Rating: 
Summary: Finally some advice that is positive and works!!
Review: I really enjoyed this book! It is easy to read and has advice that actually works. I am the parent of two boys, ages 21 months and 1 month. My oldest son is a very active child, always testing my husband and I. We were so tired most of the time just trying to keep him out of trouble. We would get so frustrated we would yell and use punishment to get him to comply with us. It wasn't until recently that I had time to myself to think about my parenting skills. With my second child now here, I realized it was time for a major overhaul. I wanted things to be different from how I was raised, and teach my children effectively using positive discipline. I actually purchased this book before my first child was born and pulled it back out to read. I have been using the techniques in this book for alittle over a month now and I can tell you all our lives have changed, we are so much happier and calmer now. It takes alot of patience to put this book to use, but I will tell you it is worth it. If you do anything for your children, start being more patient and kind now. It can change their future for the better.
Rating: 
Summary: waste of time...an insult to your intelligence
Review: I thought this might be a good book so I checked it out from the library. By chapter 4 I was really turned off from reading further. In chapter 4 two anecdotes are cited of parents who want to provide early education for their infant and hope to teach their young child many things earlier than is average. The chapter goes on to briefly explain what research has shown about baby's vast brain growth and its later decline. Despite touching on this amazing subject, the chapter ends up denigrating early infant education and does so without any reference to studies, statistics, or research. I could not find any reference or footnotes to substantiate the book's position against infant education. I am still curious as to the source of such information put forth in the book. I am afraid it was very irresponsible and may be miseducating parents seeking the best methods for their children without providing some powerful research to back up the claims put forth in the book.
The rest of the book had a few good insights, but for parents who don't abuse their children it basically gave the go-ahead to just continue what you've been doing all along.
Rating:
Summary: A must for every new parent
Review: I used Babywise and Babywise II for my infant and still recommend them to my friends as a guideline. Although I still recommend these books to get some good ideas on structure and routine, my number one parenting resource is Jane Nelson and her Positive Discipline books. Instead of demanding obedience through conditioning and wielding heavy authority, it explains how to truly teach your children in a loving and non-punitive way while still being firm. Ms. Nelson says: Where did we get the idea that to make children behave better they have to feel worse about their current behavior? I consider myself a pretty strict parent, as Babywise advocates, but providing my children with the same respect I demand for myself is of the upmost importance. I found this book practical and was very excited to be able to enjoy my baby and be his teacher rather than always being the bad guy and punishing him for things he has no idea are inappropriate. I'm so glad a friend told me about Jane Nelson. As my friend says, it does take considerable energy and creativity to really parent this way, but the peace, respect and love in the home are the great reward.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing outdated information
Review: I was really disappointed after reading this book. It is definitely not for parents who believe in attachment parenting. This book is anti attachment parenting! Author definitely doesn't believe in nursing past a year and not only advocates CIO but also suggests you go cold turkey because according to her your baby can't tell the difference between 5 minutes & 5 hours! Author if can't encourage extended nursing, shouldn't discourage it by giving ridiculous explanation like it can disrupt your babies sense of autonomy and misguide new mothers. Tons of research has been done on millions of benefits of nursing beyond one year, which were not even mentioned in the book. I don't recommend this book to anyone! This book does tell you not to yell, spank and use punitive methods. It does discourage schedule feeding. If you are reading other gentle discipline books, this book doesn't have much to offer.
Rating: 
Summary: Not very helpful for children who can't speak yet
Review: Let me first say that I am all for the "positive" discipline approach; however, I did not find this book to be very helpful for a child who is not yet able to communicate verbally. Although this book does give some helpful information that I feel you can use with older children, when it comes to the "target" age (up to age 3), it fails to meet up to my expectations. This book assumes that you can "reason" with your child by explaining things to him/her. I've never seen an eleven-month-old yet who could be dealt with in this way. If you're looking for suggestions for discipling the much younger child, you should probably try another book.
Rating: 
Summary: Not quite as good as "Positive Discipline A-Z"
Review: The idea behind "Positive Discipline: The First Three Years-Laying the Foundation for Raising a Capable, Confident Child" is very good. Many helpful suggestions are given in dealing with children, and it really makes one think about things that he/she does when children are doing things they should not. (For example, the suggestion is given not to snatch something from a child that he/she should not have because this is teaching the child that snatching is okay.)Most of the suggestions in this book, however, are not really just for ages birth to three. Some of the suggestions do target this age group, but most can cover any age group. I would personally recommend buying the book that covers a broader spectrum of behaviors such as "Positive Discipline A-Z" (also by Jane Nelsen). In my opinion, it covers the same material that is covered in this book but much more! It contains wonderful "common sense" advice that can be used for any age group including birth to age three.
Rating:
Summary: Not quite as good as "Positive Discipline A-Z"
Review: The idea behind "Positive Discipline: The First Three Years-Laying the Foundation for Raising a Capable, Confident Child" is very good. Many helpful suggestions are given in dealing with children, and it really makes one think about things that he/she does when children are doing things they should not. (For example, the suggestion is given not to snatch something from a child that he/she should not have because this is teaching the child that snatching is okay.) Most of the suggestions in this book, however, are not really just for ages birth to three. Some of the suggestions do target this age group, but most can cover any age group. I would personally recommend buying the book that covers a broader spectrum of behaviors such as "Positive Discipline A-Z" (also by Jane Nelsen). In my opinion, it covers the same material that is covered in this book but much more! It contains wonderful "common sense" advice that can be used for any age group including birth to age three.
Rating:
Summary: Not the best book I've read
Review: The tone of this book is rather condescending and opinionated. The authors assume that the reader is not too bright. For a more wholesome approach to parenting, read The Baby Book or The Discipline Book By Dr. William Sears.
Rating: 
Summary: An excellent summary of current developmental literature
Review: This book is an excellent resource for parents of infants and toddlers. The authors condense the mountains of research available on social and emotional development into a managable and interesting format. The authors' important message is that discipline is a teaching tool rather than punishment.
Rating:
Summary: Not what I consider positive at all (m)
Review: This book is anti-co-sleeping, suggests use of a playpen, and has a discussion of how a baby as young as two months can be spoiled if held too much. If you are looking for an Attachment Parenting book, then keep looking and let this go. I also hated the clip-art of cribs and bottles all over the place! I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone!
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