Book Review - You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent: How to Practice Self-Compassion and Give Yourself a Break

About the Book
In You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent: How to Practice Self-Compassion and Give Yourself a Break of course you think you’re doing a sh*tty job. Every parent does. It’s pretty much a byproduct of our society, with its incessant demands coupled with the in-your-face competitiveness parents see on social media. Unfortunately, the pandemic only made things worse, as parents juggled the stresses of helping their kids navigate online schooling while they also had to work from home. All of which makes Carla Naumburg’s new book utterly necessary. Author of How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids, with 149,000 copies in print, Naumburg delivers her message right up front—You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent—that all parents need to hear and believe in. And she does it with her singular understanding, relatably funny voice, and keen insights. 

 You don’t react calmly to every situation? That doesn’t make you a sh*tty parent. You’d rather hide in the back of the closet than play dolls with your child (because you hate dolls)—nope, doesn’t mean you’re a sh*tty parent. The fact is, great parenting is not the same thing as perfect parenting. Great parenting starts with true self-compassion, the kind that means you don’t judge yourself. Harnessing this self-compassion is the key to giving yourself a break and embracing your best qualities as a parent. There are four evidence-based elements of self-compassion—noticing, connection, curiosity, and compassion of course—and Naumburg gives tangible steps for how to use each to help parents reduce their anxiety, trust their instincts, move past the guilt and become a calmer, more confident parent. Which, in the end, benefits your child as much as you.

My Take on the Book
This book was a fun way to look at parenting. Any parent knows that there are times where we all will feel like bad parents but that does not mean that we are. This book really makes you look inwards to reinvent the way that you think about yourself and about parenting. The nice thing is that the author really validates parents and lets us acknowledge what it is like to be a parent and helps us to know that it is ok to be the parent that we are and that we can give ourselves the recognition that we deserve. 

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Book Review - Raising Children That Other People Like to Be Around

About the Book
In an age where children’s lives are filled with instant gratification and parents want to give their kids everything on a silver platter, is it any wonder that kids are growing up with a sense of entitlement?

By giving children the latest technology, newest cars, or designer clothes without actually teaching them to earn them, parents often raise children who have no ability to solve problems or deal with adversity. Richard Greenberg believes that learning to overcome obstacles is a skill that will serve children well as they head into adulthood. “As parents we want to give our kids the world, making their lives easier than what we might have experienced growing up, but it’s possible that we can actually hurt them by not exposing them to adversity and giving them the skills they need to become self-sustaining in the longer term.”

The parenting process is designed to succeed; yet millions of parents wonder if they’re doing things “right.” After raising four kids over thirty years, Richard Greenberg shows how tapping into the common sense you already have is the first key to parenting. Then it’s a matter of putting that knowledge to work- which is what you’ll learn in Raising Children That Other People Like To Be Around. His book gives parents an overview of the process while offering guidelines to reduce conflict between parents and their kids, improve communication within any family, and replace the stress of parenting with true common sense. “Teaching children respect means showing respect for ourselves. It’s not easy to live an ‘exemplary’ life, but trying really hard to do so is exactly what being a parent is. None of us are perfect, but every day we have opportunities to show our kids the high road not only in our expectations of them, but in our expectations of ourselves.”

About Richard Greenberg:
Richard Greenberg is native of Los Angeles. In 1976, he graduated from UCLA with a bachelor’s degree in English. Shortly thereafter, he married his childhood sweetheart JoAnn, and they continue to happily parent three sons and a daughter. For 30 years Richard worked in the entertainment industry as a post-production executive, editor and writer/producer. Richard shares his wisdom and strategy in the book, in his Huffington Post column and on his website CommonSenseDad.com.

My Take on the Book
This book was very interesting to read. Yes, it is common sense but when you often look around in our world at how some children act with their parents , it makes you wonder where the common sense is. I like to think there are more children who are brought up with learning to respect themselves and others, that they learn there are boundaries to follow, and that they become loving, caring, and treat others with the Golden Rule.

So this book has five common sense goals: set an example, make the rules, apply the rules, respect ourselves,and teach in all things. Richard Greenberg wrote a book that is easy to read with multiple examples of each "common sense" applied within his family dynamics as he and his wife raised their children. His book will make the reader think about their own parenting . Maybe tweaking your parenting is not such a bad idea or maybe you will find that you apply most of his ideas.

Greenberg believes that the greatest gift parents can give their children is to be loving, caring and firm. You are your child's first teacher. Children live by example in many instances. Why not take a look at his ideas and ask yourself how you measure up?

