Parenting Book Recommendation for Stepfather of a Preschool-aged Boy...

Warning!! Danger!!

I KNOW it's hard, when husbands are making so many mistakes, but try REALLY hard not to micromanage your husband's relationship with his stepson, your son. It can seriously backfire and harm their relationship.

I know whereof I speak, so please don't make that mistake. As much as you can tolerate it, if your husband is generally loving toward your son, allow him to parent HIS way, or you will regret it. Mom and Dad can parent differently in some ways, and that is okay.

I love that new quote I just learned from Rae on another question, "unsolicited advice is implied criticism." I think, unless your husband is asking for advice, you should skip giving him a book. He will feel criticized, and possibly start to withdraw from your son.

ooohhh, i don't think it's the stepson thing. my husband is the same way with my son. don't know why. my daughter (who is older and both ours) can do anything just about and he has the patient of a saint. our son, can do the same thing and he jumps all over him. my son is quite a bit like his father. i think this is why. it's so bad sometimes that my son tells me and his father that his father loves/likes his daughter more. of course he doesn't, but there is a difference in how he treats them. i would probably get onto my child also if they were playing on the exersaucer if the baby was in it. i wouldn't want it to tip over.

I'm sorry, why should he not be corrected? (I'm not talking punished, but truly corrected.) Your child will not magically decide not to do these things without guidance!! Yep, these behaviors ARE typical...but...it's also typical for adults to correct them. This is the first time you've had a four you old, as well...is it not? (I don't know, I'm just assuming.) You are not an expert, either. Perhaps, you both should read the book you choose?

P.S.
I assume, you think I'm the one who was lecturing you. Not the case, because I wasn't...and never intended to. I was simply saying, perhaps there are times where these actions merit a correction. Not all the time (aside from the jumperoo situation.), but there are times when these behaviors aren't appropriate. However, I was talking about CORRECTING those behaviors. Yelling, is not correcting. My answer would have been different, had you said yelling. In my original answer, I did forget to mention a book...something the first answer provided a link for. "How to Behave so Your Preschooler Will, Too."

I've recently been reading Parenting with Love and Logic, by Jim Fay as well as Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline and I Love You Rituals, both by Dr. Becky Bailey. These three books together have given me tips to greatly improve my parenting skills, reduce my tendency to get irritated with my kids and help me see discipline as learning opportunities for me and my kids. Even if you chose just one of these books, it would give you/your husband great tips that work. Now if I can just get my husband to read the books!! Best of luck!!

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/preschoolers-jane-nelsen/...

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/preschooler-problem-solve...

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-behave-so-your-pre...

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-preschool-years-judy-...

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/parents-preschooler-dicti...