagues, however, have discovered a solution – one that goes to the root of the problem. They have found that deadly modern toxins, nutritional deficiencies, metabolic imbalances, genetic vulnerabilities and assaults on the immune and gastrointestinal systems trigger most of the symptoms of the 4-A disorders, resulting in frequent misdiagnosis and untold misery.

Dr. Bock’s remarkable Healing Program, drawing on medical research and based on years of clinical success, offers a safe, sensible solution that is individualized to each child to help remedy these root causes. The biomedical approach to autism, ADHD, and the other 4-A epidemics, as innovated by Dr. Bock and some of America’s finest integrative physicians, is one of the most promising and exciting medical movements of our time.

In this eminently readable account, written by Dr. Bock in collaboration with critically acclaimed author Cameron Stauth, you will meet children and parents whose dramatic stories will inspire you to change the life of your own child. This program may be the help that you have been praying for.


From the Hardcover edition.

The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 67 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

An apparently additional redundant POSITIVE review 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Well, that is pretty impressive. At the time of writing this review there are currently 64 reviews, and of those 59 are 5-star and 5 are 4-star. Really, that should say a lot.

The Arbinger Institute has crafted one of the best works on understanding the root of peace in humanity that I have ever seen. The "warring in your heart" concept is something we all probably innately understand, but rarely, if ever, think about in the way presented in this work. Were all of us to understand this concept and the principles around "getting out of the box(es)" that keep us at war in our hearts, we would surely root out many problems in our families, workplaces, communities, and international relations.

This truly is one of those rare books that I would recommend to anyone.

Editorial Review:

Like Arbingers international bestseller Leadership and Self-Deception, The Anatomy of Peace helps us see how we actually cause the problems we think are caused by other people. Were trapped by preconceived ideas and self-justifying reactions that keep us from seeing the world clearly and dealing with it effectively. As a result, our efforts to make things better all too often make them worse. Through an intriguing story of parents who are struggling with their children and with problems that have come to consume their lives, we learn from once-bitter enemies the way to find peace whenever war is upon us. Yusuf al-Falah, an Arab, and Avi Rozen, a Jew, each lost his father at the hands of the others ethnic cousins. The Anatomy of Peace is the story of how they came together, how they help warring parents and children to come together, and how we too can find our way out of the struggles that weigh us down.

Toxic Parents: Overcoming Their Hurtful Legacy and Reclaiming Your Life

Susan Forward, Craig Buck

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 118 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Excellent book 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I found this book to be incredibly eye-opening and helpful, both as the daughter of a toxic mother and the parent of two children. The only thing that I am not sure about is whether confronting the toxic parent is always the best option. The most obvious questions in my mind were "What's the point? Why do you still want ANY relationship with this person? Why do you feel you owe this person ANYTHING? At what cost are you willing to keep trying?" Several years ago I made the very difficult decision to end my relationship with my mother when, after years of trying so hard to keep some relationship going and suffering for it, I finally found the courage to ask "what's in it for me?" and realized the answer was "absolutely nothing positive whatsoever". Also, being disgusted by her interactions with my children was a big factor. I profoundly miss having a mother, but I do not miss her or her poison.

Editorial Review:

All parents fall short from time to time. But Susan Forward pulls no punches when it comes to those whose deficiencies cripple their children emotionally. Her brisk, unreserved guide to overcoming the stultifying agony of parental manipulation--from power trips to guilt trips and all other killers of self worth--will help deal with the pain of childhood and move beyond the frustrating relationship patterns learned at home.

The Blessing of a Skinned Knee: Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Self-Reliant Children

Wendy Mogel

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 68 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Using Jewish Teachings to Raise Children 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Based on Torah examples she show us how to get involve with our kids, and create a great relation.

Blessings of a Skinned Knee 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Concepts clearly presented. I looked for curative truths related to children who have everything but are demanding, unhappy and unsuccessful. I found many truths in this book. They were identified as spirituality, family involvement, natural consequences and responsibility, not exclusively. Did I agree with everything? No. For instance: Jewish mother's drive their children toward "success" less than other mothers. This was a book about finding speciality by being responsible. I've already given two books to other family members.