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Book Review - Motivate Your Child

About the Book
Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller, RN, BSN, teach parents how to help children form the internal strength they'll need every day as they grow older.

Parents have the greatest influence on their children's character. Mom or Dad's words, choices, actions, and reactions mold a child's view of almost everything. It can be a terrifying thought. But there is hope.

Dr. Scott Turansky and Joanna Miller have spent years helping parents cultivate a healthy conscience and a vibrant faith in their kids. Motivate Your Child is a straightforward guide to doing this at home. Every chapter includes practical examples of families applying the Bible to their current issues, such as backtalking or being mean to siblings. From the "Integrity Package" to the "The Family Challenge," they offer words to say, plans to implement, and ideas for working it out day by day.

With God's help, it is possible to train and direct a child's internal motivation-motivation that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

About the Authors

Scott Turansky has been a pastor and missionary for more than 33 years and is an author of several books. In addition to pastoring full time, Scott also conducts parenting seminars on Saturdays around the United States (http://www.effectiveparenting.org/). He is the cofounder of the National Center for Biblical Parenting (www.biblicalparenting.org) and has co-authored four books.

Joanne Miller is a pediatric nurse with 26 years of experience and the cofounder of the National Center for Biblical Parenting. She is the coauthor of seven parenting books.



My Take on the Book
How many times in your life as a parent have you had to hard on your kids to get things done. I know that I, for one, have had to do this many times in my children's lives. That being said this book is a great resource that provides any parent with a full array of resources and tips to try with any type of child. From the very first pages you are given valuable insights and things to consider with your own child. I particularly liked the quiz in chapter 3 as it let me see my kids, especially my oldest in a brand new light and it will do the same for you too. The book is written for all families and you will quickly find new strength and energy in your resolve in the practical, down-to-earth ideas shared in the pages of this book!

I highly recommend this to any parent or grandparent, it is invaluable!

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Yell Less, Love More is a Must Read for Parents#dadchat

About the Book
The Rhino: A naturally calm animal that charges when provoked.

The Orange Rhino: A person that parents with warmth and determination and who doesn't charge with words when angry, impatient, or simply in a bad mood.

Every parent knows the breaking point: that moment where you snap and lose your cool with the kids. It’s a terrible feeling and it can lead to darker thoughts about our parenting style and whether we were ultimately even meant to be parents. It happens to all of us, but it doesn’t have to.

With the new book Yell Less, Love More [Fair Winds Press, November 2014, $21.99 US / $24.99 CAN] parents will learn practical, simple solutions to keep them focused on loving more and yelling less, no matter what the circumstance.

Author Sheila McCraith, also known as The Orange Rhino® (www.theorangerhino.com), is a mom to four boys, all under the age of 7. In January 2012, after her handyman caught her screaming at her boys, she made a promise that she would go 365 days straight withoutyelling at her kids. To chronicle her progress, keep herself accountable, and find support, Sheila launched her blog, The Orange Rhino Challenge®, shortly after her promise was made. She successfully met her goal in 2013 and the book was born out of her experiment.

In this guidebook to happier parenting, Sheila shares daily thoughts, tips, and motivational personal stories to help parents toss out the screams and welcome in the peace. In addition it features a 30-Day Challenge to readers which encourages them to at least try not yelling – if only for a few days at a time.

Whether the reader has one child or twenty,YELL LESS, LOVE MORE will strengthen the reader’s relationships with their family as a whole and help each of them to laugh a little more and scream a lot less.




My Take on the Book
This was an open, honest and down-to-earth book that really makes you take a close look at your parenting and re-evaluate how you parent. I can say that I have gone down the path to frustration which can lead to yelling, which is never fun. This book gives you practical tools that will help you to be a more patient and to break the cycle of yelling (not an easy thing to do). In saying this though I felt that the author was there to help me every step of the way, and there were numerous chapters that I re-read afterward as they had a lot to say. I gained a lot from the entire book and highly recommend this to any parent who, link me, has started to yell more than using other mechanisms, you will thank me later! The author also invites you to join her 30-Day Yell Less, Love More Challenge - check it out for yourself!


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Cooper & Kid Introduces Catch - A New EZine for Dads

Being a dad just got even better. Cooper and Kid (www.cooperandkid.com), the retail brand that champions dads through dedicated products and services designed to help men embrace their mission into fatherhood, announces the launch of a new online publication for dads: Catch (http://cooperandkid.com/catch/). Catch, e-published on Cooper and Kid’s newly redesigned website, released its first issue on August 19, 2013.

