My 8-month-old daughter is already showing a really strong personality. Even her doctor has mentioned this to us.. I love that that she has this strength and independence, but I also would like to be prepared for all that is to come along our way!
Now, while I have time while I breastfeed,I would love to start reading some books on parenting her as she reaches her 2s, 3s, and beyond.
Would love to hear of books that have worked for you moms.
As a side note, in most areas of my life I like to take a holistic approach, so, books in this direction would be of special interest to me.
thanks in advance!
The Strong Willed Child by Dr. Dobson
It has helped me numerous times with my 9 year old - extremely strong willed boy.
I have a very spirited daughter as well...I HIGHLY recommend the book "Taming the Spirited Child: Strategies for Parenting Challenging Children Without Breaking Their Spirits"
by Michael H. Popkin...it is absolutely fantastic and WORKS.
Good luck!
THe Strong Willed Child By Dr. James Dobson is incredible!
Dr Sears and Jay Gordon have great websites. I believe Dr Sears has a book on high spirited children. Both doctors are of the holistic approach. Best H.
I am sure there are lots of books that will complement this one: Harvey Karp's "The Happiest Toddler on the Block". I am reading it now, and has some very interesting suggestions. You just have to wade through the introductory several chapters to get to the "how-to" part.
Good luck!
Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Kurcinka Sheedy. It has been a wonderful tool in helping me understand and respect both my children, although only my youngest is spirited. Good luck.
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for Toddlers
I love "Raising Your Spirited Child."
I am reading one which is very good and helpful.
"Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child" by John Gottman
Enjoy your little one! my favorite book on kids is the "Positive Discipline" series. There's one for little kids, and another for pre-schoolers. Their suggestions make sense, and work well!
C.
My son takes strong willed to a whole new level. I've found that regular old discipline techniques but with an appreciation of his strengths works best. It's more your attitude than any book or theory out there. BE PATIENT, BE PATIENT, BE PATIENT.
When she throws a fit because she doesn't want that toy or outfit or whatever-give her a choice-she's strong willed so let her be "in charge" of the things she's capable of.
There will be times when she throws a tantrum, don't give in, but when she calms down teach her to ask and compromise will be your best friend.
If I had to choose a system I would choose "Love and Logic" for children under 5. Make sure you read the one for little kids, the stuff for older ones will not work with toddlers.
Have fun with her, strong willed kids can be strong in good ways that makes them even better to love!!!
"Raising the Spirited Child" and "How to Talk So Your Kids Will Listen and Listen So Your Kids Will Talk" has helped us with our very strong willed daughter.
Hi Roxane,
One of the books I found helpful was Children: The Challenge. I read an older version that did have some outdated ideas, but the core of the book was helpful. I've also come across an updated version, so that exists as well. The idea is that children under 10 do what they do to get the attention of their parents. If they get attention being "bad" or being "good" or being "smart" or whatever, they keep doing what works for them. I have a strong-willed son (now 12), the hardest time was 18 months - 6.5. We could resolve a behavior, but he'd come up with a new behavior. Finally by 6 1/2 he started to get easier. We also discovered he was sugar sensitive at 7 and cut back to less than 5 grams per serving of anything, that helped some of our overly-emotional behavior issues. He is still strong-willed, it manifests now as arguments to support his way of thinking, which is not always right. I don't mind having different opinions, but we are working on being respectful. I guess every parent of a pre-teen is probably working on that one!
Good luck, being firm and consistent and starting so early will help you out a lot.
C.
You might want to look up The Care and Feeding of Indigo Children - another apporach to raising very wonderful children who require special care and nurturing. Good luck:)
I must say also, "The strong willed child", by Dr. James Dobson. Awesome book and author. He has written MANY invaluable books. Good luck, I had one too when she was young. :)
V.
My youngest, now 10, is/was very strong willed. My dad gave me the best advice of everyone: you want to gentle him, not break him. The same would likely hold true for your daughter.
The other thought that helps is that all the characteristics of a strong willed child that drive me nuts now are fabulous in adults...it's a matter of keeping my kid alive to reap the benefits. And, yes, my son has put himself into life-threatening situations with his strong willed nature.
But, if you're looking for a good book, try "Parenting with Love and Logic." I've also had good luck with John Rosemond's technique (a child psychologist...has a website), although he's a very 1950s approach that not all people appreciate. I do, though, and it's worked great.
Good luck!
Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. I read this book when my daughter was three and what a huge help it was!!! The first book I read was The Strong Willed Child by James Dobson. Stay away from this book, it made me cry, because it advocated, no, encouraged physically dominating your child into submission for their own good, then praying over them to help their attitude. I threw it away. I'm all for teaching the principles of the Bible, but not in his way.
Good luck with your feisty little girl - mine is often a trial but also my greatest joy!
You have already received advice on both of the books I would recommend, but just thought I'd put a word in for them also. When my son was younger we attended a parent/child class that had a lending library. Our teacher sent me home with these 2 books for my "spirited" child, and they taught me so much: 1. The Strong Willed Child, DOBSON. (fantastic, if I had to pick just one book, this would be it)2. Raising you Spirited Child, KURCINKA. (This is also a wonderful book and the author really puts a positive spin on things, your chiled is not "difficult" they are "spirited" which helped me to think that way instead of finding the negative.) Another book someone mentioned that is not specifically for strong willed children, but good all around for toddler issues is: Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for Toddlers, HOGG. Good luck! :-)J
the best book I found on this topic is "Raising your spirited child"...hope it helps for you...
Toddler 411. This book is great! I got it when my son turned 1. It covers everything and has a very easy going approach. The drs discuss all sides to everything. This book is not judgemental and it has answers to all of your questions. It has a great section on behavior!
"The Parent's Toolshop" by Jody Johnston Pawel. This book is just a total resource for parenting, for every child. She's got a lot of other freebie resources on her website as well. Here's a link:
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?af=831636
Best of luck, and congratulations for caring so much and looking ahead. You're probably raising a great future leader!