Editorial Review:

Every parent hopes their child will be self-reliant, optimistic, and well mannered, a challenge in our current culture. Clinical psychologist and Jewish educator Wendy Mogel distills the ancient teachings of the Torah, the Talmud, important Jewish thinkers, and contemporary psychological insights into nine blessings that address key parenting issues such as:

* determining realistic expectations for each child
* respect for adults
* chores
* mealtime battles
* coping with frustration
* developing independence and self-control
* resisting over-scheduling and over-indulgence


The Blessing of a Skinned Knee guides us toward effective, enlightened parenting in an increasingly speedy, material, and competitive age.

Created to Be His Help Meet: Discover How God Can Make Your Marriage Glorious

Debi Pearl

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 226 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

This book is great for setting up an abusive marriage 2 out of 5 stars.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I bought the book b/c I've seen so many contoversial reviews and wanted to read it for myself. To put the entire book in one sentence: A husband can do whatever the heck he wants- cheat, view porn, physically and emotionlly abuse the wife and children and they(the wife and children) must obey him, treat him like he's the best thing since sliced bread, and never, never need anything or have any feelings about his treatment of them. In my opinion, this book is just the kind of poison that Satan promotes- just enough truth to make a person stumble into his trap. Truly there are better resources out there. Don't waste your money on this book.

Eat the meat, spit out the bones 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Well, I recently got this book after being told it was wonderful. I will make this quick and simple.

I believe Debi draws out some amazing points to really revolutionize a marriage. There were things that she wrote I could see in myself (that were less than perfect). And I did feel empowered to live as a 'help meet' that God has made me to be.

The criticism I have is that though I believe the book is filled with truth, there is a clearly negative "i have the corner on the market, it's my way or the highway" approach in the writing.

If you are one who can read books without getting wrongly condemned or feel shamed, but take away the truth where you need to hear it in a balanced way, then I do recommend this book.

It's just not something I would read as though it's the whole truth, or if you have a hard time taking away the good stuff, and leaving the bad.Created to Be His Help Meet: Discover How God Can Make Your Marriage Glorious

Editorial Review:

Somewhere over the passing years and changing culture, women have lost their way. This book was written to lead them bck home. Regardless of how you began your marriage or how dark and lonely the path that has brought you to where you are now.

The Five Love Languages of Teenagers

Gary Chapman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 19 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

All parents of Teenagers should read this! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I am a probation officer that teaches a parenting class for parents of strong-willed or out-of-control teenagers. I personally believe in this book so much that I purchase them, out-of-pocket, to give to parents who have perfect attendance in my class. This book has helped them not only with their teenagers, but also with all their relationships.

Adapting Your Love 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Your relationship with your children changes as they grow, and this CD will help you figure out how to adapt your love to your growing child.

AWESOME 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

WOW! Puts a twist on parenting! I love his insights to raising a teen.

five love languages for teenagers 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Great resource for parents on how to help your children feel loved and appreciated. Helps to build their self confidence and show them that they are valuable and special. The book has many insights into the teens thoughts and needs at this stage in their lives. I will listen to it over and over.

Editorial Review:

The Five Love Languages of Teenagers contains very practical guidance on how to express the teen's primary love language, how to teach them appropriate responsibility, and how to properly handle both parental and teen anger. It is a tangible resource for stemming the tide of violence, immorality, and despair engulfing many teens today.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim

David Sedaris

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 309 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

It just isn't fair: most of us would be lucky to be able to express ourselves in writing half as well as David Sedaris does in his new book, Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim. But on top of his skills with the written word, the author also has substantial gifts as a performer, and he proves this on the audio version of the book. In his essay The Change in Me,Sedaris remembers that his mother was good at imitating people, and it's clear that he takes after her. Whether he's doing impressions of high-voiced brother Paul, or recalling times when he and his sisters tried to win good karma by speaking and acting like well-behaved, fairytale children, Sedaris's nuanced performance hits the right note on both the opening, comedic stories, and the more poignant essays that tend to come later in the reading. In fact, for those who have already read some of the best stories in other publications including The New Yorker, the CD or cassette version of this collection is probably the best bet for furthering your appreciation of the material.

Sedaris's career is closely linked with two things: audio (he was discovered by NPR's Ira Glass), and the personal lives of himself and his family. In Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim, he describes fights with his boyfriend, and his sister-in-law's difficult pregnancy. When sister Lisa complains about the stories involving the family, he writes about that, too. Sedaris's latest provides more evidence that he is a great humorist, memoirist and raconteur, and readers are lucky to have the opportunity to know him so well. Perhaps they are luckier still not to know him personally. --Leah Weathersby

Boundaries with Kids

Henry Cloud, John Townsend

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 34 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Great baby shower gift! 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I wish someone had loved me enough to give this to me at my baby shower. This is a great book and wonderfully easy to read. OK maybe the baby shower is a bit early, but I would definitely recommend it for parents of toddlers and older. I ordered a copy for my best friend. I had always heard about respecting your kids so they'll respect you, but never the real "how to's". This book gives what you need.