Created by Cooper and Kid founder Nichole Smaglick, Catch offers honest and often humorous content contributed by a diverse selection of dads to help all men with children navigate through fatherhood. “Catch is an intelligent and accessible online portal for dads to explore, celebrate, and navigate through what it means to be a father, as well as enhance the critical rite of passage into fatherhood,” says Smaglick. “While the market is saturated with content geared towards moms and expecting moms, there are only a few scattered resources that dads can turn to, and Catch satisfies this void for all fathers.

Articles will be categorized into eight topic pillars: The Meatball Man Date – 1 on 1’s with dads; Cowboy Compass – outdoor skills and stories; Play – projects and toys; First, Get the Pancake – cooking and food as a dad; Manual Shift – exploring the gear-change of fatherhood; Body Shop – workouts and nutrition; Art and Entertainment – books, movies, TV, music, videos, apps, games; and Battle Zone – a weekly face-off for all things dad, man and parenting. A ninth pillar is expected to follow soon after launch. New content will be published daily, Monday through Friday. Contributors include real dads and also celebrity dads and newsmakers.

“Becoming a dad changes a man’s life not only in his perception of self and personal growth, but also how he manages his free-time, career, finances, health, relationships and inner moral compass, says Smaglick. “Dads will explore that metamorphosis of becoming a father with humor and straight-talk honesty, discover dad and non-dad tips on cool things to do, as well as ways to handle new situations and poignant manhood fodder. Topics and writers will evolve over time, so every time dads return, they will ‘Catch’ something new.”



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Book Review - The Love Dare for Parents

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

About the Book
From the authors of international best-selling marriage book The Love Dare comes The Love Dare for Parents, a 40-day journey of “dares” challenging one or both parents to understand, practice, and communicate Christ-like love to their children.

Easy to read and work into a busy schedule, The Love Dare for Parents is designed to “turn the hearts of parents to their children and turn the hearts of children to their parents” (Malachi 4:6) so that moms and dads can more fully enjoy and delight in their children while maximizing the positive impact they have on their lives long term.

Each day brings a promising key verse from Scripture, a biblical principle about love that applies to parenting, a specific challenge the parent does for the sake of their child, and space to journal thoughts and reflect on what happened that day.

The Love Dare for Parents even includes access to a FREE online parenting assessment, helpfully keyed to select material in the book.

Parents, take the dare for just $14.99!

Other products available: The Love Dare for Parents Bible Study: Study Guide , The Love Dare (for couples)

Website:
http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/books/products.asp?p=9781433668524

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/bhpublishing?fref=ts

Download a Sample Chapter:
http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/PDF/9781433668524_ldfp_sampCh.pdf



About the Authors
Stephen Kendrick is senior associate pastor of preaching and prayer at Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia. He is also a screenwriter (Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous) and movie producer and co-wrote the New York Times best sellers The Love Dare and The Resolution for Men with his brother, Alex. Stephen and his wife, Jill, have four children.

Alex Kendrick is associate pastor of movie outreach for Sherwood Baptist Church. He is also an actor, writer, and director whose film credits include Facing the Giants, Fireproof, and Courageous. He and his wife, Christina, have six children.

My Take on the Book
I have read and practiced the Love Dare for Couples in the past and found this book to be a great book to read and share with my spouse. In reading through this book I have to say that the authors have done a great job again in putting together a book that will allow you to learn and grown as a couple (if you are a two family parent unit) while being better parents to your children.

The book has some amazing things within it that will help you in better parenting your children that are both practical in nature and spiritual as well. The book allows you to gain a better understand for what your role is as a parent, not only in the eyes of your children =, but also in the eyes of God.

This is a book that will challenge you while motivating and encouraging you to do and be a better parent. I know that I learned so much and am still learning as I go through the 40 day journey myself and you will too!

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Book Review - Success Express for Teens

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

About the Book
With all the challenges and uncertainty in a teen's life, self-discovery and setting a foundation for the future is difficult. "Who am I?" and "How can I become the person I want to be?" are questions that frequently haunt teenagers.

With the help of Roger Leslie's book, Success Express for Teens: 50 Activities that Will Change Your Life, today's teenagers can begin to discover more about themselves and learn about setting attainable goals.

Leslie compares choosing a direction for your life with going to a train station and deciding which train will take you to your desired destination.

The ticket for every destination in life is commitment. "Are you required to remain only on one train all your life?" students ask Leslie. "Of course not," he reassures them. "You may return to the depot at any time to pick a new train, or you may re-board old trains you once took but left earlier."

To help young people decide on a destination, this award-winning teacher developed and refined the exercises shared in Success Express for Teens. Throughout the book, the brief, action-oriented activities pose the questions "What should I do next?", "How?" and "What's in it for me?" After describing the goal of the activity, Leslie then leaves room to respond to specific instructions and reflect on how the knowledge can be put to immediate use in real life.

