Every parent of small children need this!
925980
This alarm is a Godsend! It's easy to operate and has a great concept. I bough this about 3 years ago when my son was 2. He understood right away and was even excited about it because he loved watching the light change. I change the alarm times twice a day, everyday, and the buttons are still holding up great. Great quality and really cute! I cannot speak highly enough of this clock!
1209265
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!
3907904
I just purchased a new copy of this book for my 4th child because I couldn't find my old one and it was so worn I needed to replace it.  Whether you have an easy baby or a colicky baby - and I've had a few of each- parents get so much out of this book! Dr. Weissbluth not only teaches parents so much about sleep in general, he offers parents wonderful advice about how to create good sleep habits so you can avoid overtired children and excessive crying.  I didn't have his book until my first - a colicky baby - was 3 months and wish I'd had it sooner!  For my twins his suggestion to look for sleep cue's and keep short intervals of wakefulness worked like magic.  Most of my friends agree this is a book no new parent should be without.  I believe the reason my older 3 children are such good sleepers and therefore usually so well rested and a pleasure to be with is because of what Dr. Weissbluth taught us!
3716205
The late Dr Latham has a legacy to be proud of. This wee gem of a book contains essential advice for any parent - it is the manual our kids should have come with. I originally bought Dr Latham's much larger and more comprehensive Postive Parenting, and it made a huge difference in my interactions with my children. I became much less stressed out and more confident. I knew which behavior to safely ignore and I understood the power of parental attention - both postive and negative in shaping my children's behavior.

But - there was a problem remaining - my husband was reluctant to study the text-book sized tome! I tried to explain things to him, but he wasn't convinced by my summary. He had an extremely authoritarian parenting style and he dismissed my explanations as being too soft, or 'letting the kids get away' with stuff. Because I was experiencing success with the children's behavior, My husband accepted that there was something to the method. In many instances he copied my actions but without understanding the underlying principles there were occaisions that ended in tears. So between his unwillingness to study the textbook himself, and dismissal of my explanations, we ended up going in circles with the children being angels for mum and playing up for dad and the divide widening almost daily.

Then I found this wonderful little precis of Dr Latham's work. It is small and concise enough for my husband to open, read a small section, and learn some new technique in a few minutes. It now has pride of place next to the toilet(!) where hubby can upskill himself painlessly and without taking up too much of his precious time. Our whole family has become more relaxed and co-operative, and the children are rebuilding a lovely relationship with their Dad. My husband will always have an authoritarian bent - but he respects the science behind Dr Latham's work and is gradually modifying his own behaviour as he experiences success with the children.

If you buy one parenting book this is the one to choose (especially if one parent is more interested than the other). Understanding the underlying principles of behavior will allow you to adapt them for any situation - as opposed to other parenting advice books which run into series of ten or more books with highly repetitive advice for every situation imagineable.

Postscript: I have seen criticism in other reviews of Dr Latham because he was a Mormon. What bigotted nonsense! He was a highly respected behavioral scientist and his work is based on science not religion. He has written a few books which adapt his science for both Mormon and Christian parents which you are free to buy or not (I did not), and which are clearly promoted as containing religious aspects. But this book, and the larger Positive Parenting, are valuable to parents of any(or no) creed.
4773989
This is a must for all parents!  Colorful and practical, it is filled with 10 important words to help you become a better parent.  I really liked the Things to THINK About sections and ways to implement each word.  There is even a Notes section to check your progress!  The Straight from the Teacher's Mouth section is packed with even more helpful hints.  This will be my new gift for expectant parents and my own children, too!
4444020
As parents of a three year old, my wife and I often encounter parents who seem to be ruled by the whims of their young children.  You don't have to be an expert on child development to know that a young child needs boundaries and discipline.  And yet so many parents today are reluctant to provide this. By trying to be their child's "friend" they are faling the child as parents.  In this excellent little book, the authors provide a welcome antidote to much of the so-called "child centric" theory currently in vogue.  According to this book, childhood is to be divided into a number of periods with the appropriate parental relationship different in each period.  In the period covered by this book, 3-7, the authors stress the need for parents to bring their children under the control of parental authority.  Only once children respect the authority of their parents can they be taught the important lessons and values that will turn them into healthy adults.  The authors provide numerous case studies of situations in which parents do or do not act appropriately.  At the end of each chapter they provide review questions.  Each chapter concerns a different area of potential trouble.  For example in one chapter the authors condem the notion of excessive choice.  In another chapter, the authors discuss the vital importance of discipline and stress the absolute necessity that every act of discipline impart a lesson that the parents are teaching.  In other words, discipline should never be out of anger but as an instructional tool.
This book has a great deal to offer.  Many parents don't realize the harm they are doing their children through overindulgence.  WHen I see friends whose children have no bedtime, whose older children refuse to stay in their rooms  at night, who refuse to do their homework, who will not eat dinner at the family table, who rule the household, I realize that the pendulum has swung to far in the other direction.  I think the authors are a little inflexible on certain issues.  For example, I find that providing children with choices (reasonable ones of course) can give them a sense of empowerment.  The trick is to make them choose "A" or "B" not to give them the choice of saying "no" altogether.  This book provides food for thought.  I highly recommend that readers of this book read Dr. Spock's Guide to Baby and Childcare.  Spock is not the child centered theorist that people think and he too argues that children need structure, discipline and a sense that their parents are authority figures.
1573087
A MUST!!!! I am a Pediatrician, I've got a whole library of parenting books.  This is the best one I have read and I recommend it to all parents of 2-6 year olds.  I have had a lot of great feedback that the book has really helped so many of my families.  I have got two of my own small children and have found the book a lifesaver.  It is very common sense advice!  Very easy to read.

