POTTY-TRAINING:

Title: Once Upon A Potty (for boy or girl)
Author: Alona Frankel
Rating (1-10): 9
Reviewed by: Abby

Comments:

I have found this book to be a very helpful teaching tool with both of my children when gearing-up to potty-train. Illustrations are specific and graphic (shows anatomy and excrement) which some parents may not be comfortable with, but I actually found really helpful in terms of being able to clearly explain bodily processes to my children. Uses the words wee-wee, poo-poo, bottom, and pee-pee, but suggests that parents substitute whatever words they are comfortable with and want their children to learn (I use the proper anatomy names with my children). There is also an animated version available at the Library in VHS, or on You-Tube.

AGGRESSION:

Title: Hands Are Not For Hitting (part of the Best Behaviour series)
Author: Martine Agassi
Rating (1-10): 8
Reviewed by: Abby

Comments:

This book is part of a series of simple board books designed to teach young children about appropriate behaviour towards others. Other titles include: Feet Are Not For Kicking, Teeth Are Not For Biting, etc. I found it to be a helpful teaching tool as the mother of a toddler who can sometimes exhibit aggressive behaviour towards others. It not only helps to teach young children what they should not do, but focuses on what they should do as well. Also included on the back page of each book are practical, helpful tips for parents.

SIBLING RIVALRY:

Title: "Siblings Without Rivalry"
Authors: Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Rating (1-10): 10
Reviewed by: Abby

Comments:

I don't know if there's anything more crazy-making that I've experienced as a parent so far than my kids fighting and competing with each other! I turned to Parents As Teachers for help managing my children's relationship with each other, and this is the book they recommended to me. This book is not only a good read, but is also very comprehensive, thorough, realistic, psychological (talks alot about feelings) and practical (gives nuts and bolts solutions to problems which arise between siblings). Although many of the suggestions work best for older children, I have been able to apply the skills and tools I learned from reading this book successfully with my young children as well (and achieved positive results). It is definitely a book I would highly recommend to anyone with multiple children, or who is preparing to have multiple children. Even if blatant manifestations of rivalry don't appear between children - there's alot of helpful advice on how to manage your relationship with each of your children (so that each child's needs are met), and how to help them develop healthy relationships with each other.

DISCIPLINE:

Title: "Parenting a Strong-Willed Child"
Authors: Rex Forehand Ph. D. and Nicholas Long Pd. D.
Rating(1-10): 8
Reviewed by: Abby

Comments:

Being the parent of a strong-willed child is very demanding and often very draining physically, emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually - I know, I've been there. The good news is that there is hope! This book was recommended to me by local organization Parents As Teachers and I took an accompanying parenting class that they occasionally offer to go along with it. I found the advice in the book and class to be very helpful when managing my son's sometimes challenging strong-willed behaviour. The thing I liked most about it, was the attitude that as parents we don't want to necessarily "break" these children of their strong-will, because they are often personality traits which will help them to be quite successful in life. Rather it is a very practical, nuts and bolts, 5-step program on how to channel your strong-willed child's attributes into avenues that will serve to work for their benefit as opposed to their detriment (and help to keep you from going insane!).