The activities are set up to encourage teenagers to clarify their highest ambitions, identify wise risks, and develop motivation that will help make them self-starters and keep them focused on their goals--even in the face of adversity. Leslie subtly teaches students about their dynamic relationship with life and the empowering role they play in any destiny to which they aspire.

Teens can take their journey to success independently by completing the suggested activities on their own. In addition, the book has a helpful appendix for teachers, counselors, group leaders and parents which details ways to turn each of the 50 activities into shared group experiences for five to fifty teens.

So, whether alone or with their peers, teens can board the Success Express and move toward identifying and realizing their dreams.

About the Author
Roger Leslie, an award-winning author and teacher, is widely recognized by school districts, state universities, and national education groups for his original and dynamic techniques. Success Express was inspired by his own personal struggle with depression as a teen and his passion and respect for the limitless possibilities in the young people he now works with every day. He is also the author of Library Programs that Inspire and Drowning in Secret, a novel. He is a YA book reviewer for Booklist.

My Take on the Book
Te author of this book has put together a great workbook for any teen, or any person working with teens to help them truly look at their current life and where they want to be.This book is really a workbook that walks the reader or facilitator step-by-step towards setting goals that can be attained and toward a future that as a parent I know that I want for my own children. There were so many great tips and ideas in this and as my children reach this age I hope that I too can use these tips with them as I think they will be very valuable in the long run.
If you have a teen now, I highly recommend this book for your teen or for you to use with them as it will definitely open lines of communication that will allow you to all work together toward the common future that you and your child wants. 

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Book Review - Dad is Fat

About the Book
In Dad is Fat, stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan, who’s best known for his legendary riffs on Hot Pockets, bacon, manatees, and McDonald's, expresses all the joys and horrors of life with five young children—everything from cousins ("celebrities for little kids") to toddlers’ communication skills (“they always sound like they have traveled by horseback for hours to deliver important news”), to the eating habits of four year olds (“there is no difference between a four year old eating a taco and throwing a taco on the floor”). Reminiscent of Bill Cosby’s Fatherhood, Dad is Fat is sharply observed, explosively funny, and a cry for help from a man who has realized he and his wife are outnumbered in their own home.

About the Author
Jim Gaffigan is a stand-up comedian and actor with numerous film, television, and stage credits. He lives in Manhattan with his wife, Jeannie, and their five children in a two-bedroom apartment.

My Take on the Book
This was a hilarious book which is what I would have expected from Jim Gaffigan. I have been a fan of his comedy for some time so I was definitely excited to be able to read and experience his own take on parenthood. As I was reading this I found myself laughing out loud in many places, and finding myself agreeing and nodding my head in so many other places. There is so much in this book that a parent will enjoy and anyone that is even thinking of being a parent will get a kick out of the author's experiences as well. This was a well written book that will make you laugh and feel that you have someone to definitely commiserate with you in your parenting journey!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Mom, I'm Not a Kid Anymore: Navigating 25 Inevitable Conversations That Arrive Before You Know It

About the Book

Raising a preteen can often sneak up on parents—one day boys are gross, and the next their names are written into hearts. Suddenly everything mom and dad do is so embarrassing, best friends can turn into bullies overnight, and everybody has Facebook. Connecting with someone who not so long ago used to be your baby and now only responds in shrugs and eye-rolls is difficult, but connection is exactly what a preteen just figuring out who he or she is needs.

Guiding by example, Sue Sanders sheds a little light on how parents can handle the mood swings, the slammed doors and the “you’re-not-the-boss-of-me’s,” and talk to their emerging teenager with mutual respect. In MOM, I’M NOT A KID ANYMORE: Navigating 25 Inevitable Conversations That Arrive Before You Know It, Sanders, equipped with a self-aware sense of humor, takes on her daughter Lizzie’s toughest questions, from the ones a parent can see coming to the ones that come out of nowhere. Everything is fair game: Religion, puberty, the word “like” (as in, “That is, like, so awesome”), divorce, drugs, technology and privacy, HPV vaccines, and mean girls—a topic on which Lizzie’s experience prompts Sanders to contact the mean girl who tormented her in seventh grade. The conversations are sometimes unexpected, sometimes awkward, but always honest.

Mom, I’m Not a Kid Anymore is the ideal book for those who might be dreading the day their teen asks them if they’ve ever smoked marijuana, or those who don’t quite know how to broach difficult subjects. With refreshing wit and startling candor, Sanders and her daughter help other families prepare for handling modern situations, reminding them to trust their intuition in order to build a solid foundation for genuine communication.

