Rating: 
Summary: Good resource, but don't make it your only resource
Review: I was disheartened by this books inability to embrace parenting from a biological perspective (See Meridith Smalls Book on biology and culture and how it affects our parenting) however, true to the Laura Davis style it is easy to read and understand, and touches on many many many areas that most books don't begin to address. It was valuable to us, and we have purchased a few copies since our reading it as gifts for new parents. Don't expect many clear cut answers, but do expect to learn something.
Rating: 
Summary: Exploration of Interesting Topics Marred by Over-Liberalism
Review: The authors of this book cover so many topics that are rarely covered with other books--what do you do when your preschooler wants a Barbie? Whose "rhythm" do we follow today? Should you plan meals around the tastes of your children? Very interesting--but I feel that following all their advice wouuld produce--dare I say it--brats! To say, as Leon, husband of the one of the author does, that "discipline is always interference of some kind...I'm stopping the kid from discipling itself," is simply absurd. That is the JOB of a parent. Kids are not always capable of doing that! And I was jolted when one of the authors was uncomfortable about disciplining her four year old to be careful around her newborn baby, stating that she wasn't her baby, but "her own person...with individual relationships with each one of us." What in the heck does that mean? If a person isn't comfortable about being slightly authoritarian for the sake of a newborn baby they have no business giving advice to other people. I finished this book feeling angry, and have only picked it up again for less "loaded" topics-- t.v watching, book reading, etc.
Rating: 
Summary: The parenting manual
Review: The old joke goes (and it's really not so funny, when you stop to think about it) "how come you need a license to fish, but you don't need a license to become a parent?"If there ever were a parenting license, this would be one of the manuals to study before taking the test. This book goes far beyond the how-to manuals or ask-the-expert books. It's for the parents who say "don't tell me what to do, show me how to figure out for myself." The authors challenge parents to actively participate in the process of becoming a better parent, rather than merely reacting to situations and events as they arise. Using practical advice and first-person accounts, this book presents strategies and philosophies for facing the dilemmas and challenges of raising children today.
Rating:
Summary: The parenting manual
Review: The old joke goes (and it's really not so funny, when you stop to think about it) "how come you need a license to fish, but you don't need a license to become a parent?" If there ever were a parenting license, this would be one of the manuals to study before taking the test. This book goes far beyond the how-to manuals or ask-the-expert books. It's for the parents who say "don't tell me what to do, show me how to figure out for myself." The authors challenge parents to actively participate in the process of becoming a better parent, rather than merely reacting to situations and events as they arise. Using practical advice and first-person accounts, this book presents strategies and philosophies for facing the dilemmas and challenges of raising children today.
Rating:
Summary: Great for toddlers and preschoolers, a bit off for babies
Review: This is a book that I like to give to parents who's parenting philosophy differs significantly from my own or to brand-spankin-new-doesn't-have-a-clue parents. It doesn't define the best way to do things, but helps parent's define their own style based on their own beliefs. This book is not about dogma, it's about *your* family. This would make a great gift early in pregnancy too when mom's are highly motivated and have free time to explore ideas. Along with the AAP Birth to 5 Years reference, you've got a complete early parenting library. If I could, I'd give these two books to every new parent I know. Appropriate for any family configuration including single parents, full-time grandparents (who may need a refresher course), and adoptive parents.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Gift
Review: This is a book that I like to give to parents who's parenting philosophy differs significantly from my own or to brand-spankin-new-doesn't-have-a-clue parents. It doesn't define the best way to do things, but helps parent's define their own style based on their own beliefs. This book is not about dogma, it's about *your* family. This would make a great gift early in pregnancy too when mom's are highly motivated and have free time to explore ideas. Along with the AAP Birth to 5 Years reference, you've got a complete early parenting library. If I could, I'd give these two books to every new parent I know. Appropriate for any family configuration including single parents, full-time grandparents (who may need a refresher course), and adoptive parents.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous support for all families
Review: This is a book that shares so many parents ideas and strategies with me as I stumble through parenting. It is unique in that I actually laugh, cry and exclaim out loud as I hear stories of these different yet same parents in so many walks of life. It gave me the most important message of listening to advice of what works and what doesnt then adjusting the advice to our unique values, situation and baby. I felt like I am not the only parent who obsses about every detail. I especially like the chapter about building a community for my family.
Rating:
Summary: A great book!
Review: This is one of my favorite parenting books. If you have not looked at this book--you should. Full of respect for children and parents, and great information. One of the most heavily-used books on my parenting book shelf!
Rating:
Summary: A great book!
Review: This is one of my favorite parenting books. If you have not looked at this book--you should. Full of respect for children and parents, and great information. One of the most heavily-used books on my parenting book shelf!
Rating:
Summary: A book that respects both parents and children
Review: What a relief to stumble across this book as my son turns twenty months! The authors provide detailed discussions of how to construct a parenting philosphy that "honors the impulse" behind children's behavior in a variety of situations: play, toileting, sleeping (or not), physical activity, child care, conflict and friendship. It handles less frequently handled topics as well, such as young children's sex play, racism, and homophobia. The book is a strong advocate for parents. Having a family with children, they stress, is not a project of controlling children but rather of balancing interests between all family members. Unlike many parenting books, this work lets the parent reflect on what his or her own family's boundaries should be while offering information about children's possible perspectives in specific situations and ideas for respecting these perspectives. I also appreciated the invitation to think about one's own upbring in order to create a set of practices to model for our own children. Single parents, gay parents, and parents of non-Christian faith are all actively included in the examples, which are helpfully and skillfully drawn from one of the author's parenting groups. In a welcome departure from many parenting books, fathers and men are also considered to be equally capable of and interested in raising their children. I have enjoyed incorporating the author's ideas into my daily interactions with my son and husband. I suspect that many other parents who don't fit into the "What to expect..." advice series would as well. Several friends will be getting this as a gift for the holidays!!!
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