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Parenting

Parenting

25 Things Every New Mother Should Know
by attachment-parenting guru Martha Sears, RN, with William Sears, MD, is a reassuring book that addresses the psychological needs of a new mom, baby, and dad. Though practical issues are addressed, this is mainly a book of encouragement. Martha writes about trusting your intuition, fighting perfectionism, and balancing family needs. Dr. Sears interjects comments on issues concerning fathers and marriage. (Harvard Common Press, 1995)

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Adventures in Gentle Discipline: A Parent-To-Parent Guide
Author Hilary Flower collected the input of nearly 200 parents to create a theory and practice of discipline based on respect, compassion, and empathy. Encouraging parents to trust their hearts—and their children—this book is a welcome resource on setting limits. (La Leche League International, 2005)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta
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At Work in Life's Garden: Growing the Soul Through Parenting
Edited by Sarah Conover and Tracy Springberry, this is a collection of absorbing, contemplative essays on the emotional complexities and life lessons inherent in raising children. Such notables as Martha Beck, Anne Lamott, Barbara Kingsolver, and Scott Russell Sanders contribute to this soul-satisfying volume. (Eastern Washington University Press, 2005)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta
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Baby-Gami: Baby Wrapping for Beginners
by Andrea Sarvady, teaches how to swaddle and sling your baby in creative style. Crisp photographs by Bill Lilne capture the bright, boldy colored fabrics used for the author's artful, fun designs. Check out the "gift wrap" a satiny swaddle complete with a bow for special occasions. (Chronicle Books, 2005)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta
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Becoming Parents: How to Strengthen Your Marriage as Your Family Grows by Pamela L. Jordan, Scott M. Stanley and Howard J. Markman (Jossey-Bass,1999)

Depression in New Mothers: Causes, Consequences, and Treatment Alternatives
by Kathleen A. Kendall-Tackett, Ph.D, IBCLC, details the causes of postpartum depression, including birth trauma, as well as social, psychological, and phisiological influences and risk factors. This comprehensive book, written primarily for mental-health professionals, covers alternative treatments such as herbs and supplements along with psychotherapeutic and pharmaceutical options. Special attention is given to how treatments affect breastfeeding. (Haworth Maltreatment and Trauma Press, 2005)

Believing It All: Lessons Learned from My Children by Marc Parent (Little, Brown and Company, 2002)

The Four-Thirds Solution: Solving the Child-Care Crisis in America Todayby Stanley Greenspan (Perseus Publishing, 2001)

The Financially Intelligent Parent: 8 Steps to Raising Successful, Generous, Responsible Children
In this book Eileen Gallo, PhD, and estate planner Jon Gallo, JD, give grounded suggestions for raising kids with healthy attitudes anout work and money. The authors discuss such issues as establishing an allowance, enforcing chores, instilling a work ethic, while encouraging parents to examine their own beliefs about financial matters. (New American Library, 2005) Growing Seasons: Half-baked Garden Tips, Cheap Advice on Marriage, andQuestionable Theories on Motherhood by Annie Spiegelman (Seal Press, 2003)

Having Faith: An Ecologist's Journey to Motherhood by SandraSteingraber (Perseus Publishing, 2001)

How to Say It to Girls: Communicating with Your Growing Daughter
by Nancy Gruver, co-founder of New Moon: The Magazine forGirls and Their Dreams. This book features no-nonsense ways toaddress myriad issues pertaining to preteen and adolescent girls. Eachconcise entry details what to say—and what not tosay—about everything from anger to drinking, from money tosexuality. (Prentice Hall Press, 2004)

The Lesbian Parenting Book: A Guide to Creating Families and RaisingChildren, second ed. byD. Merilee Clunis, PhD, and G. Dorsey Green, PhD (Seal Press, 2003)

Let the Baby Drive: Navigating the Road of New Motherhood byLu Hanessian (St. Martin's Press, 2004)

Lithgow Party Paloozas!: 52 Unexpected Ways to Make a Birthday, Holiday, or Any Day a Celebration for Kids
by the erudite actor John Lithgow, practically bursts with widly imaginative activities for children of all ages. Most projects are introduced by a lesson in history, art, or literature - or even the craft of ice sculpture. For kids 6 to 12. (Fireside, 2005)

Little Moments of Peace: Daily Reflections for Mothers by AndreaAlbine Gosline (Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putman, 2002)

Listening to Your Baby: A New Approach to Parenting Your Newborn by Jay Gordon (Pregree, 2002)

Loving Mama: Essays on Natural Parenting and Motherhood edited by Tiffany Palisi (Hats Off Books, 2004)

