Barbara's Picks: Parenting Books

	Christian Parenting and Child Care Dr. Sears and his wife Martha are the real deal - a pediatrician/nurse husband/wife team with eight children of their own, including one with Down syndrome. The father and mother of Attachment Parenting - what more can I say?

	The Absorbent Mind This book - almost 100 years old - changed my life. After reading it, I went back to college and then on to a year of advanced Montessori teacher training. Never did I dream I'd someday have 12 children of my own. But all that experience has only shown me the truth of Maria Montessori's amazing insights into the development of children. This is not the most reader-friendly book, which is why I've written books specifically for moms today to carry the message. But if you're interested in the source - you'll find it here.

	Dirty Dancing at the Prom and Other Challenges Christian Teens Face: How Parents Can Help I interviewed teens across the country to find out what was REALLY going on in their lives. But far from a simple expose, the book focuses on the positive: seven principles parents can use to equip and empower their teens to make wise choices and live an authentic Christian life. Check out the Contents: Grounding in God’s Love: Self-esteem Setting Limits: Self-assurance Avoiding Temptation: Self-control Developing Compassion: Self-sacrifice Standing Up For What’s Right: Self-respect Making the Most of Mistakes: Self-help Living with Integrity: Self-satisfaction

	Logged On and Tuned Out: a nontechie's guide to parenting a tech-savvy generation This book did not go on my stack of stuff to review because I sat down immediately to read it. See my full review here. Logged On and Tuned Out will not only bring you up to speed on what your teen is up to in cyberspace, but will help you address the pitfalls. The appendix: Talking Points, Rules, and Safety Contracts makes applying what you've learned a cinch.

	The Adoption Decision My friend Laura Christianson—an adoption educator and mentor, and an adoptive mom herself—wrote this book, which addresses questions about... * loving an adopted child * extended family’s reaction * expenses * openness in adoption * the role of birth parents * physical disabilities * emotional/behavioral challenges * racial and cultural prejudices Recounting real–life miracles and mishaps of adoptive families, Laura helps prospective parents—and their friends and family members—think through adoption’s challenges and joys, and confidently move forward from a firm emotional and spiritual footing.

	Prodigals and Those Who Love Them By Ruth Bell Graham - an intimate glimpse into a mother's heart during the years two of the Graham children spent running from their faith.

	Mommy, Teach Me to Read! Want a child who loves to read? A family-friendly complete and easy Montessori-based approach.

	Gifts: Mothers Reflect on How Children with Down Syndrome Enrich Their Lives This is a gorgeous book with touching stories and photos by the real experts on Down syndrome - mothers! Forward by Martha Sears, wife of Dr. William Sears and mother of eight, including a son with Down syndrome.

	The Elephant in the Playroom: Ordinary Parents Write Intimately and Honestly About the Extraordinary Highs and Heartbreaking Lows of Raising Kids with Special Needs Moms and dads from across the country write intimately and honestly about the joyful highs and disordered lows of raising children who are “not quite normal.” Laying bare the emotional, medical, and social challenges they face, their stories address issues ranging from if and when to medicate a child, to how to get a child who is overly sensitive to the texture of food to eat lunch. Eloquent and honest, the voices in this collection will provide solace and support for the millions of parents whose kids struggle with ADD, ADHD, sensory disorders, childhood depression, Asperger’s syndrome, and autism—as well as the many kids who fall between diagnoses.

	Bringing Up Boys By Dr. James Dobson. Unless you've grown up with younger brothers and a mom who let them be boys, you probably need to rethink your attitude toward boy behavior. Moms, you are in the position of raising tomorrow's leaders - if you know how to understand and channel their boy energy in a positive direction.

	Wild at Heart By John Eldredge. I haven't read this, but the Curtis men - dad and four guys 19-23 - loved it. Great for moms who need help understanding what makes their boys tick.

	Mom's Devotional Bible Too busy for a Bible study? Any mom can start a no-pressure devotional life with this NIV (New International Version - a more modern translation than King James) Bible, sprinkled with devotions by Elisa Morgan, founder of MOPS. "In these thought-provoking devotions ...you'll see how clearly the Bible speaks to the big and not-so-big issues only mothers understand- and how it faithfully provides inspiration and wisdom to help you not only cope but truly enjoy being a Mom."