About the Author
Sue Sanders’ writing has appeared in The New York Times, the Oregonian, Parents, Family Circle, and on Salon and Babble, among others. Her stories have been included in the anthologies Ask Me About My Divorce and Women Reinvented. She lives in Portland, Oregon, with her husband and daughter. 

My Take on the Book
This was a well written book that provides any parent with an uncensored, honest approach to talking to their child about issues that will definitely come up in middle school and beyond. While I still have a few years until I hit this point, for me I know that I will need as much help as I can get. What I loved was that the book is not only from the mom's point of view, but also brings in her daughter so you can see the conversations from both perspectives. This makes the book that much stronger and so much more of a resource for me as a father that I think it would have been if it was only one-sided. Reading this will open your eyes towards the things that are to come, and how best you can stay connected through these changing times with your own child!


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - The Christian Mama's Guide to the Grade School Years

About the Book
Prepares moms for the time when their school-aged kids take their first few steps into the world and away from mama's nest.

Sending a child off to school is a whole lot more than stocking up on school supplies and packing a (somewhat) healthy lunch. This helpful guidebook walks Christian moms through:

• discovering a long-term vision for the person that Christ has purposed for your child to become
• instilling a sense of "who I am and where I came from" in your child
• choosing a school for your kids
• helping your kids to develop key attributes—courage, kindness, perseverance—that lead to success in school
• dealing with teachers, sports, and lessons
• navigating those difficult conversations that will come sooner rather than later
• a special feature includes sidebars "From the Principal's Office" with insights from a 35-year elementary school principal and educator
• Moms will learn how to cover their children in prayer so that their launch into the world, and away from her control, is done with grace and wisdom—helping them grow into the men and women God intended them to be.

My Take on the Book
I had not read any of the books in the series before, but in reading this I have to say that I loved the topics and how honest and practical the advice that the author gives. I saw one other review that mentioned that there were some concerns regarding the credibility of the author. I thought the advice that she gave was sound but there were a few points where you could tell that she had not yet experienced or explored the area as much as in others. Though I say this, the ideas that she provided were valuable and I found some new ones that I have already started to implement myself. The book looks at both heavy and light-hearted topics and gives parents resources to maneuver through them all. Any parent will gather valuable insights from this book that they can put to good use right away which is part of the power of this book!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Raise Him Up

About the Book
There is no greater hope for single mothers than to watch their sons succeed, and African-American single mothers face more adversity than most. Raise Him Up delves into the challenges faced by African-American single moms and offers advice, scriptural support, and helpful prayers. Each chapter relates a spiritual point taken from the book of Acts, a mother's story, and draws parallels to the struggles of the modern day African-American mother. Chapters also offer stories of African-American athletes who were raised by single moms, and against all odds, succeeded.

Moms will learn to give encouragement, push their boys to try new things, and keep them out of trouble. Raise Him Up is essential reading for single African-American moms who want nothing more than to see their sons grow into happy, successful men.

Features include:

• Helpful tips and tools for raising successful men
• Hopeful stories of success in the face of adversity
• Scripture from the book of Acts

My Take on the Book
While I am the father of two girls, I have plenty of friends who are raising boys, and I know that the experience that they have is much different than my own. Also, while this book speaks of raising successful black men, I found that reading it, many of the ideas that were shared were transferable to the raising of boys in general. I cannot say that all of the ideas were, but I did see the transferability. The book itself was well written, and I loved the fact that the author used popular and well-known athletes to show persistence and the ability to overcome adversity. One of the strong points of the book though was the tie to spirituality as each chapter connected to back to the book of Acts, which I found to be an interesting parallel. I have read this book of the Bible numerous times and it's taken away from it many different things, but I love the way in which the author makes this book of the Bible even more relatable and practical in a society that is constantly changing.

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Surviving Your Adolescents: How to Manage and Let Go of Your 13-18 Year Olds

About the Book 
A step-by-step approach to handling teenagers, this guide helps parents end hassles and improve their relationship with their adolescent. Parents learn how to communicate with teenagers, how to manage teenage risk-taking, how to let go in certain situations, and when to seek professional attention. Concise and encouraging, this resource walks parents through the ups and downs of parenting teenagers as their kids push towards independence.

About the Author
Thomas W. Phelan, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and the bestselling author of 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children, Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder, All About Attention Deficit Disorder, “I Never Get Anything!,” and Self-Esteem Revolutions in Children. He lives in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.

