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General
Parenting and Family Books
Book
Review
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 - In
the Precious Years from Birth to Six
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:
- Pregnancy
- Babe in arms
- The mobile baby
- Toddlers
- 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.
Carmen Benton
Editor Baby Books Guide
Other
Books By Steve Biddulph:

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