Rating: Summary: Toddler Information galore Review: I recently purchased this large and informative book (I have a 2.5 year old). I should have bought it sooner, it is filled with a lot of great ideas on all areas of toddlerhood. And all us parents of toddlers know that the "terrible two's" can start way before the child is 2! Everyone's child and everyone's parenting is a bit different, so it is hard to guarantee that you will love this book. However, this book covers almost every topic imaginable for toddlerhood and I have found many of the ideas useful and much of the information helpful. It is a good reference tool for parents during a stage in a child's life that can seem pretty hard.
Rating: Summary: most awful series of books ever Review: These books are good only if you want to feel guilty. For example, look up "month 16" and it will tell you that your kid should be scribbling with a pen on paper by precisely 16-1/4 months (I'm not making this up) and if not, take him to the doctor...It is only useful if you want to look up an actual medical problem; otherwise, spare yourself the sleepless nights of worry and consult your doctor for medical advice....
Rating: Summary: Helpful & Hilarious! Review: The "What to Expect" series has not only made my job as a parent a little bit easier, but I've had several laughs along the way. A little humour not only allows you to not take things way too seriously, but you can have fun watching your baby/toddler grow. You feel motivated as ever to learn more about your child, and you have that sense of security, that other parents can relate with you.
Rating: Summary: Moms On Call Review: Moms are always on call. The authors are very good at helping us to see this. It's a good book to have around as the days with toddlers can drive one simply insane. But please don't let children cry it out. Babies, children and even teens need prompt attention when tears begin to flow. For the things that this book has missed, buy Jodie Lynn's book, "Mommy-CEO" and Vicki Iovine's toddler book. They will make you laugh while keeping "What to Expect" on hand for an age related tip. Yes, it will help us to see "stuff" but the other two helps us to understand managing a toddler isn't the most terrible thing in life and laughing sure does help.
Rating: Summary: Some good information -- too much oversight Review: Overall a good book in terms of sheer information. Having the stages to refer to is very helpful to use as a guideline. However, the authors completely ignore the possibility of sleep sharing, which is a common practice among parents who practice attachment parenting. Detaching yourself from your child at night is something every parent should consider carefully. Americans, especially, take for granted that "crying your child out" is the right thing to do in all cases, and this book does nothing to dispel that tired, false, myth. A good read, but, as with anything, do what feels right. Don't let this, or any, book convince you to do something that feels wrong in your heart.
Rating: Summary: Toddler Manual Review: It is a great book on toddlers. It covers almost everything. Let's face it, all books will leave a question or two unanswered. It's almost impossible to serve everyone's needs. I have enjoyed all of Arlene's books and they have served me and my family well. I'd like to suggest a couple of other books which would make any mom's (or Dad's) library complete: Mommy-CEO, by Jodie Lynn is for all parents who have toddlers and preschoolers (up to teens) and Your Baby and Child, by Penelope Leach. Combining these books with Arlene's will answer all questions. "Mommy-CEO" will also provide the humor so badly needed for us in this time of our lives. "Your Baby and Child," will demostrate wonderful "life-like" photos and instructions and "What to Expect," will complete many of the challenges we're bound to experience.
Rating: Summary: Just Average Review: This book is an excellent reference for any medical concerns a parent might have, and also does well in addressing concerns such as diet, exercise, and TV watching. However, too often the authors' advice reflects western parenting prejudice and does not present research representing opposing viewpoints--although it pretends to do so. For instance, in the 13th month or so, a hypothetical question is, "Why should I wean my baby if we're both enjoying nursing still?" The reply? "Oh, you don't have to...it's your choice...but here's all the reasons why you should." And then they go on to list twelve benefits of early weaning and absolutely none of the benefits of nursing a toddler! If the authors gave even the tiniest disclaimer ("In our opinion...") I wouldn't be so hard about this, but they present every answer as gospel truth. In other words, whether or not you will benefit from this book depends on the state of your parenting philosophy. I prefer "The Baby Book" for advice about toddler behavior and needs.
Rating: Summary: Fairly useful Review: This is very comprehensive. Thank goodness there is a comprehensive index, becuase the arrangement is a bit off-putting. The chapters are broken down "chronologically" - The Thirteenth Month, The 25th to 27th Month etc etc. Within each section it contains "milestones" type information - carefully labelled 'what your child MIGHT be doing' (it reinforces that children develop at different rates, but it still does encourage you to compare 'your child' with some 'norm'. After that there are sections on 'What You May Be Concerned About' - for example, at the 19th month it might be 'night wandering, 'underactivity' or 'unclear speech' amongst other things. Thing is, these are not necessarily chronologically-linked. So you need to read right through the Table of Contents and use the index (some page refs are wrong, by the way)to find the topic you are interested in. Then follow sections on 'What You Need To Know' and 'What Your Child Needs To Know', again int he age-specific sections. I think it would be much better arranged thematically. Perhaps a short section on things that really are age-specific. There are subsequent sections on things such as special needs children, toilet learning, feeding. I have found the information on illness particularly useful and at other times much other information useful, interesting or reassurring. I think this book earns its place in a parent's reference library. Its usefulness extends well beyond the toddler years, and for some things is still good in the early years of school (by which time life is so busy there isn't a lot of time for consulting books!)
Rating: Summary: good as a reference - but not so good with parenting advice Review: While I think this publication is an excellence medical and milestone reference guide, I feel it is too heavy handed with many parental "advice". The book gives short lame reasons why a mother must wean by 1 year or suffer the "consequences", and co-sleeping is painted in the most horrible light, regardless of the fact that many many families, including myself have sucess with co-sleeping and can be insulting with comments like I am "cowardly" for following my motherly insincts and not letting my baby cry it out when she is in need. My recommendation is to see this book as a REFERENCE and not a be all end all guide to parenting. Parents should follow their hearts and their instinct and not always what it says in some book.
Rating: Summary: the best toddler book out there of its kind, a true lifesave Review: The authors write the most comprehensive survey of all aspects of parenting a toddler. In particular, I find the advice on behavioral issues so helpful. Something I didn't "expect" to be so enlightening and thorough. The common sense format makes it easy to find exactly what you are looking for. A must for any parent! I'd also like to comment on the customer review from NY dated 1/24. I do not think the author's biases on nursing and self comforting stand out any more than any other author on the wide variety of subjects on children that are out there. We are ALL passionate about raising our children the way we think is best for each and every one of us, including the authors. I'd be surprised if they were NOT apparent. I'm happy to know that you still found it helpful!
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