Sal Severe helps you to realize the things you are ALREADY doing that are helping you and your child...also makes you realize how you might be inadvertently making your child's behavior worse.  I love his list of positive things to say when you can't think  of anything positive to say.  He uses the principles of positive and  negative reinforcement throughout his book.

Tell your friends about this book!
739536
Great book for all parents to learn their children!
4153204
I am a 40 year old mom of 3, ages 1-7, and we also foster/adopt children. I am also a pediatric RN. I love children and parenting is a hobby of mine. I have read just about every parenting book out there and we have tried many parenting techniques until we found teachingselfgovernment.com. My husband and I love the family government system. I received this book today and it's amazing. Currently, I have 5 children 7 and under in my home and they wanted me to read it over and over again. Afterwards, they loved practicing saying okay. I am super excited to get the rest of the volumes!
2298816
This book is a must have for all parents, I just wish I had access to such a great resource 12 years ago when my daughter was born!
252494
As a mother of four children I have been continuously seeking out the very best parenting books for over twenty years.  "The Friendship Quadrant" has quickly become one of my favorites.  Through the years I have learned that the people our kids choose as friends will have a profound and lasting impact on their lives - for good or for evil.  The concepts in this book have given me everything I need to help them cultivate lasting friendships and recognize when some relationships are unhealthy.  I have watched my daughter and sons struggle with self esteem after being seemingly mistreated by "friends" in both middle school and high school.  Understanding the simple yet brilliant concepts of the Friendship Quadrant offer them a tool for understanding the behavior of their peers and helps them recognize how they can become a better friend themselves.

This book is an easy and enjoyable read full of relatable anecdotes that kept both myself and my children engaged as we learned.  In fact, this book helped me gain insight into my own relationships and behavior!  Lots of ah-ha moments!  I whole heartedly recommend this book to parents and their children to read over and over again as they seek to develop the kind of friendships that will help them get through those formative years and become the awesome people they were meant to be!  Thank you Mike and Kassie Boyd!
4681621
I thought the first edition of 10 Powerful Things to Say to Your Kids was extraordinary and a must have. This second edition is a masterpiece. My advice: Do not attempt Parenting without it!

There are hundreds of practical themes and messages in this book including the numerous references to other notable professionals to gain deeper understanding of a particular topic; personal favorites are Rachel Naomi Remen and Brene Brown.  The appendices have wonderful suggestions for age appropriate reading plus there is reflection space for thinking about the 10 Powerful Things and applying them to daily living.

Lastly, this book is not just for conversations with your kids. The insights apply across the board to all relationships. It is a quick captivating read but a slow digest. Savor the chapters and revisit often.
218337
How awesome is this book! One would think every suggestion in it is a no brainer for parents, but just seeing it in print is a perfect reminder for every parent. And as a teacher, I will also keep the wonderful "TEACHABLER" acronym in mind at school. Thank you, Jay Ross, for your insightful, useful, and necessary book!
1746732
Every prospective parent should have this book!! By attending to our baby's natural instincts, we had the most peaceful, contented and happy baby.  You cannot spoil and infant, it is impossible, I don't care what you may hear.  Also, breastfeeding if at all possible is the only way to feed your baby.  Your milk changes as your baby grows and different times of the day, you cannot argue the benefits.  Our baby was at least 6 months before we began solid foods...our baby was chunky, healthy and beautiful.