My Take on the Book
This was an easy to understand guide for any parent working with a teenager. The book is practical and offers a step-by-step approach that anyone can understand and appreciate. It is so important to be able to "let go" of your teen, even though you may not feel that they are ready, as it promotes independence, and this book helps parents with this process. Though it is not easy, it is important and I for one am happy to have read this far ahead of the teen years so that I can better prepare myself too. I also can already tell that I will be referring back and re-reading this as the time gets closer. If you currently have a teen or will have one in the near future, this is a great read that will provide you with some great guidance!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - The Child Whisperer

About the Book
You've been there feeling helpless, clueless, when a child you love totally bewilders you.

Maybe it's the tantrum at the store, or the hour-long bedtime battle, or the head-scratcher of getting your child to eat veggies. You wonder what on Earth to do, so you get advice, read books, watch videos, ask the internet. And still, something's missing.

You need a plan that addresses your child's needs, not everyone else's. Why couldn't children come with a handbook?

Turns out, children are born with a handbook they are the handbook.

In The Child Whisperer, bestselling author Carol Tuttle explains that children tell their parents every day exactly how they need to be parented. They tell their teachers exactly how they need to be taught. Children are trying to tell adults who they are so they can be recognized and treated in a way that honors them uniquely.

The Child Whisperer reveals that the key to raising happy, healthy, cooperative children lies in understanding and responding to a child's inner nature.

Children's true natures are written in the shape of their faces and expressed daily in their appearance, body language, tone of voice, and choice of words. Your child's unique laugh, cry, joys, worries, and even tantrums speak volumes about they type of parenting they need. And you'll learn exactly how to offer it by reading The Child Whisperer.

This simple but unique approach actually makes parenting more intuitive, fun, cooperative, and most importantly customized to your individual child.

The Child Whisperer will give you the tools to:

• Have a happier, more cooperative child, using less discipline
• Foster more confidence and natural success in your child
• Repair trouble parent/teen relationships
• Reconnect with your adult children

The Child Whisperer teaches how to read unsaid clues that children naturally give every day, and shows how parenting, teaching, coaching, and mentoring children can be an even more intuitive, cooperative experience than ever.

About the Author
Carol Tuttle is the best-selling author of five books and the creator of online learning programs Energy Profiling and Dressing Your Truth.

Carol received her post-baccalaureate training in numerous energy psychology and natural healing methods. For over 20 years, her work in the field of self-help and personal development has helped hundreds of thousands worldwide to improve every aspect of their lives--from money, to health, relationships, fashion, parenting, to overall emotional well-being.

Her first two books, The Path to Wholeness and Remembering Wholeness, promote personal growth by teaching empowering energy healing methods.

In her experience with energy healing, Carol observed that different people express different energies and natural movements. She developed a program called Energy Profiling that helps people identify and honor their true natures, strengths, and gifts. Her book, It's Just My Nature, explains this program in depth.

Applying her Energy Profiling model to beauty and fashion, she then created an online makeover program called Dressing Your Truth. Women from over 60 countries around the world have become members of Carol's Dressing Your Truth program. Carol's book Dressing Your Truth: Discover Your Personal Beauty Profile is the first step to dressing true to your nature.

Carol Tuttle's latest book applies Energy Profiling to the world of parenting. The Child Whisperer turns longstanding parenting assumptions on their heads and shows how parenting can be an even more intuitive, cooperative, fulfilling experience than any good parent even imagines.

Carol is the mother of five grown children. She and Jonathan, her husband of 32 years, reside in Utah. Carol enjoys the outdoors and loves to challenge herself through competitive tennis and triathlons. Her favorite place in the world, besides home, is the North Shore of Oahu.

My Take on the Book
This was a practical book that provides the reader with some sage advice on how to develop strong and lasting relationships with your child while still maintaining a sense of decorum within the home. The author provides so many tips that any parent can utilize right away to change the way you discipline as well as really listening to your child to hear how they wish to be disciplined. The ideas that the author shared in this book made sense and to me were ones that I could see any parent using. While I can tell that the concepts will take time and patience to implement, they were straight forward and were concepts that made a lot of sense. This was a great book that all parents will appreciate!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Keys to Parenting Your Teenager

About the Book
Proven techniques to understand and deal with common teen behaviors. Dr. Don Fontenelle describes normal adolescent behavior patterns in common situations including interactions with the internet and violence in schools. He points out that rebellion and anger are part of every teenager's healthy drive toward maturity and independence. Using easy-to-read language, he provides proven methods that enable parents to interact with teens on a daily basis-and know when to consult a professional.

About the Author
Don H. Fontenelle received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Oklahoma State University and has practiced in the profession for more than a quarter-century. He has spent most of his career treating children, parents, and teachers. He has authored thirteen books on the subject, some of which have been translated into French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic. His workshops on child and adolescent behavior have been widely praised. Fontenelle is in private practice in Metairie, Louisiana.

