Review of John Rosemond's New Parent Power! (Hardcover)

I'm intrigued by other reviews here that gripe about the lack of new material in John Rosemond's latest update on "Parent Power!"Remember, folks, the key word here is "update."It makes no claims to be an entirely new book.The other thing to bear in mind is that good, sound, commonsensical advice on parenting is essentially the same today as it was a hundred--or a thousand--years ago.It all boils down to one simple concept: you are in charge; the child is not.

Some people find Rosemond harsh.Those tend to be parents who are willing to fill their time by wheedling, cajoling and bargaining with their children.Others find Rosemond to make perfect sense.Those tend to be parents who understand (and apply!) the fundamental concept that the parents have more experience and more expertise than the children do, and that it is a parental responsibility to take charge and tell the children what the rules are, how the family works, and what the consequences are for disobedience.

Rosemond knows whereof he speaks.Not only is he a parent himself (two grown children--he's now a grandfather), but he has a doctorate in his chosen field.The thing he writes in "Parent Power!" that struck me like a bolt of lightning was that parents who let their kids take the lead and rule the roost are doing the children a disservice.Kids need and crave structure and order.They like knowing what the boundaries are (even if at first it appears that they don't!).When parents set boundaries and then don't keep within them--or lay down rules and then capitulate at the first request from the child--it actually disturbs the child, because it comes across as though the PARENT doesn't really know what the rules are.And to the kid, that translates to the frightening thought, "Well, gosh, if Mom and Dad don't know what the rules are, who DOES know?"

There's so much good stuff here.I urge every parent--frustrated or not--to be open-minded and read this terrific book.It's a treasure trove of useful, usable, sound information.

Product Description
John Rosemond is the dean of traditional, non-psychological parenting.Now, the author of nine best-selling books on raising children has combined his two most successful volumes into a single revised and updated edition for new parents - and those who need new ideas.John Rosemond's New Parent Power!, presents the renowned family psychologist's complete philosophy and methodology from the original Parent Power! supported by the details of his Six-Point Plan For Raising Happy, Healthy Children.As always, Rosemond delivers with a highly readable and refreshing tone, urging parents to listen to their hearts and their gut.

About the Author
John Rosemond is a family psychologist who has both directed mental health programs and been in full-time private practice working with families and children. Since 1990, he has devoted his time to speaking and writing. John's weekly syndicated parenting column now appears in some 250 newspapers. Along the way, he's also managed to write eleven bestselling books on parenting and the family. As if that wasn't enough, he is one of the busiest and most popular speakers in his field, giving over 200 talks a year to parent and professional groups nationwide. He and his wife of 39 years, Willie, have two grown children and six well-behaved grandchildren.

For more information, see www.rosemond.com and www.parentingbythebook.com.

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Review of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child (Hardcover)

This was an excellent book - I cannot tell you how much this book helped our sleepless, colicky infant.But, several friends with non-colicky babies actually recommended this for any infant.This book is a wonderful middle ground for those parents who do not want a severe schedule (BABYWISE) or the opposite end of the spectrum, attachment parenting (Dr. Sears).It was the only book that I found that spoke knowledgeably about colic, and gave the only helpful advice available on the subject (believe me, we tried it all).It is not a cry-it-out book, although some may look at it in that light.What it teaches you is this: 1.watch your child. 2.put him/her down to sleep when you first see the signs of tiredness 3.most children under 6 months do not stay awake for longer than 2-3 hours at a time without needing a nap. 4.DO NOT just put your child down to nap when you feel like it - that's just letting him/her cry, not TEACHING them to sleep. 5.Most children need to go to sleep at night earlier than you'd think. 6.Going to bed earlier promotes later sleeping (weird, but true.As the author says, it's not logical.It's biological - sleep promotes sleep) There's a lot more too.I really like that the author's data is based on studies that he has done involving the patterns of children who naturally sleep and nap well.No, it didn't give us a perfect baby. We happen to have a very sensitive high strung girlie, who also power-naps.But we went from a cranky post-colicky baby who took no naps or 15-20min naps and got up many times per night to a sweet smiling girl who now takes 3 45min-1 hour naps per day and sleeps from 6pm-7am (waking 2 times to nurse).Oh yes.The nursing.She used to think that nursing was the only way to get to sleep.After diligently following the advice in this book, she now can get to sleep on her own, no nursing.Not that it's perfect - she still cries 5-15 minutes at times before naps.But she is sooooooo much happier now.Gotta think something's working.



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Review of The Home Birth Advantage (Paperback)

I can wholeheartedly appreciate Dr. Eisenstein's account of how hospitals and most obstetricians in our country have caused more harm than good to mothers and babies during birth - however...

I did not see one account of homebirth midwives in his book. It is very rare to have physicians attending homebirths - I believe that Dr. Eisenstein's practice the only one of its kind - and most homebirths in the US today are attended by midwives - both Certified Nurse Midwives and direct-entry midwives. Why does he not mention them in this book? Did I miss this reference?

By reading this book, one would assume that homebirth is only safe with a physician in attendance. This is absolutely not true. I would have loved to see more references to midwives, specifically journal articles and statistics that show that homebirth with midwives (and quite possibly physicians) are as safe, if not safer, than hospital births.

Illinois is a very hostile state to homebirth midwives. I would hope that Dr. Eisenstein and his partners are helping homebirth midwives (edited to confirm that NO they are NOT). If not, I would strongly encourage them to remember that midwives are the main reason why homebirth is so nationally recognized and available for most American women. Support of their practices, efforts, and legalization is needed! We cannot continue to criminalize women who are skilled at helping women and providing a safe, reasonable alternative to insitutional childbirth!

Above all, the message that homebirth is safe is great, but it's erroneous to assume that homebirth is only safe with a physician in attendance. I would trust the loving, educated, and skillful care of a midwife for any homebirth.

Product Description
This book challanges America's traditional hospital basedbirth system, the system which has placed the United States at thebottom of the list of industrialized nations with regard to healthybabies and healthy mothers.Dr. Eisenstein explains that birth, forthe majority of women, may even be safer without the routine hospitalprocedures: electronic fetal monitoring, episitomy, iv's, epidurals,etc.

From the Author
As I see it there is one major reason to choose homebirth for your family.It will change so many other aspects for yourlife for the positive and affect so many decisions that you make.Childbirth at home is an event which strengthens all those who areprivileged to experience it.It empowers the participants withknowledge that they can give birth and enjoy it!!



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