Seeking Suggestions on Parenting Books for Preschool Years

Here's another one. Doesn't necessarily talk about what is going on at 3 but is a good general discipline book for all ages from toddler to teenager. Just finished it and loved it. Called " No: why kids of all ages need to hear it and ways parents can say it" by David Walsh.

Read some of the reviews on Amazon...
http://www.amazon.com/NO-Kids-Ages-Need-Hear-Parents/dp/B...

"Your Three Year Old: Friend or Enemy" by Louise BAtes Ames.

In many ways, this book is quite outdated (written in the 80s) and oddly anti-feminist - but I haven't found any other book that lays out the developmental struggles of the 3-1/2 year old more clearly. Some of her advice is less useful, but I found that getting a better understanding of what the &%$* was going on inside my son's head helped me come up with strategies of my own. It's a tough age - we just barely seem to be emerging from it ourselves, as my son gets close to 4. Good luck!

I like Dobson's The Strong Willed Child. He clearly offers his advice on how to say things and what things you need to be firm on and others that you can let them be in charge of. Also, I truly believe that more things are caught rather than taught during this time of their lives. So we need to be careful as we role model our own behaviors and words around our children. A lot of the things I struggle with changing in my four year old, I realize he picked up on from myself or my husband. So we have tried to be more aware of how we treat each other and people around us and find better ways of dealing with frustrations and disapointments.

All of Mary Sheedy Kurcinka's books are excellent--"Raising Your Spirited Child," "Power Struggles" and "Sleepless in America." They were all helpful to me, but I especially appreciated the book about power struggles. Good luck.

"You're a better parent than you think" and "Discipline that lasts a lifetime" by Dr. Ray Guerendi are great! He has a very humorous but down to earth approach to child rearing. A parent of 10 himself and a psychologist by trade, he also has several books on teen development and familylife. You can find his books at most stores, or at his website at www.drray.com. He also has a really good daily radio show. Check his website for the time and station in your area.

I would (and do) check out books recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. They list them online at www.aap.org under bookstore. They have a lot of great info!

I know people turn to books, but I think if YOU turned out okay, why not just use what you were taught as a child.

If you have a mother figure in your life, why not ask her. I remember when my kids were growing up, I was always on the phone with either my mom, MIL or SIL. They didn't really have any parenting books when I was growing up.

What does your heart tell you to do. I think books are nice a guide, but every child is different. Each one has different circumstances, lives with different scenarios, lives in different envronments, etc.

I feel every child should be treated as an individual. And the only person that can truly help in that situation, is a mom or dad that has been down the same exact path.

Go with your heart. Treat your child as you would like to be treated. Trust your judgement. If you make a mistake, like we all do at some point, learn from it and try something else.

God Bless,
J.

I just finished Positive Discipline for Preschoolers myself. Some of the examples left me thinking, "Yeah, right! Are you kidding?" Anyway, I really loved The Happiest Toddler on the Block and I am really hoping there is a "Happiest Preschooler" too. My little boy is almost three - I feel your pain! (and of course your joy too!)

Raising Your Spirited Child, by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. This is a heart-stopper... you won't believe how helpful it is :o)