According to Steve Biddulph, if you are honest with your kids and don't do them down they will be happy...

[fillyjonk]

have I got it right?

oh yes and you need to put a positive spin on things.

but anger is ok.

if you do all this then they will share and express their emotions perfectly and know their colours at an early age?

Is this correct?

IWRIM
actually, with the week I have just had "you are NOT a moron" figures as quite a high point

Oh dear. He wouldn't approve of my conversation with DS1 (2.5) last week:

DS2 wailing from cot. I sigh...... and look at DS1. Before I can open my mouth he says, 'is DS2 a suckin' ginger whinger today mum?'.

Oh yes honesty always the best policy

'Oh yes dear Mummy is a bt annoyed as Daddy is being a wanker but thats OK love, I wont be thrwing him out becuase he earns lots of money'

fab

(Disclaimer: My Dh is OK really and doesnt earn any more than i did so this si what is widely known as a joke).

Agree with MD.

I reckon they learn more skills from a good day with their family just doing nothing much than they do from most things.

But I am a Lax Parent

This is a good muddling-along book, fio

Also this one (the first review suggests it's a good psychology book for HR managers )

Also this but it looks like it's out of print.

None of them are Serious Parenting Manuals but they all have some good encouraging and funny bits

OTOH they're all about 20 years old - not sure if that reduces their relevance?