Like many people, Libby and I suffer from information overload and have little time to read. During the months of pregnancy and while pondering the first year with our baby, I began to look for the best of the best books on these topics. Not easy!
We ended up choosing books only if: a) 3-4 people had recommended the same book, b) those 3-4 people didn't know each other, and c) with a special favoritism to those who have actually implemented the book's principles with their kids and found it worked!
So, with no further ado, here are 6 great books we have found. Another way to think about it: If I was marooned on a desert island and could only bring a few books...
TOP PREGNANCY BOOKS
What to Expect When You're Expecting, by Murkoff, Eisenberg & Hathaway, 2002.
Not a perfect book, but contains the basic "what if" and "what happens when" answers.
Great with Child: Reflections on faith, fullness, and becoming a mother, by Debra Rienstra, 2002.
Obviously, this is more for the mother to read...and it is the opposite of the book above. It is the raw, authentic ponderings of a pregnant women that is comforting and enlightening to read.
TOP BOOKS TO HAVE FOR THE FIRST YEAR
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, by Marc Weissbluth, 2005.
Based on sleep studies of children, this book is invaluable. It gives balanced advice and a range of solutions (acknowledging strategies ranging from BabyWise to attachment parenting). Actually has chapters for babies up to teenagers.
Complete Book of Baby & Child Care, by Reisser (Editor), 1997.
Not everyone agrees with Focus on the Family, but this book contains helpful info on all the basics from birth up to age 11.
What to Expect: The First Year, by Murkoff, Eisenberg & Hathaway, 2003.
Another logistics and details book, but helpful to balance out the opinions of the book above and vice versa!
Baby Play: 100 Fun-Filled Activities to Maximize Your Baby's Potential, by Masi and Leiderman (Gen. Eds), 2001.
A lifesaver especially for a first-time daddy who is wondering what activities will be fun and educational for the little one. Great pictures and very little text! Can't wait to buy "Toddler Play" by the same people.
Speaking of which, I'm sure we'll have a list of "top books on toddlers" before we know it! As the time flies, I'm conscious that I need to spend more time with our precious boy than just reading about how to spend time with our precious boy.
Anyway, we'd love to hear your opinions or suggestions on any great books we've missed for the "prego" and "baby" stages. If you were stranded on a desert island... Obviously all this is extremely subjective, but what do you think?
We ended up choosing books only if: a) 3-4 people had recommended the same book, b) those 3-4 people didn't know each other, and c) with a special favoritism to those who have actually implemented the book's principles with their kids and found it worked!
So, with no further ado, here are 6 great books we have found. Another way to think about it: If I was marooned on a desert island and could only bring a few books...
TOP PREGNANCY BOOKS
What to Expect When You're Expecting, by Murkoff, Eisenberg & Hathaway, 2002.
Not a perfect book, but contains the basic "what if" and "what happens when" answers.
Great with Child: Reflections on faith, fullness, and becoming a mother, by Debra Rienstra, 2002.
Obviously, this is more for the mother to read...and it is the opposite of the book above. It is the raw, authentic ponderings of a pregnant women that is comforting and enlightening to read.
TOP BOOKS TO HAVE FOR THE FIRST YEAR
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, by Marc Weissbluth, 2005.
Based on sleep studies of children, this book is invaluable. It gives balanced advice and a range of solutions (acknowledging strategies ranging from BabyWise to attachment parenting). Actually has chapters for babies up to teenagers.
Complete Book of Baby & Child Care, by Reisser (Editor), 1997.
Not everyone agrees with Focus on the Family, but this book contains helpful info on all the basics from birth up to age 11.
What to Expect: The First Year, by Murkoff, Eisenberg & Hathaway, 2003.
Another logistics and details book, but helpful to balance out the opinions of the book above and vice versa!
Baby Play: 100 Fun-Filled Activities to Maximize Your Baby's Potential, by Masi and Leiderman (Gen. Eds), 2001.
A lifesaver especially for a first-time daddy who is wondering what activities will be fun and educational for the little one. Great pictures and very little text! Can't wait to buy "Toddler Play" by the same people.
Speaking of which, I'm sure we'll have a list of "top books on toddlers" before we know it! As the time flies, I'm conscious that I need to spend more time with our precious boy than just reading about how to spend time with our precious boy.
Anyway, we'd love to hear your opinions or suggestions on any great books we've missed for the "prego" and "baby" stages. If you were stranded on a desert island... Obviously all this is extremely subjective, but what do you think?
3 comments:
Did 3-4 people REALLY recommend Great With Child? :)
I can't say that I've been a fan of any baby book. Its good to have some idea what happens when, etc., but I mostly use the internet for that. Otherwise, too much opinion stated as fact, hence well marketed guilt for my taste.
But then again...I do love books...and that play one sounds interesting...
I highly recommend "Raising Great Kids" by Cloud and Townsend. I was totally not looking forward to it, but it was fantastic.
Catherine -- ok, so you count for at least 2 people! You were first (and only?) person to tell us about Great With Child but we gave it to several people who love it...
The Cloud & Townsend bk sounds good. Similar bks that meet our "recco" criteria (but I was going to put in a future post):
Boundaries With Kids by Cloud and Townsend and Don't Make Me Count to Three by Plowman.
Btw, the sleep bk was great because it didn't state opinion as fact. Refreshing and rare in this genre of books!
Thanks for the suggestions! I looked up the play book at the library, and will probabl look up the Plowman one too...Age 1 is the new 2, just so you know. My goodness!
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