My Take on the Book
What I loved most about this book was how practical and how easy it was to understand the concepts that were being shared. The author has laid out so many great ideas for how best you can connect with your child while avoiding the pitfalls and arguments that many times come in the teenage years. As I mentioned the book was very easy to understand and implement and as my daughter gets ready to enter her tween years I know that this book will be an extremely valuable resource for me!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - It's OK Not to Share and Other Renegade Rules for Raising Competent and Compassionate Kids

About the Book 
Parenting can be such an overwhelming job that it’s easy to lose track of where you stand on some of the more controversial subjects at the playground (What if my kid likes to rough house—isn’t this ok as long as no one gets hurt? And what if my kid just doesn’t feel like sharing?). In this inspiring and enlightening book, Heather Shumaker describes her quest to nail down “the rules” to raising smart, sensitive, and self-sufficient kids. Drawing on her own experiences as the mother of two small children, as well as on the work of child psychologists, pediatricians, educators and so on, in this book Shumaker gets to the heart of the matter on a host of important questions. Hint: many of the rules aren’t what you think they are!

The “rules” in this book focus on the toddler and preschool years—an important time for laying the foundation for competent and compassionate older kids and then adults. Here are a few of the rules:

• It’s OK if it’s not hurting people or property
•  Bombs, guns and bad guys allowed.
• Boys can wear tutus. 
• Pictures don’t have to be pretty. 
• Paint off the paper! 
• Sex ed starts in preschool 
• Kids don’t have to say “Sorry.” 
• Love your kid’s lies.

IT’S OK NOT TO SHARE is an essential resource for any parent hoping to avoid PLAYDATEGATE (i.e. your child’s behavior in a social interaction with another child clearly doesn’t meet with another parent’s approval)!

My Take on the Book
This was a fun way to look at the "rules" that you have in your own home and whether you can avoid some of the rote rules that you would typically have to instead have some unique and what the author refers to as "renegade rules". If you have young children, the idea of this book is that you step in and start these renegade rules young and let the children grow and develop with them. Some of the idea in this book were completely out of the box and there were others that were ones that I have tried myself. All-in-all though this book was a breath of fresh air and it makes you look at parenting in a completely different way! This is a must read for all parents!


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Tough Guys and Drama Queens: How Not to Get Blindsided by Your Child's Teen Years

About the Book
Parents of preteens and teens can move from scared to prepared with a new approach to parenting their adolescents.

Parents of preteens intuitively know that no matter how good their kids are, there is turbulence ahead. Many feel lost and unprepared as they watch the damaging effects of culture collide with their child's growing pains and raging hormones.

For the past 35 years Mark Gregston has lived and worked with struggling teens and knows what it takes to reach them. He says, "A parent's success has little to do with either the validity of their words or their intent as messengers, it's more about how they approach their child and engage with them."

The book is divided into three sections:

• What's so different about today's culture 
• Why traditional parenting no longer works 
• A new model for parenting teens 

Foundational and practical, and written from the crucible of experience, Tough Guys and Drama Queens answers the questions that parents are asking, helping them become the parents their children need them to be.



My Take on the Book
This book opened my eyes to how society is impacting today's teenagers. I know that right now I am scared about what will be in store for me in five years when my daughter is a teenager, but I know that parents today are going through similar concerns and this book does a good job at allowing parents to better understand what to expect when it comes to teens today. On top of this, the book was practical and provided valuable insights into what parents should be doing today to better parent their teens. What's even better though is the fact that the author knows what he is talking about and is sharing 35 years of experience in the model that he is proposing which is invaluable!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Because I Said So

About the Book
In “Because I Said So: A Guide to Negotiating with Children and Grown Ups” (ISBN 061559221X), Barry J. Elms lets readers see through the eyes of a professional negotiator. A parent and business negotiation skills coach, Elms has taught deal making and bargaining techniques to Federal Reserve officials, General Motors executives, welfare case managers and Asian business professionals. Now, he shares his insights into how the negotiation process really works.

“Because I Said So” is a how-to guide told through informative stories and game plans that describe how Elms negotiates with business acquaintances, friends and family members. He gives a blow-by-blow account of the problems he encounters in the negotiation process and how he resolves them.

Strategies are not just confined to corporate boardrooms and golf fairways where business executives gather. Elms honestly reveals how he uses the same negotiation skills and techniques in his own family life to resolve issues with his children. As he jokes, “Don’t let your children read this book unless you want them to be as good a negotiator as you are.”