	The Strong-Willed Child

	The Right Touch: A Read-Aloud Story to Help Prevent Child Sexual Abuse For a topic no parent relishes dealing with, but every child needs, this book presents vital information in a safe, comfortable story format - the best way to communicate abstract ideas to young children. From the School Library Journal: A picture book that clearly instructs children on how to deal with unwanted and inappropriate touching through a heart-to-heart talk between a little boy and his mother. The author sensitively distinguishes between the loving touch we all need and "secret, deceptive, or forced touching." Children are encouraged to listen to their own feelings, assert their right to stop unwanted contact, and get help from trusted adults "even if it is supposed to be a secret." An informative foreword to adults gives valuable information on communicating personal safety to children and advice for helping those who report abuse.

	7 Myths of Working Mothers From Amazon summary: Dispelling our most cherished myths about working mothers, Suzanne Venker argues that woman can’t be successful in the workplace and at home simultaneously. They can achieve the balance they so desperately seek only by planning their careers around motherhood, rather than planning motherhood around their careers. Ms. Venker fearlessly tackles the most contentious issues of working motherhood: women’s equality, family economics, the notion of "quality time," women’s guilt and stress, and daycare. In each chapter, she exposes a different myth about working mothers, drawing on extensive research and her own experience as a mother and a teacher. The result is a powerful case for the link between the problems of today’s children and the absence of mothers from the home.

	The Father's Topical Bible Another great reference tool for parents, this book uses not just proverbs but verses from all over the Bible to instruct, comfort, and encourage fathers (and moms can learn from it too). A hundred topics listed under the headings Your Attitude, Your Child, Your Wife, Your Work, Your Daily Schedule, Your Finances, Your church, and Your Personal Needs.

	Proverbs for Parenting An invaluable reference arranged by topic, so parents can look up something like obedience, pride, honesty, giving for a complete list of the proverbs pertaining to it.

	The Comparative Study Bible Passages and verses from the four versions are aligned in parallel columns on facing pages for ease of study. Each translation offers insight on different facets of meaning in the text, giving you the benefit of the work of different groups of scholars to help you understand and interpret the Bible for yourself. The Amplified Bible helps you take your study a step further, offering a format that gives you access to the shades of meaning in the original Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. A valuable resource for gaining insight into scriptural truths, the Comparative Study Bible helps you compare translations at a glance and is an excellent resource for in-depth Bible study

	Building the Christian Family You Never Had Author Mary E. DeMuth understands firsthand the fears, frustrations, and anxieties of those who lack role models of faith-based parenting. In Building the Christian Family You Never Had she provides needed encouragement, practical tools, and crucial strategies. You’ll learn how you can… ·shield your children from the negative influence of family members who undermine your values ·cope with criticism and objections to your faith-based parenting decisions ·honor (and forgive) your parents without endorsing their behavior ·find positive parenting mentors

	Babies With Down Syndrome: A New Parent's Guide This is the first gift someone gave me after Jonny was born 13 years ago, and I've been giving it on the birth of Down syndrome babies ever since. A great and comforting and realistic resource with lots of pictures of - guess what? - kids with Down syndrome plus growth and development charts and hope for the future.

	The Discipline Book William and Martha Sears follow up on The Baby Book with a friendly and common sense guide to discipline - how to prevent problems and how to handle them when they occur.

	The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two There are a lot of experts out there, but how many of them are a pediatrician dad and an R.N. mom with eight children of their own - including one with Down syndrome just for a little more wisdom and perspective? I've spent time in The Sears' home - they are the real deal. And now with two sons following in their father's footsteps as pediatricians and contributors to this updated version of their parents' first book - Well, let's just say The Baby Book should be second only to diapers on a parent's Must-Have list. The Sears advocate attachment parenting - quite the opposite of parenting methods based on training children to cause parents as ittle inconvenience as possible. Great training in the walk of any Christian. As Rick Warren's first sentence in The Purpose-Driven Life reminds us 'It's not about you.' For a while at least, it's all about baby!

All written content is © Barbara Curtis www.mommylife.net

Mommy Life

Montessori megamom serves up smorgasbord of parenting, cultural, political, and spiritual wisdom. Because she can.

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