"My husband and I were great fans of Dr Green's other book - 'Babies: How to Survive the First Year'. We appreciated his light-hearted, down-to-earth approach which validated both the baby’s view of the world (Me! Me! Me!) but also that of the parents - which is often frustrated, miserable and confused. It was nice to know we were not alone with what seemed like unique and impossible problems. His soothing words and tips helped us.

As baby grew into a toddler we bought his next on toddlers. I’d read the baby book from cover to cover whilst pregnant but had no time to do the same with the toddler book - strange how personal time vanishes with a baby! I dipped in when I had time (and my little poppet was cutting his real and metaphorical teeth!) - reading the summaries and conclusions. Now Dr Green has done the job for us - the compact edition draws out his instant and practical suggestions and advice. The book is a handy size too.

It advises on the most common problems parents (and toddlers) face:

• Sleep (lack of, timing of etc);
• Potty training (when, how);
• Eating (lack of, food battles etc);
• Discipline and tantrums;
• Working parents;
• Nasty habits (starting with biting).

For example, if your little one won’t go to bed at night. There is the gentle approach, the tough option and Green’s patent rope trick (you’ll just have to buy the book!).

In conclusion - a star amongst parenting books. Recommended!"

www.amazon.co.uk

Anne

For example if my little boy doesn't want to sit in his pushchair then he usually throws a tantrum. Instead, now I kneel down and talk to him, telling him that he can push the pushchair a little later because he's been a good boy sitting in it now when I need him too. He does listen to what I say and takes note. In fact as long as I stick to my word, I'm finding that he's trusting me more and more in the future during other tantrums!

I have learnt a great deal from this book and I know other parents with young children will benefit from this book too. It only takes a couple of day's maximum to read because it is short and sweet, honest and straight to the point with answers to help with the potential problem. Since reading this book, things in my household have certainly changed for the better. Certainly a great recommendation to any parent!"

Tantrums - by Eileen Hayes

"'Tantrums' is an easy book to read quickly. Rather than waffling on about the subject, the chapters are divided up into mostly bullet pointed facts and suggestions that get straight to the point and might be handy for busy parents who can only snatch ten minutes here and there to read it.

It's divided up into chapters that range from the reasons why some children (and some adults) throw tantrums, to how to react when you are in specific "tantrum" situations with your child, which I think could be very useful to some parents who are experiencing problems in those areas.

However, I found that the book started off in quite a depressing way with results of research into tantrums, linking it to problems later in life, although the author was not explicit about the sources of her information. I also found it odd that she makes no mention of the proven links between tantrums and food additives, which I feel is quite a worrying issue that more parents should be made aware of (see www.foodcomm.org.uk for more information on this.)

I found that where the author says in the introduction "…yet I just don't remember tantrums being much of a problem with any of my children…" and later on where she writes " I do not consider that any of my children had what could be described as full-blown tantrums" slightly patronising to say the least! If she has had no experience of her own children throwing wobblers, what authority has she got to tell the rest of us where we're going wrong?

Once the book gets onto the subject of positive parenting and the ten point action plan at the back, it is much more useful and informative. Also the soundbites from other parents relating their own experiences are helpful as it's nice to know that everyone experiences some problems (apart from the author of course!)

In conclusion, I think that this book is aimed at parents who want to dip in and out of the book, much like a magazine, but at £6 I would probably prefer to invest in a book that goes much deeper into the subject and get this one out of the library!"

Annabel (mum of two!)

www.amazon.co.uk

Whilst I have had no joy yet with my own two year old we are trying to use the information from the book to get him interested but he himself displays no interest yet in the process - a point that is made frequently in the book as needing to happen.

The book also covers modern issues that can impact on the process such as single parents living apart and other similar situations and a complete index provides easy access to any specific point of reference you may require at any given time.

All in all I would recommend the book to anyone unsure of or requiring assistance with the whole process. At the price the book is exceptional value for money & would make an easy mobile guide to take with you wherever you go. I thoroughly enjoyed the read & also the opportunity to write this - my first ever book review.

Am now off to look through the book with my boy as another attempt to get him interested.

Gary

www.amazon.co.uk

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