Rating: 
Summary: An Approach by Professionals Who Practice What They Preach
Review: I feel so comfortable with the philosophy of this book. I must admit I had previously thought of attachment parenting as relating only to nursing babies. Sears clearly explains that a solid foundation in a "connected parent/child relationship" along with firm boundaries, effective communication skills and behavior modification strategies, will (over time) develop a child's
conscience and internal motivation to WANT to do the right thing. I have 3 young children under the age of 6. I highly recommend this book for it's comprehesive explanations of theory and attention to issues of special needs children as well as to some common worrisome issues of 6-10 year olds. If you have young children like me, I also recommend a very practical A-Z guide called "The Pocket Parent" that is written only for parents of 2-5 year olds. This literally pocketsized book is not written in paragraphs, but rather sanity saving bullets of quick read tips and examples often including the exact words to try. It is organized alphabetically by behavior topic (anger, biting, gimmes, hitting, listening, lying, morning crazies, whining, etc) and can quickly suggest a strategy at a moments notice. I refer to these 2 compatible books again and again. I am pleased with the increase of cooperation from my kids as well as the general feeling of well-being in my household.(...of course, that's on a good day!...My kids are normal and often quite challenging!)
Rating:
Summary: What a WONDERFUL purchase!
Review: My husband got this book for me for Christmas from my 14 month old daughter. I am a TRUE fan of Dr. and Martha Sears and this book just re-enforces what I already knew...They are an amazing pair. There is no ISTRUCTION in this book, but rather information about how children will act and why. There is gentle guidance to help you understand how to handle your child's unpleasant behavior. The best thing about this book is that fact that Dr. Sears uses his own experience as a parent of 8 children to illustrate how things can go wrong when discipling and how to get back on track. He is not PREACHY, but rather you walk away from this book knowing that even the EXPERTS have problems disciplining their children. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone! My child doens't really have discipline issues yet, but I am prepared for when she does.
Rating:
Summary: If you are a parent, this book is for you!
Review: If you are not a proponent of Attachment Parenting, I encourage you to read this book. If you are already an "attached parent", simply draw wisdom, sit back and enjoy. In short, The Sears explain why it works. With more than 3 decades of parenting experience of their 8 children, the Sears offer their tried and true wisdom on how to have a well disciplined child. With humor, insight and personal experiences from their home, the Sears cover all aspects of parenting. This books helps parents give their child the tools to grow to be a well disciplined individual. And it is all done with simplicity, common sense and love. Regardless of the age of your child or your current parenting methods, this book is for you! Don't be mislead by the title, this book is not about punishment. It is about teaching discipline and self control in a nurturing, loving environment. Give your child a head start in life. Get this book. Share it with your spouse. It will change your whole idea of parenting and discipline. And, it really works!
Rating:
Summary: An Approach by Professionals Who Practice What They Preach
Review: I feel so comfortable with the philosophy of this book. I must admit I had previously thought of attachment parenting as
relating only to nursing babies. Sears clearly explains that a solid foundation in a "connected parent/child relationship" along
with firm boundaries, effective communication skills and behavior modification strategies, will (over time) develop a child's
conscience and internal motivation to WANT to do the right thing. I have 3 young children under the age of 6. I highly recommend this book for it's comprehesive explanations of theory and attention to issues of special needs children as well as to some common worrisome issues of 6-10 year olds. If you have young children like me, I also recommend a very practical A-Z guide called "The Pocket Parent" that is written only for parents of 2-5 year olds. This literally pocketsized book is not written in paragraphs, but rather sanity saving bullets of quick read tips and examples often including the exact words to try. It is organized alphabetically by behavior topic (anger, biting, gimmes, hitting, listening, lying, morning crazies, whining, etc) and can quickly suggest a strategy at a moments notice. I refer to these 2 compatible books again and again. I am pleased with
the increase of cooperation from my kids as well as the general feeling of well-being in my household.(...of course, that's on a
good day!...My kids are normal and often quite challenging!)
