whats your fav parenting book?

[lionbeast]

just being nosey ?

[ScienceTeacher]

Various - I was quite good at picking and choosing what was within my comfort zone.

I liked Dr Spock for anything except feeding. I liked Great Ormond Street for medical stuff.

[saadia]

I like Toddler Taming

[McDreamy]

Oh yes toddler taming is great, I also like the My Bet Friends Guides.

[MorocconOil]

Penelope Leach's Babyhood.

[paddingtonbear1]

For babyhood and younger toddlers, I liked the Baby Whisperer.

[DANCESwithaMuffinTop]

Best Friend's guides good for making you feel better about your parenting
When you are pg 'what to expect when you are expecting' is brilliant.

[Miggsie]

How not to be the perfect mother by Libby Purves
The Baby Whisperer by Tracey Hogg

[OnlyOnePairOfHands]

How To Talk so Kids Will Listen

it's brilliant

[juuule]

Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn
is my favourite most of the time but I like these too:

Parent Effectiveness Training by Thomas Gordon. Similar to 'How to Talk' but I prefer this one.

Winning Parent, Winning Child by Jan Fortune-Wood.

Not a parenting book but I like this one for giving me something to think about and possibly helping me have more patience with my babies:
Why Love Matters: How Affection Shapes a Baby's Brain by Sue Gerhardt

[mrsgboring]

More votes for Libby Purves, for all her "How not to..." books, "Nature's Masterpiece" (a reprise of lots of the How Not Tos, with some extra bits) and "One Summer's Grace" (a lot about sailing but also about travelling with small children) and Naomi Standen.

"The Science of Parenting" Margot Sunderland

"Night Time Parenting" Sears & Sears

Totally to admit it really as despite also being a Christian I disagree with her publicly held opinions on all other subjects, but really enjoyed, and agreed with a lot of "Child Rearing for Fun" by Anne Atkins

Have also recently been impressed by "Your child your way" by Tanya Byron, with some reservations. And I don't like the way she has simply reprinted all her old columns at the back without coming clean about what they are (they are "dilemmas parents often pose" to her apparently...)

Any good book with toddler entertainment ideas, e.g. "Wonderplay" by Reitzes & Teitelmann from the 92nd Street Y (bit American though)

Am a bit of a saddo about parenting books of all descriptions.

[lionbeast]

oh thanks for all the ideas, think ill try why love matters 1st

[AuntEm]

Read "Dream Babies: Childcare advice from John Locke to Gina Ford" by Christina Hardyment. Not really a parenting book, more a history of childcare advice. You soon realise that an awful lot of advice doled out by 'experts' over the years (a) completely contradicts something another expert has said or (b) is bonkers. Sometimes both. Then you can just follow your common sense and make it up as you go along - you couldn't do any worse. And keep logging on to MN, obviously.

[MNersanonymous]

Hmmm I do think a lot of parenting books just rehash common sense - and if you just think hard about something you can come up with the same....or consult MN for the lazy.

[MNersanonymous]

x-posted Aunt - agree.

[AuntEm]

Most parenting books just make me feel anxious and inadequate, which is not a good way for a parent to be, IMO.

[ninedragons]

Kidwrangling by Kaz Cooke is excellent - a no-bullshit guide to the baby and toddler years.

[lindenlass]

Mine are anything by Deborah Jackson - 'three in a bed'; 'letting go as children grow'. The Faber & Mazlish books - 'how to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk'; 'siblings without rivalry'. Stuff by Jan Fortune Wood although they can be a bit heavy-going. 'Unconditional Parenting' by Alfie Kohn. They all make so much sense when you read them, and none of them are prescriptive, I feel.

I also second 'Why Love Matters' and 'The Science of Parenting' - should be read by everyone when they're pg with their first baby

[uberalice]

Your Child, Your Way by Tanya Byron goes so much further than other books on the subject of behaviour and discipline.

[Enid]

The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford

[slng]

To kill a mocking bird.

[EachPeachPearMum]

Dr Sears

Baby Whisperer

Highly Sensitive Child elaine aron

[Maureen]

I am currently reading Your Competent Child by Jesper Juul - this was recommended to me by a Danish friend, who says it is one of the most, if not the most popular book in Denmark at the mo. It not only helps you to nuture confident children but also offers wonderful advice concerning conflict resolution.