Magical Parent Magical Child: The Optimum Learning Relationship by Joseph Chilton Pearce and Michael Mendizza (Thouch the Future, 2001)

Momma Zen: Walking the Crooked Path of Motherhood
by Zen Buddhist priest Karen Maezen Miller, eloquently frames the everyday experiences of parenting as opportunities for spiritual growth. A reluctant midlife mom, Miller unflinchingly confronts her ambiguity, fear, and rage with healthy doses of self-acceptance and forgiveness. In offering herself these healing balms, she invites her readers to do the same. Though I do not agree with some of her approaches to parenting, I ultimately found this memoir to be insightful and well written. (Trumpeter Books, 2006)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta.
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The Mommy Brain: How Motherhood Makes Us Smarter, by the Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist Katherine Elllison, presents solid research to support her assertation that motherhood enhances the development of five key traits: perception,efficiency, resilience, motivation, and emotional intelligence. We highly recommend this cutting-edge work - and not just because it proves what moms have known it all along!

Mother Shock: Loving Every (Other) Minute Of It by Andrea J.Buchanan(Seal Press, 2003)

The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life
With its contemplative black-and-white photos, spacious page layout, and soft-on-the-eyes font, Renée Peterson Trudeau's The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal: How to Reclaim, Rejuvenate and Re-Balance Your Life is soothing just to look at. Trudeau guides her readers through a year of reflective 20-minute journal exercises that encourage women to focus on their needs in addition to those of their families. (Balanced Living Press, 2006)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta
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Natural Baby and Childcare: Practical Medical Advice and Holistic Wisdom for Raising Healthy Children
by Mothering contributor and homeopath Lauren Feder, MD, clearly addresses, in reassuring tones, an array of family health issues, including breastfeeding, cosleeping, and the controversy surrounding vaccinations. An A-to-Z guide to homeopathic treatments for common childhood ailments rounds out the compendium. (Hatherleigh Press, 2006)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta.
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The Natural Child: Parenting From the Heart by Jan Hunt (New SocietyPublishers, 2001)

Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Compassion by MarshallRosenberg, PhD (PuddleDancer Press, 1999)

Parent Effectiveness Training (P.E.T.): The Proven Program for RaisingResponsible Children byDr. Thomas Gordon (Three Rivers Press, 2000)

Playful Parenting: A Bold New Way to Nurture Close Connections, SOlveBehavior Problems and Envcourage Children's Confidence byLawrence J. Cohen (Ballantine, 2001)

The Preemie Parent's Companion: The Essential Guide for Caring for YourPremature Baby in the Hospital, at Home and Through the First YearsbySusan L. Madden MS (Harvard Common Press, 2000)

The Price of Motherhood: Why the Most Important Job in the World isStill the Least Valued byAnn Crittenden (Metropolitan Books, 2001)

Primal Health: Understanding the Critical Period between Conception andthe First Birthday byMichel Odent (Clairview Books, 2002)

Raising Drug-free Kids: 100 Tips for Parents
Mark Thornton clearly outlines 19 simple techniques, mostly using breath and body awareness, to focus the mind throughout the day. His ultrashort methods don't require any particular religious orientation, and could be just the ticket for helping stressed-out parents stay cool with their kids. (Sounds True, 2006)
Reviewed by Melissa Chianta
Buy It Now!

Raising Faith-Filled Kids: Ordinary Opportunities to NurtureSpirituality at Home byTom McGrath (Loyola Press, 2000)

The Read-Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease (Penguin Books, 2001)

Right From Wrong: Instilling a Sense of Integrity in Your Child byMichael Riera and Joseph Di Prisco (Perseus Publishing, 2002)

Sexy Mamas: Keeping Your Sex Life Alive While Raising Kids by Cathy Winks and Anne Semans (Inner Ocean Publishing, 2004)

Tomorrow's Baby: The Art and Science of Parenting from ConceptionThrough Infancy by Thomas Verny (Simon & Schuster, 2002)

The Way Back Home: Essays on Life and Family by Peggy O'Mara(MotheringMagazine)

Understanding Children: The Guidebook for Children 0 to 3 by Richard Saul Wurman (TOP, 2002)

Winnicott: Life and Work by F. Robert Rodman, MD (PerseusPublishing,2003)

The World According to Mister Rogers: Important Things to RememberbyFred Rogers (Hyperion, 2003)

You and Your Newborn Baby: AGuide to the First Month's After Birth byLinda Todd (Harvard Common Press, 1993)

You Are Your Child's First Teacher: What Parents Can Do with and for Their Children from Birth to Age Six By Rahima Baldwin Dancy (Celestial Arts, 2000)

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