Need Recommendation on Books for parenting/Discipling Toddlers

I know there are lots of books out there but I honestly just remove my son or redirect his attention elsewhere when I see he is having a tantrum (he is almost 22 months old). If he is tired, I usually just hug him and that helps. I know a lot of the positive parenting books help people though.

Hi,

I highly recommend the Positive Discipline series (Jane Nelson). The ideas are very much based on kindness and respectful limit setting (not punishment and reward like so many others). She has several books, including one for the toddler years. I agree, for toddlers, the simple redirect is often best. Also, I got a lot out of "Raising Your Spirited Child". I think it's really important to remember that young kids need some sense of control, so choose your battles wisely!

All the best,
C.

You don't need a book to tell you what to do. Just ignore him when he has a tantrum. And I mean totally ignore him. Obviously make sure he is someplace where he won't hurt himself. Like near the top of the stairs, etc. Leave the room. If he is in the way and you can not get past him, step over him. But do not look at him and especially do not talk to him. Most importantly, do not acknowledge him or what he is doing! Basically pretend he is not there. While all the the time keeping an eye on him so he doesn't get hurt. Let him thrash on the floor, scream and generally throw a complete fit. Once he sees it's not effecting you in any way, he will stop! And after seeing this a few times he will never throw another tantrum again!

R.,

Unless you are looking for quick fix (and my husband believes in the quick fix!) this is what your baby needs:

Attachment Parenting International. There is a website, and they carry/recommend a few books.

Hug your baby, even when he's bad, and remove him from the situation. He's too young to discipline.

It takes time, he will learn. Time outs disconnect the action from the reaction.

Read. As much as you can, absorb what you can, use what you can. You won't be popular, but your baby will learn more and be more confident when you are done.

Working on it myself, Good luck!
M.

I put my son in his playpen for a milder form of time out (until he was old enough to climb out around age 2). By then he was old enough to understand what a time out was. Redirecting works some of the time but when things are really out of hand it is a good backup strategy. Also my son (now almost 4) responds better if he gets a warning before he has to change activities (as in "We have to leave the park in a few minutes. You have time to go down the slide 3 more times then we have to go."). He also usually gets a warning to stop when misbehaving (not that he always heeds it).

Hi R.,

Try Attachment Parenting by Dr. Sears. Because your son has already hit the tantrum stage, it may take a little while to get him used to this (if you like this technique). My husband and I use it with my 21 month old daughter and we love it!

Good luck,
L.

I recommend "The Happiest Toddler on the Block" by Karp. Very simple to read and IT WORKS!!!!

"How to talk so they can listen and listen so they can talk" is a good one.

R., I liked Dr Sears's books when I had young kids. There's a whole series, I know there's a discipline one, there may be one directed specifically at parents of toddlers, but I'd look into this series and see what book/s suit your situation best. Good luck!

My favorite book is The Portable Pediatrician -- it covers everything from health to discipline, age by age, and is very down to earth while giving you high standards to aim for. I reread my copy every 6 months as my kids move to another age group. It's about $15 at Amazon and I give it at every baby shower I go to.

another good book is Just Tell Me What to Say, but I think it's for 3 years plus...