Practical Parenting

by Crystal Linn

 

Crystal Linn is a childcare expert and a professional writer. She is co-founder of
C and C Educational Consultants, a Bothell-based company that works with childcare professionals and also offers children's workshops and parenting classes. Crystal enjoys reading mysteries, writing poetry and sailing. She would love to hear from you at candceducationalconsultants@gmail.com or at (206) 715-2505.

Once upon a time, I read every parenting book there was and made a list of good titles to give parents. Since then, thousands more parenting books have been written, and my list for parents grew shorter, not longer.

Some favorites are: "How to Raise Positive Children in a Negative World" by Zig Ziggler; "Don't Shoot the Dog" by Karen Pryor and "Toilet Training in Less than a Day" by Nathan H. Azrin Ph.D. and Richard M Foxx PhD.

These books offer transferable skills. For example, the steps used in "Toilet Training in Less than a Day" can be used to teach a child any skill, whether it's learning to dress themselves or making one's own bed.

Some parenting books that are highly recommended are not that good. To find a good parenting book, read comments from others who read the book and read the bios of the author(s). Then decide if the information in the book is good for just one specific thing or if the information can be used elsewhere. An example is a book on getting your baby to sleep. Ask yourself if that information is good only for infants or if the information can be used elsewhere, like dealing with sleep issues from birth to age ten.

My favorite parenting book is "Parenting with Love and Logic" by Dr. Foster Cline and Jim Fay. We know that all children have different personalities and the techniques that work with one child may not always work with another child. It can be frustrating trying to figure out what works for the other child(ren). "Parenting with Love and Logic" offers foundational principles that work with all children, from toddlers to teens.

My second favorite parenting book is "Boundaries" by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. Both these books have several excellent sequels.

These are my favorite books because I know the principles always work. There are other good books available and I wish you the best in finding the right ones for you. When you find them, write and tell me about it.

To your parenting success,

Crystal

Community Corner:

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Quotable Parenting Quote:

Parents must get across the idea that "I love you always, but sometimes I do not love your behavior." Amy Vanderbilt