Books about raising boys/parenting

[FlightofFancy]

I've seen a few books mentioned here, but can't remember which ones people loved/hated and keep forgetting to note them down. Any recommendations please?

I think one was 'Raising Boys', then something about 'Last boy in the woods'?

I've got 'What mothers do...', which is great (though I probably bought it a few months too late!).

Open to all ideas - not looking for an instruction manual, but for some food-for-thought. I will forewarn that while I'm open-minded and occasionally known to eat lentils, I'm probably closer to the routine/GF end of the parenting continuum than attachment parenting/UP.

I have 3 DS and recently read Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph (?sp).

Found it a revelation and really helped me to understand better what makes boys tick. Have been raving about it to all my friends with boys ever since.

Sorry Haribojoe, but i found Raising Boys really disappointing.

So, boys benefit from 1:1 care, preferably from their mothers, until at least 3 and you shouldn't send them to school until they're 6. Well thanks a lot for that.

(Also used far too many exclamation marks).

Ah, no, I probably won't get on with that if that's the theme. I like the sound of it, but have enough guilt already about full time nursery! My DH has another Biddulph - Manhood/Fatherhood or similar - might see how he gets on with that.

Any other ideas welcome!

I've just read one that I found really interesting...it's called Letting go as CHildren Grow by Deborah Jackson...it's basically abouut independence and letting children learn through their own actions...hard to describe but lots of food for thought.

Playful Parenting is FAB. Loads of top tips that genuinely make life better and a fresh philosophical approach x

I really disliked Raising Boys too I'm afraid.

Read raising boys, was interesting but littleomar summarises it perfectly. Save your money.

Currently reading '21st century boys' by Sue Palmer, there was a webchat on here with her a while ago which made me get her book, I'm only on chapter 3 now but so far so good.

Next read will be 'How to talk so kids will listen' as it seems to come highly recommended on various threads.

HTH.

My view of parenting books is that if you get even one useful idea from the book that helps you it was worth reading. I learned a couple of things from raising boys that I didn't know.
Mine are older and the best one I read recently was called "Mum please stop ruining my life but first take me and Alex into town"

Sums up the early teens.

I read "Raising a Son" and "Raising a Daughter" by Don and Jean Elium. The son one was better for me but I think that may be because being a girl, it was a bit more insightful.
I have also found How to talk.... really helpful.
I like to think of anything I gain from reading books/tv parenting programmes or parenting courses as being tools in my tool box. I might use some more than others but they can all be a bit handy when the need arises.

I also liked Playful Parenting.

It reminds you how important play is, how you can understand what's going on in a child's mind by watching what they play, and use playfulness and humour to diffuse confrontations.

Saying No - by Aisha Philips is good

How to Talk

ooh yes How to Talk is ace.