read any good parenting books lately?

[crossma]

I am always buying various books concerned with children and tempted to buy others but could end up spending a fortune. Sometimes the titles sound so useful, so if you can spare the time and have read any parenting books that you think are worth recommending (or in your opinion are not worth recommending) I would love to hear from you. Thanks in advance

boyandgirl's comments on the smacking thread encouraged me to start this topic of conversation off as I have often wondered about the book 'How to talk so children will listen, and listen so children will talk' so if you see this boyandgirl or anyone else I would love to hear your thoughts/reasons.

have you looked on Amazon.com as there are quite a lot of reviews which may be useful - i know a friend of mine has got Kid Co-operation - How to stop nagging and yelling at your kids (or something similar) which i think is the same kind of thing. I may try getting one of them out of the library to see how good they are.

Steve Biddulph on boys and happy children is good but a bit all or nothing sometimes (do like his stand & think theory of disciplining). Have just finished and loved Jenni Murray (of Woman's Hour) book That's My Boy. (Can you tell I have 2 boys?)

Harrysmum - thanks for that about Jenni Murray's book, I saw it reviewed recently & definately want to read it, too mean to buy it so I shall order it from the library. Like you, I liked a lot (but not all) of Steve Biddulph's book.

I have one DS BTW.

I've just read 'How to raise good children' (what a title!!) which was quite old fashioned in its approach but I found some of the comments very interesting - sorry, can't remember the author. Also just read 'Paranoid Parenting' (again, can't remember the author) and that had - IMO anyway - very interesting comments about how parents find it difficult to 'let their children grow up' - I am sure some people would find it quite contraversial but I found it most thought provoking (especially as I know quite a few 'paranoid' parents!!).

Try getting the books out of the library for a browse first, that's what we did with 'How to talk...'. There are often references in the back of these parenting books, which can give you suggestions for further reading.

I also like 'Three Socks No Shoes and One Hairbrush' (or something like that), though that's a book as controversial as Gina Ford!

I'm tempted by the Biddulph books, but that's just the trouble 'bookS'. With so many books published, is he a phenomenally good read, or an ego-maniac (bit strong! )

I don't think I've ever liked any of the Miriam Stoppard books!

crossma, did my usual thing of responding to the original posting and only then reading the whole thread. Chuffed that you felt my comments worth considering further

I have "How to talk..." and also "Liberated Parents, Liberated Children" and "Siblings without Rivalry" by the same authors. I like them, they are easy to read and really make you think about the way you talk to your children and handle the whole discipline issue. I would (and have) recomend(ed) them. I also have "Do not disturb" by Deborah Jackson" and "The secret of happy children" by Steve Biddulph, which are good.

I like the mumsnet book (creep, crepp)

Seriously I think it's very useful if you have no-one around to debate ideas with but want a range of viewpoints.

I have just read 1-2-3 magic and it is bloody brilliant and the disciplining techniques work - it's by someone called Thomas Phelan - buy it noew ( and no I am not on commission!)

Don't think it is published in the UK but 'Of Course I Love You, Now Go to Your Room' by NZ parenting guru Diane Levy is one of the best reads ever ... The most straight forward sensible advice with no nonsense that encourages firm but fair parenting using no shouting or smacking ....
My parenting improved the day I finished reading it ... and so did DS behaviour ...

Hi Ghosty, I live in NZ and have seen that in the library. I'll give it a go.

And for a little light relief and real world sanity I really like the Best Friends Guides to... Much more grounded than most!

Agree with Harrysmum on the Best Friends guide to ..are wonderful. Very warm, very sane. The "What to Expect" guides are good for very factual stuff. Mixed feelings about the Three socks, two shoes and no hairbrush (???) one on second babies as much scarier than anything I have encountered to date. I used to buy parenting mags compulsively but I think they have the same 6 articles in rotation so have given up.

On a light note I liked The Fat Ladies club a lot, similòar to the best friend guide, but UK based.

I've just come across The Social Toddler (bought through The Children's Project)recently suggested to me by Aloha and it's a great book on understanding toddlers and their behaviour.
A bit expensive though...(£16)

God websmum, is it? I forgot it cost that much! still very small, not profit oriented company... Glad it wasn't a waste of money for you Webmum...

Also How Not To Be A Perfect Mother by Libby Purves, and the child psychology books by Jean Piaget for an intellectual stretch...

ghostmum do u know who the publisher is of that diane levy book u mentioned? i'm from south africa and would luv to trace it - maybe i'll find it in the library? i hav a 12 yr old, a 10 yr old and a 7 yr old (amongst others!) and they'r driving me nuts!

ghosty i mean, sorry lol

Not really for parents but children aged 9 to 13 ;"How to do homework without throwing up"useful tips,all ciommon sense but it went down well with my 9 yearold whohas taken some notice.Avaliable on Amazon.

Just to mention that Amazon have 30% off The Social Toddler.

I liked Becoming a Mother by Kate Mosse....its a good read without being overly scientific.