Good parenting reference book for beyond toddlerdom?

[theseventhdwarf]

Hi
First post in this board though I lurk a little sometimes :-)
I have a 4 yr ds and 2 yr dd. when they were smaller I had a few parenting books I found helpful but now ds is older I m really finding parenting a challenge. He s a great socially very vocal and lot s of fun, but at home
Such a challenge sometimes. Mornings or when we have to get somewhere are a nightmare- this is despite preparation the night before etc. it s often over clothes, or he ll suddenly change his mind on what he wants for breakfast ( usually given a choice between ready Brek or weetabix) and will
Change mind when it s made. Some
Mornings I stay calm some
Mornings I end up losing it and shouting ( great parenting eh) e really tests the boundaries and is so difficult at times I want to scream. I feel like I really don't know what I m dealing with. Toddler tantrums etc I 'understand' but if feels like he s movig on to more sophisticated challenges and development and I feel like I don't understand what s going on, I
Would love to know a little
More what s going on with him - for him -
As in what happens at this stage etc.
A friend recommended 'raising boys'
( I also have a girl so I m guessing I ll
Have to Get raising girls
In a year or two ha) is there any particular parenting book or developmental book that anyone here would be happy to recommend ( the options on amazon are endless and confusing)
Sorry for the long post, I d really appreciate any help
Thanks

Anyone?

How to Talk... and Playful Parenting. Am a bit frustrated as ds is still a little young for most of the contents - must remember to re-read them when he's older!

Thanks - am reading through how to talk and having many
Lightbulb moments -
Wow

yes yes yes How to Talk so Your Kids Will Listen ... great book. Lightbulbs for me too, theseventhdwarf

Dr Christopher Green has done two great books, Toddler taming- up to 5 and then another one for 5 and beyond. They are both fantastic. I bought the older one for my son when he was 4.5 and it's really helpful getting ideas of how children work- what is age appropriate etc etc. He's just turned 5 now and remarkably sane- there was huge change between 4 and 5 for us- I think there is a lot of brain development, so hang on in there- the toddler years that do really carry on to 5 are a real challenge!

er, chris green's 'beyond toddlerdom' book is actually called 'beyond toddlerdom' i think.

i love chris green.

Me too

Thanks. Actually remember having cris greens book from the library when ds was tiny, guess it would be more relevant now eh! Will certainly give it a go.
Had a great breakthrough this week - yesterday ds home from crèche - sat on floor in kitchen " oh I m so sad cos I didn't get to push the trolley increche today" ( task they re allowed help with if "good",
Anyhow used how to techniques and totally totally worked- ds came to the conclusionh self he shouldn't fight and should say please etc to get to do his reward.
Brilliant brilliant

How to Raise a Bright Child, author is Joan Beck. It goes up to 6 and not at all tiger-parent but goes through how children's brains develop and what to expect/do at each stage.

How to Raise a Brighter* Child