Rating: 
Summary: High expectations, but disappointed
Review: I was so thrilled about all I learned from the Sears Baby Book, that I was sure this was the only discipline book I'd need. Instead, I just read it and it is going straight into the trash (and yes, I read the whole huge thing, hoping at some point it would get better and more useful) Dr. Sears, you hae a lot of fans out there (myself included) but you really missed the boat on this one! The book goes on and on and on about attachment parenting philosophies (wear your baby, nurse, sleep with your baby) and even though I've done all that I find this book does the attachment parenting thing ad nauseum. I actually found myself thinking it is a bit offensive, because Sears seems to think that children who are properly attached, or attached enough, will not have discipline issues. Well, that's just not helpful to me as I try to find strategies to deal with my daughter hitting other children, or throwing food on the floor (for 4 months now), or having little tantrums, etc. If you want a book that will make you feel good about all the great attachment parenting you've done, or horrible about all the attachment parenting you haven't done, then this is the book for you. If you want a book that is more about strategies to deal with toddlers and their behavioral challenges (and why they work, and the strenghts and weaknesses of various approaches), keep looking. I'm going to try "Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for toddlers" and "Becoming the parent you want to be."
Rating:
Summary: An essential book in a detachment oriented culture.
Review: I wish all of Dr. Sears books would be prenatal prerequisites and parting gifts at the hospitals! There is scientific evidence,personal experience, and genuine caring. Indeed,in an ideal world we would all be parented this way- people would value people over things.We have attachment parented our daughter by responding to her cues from day one in terms of nursing,crying,sharing sleep,holding and simply doing what feels humane. Zoe is almost three and this approach has truly helped me to know my child and has served as the foundation for effective discipline which is simply guidance, whether firm or gentle,it is setting limits,and correctng and redirecting. When you have done this from the beginning, "discipline" isn't something that you do all of a sudden now that they are a toddler. Talking to her early on and explaining things and having age appropriate expectations builds trust- this makes for a more harmonious relationship overall and quite an asset for there are days and weeks that are just hard- there are certainly challenges to being an "at home" parent-even with a great natured toddler,I believe that all of the Sears' books have affirmed the value that I have on the attachment process in the first three years of life.Attachment parenting is an investment.Our society wants independence and quick fixes where children our concerned: let someone else parent them,leave them to cry,spank,scream,ignore.These methodst have grave long term consequences-a good reason to buy this book! Read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Not what an 'attached parent" needed...
Review: I loved the "Baby bBook", but was quite dissapointed with this one. It has little advise to balance excessive attention and control our sun was getting as a result of this approach. At this point I beleive that most "attachement" parenting families with one child spoil their children rotten and deprive them of independance they crave by age 2. Unless they have 8 of them like Sears. For balance I would highly recommend all books by Magda Gerber, particularly "Your Self-Confident Baby". She is a recognised authority on early childhood by both Montessori and Waldorf movements. They changed my life. By the way, i did not need a huge chapter on benefits of not spanking my children. i doubt many Sears followers do.
Rating: 
Summary: I WANTED to like this book
Review: but it offered no real practical advice beyond common sense approaches. Plus, Sears et al seemed to believe that if you practice their attachment parenting approach you should avoid all disipline problems. Well, that's not terribly realistic. I really loved the Baby Book and often purchase it for my new mommy friends, but this book won't be part of my recommended reading list.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT
Review: This book is written by intelligent people, who have an enlightened approach to child-rearing. Their "prevention" method of attachment parenting is the key, so that you don't have to become one of those parents who are constantly giving out "consequences" and "time-outs." Anyone with any kind of sensitivity toward children would appreciate this book. I also recommend The Natural Child, by Jan Hunt, as well as The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedoff, and The Magical Child by Joseph Chilton Pearce.
Rating:
Summary: Great guidance
Review: As a newer parent with a history involving growing up with abuse, I find this book to be really insightful and helpful. I think that some parents may find the contents of the book to be tremendously basic; but, for those of us who didn't grow up in the most ideal situations, it's quite helpful.
|