Great advice 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This is another one of those books that I borrowed and read first. It was so good that I went back and bought a copy for myself for reference. The good doctors Thompson and Cloud give a very good framework for raising useful and productive adults. If you don't want to raise large children, this is the book for you. What I found particularly useful, coming from a fairly disfunctional family, was the amount of space devoted to empathy. If you have been disciplined harshly and unfairly, it can be hard to know how to discipline with kindness. This book devotes a fair amount of space to making your discipline empathetic so that your child understands that the discipline is neccesary, but that it isn't something you are doing just to make him/her miserable. They really help you to always keep the goal in front of yourself and your child, that is: the adult you want them to become, not the child they are now.

Editorial Review:

Helps parents set boundaries with their children and teach the concept of boundaries to their children.

Facing Codependence: What It Is, Where It Comes from, How It Sabotages Our Lives

Pia Mellody, Andrea Wells Miller, J. Keith Miller

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 38 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

If you know you're not crazy but at the same time you think you are .... 4 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

When a few month ago a person who I felt and thought was most important to me came into my life and my husband disagreed, I was thrown into a huge personal crisis. Little did I know much less understand that the heart of the problem lay in my co-dependence. I was very lucky because through friends of mine I found a therapist who knew about and taught me about co-dependence. Suddenly all of the contradictions - which seemed to indicate to me that I must be crazy - started to make sense. To supplement and deepen my understanding my therapist suggested reading Pia Mellody's `Facing Co-dependence'.

Pia Mellody herself is a recovering co-dependent and that she knows from personal experience what she's talking about is very evident in her book. In part I she starts by describing co-dependence and explaining very concisely where it comes from. What she calls the 5 core symptoms are: expressing appropriate levels of self-esteem, setting functional boundaries, owning and expressing your own reality, taking care of your adult needs and wants and experiencing and expressing your reality moderately.
In part II she explains what she thinks are the five natural characteristics of children and how functional homes deal with them. While functional parents will help their children to develop these characteristics properly dysfunctional ones will not. I don't have children but still I found it very interesting and helpful to read Pia's description of how a child will be treated in a functional home. It's a very helpful part of the book no matter whether you use that information to compare your own childhood experiences to what it should have been or could have been or whether you use it as your guideline to treat your own children functionally or for both.
Dysfunctional parenting forces the child to defend itself against painful or threatening experiences by developing dysfunctional behavior patterns that are often continued into adulthood because (a) they worked so well when they were needed and (b) these children were never taught to behave functionally.
In Part III Pia describes many forms of abuse and explains how they relate to her understanding of co-dependence. It's amazing how many of our acceptable parenting techniques are detrimental to our children rather than pedagogically valuable.
When reading this part of the book I again felt very strongly that even if you are not a co-dependent it cannot hurt you or those around you for you to become aware of the information in Pia's book. You may save a life or two!!!
Part IV is about recovery. And the key to recovery is to acknowledge the parts in ourselves that never grew up and to assume the role of a functional parent and do what our parents were unable to do: show ourselves the fallacies in our thinking/feeling and offer alternatives. We have to be our own parents.

Pia says that even after working as a therapist for as long as she has, she still isn't 100% healthy 100% of the time but she measures success by how long it takes her to recognize dysfunctional behavior/thoughts in her life and the amount of time it takes her to deal with them in a functional way. I've found this honest assessment encouraging and also discouraging at the same time. It's encouraging because it let's you easily and quickly see progress but it's also discouraging because the fantasy of every being completely free of this disease is squished. *sighs* Oh, well... I matter! I am enough! I don't have to be perfect. Not even perfectly functional. (lol)

So, who should read this book? Everybody! That's my answer to that question.

Editorial Review:

Pia Mellody creates a framework for identifying codependent thinking, emotions and behaviour and provides an effective approach to recovery. Mellody sets forth five primary adult symptoms of this crippling condition, then traces their origin to emotional, spiritual, intellectual, physical and sexual abuses that occur in childhood. Central to Mellody's approach is the concept that the codependent adult's injured inner child needs healing. Recovery from codependence, therefore, involves clearing up the toxic emotions left over from these painful childhood experiences.