Adding to the authenticity of his message in “Because I Said So,” Elms reveals stories that are very personal in nature which reveal the intimate dynamics of bargaining. Business professionals and harried parents alike will be interested in this book for its practical skills and its insights into human behavior. Its games plans and strategies will help readers perfect the art of the deal and give them new confidence to approach any negotiations process that comes their way.

“Because I Said So: A Guide to Negotiating with Children and Grown Ups” is available for sale online at Amazon.com and other channels.

About the Author
Barry J. Elms has a speaking and business negotiations training career that spans over 20 years. He is president of Strategic Negotiations International. He has delivered over 2,000 presentations to corporations and business groups and sports a client roster that includes Verizon, Shell Oil, Ford Motor Credit, Dell Computers, Boeing, Goodyear and the Federal Reserve.

My Take on the Book
What I loved about this book is that the author takes his negotiation experience in corporate America and turns it into an easy to read and understand resource for any parent. You are given some great advice in the pages of this book on how to work with any type of child and how to stay on top of your parental duties no matter what the situation. The author uses some great examples and offers some practical solutions to dealing with your own children. This was a great book that every parent should pick up and read as it will change the way in which you engage with your own children and the way that you can come to better consensus in the long run.


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Teenage as a Second Language

About the Book
What are you to do when your cheerful, friendly family members morph overnight into sarcastic, sullen, teens? How can you get through to these hormonally challenged strangers when all you get in return are sighs and eyerolls?

Thankfully, this book reveals the groundbreaking strategies you can use to maintain good communication, healthy interaction, and strong connections to your teen, no matter how rocky the road to puberty becomes. You'll learn how to:

• Let your teens help set the rules--and the consequences for breaking them
• Realize that "me, me, me!" is actually age-appropriate
• Put honesty above all else
• Try not to criticize, judge, or become angry

Based on the latest research, this book works as a Rosetta Stone to help you hear what your kids are really saying--and makes sure nothing is lost in translation!

My Take on the Book
As a father that will have two teenage girls in the future I am scared. Scared about the idea of what they could become (hopefully my fears are unfounded). This book is full of great ideas and insights as well as practical advice for all parents about how to understand and communicate with your teenager. What I loved about the book was how easy t was to understand and how many down-to-earth real tips that they offer and how well they have incorporated true life experiences of parents and teenagers into the text itself. The authors also allow for parents to laugh at themselves and at the situations that may occur and to not take everything as seriously as many times you do in your personal situation. This was a well written book that any parent would enjoy!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Book Review - Positive Parenting With a Plan

About the Book
This book provides successful tools for counselors, schools, churches, universities, seminaries, foster care and adoption agencies, group homes, residential treatment facilities, juvenile probation courts, and divorce courts Join thousands upon thousands of parents around the world who are now enjoying their marriage, their children, and living in a conflict-free home.

My Take on the Book
As parents we get frustrated and angry at times when our children do not follow the rules or when we have to discipline them in some way. I know that it comes with the job, but how many of us knew this was coming before we had kids. This book helps all parents and families in setting up routines and rules that all families can abide by and you will find through reading this book that there are so many ideas that are so easy to implement. The book was so easy to read and I found that the step-by-step process that the book provides is something that not only the parent can understand, but the kids do as well, and amazingly if you stick to the plan your kids will not want to break the rules (AMAZING). This is a book that I wish that I had when I first became a parent!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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Parenting at your Doorstep

BabbaCo- the company that brings simple, functional, adorable solutions for moms and dads is back with a monthly subscription box- The BabbaBox. The kit is delivered to your home with ALL the physical materials plus know-how content to really engage with your kids. It’s a theme-based box every month with activities, knowledge, and experiences that encompass all the ways kids love to learn!

The BabbaBox has launched right now for kids ages 3-6. In early 2012, the boxes will be available for each individual year/age group- eventually featuring boxes for children age 0-6.

BabbaCo collaborated with doctors, nannies, physical therapists, teachers- to figure out what children should be learning and comprehending at every age level. Bottom line the BabbaBox cuts out the prep time/guess work for busy parents by providing a box full of educational, fun activities that are age appropriate.

Each month has a theme and always breaks down into 4 components:

• Create: art projects that are also educational (3-4 projects in each)
• Explore: tying the theme into the outdoor world
• Story telling: books that are unique, and related to theme
• Digital: 3 pre-selected downloadable programs that fit theme

BabbaBox Membership is $29.99/month- includes shipping with the average retail value of each box more than $50. ($299 annual membership and gifting options also available).

The BabbaBox arrives on the 15^th of every month. www.babbaco.com

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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