<p>Hi folks, which parenting books do you recommend? particularly those dealing with 6 to 11-year-olds.</p>
<p>Best parenting book I ever used was “Siblings Without Rivalry.” I forget the authors (there’s two) but Amazon can tell you. A very easy read; lots of cartoons to show you different scenarios. I myself have read it about three or four times, through the years, and I’ve even given it as a gift.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if she has written anything for that age group but I really respect Penelope Leach. No nonsense approach, practical advice, not preachy…</p>
<p>“How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk” by Faber and Mazlish.</p>
<p>I loved the Gesell Institute of Human Development (Yale) series by Louise Bates Ames, Frances L. Ilg, and Sidney Baker, which have been around a long time: <em>Your One-Year-Old</em> through <em>Your Ten-to-Fourteen-Year-Old.</em> Each and every time I was alarmed about my kids’ behavior, I’d turn to this book and find out it was normal! Very reassuring and lovingly written.</p>
<p>The Optimistic Child
Blessings of a Skinned Knee
It’s Entirely Normal (great for 10-11 year old kids, parents should read it first)
Raising Resilient Children</p>
<p>I also read the Gesell Institute series religiously. I really didn’t like Penelope Leach’s book about infants, but I did not read any other books she’s written. I also liked “Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic” by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka. It kept me sane!</p>
<p>blessings of the skinned knee
roller coaster years (for the years you are about to enter!)</p>
<p>“The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli
“Dog Training for Dummies” by Jack Volhard and Wendy Volhard</p>
<p>I read and reread that Spirited Child book that SJmom mentions. It really validated my experiences with two, very different, kids.</p>
<p>I agree wholeheartedly with these:</p>
<p>“How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk” by Faber and Mazlish.</p>
<p>and</p>
<p>“Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, Energetic” by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka.</p>
<p>I would add:</p>
<p>“Raising Your Child Not by Force but by Love” by Sidney D. Craig which is from a Christian biblical perspective, but much different from most of the Christian biblical books out there. It is AWESOME! Probably the most incredible parenting book I’ve ever read!</p>
<p>for raising boys:</p>
<p>“The Courage to Raise Good Men” by Olga Silverstein -this book completely changed my parenting views! Stunningly awesome!</p>
<p>“Boys Will Be Boys: Breaking the Link Between Masculinity and Violence” by Myriam Miedzian </p>
<p>For younger children:</p>
<p>“Please Touch: How to Stimulate Your Child’s Creative Development” by Susan Striker, Frank Post - this is way more than a boy about creativity - it is about a life view.</p>
<p>Touchpoints by Barry Brazelton.</p>
<p>A Mind at a Time by Mel Levine. More about how kids learn but it was very helpful with parenting relating to learning and schools.</p>
<p>Both “How to Talk So . . .” and “Siblings Without Rivalry” were written by the same authors, and they are true classics. There is a chapter in “Siblings,” I think it’s chapter 4. about the error of trying to treat each child exactly the same way, that never fails to bring me to tears.</p>
<p>Agree with “How to Talk” & “Siblings” EXTREMELY helpful.</p>
<p>“Real Boys” gave me great insights into the special pressures on boys</p>
<p>“Reviving Ophelia” was also good.</p>
<p>The Prince. LOL. BTW, Berry Brazelton was the pediatrician for toddler Alumother. My first memory is of standing on his desk - odd but true.</p>
<p>How wonderful that Brazelton was your pediatrician! I saw him speak once and it was inspiring. </p>
<p>Reading this thread makes me realize that, while I kept Amazon in business buying books (many of those mentioned here) to help me with my older son, I have not felt the need to read anything for my younger son. This is not because I am now an experienced parent, but because my younger son is incredibly easy.</p>
<p>Alu - Brazelton’s college roommate (now deceased) was DS’ first pediatrician. I felt blessed by association-once-removed. They were clearly of the same mind and style.</p>
<p>jmmom, how wonderful. I keep searching myself for signs of having been well-doctored:).</p>
<p>Really, I think what those gentlemen do best is “doctor” the parent. I well remember Dr. O’s answer to DH when he fretted that S, at about age 3, just wouldn’t sit at the table and eat a full meal: He said that if we told him we had a 3-year-old boy who rushed to the dinner table, happily and patiently sat there, focused on cleaning his plate… that he would tell us we’d better start to worry. That three year olds have better things to do… that was his message ;).</p>
<p>“The Prince”? Ha ha, yes. and a sexist one at that. I try my best though.</p>