Alexander and the Wonderful, Marvelous, Excellent, Terrific Ninety Days: An Almost Completely Honest Account of What Happened to Our Family When Our Youngest Son, His Wife, Their Baby, Their Toddler, and Their Five-Year-Old Came to Live with Us for Three Months.
-by Judith Viorst 113 Pages
Whatever became of Alexander after that famously bad day? And did you know that Judith Viorst is his mother? And what happens to her passion for household neatness and orderliness, her deep devotion to schedules, her compulsive yearning to offer helpful advice when Alexander -- now grown up, married, and the father of three -- moves his family into his parents' house?
What happens is controlled, and sometimes not so controlled, chaos, as lives and routines are turned upside down and the house is overrun with scattered toys, pacifiers, baby bottles, sippy cups, pink-sequined flip-flops, jigsaw puzzles, and fishy crackers. With her characteristic sparkle and wit, Viorst relates her efforts to (graciously) share space, to become (if only a little bit) more flexible, to (sort of) keep her opinions to herself, and even to eventually figure out how to unlock the safety locks of the baby's (expletives deleted) bouncy seat. She describes how she and her husband, while sometimes longing for the former peace and tranquillity of unravished rooms and quiet dinners for two unaccompanied by cries of "Oh, yuck!" survived and relished the extended visit of the Alexander Five. She also opens our eyes to the joys of multigenerational family living and to the unexpected opportunities to grow that life presents -- even under the most unlikely circumstances.
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenting. Show all posts
Friday, November 15, 2019
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies
Do Chocolate Lovers Have Sweeter Babies by Jena Pincott 288 pages
The answer is yes!
Most pregnancy books I have come across have a lot about what you should be eating or how you should be preparing, and have fun little facts like "baby is now the size of an orange." This book is a breath of fresh air from that. There is a lot of well done research on pregnancy topics that are actually interesting such as whether or not you can predict your babies temperament while they are still in the womb. Overall, it was a fun and informative book that I would recommend.
The answer is yes!
Most pregnancy books I have come across have a lot about what you should be eating or how you should be preparing, and have fun little facts like "baby is now the size of an orange." This book is a breath of fresh air from that. There is a lot of well done research on pregnancy topics that are actually interesting such as whether or not you can predict your babies temperament while they are still in the womb. Overall, it was a fun and informative book that I would recommend.
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
There Is No Such Thing As Bad Weather
There Is No Such Thing As Bad Weather by Linda Akeson McGurk 304 pages
"Bringing up Bebe meets Last Child in the Woods."
Linda was born and raised in Sweden but marries a man from a small town in Indiana, when they begin to grow their family, Linda realizes outdoor play for children in America is not viewed in the same way as it is for Sweden. In Sweden, a child being outside is considered a necessity for health and well being, not so much in America. She goes into different instances where outdoor play was almost discouraged such as when she got a ticket for allowing her children to play in a creek or when schools take time away from recess as a punishment. What is the cost of the lack of outdoor play? Is this the reason our children seem more anxious and unhappy?
Overall, I do like this book. I found it inspired me to want to spend more time outside with my daughter which is great. However, the book was very.. "Sweden is amazing and Americans are doing everything all wrong." A little of that would have been acceptable, but especially in the second half of the book when she is actually living in Sweden, she goes on and on about how amazing it is which I just did not find helpful. I wish there would have been more suggestions about how to get your kids outside in America when it is not as encouraged, vs just shaming.
"Bringing up Bebe meets Last Child in the Woods."
Linda was born and raised in Sweden but marries a man from a small town in Indiana, when they begin to grow their family, Linda realizes outdoor play for children in America is not viewed in the same way as it is for Sweden. In Sweden, a child being outside is considered a necessity for health and well being, not so much in America. She goes into different instances where outdoor play was almost discouraged such as when she got a ticket for allowing her children to play in a creek or when schools take time away from recess as a punishment. What is the cost of the lack of outdoor play? Is this the reason our children seem more anxious and unhappy?
Overall, I do like this book. I found it inspired me to want to spend more time outside with my daughter which is great. However, the book was very.. "Sweden is amazing and Americans are doing everything all wrong." A little of that would have been acceptable, but especially in the second half of the book when she is actually living in Sweden, she goes on and on about how amazing it is which I just did not find helpful. I wish there would have been more suggestions about how to get your kids outside in America when it is not as encouraged, vs just shaming.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Crib Sheet
Crib Sheet by Emily Oster 352 pages
This is a follow up to Emily Oster's popular book, "Expecting Better," that went over a bunch myths and old wives tales during pregnancy and provided a considerable amount of data to either prove them correct, incorrect, or let you decide for yourself based on the data. This book does the same thing, only with parenting topics such as breastfeeding, sleep training, potty training, ect.
I really love the concept of this book and her writing style breaks up all the information with relatable stories from her own experiences which makes the book easier to digest.
This is a follow up to Emily Oster's popular book, "Expecting Better," that went over a bunch myths and old wives tales during pregnancy and provided a considerable amount of data to either prove them correct, incorrect, or let you decide for yourself based on the data. This book does the same thing, only with parenting topics such as breastfeeding, sleep training, potty training, ect.
I really love the concept of this book and her writing style breaks up all the information with relatable stories from her own experiences which makes the book easier to digest.
Monday, July 8, 2019
The Montessori Toddler
The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies 256 pages
Montessori is a form of education that is more child lead than teacher lead. The book gives examples of how to encourage Montessori education in your home through what toys you bring in, making everything child height, routines, "discipline," and more. The goal is to create a better relationship with your toddler and add more calm during a not so calm time in your life.
I really enjoyed this book! I have already started implementing some of the suggestions such as letting your toddler help more with daily chores. My 19 month old now helps pull her laundry out of the dryer, helps dust some furniture, and waters our big plant. I never thought to have her help with chores this young but it really does seem to make her happy that she is being apart of the family and helping.
Montessori is a form of education that is more child lead than teacher lead. The book gives examples of how to encourage Montessori education in your home through what toys you bring in, making everything child height, routines, "discipline," and more. The goal is to create a better relationship with your toddler and add more calm during a not so calm time in your life.
I really enjoyed this book! I have already started implementing some of the suggestions such as letting your toddler help more with daily chores. My 19 month old now helps pull her laundry out of the dryer, helps dust some furniture, and waters our big plant. I never thought to have her help with chores this young but it really does seem to make her happy that she is being apart of the family and helping.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours by Dr. Kevin Leman
Dr Leman's parenting theory centers around discipline versus punishment. He believes that parents should set themselves up as having authority over their children - not vice versa.
He is also a strong advocate for "pulling the rug out from under" children who have gotten too far out of control - letting them suffer consequences that are a direct result of their misbehavior. That is to say, not always catching them when they fall.
Positive Discipline by Jane Nelson
Nelson's approach to parenting is to be positive role models and have firm, but loving discipline. Further parents should give children the space to grow and try things on their own - they should be allowed to make mistakes.
At all times, parents need to remember to keep control of their emotions so that the discipline they do give is based on the child's behavior - not on the parents anger.
1-2-3 Magic by Thomas Phelan
This is where it all began - parents counting to 3 to give their children the opportunity to stop bad behavior before punishment is metered.
While I have seen this process fail repeatedly in daily life, it seems that if you read the book and actually follow the steps - by following up once you get to 3 - the process SHOULD work.
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