Avocado Baby with Stacy Lewis

When I began my parenting journey, I didn't know exactly what that would bring.  Yes, I knew that I would have sleepless nights and messy diapers.  What I mean is I didn't realize the full responsibilities of being a parent.  Once my daughter was born, I was now thrust into a world I didn't have a nearly enough information about.  I felt lost and alone at times. There suddenly became so many things I had to now think about, and I truly never realized I had to think about things like vaccines, sleeping arrangements, education, baby carriers, autism, etc.  I felt lost in my journey at times.

There are a great many books that I found along my way into parenthood.  My all time favorite is the Drs. Sears' The Baby Book.  I will be honest.  When I found the book, I had no idea who he was nor about attachment parenting.  I simply bought the book because of the cute baby bottoms. Seriously, I kid you not.  I use to give this book to friends who were expecting because it helped me so much learn about what was important to my child and how to comfort her and be close to her when she needed me most.  

But, I think I have found a new great parenting guide and will be 1. either recommending to all my future clients or 2. offering it in my course as part of taking my Brio Birth Classes.

My new favorite attachment parenting book is What your Pediatrician Doesn't know Can Hurt your Child:  A More Natural Approach to Parenting by Dr. Susan Markel, MD.  I wish the title wasn't so harsh so that it didn't appear to have an agenda, but it is starting to grow on me.  I'm thinking if I was a first time parent and saw this title, it would pull me in a little more.  I would pick it up.

Then I would be happy!  It is so full of information.  I am thrilled to see her discuss immediate newborn care in the hospital.  I discuss with my students routine vitamin K shots, eye prophylaxis, immediate breastfeeding, jaundice, and hep B.  There are a few other topics, but these are the big ones we discuss.  I love that What your Pediatrician Doesn't Know addresses these in the first chapter.  I have found that sometimes my clients forget this information because I do not offer them a great go to source for this information.  I think I have found the new source and companion book for my classes.  I love also that her chapters include works cited!  I love giving resources where my clients can then go and reference the information for themselves.  Thank you Dr. Markel!

I am glad to see an updated version of attachment parenting principles which discusses proper babywearing techniques and shows several different slings, wraps, and even an Ergo!  She also continues her discussion of attachment parenting and gentle discipline into toddler and early childhood.

I think what I like most about her book and where Sears' drops off is her in depth look into childhood issues of ADHD, autism, nutrition and milk allergies, and tantrums.  I have been having some thoughts about my own families nutrition and really have felt we needed to address some issues going on with milk as well.  My son has asthma related to allergic rhinitis, and I have wondered if getting rid of milk would help.  I like her take on this and am willing to try anything to help him.  I also love her look at newer concepts in fighting infection (honey is mentioned!) and vitamins and minerals for children.  She goes in detail for nutrition for a vegetarian diet for children as well.  The last part of her book talks about vaccines.

My favorite part of her book is the Epilogue titled  " Peace of Mind in the Pursuit of Happiness".  This chapter would help any parent feeling like they need a pick me up in parenting.  We all know it can be difficult, and taking a few moments to read this again, would certainly helps on those days when you feel down about the choices you have made.  

All in all, I would definitely recommend Markel's book to any new parent.  I love finding new attachment parenting books to pass on to people and really was looking for a go to book to give my clients for after they have their babies.  

Blessings,

Stacy Lewis, B.A. Ed., AAHCC, LE

childbirth educator and lactation educator

I am always on the search for a good book to help me with my three rambunctious children. They each have their own personalities and abilities. Each day, week, month, and year I watch my children develop their own personalities even stronger. I think I have it all figured out, and then something happens to change it which is why I'm always looking for the perfect go to book.

A few weeks ago, we all went to our local chain book store and got a few books. I happened to stumble on Kimberley Clayton Blaine's book, The Go-to Mom's Parents' Guide to Emotion Coaching Young Children. I am a total judge a book by its cover and thought the title sounded pretty decent to me.

Then I open to a random page and was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. This book for me seemed to fit into my attachment parenting (AP) philosophy. I have read several books and had felt lately there wasn't much on APing an older child. I'm constantly on the search for a good book that can give me quick details and real solutions while helping me maintain an emotional, attached connection with my children.

This book does that! I am loving the actual parent to child situations with real solutions. Each chapter ends with Quick and Nifty Tips. I want to have some of this printed out to have a little quick check list for myself.

I am also loving the issue of rewards. Years ago I read Alfie Kohn's book, Punished by Rewards, and never felt I got solid help on what I needed. In fact, it took forever for me gather what advice I needed from the book; however, Blaine's Emotion Coaching is doing what Kohn's book did not. It is giving the reasons why rewards don't work and what to do instead.

Blaine doesn't just discuss rewards; her chapter on Guiding your four-to-seven year old brings up other common topics that many parents face in childrearing. These topics include cyring, sadness, good manners and social grace, whiny behavior, weapon play, and more. It seems for a parent of an older child this chapter is addressing all our common concerns and behaviors. I have begun using these techniques in her book and have found already I'm a calmer parent and my children are slowly beginning to model my same emotions. I feel her book as helped me find a way to deepen my connection to my children.

The other nice addition to this book is the book list. I just discovered it at the back of the book. She has a book list for parents, but I found her book list for children to be of most helpful. She has the list divided by emotions and feelings.

For anyone need a book to help with building a stronger attachment to your child with real go-to ideas, you need this book. It is being well used in my house.

Check out her website for more information and videos: http://www.thegotomom.com/parenting_guide.html