ATTENTION ALL PARENTS!

The C.H.I.L.D. Game Plan

by Bruce Tollner

(Published by REP 1 Publishing Group)

Parenting doesn't come with an instruction manual. How many times have you thought that and heard other parents say those words? This book may not be an "instruction manual," but it is a helpful guide for parents to give structure to the lives of their children. The book discusses five crucial concepts:

C - Competition

H - Heart

I - Intelligence

L - Life Force

D - Destiny

Through the use of ideas, examples and personal stories taken from a variety of celebrities, historical figures and sports figures, the book gives parents illustrations of how the concepts have worked in the lives of successful people.

To hear my interview with Bruce Tollner, click here.

CHAOS TO CALM:  The Moms-of-Multiples' guide to An Organized Family

By Tonia Tomlin

The author is the mother of twin girls, Peyton and Sydney.  The book is based on research as well as her "real world life experience" raising multiple children.  

There are tips, ideas, strategies, techniques and plain old fashioned advice for expectant and new parents .  The book is not only useful for the parents of multiples but would be useful to anyone with a young child.

There are 11 separate chapters discussing everything from preparing for the multiple birth to baby safe space to birthday parties.  It is a treasure trove of information.  Have a look at the valuable organizing information chapter with forms  to use for interviewing caregivers,  a daycare shopping guide, pool policy, and a budget.  Additionally, there is a CD included in  the back of the book that contains the forms for you to use.  

Tonia is a professional organizer and founder of her own business called Sorted Out, an organizing service providing a wide range of consulting and organizing services.  Tonia brings her expertise to the book.

Looking for the perfect shower or holiday gift for someone expecting a multiple birth?  Look no further.  Anyone who receives a copy of this helpful, valuable book will thank you over and over.  I think it's just great.  What do you think?

hear the interview

SHIPS WITHOUT A SHORE: America's Undernurtured Children

By Anne R. Pierce, PhD

I can't imagine there's a parent who doesn't want to raise a happy, healthy, productive child. Yet, this thought provoking book raises questions.

Pierce challenges current child rearing trends. According to her research, we are raising a generation of children who lack deep-seated values, who are stressed-out and overly materialistic and who have lost purpose and meaning. Parents are so afraid their children will have too much free time on their hands and get involved with the "wrong kind of kids" or start taking drugs that they increase the amount of time the child spends doing "stuff" like organized sports and other structured after-school activities. Teens are even encouraged to "build their resumes" so they will be considered more seriously by "the right" colleges. The research presented in the book is at least food for thought.

Take heart, there are also solutions presented in the book to put the joy back into childhood and parenting. Sometimes the simple answers are the best answers.

I found this book fascinating, challenging and controversial. I had never looked at parenting from this angle. It both frightened me and gave me hope. What do you think?

hear the interview