Dr. Sears will save you trips to the pediatrician, too!  He answers most every question that will come up in the wee hours of the morning, giving solid advice like bringing down a high fever at 2am.

I felt I had to give a review because people must know that holding your baby and attending to his/her needs is the wisest thing you can do.  My "baby" is now 8 years old and I can say that she was the happiest, peaceful baby because of this.  This has continued through her childhood.  She is confident and a joy to be around.  She respects others and has an empathy and kindness towards all people and things. We are also of the school that "no" means "no" and not maybe.  Temper tantrums were not an option in our household.  A child is capable of learning self control if you don't allow them to "throw a fit". Most parents wait too late to start training their children, at around age 1 1/2 they can understand "no" if it is only a pat on their tiny hand for reaching for something dangerous.  Praise them, but don't be "fake", be real, express your love and joy for their lives, but also teach them rewards/consequences.  Be real with them and be consistant, be attentive and don't try to "act" like the perfect parent and enjoy your life, too.  Enjoy them and teach them how to be enjoyable to be around!  They will act out in public what you allow at home.  It's not right to impose your lack of parenting skills on the rest of humanity, so be firm, consistant and don't allow you child indulge in total lack of self control, teach them a better way.  When they reach 1 1/2 or 2 or when you see they can understand that if I do this, this happens, you know they are able to learn that this is not acceptable behavior, but this is.  It's up to you to be courageous enough to have standards and stick to them, but this does not mean letting your child cry without comfort and doing everythig you can to minimize any reasons for them to cry.
2089683
When I had my first child 5 years ago I began amassing quite a library of Parenting books.  I have to admit that being a committed attachment parent I was alittle skeptical as to whether or not this book could add to my knowledge.  I can't speak more highly of a parenting book.  It really explains child behavior and needs in a way that gave me SO many Aha's.  She strikes a wonderful balance between parent's needs and children's needs while at the same time being very straight forward about what so many kids aren't getting emotionally in today's world.  I'm anxious to find a support group locally that espouses her ideas.  In the meantime I've once again shifted my parenting methods and I'm trying to give my child more of what she really needs - Connection!
2216139
Once again Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell gives us an interesting approach to connecting with our children.
Most adults tend to raise their children the way they were raised, and that can prove good or bad depending on the situation. In 'The 5 Love Languages Of Children' the authors raise some excellent points and explains how to identify these love languages.
Some readers might very well identify ways they have already use but others will surely find it a very helpful tool and it is so simple! It is all about love!
Here is where it gets truly interesting: once you identify each group and observe which ones your children react to, you will have the essential key to building a foundation of unconditional love with them! And every child needs love!

According to Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, using these 5 love languages will help Mums and Dads better understand children as well as help discipline them much more effectively (something most of us hate to do but is sometime necessary)!
Even single parents will find in Chapter 11 how to use this book to help them deal with sometime frustration like all the millions of others single parents out there.

'The 5  Love Languages Of Children' will help you to show your children you really love them! This book also includes how to speak the love language in marriage as well as an exceptionally helpful chapter on additional help for parents. With life as busy as it is for most of us, we can use all the help we can get!
An excellent advice: 'You can never built bridges until you get rid of the walls'! So simple and so very true!
Excellent notes are included with each chapter (including what the children says) and an epilogue on what might be ahead with a love language mystery game for the entire family rounds up this amazing book!

Absolutely marvelous and well worth 5 stars!

I received this book free from PROPELLER as part of their blogger review program.
I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC 16 CFR, Part 255 'Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising. I was not asked to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
4276261
I would have been lost without this book. Even with years of practice with kids, little could have prepared me for the overwhelming experience of having a crying baby as MY sole responsibilty. This book is filled with the tricks of the trade that we as a culture don't learn from our community as a parent might have learned from moms, aunts, & grandmas a few generations ago.  It is easy to do the 5 steps outlined in this book. More important is that THEY WORK!!!