This is one of the best general parenting and family books I have ever read.  If you are looking for books on parenting I highly recommend this one.

Love, Laughter and Parenting
By Steve and Shaaron Biddulph
Published by DK

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This book  is different to most other parenting books which take the 'problems' we face as parents and tries to address them.  "This book [instead] is about the fun and heart of parenting. "

The first six years the authors note are called the 'precious years' as during these years the foundations of trust and confidence are being laid down which in turn have an impact on all the years to come. 

These years are when we as parents will experience some of our greatest joys and our greatest challenges.  This book ensures that we do not stay stuck in the problems and dramas of the first six years but instead helps us to get the most out of them, enjoy them and have fun. 


Parents need three kinds of help during this time the author's note, practical advice, inspiration and a need to feel connected to other parents.  This book is like sitting down and having coffee with other likeminded people, as it t is full of real-life stories from other parents with children the same age and stage as your own.    It is also full of practical advice in the form of activity boxes with games, actions and ideas as well as jokes and stories and examples.



As a general parenting and family book it follows five stages of early childhood:

1. Pregnancy
2. Babe in arms
3. The mobile baby
4. Toddlers
5. The pre-school year

What appeals to me the most about this general parenting and family book is the format that it has been written in.  I have always been a fan of the DK publisher's series of books as I am a visual learner and I like to see pictures and quotes and easy reference boxes in non-fiction books if I can.  This book is presented like a magazine and so even when I have nappy brain and only a small window of time in my day I am able to pick it up and find a wee piece of gold in it. 

It isn't meant to be read from cover to cover.  You could of course give yourself that parenting overview, or you could read each of the early childhood stages as they pertain to you.  I think it is important to be one step ahead all the time, and know what is coming and around the corner.  I also think it is important to read each stage several times.  I find that I am able to gain new insights from the Biddulph's as my child is progressing through the stages. 

 This book has helped me to connect with the simple and important points of being a parent.  It is not for the hyper-parent but instead it is for the parent who wants to make a connection with their child and nurture them. 

On page 110 the Bidduplph's note, "There are two secrets of play with babies, keep it simple and gentle and use lots of repetition".  Maybe in this hyped up age of parenting it is important for us to be reminded of these simple things.  Perhaps our new baby doesn't need the latest musical, flashing Baby Einstein product, but instead yet another round of peek-a-boo with you!

I found the section on Toddlers very helpful as it highlights the area I need the most help with and that is 'discipline'. 

"There are three stages of discipline that parents can use which take account of children's gradual growing ability to understand.  These are:

• Distracting
• Redirecting
• The teaching conversation

These are respectful ways that keep conflict to a minimum and help your child learn self control of their feelings, thoughts and actions. P. 142"

This general parenting and family book also devotes a whole chapter to 'becoming a confident dad' as well as scattering throughout it excerpts from the diary of an Australian sports writer, Martin Flanagan, about his children growing up.  It is therefore a parenting book for both parents and promises to show you how parenting during the first six years can make you a better person.

I think this is a must have book for your parenting bookshelf.  It has honestly helped inspire me, supported me, informed me and helped me think through my own philosophy on parenting.  The photos in the book tell a whole story on their own.

This book can be purchased directly from Amazon.com
Paper Back: Love, Laughter and Parenting

Carmen Benton
Editor
Baby-books-guide.com

Other Books By Steve Biddulph:

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