*Part Two of Books that I find valuable in guiding parent along the way – everything from eating to confidence!
How to Get Your Kid to Eat…But Not Too Much by Ellen Satter. Satter is a dietician and social worker who is known for developing the golden rule for parenting with food entitled “The Division of Responsibility in Feeding: Parents are responsible for what is presented to eat and the manner in which it is presented. Children are responsible for how much and even whether they eat.” Most of us could use these guidelines, right?! The idea is to set up healthy eating habits and a positive atmosphere at the table. In this book, she gives advice on eating for a range of ages – from babies to adolescents – and reviews the division of responsibility at each stage.
French Kids Eat Everything: How Our Family Moved to France, Cured Picky Eating, Banned Snacking, and Discovered 10 Simple Rules for Raising Happy, Healthy Eaters by Karen Le Billon. I hardly need to tell you what this is about since it says it all in the title! The 10 Rules generally summarize what Ellen Satter does in her book: eat healthy food, eat together in a relaxed atmosphere, everybody should be presented with the same food, and parents are in charge of what is on the table. I most like the chapter on “tips and tricks, rules and routines” which goes over the 10 rules. She also includes some recipes that she developed along the way.
Baby-Led Weaning: The Essential Guide to Introducing Solid Foods and Helping Your Baby to Grow Up a Happy and Confident Eater by Rapley and Murkett. The trend of long titles continues – so, again, I do not have to tell you what this is about. It’s a great book for those of us living in the first world countries who have been taught that the solid food journey starts with rice cereal and then proceeds to spoon feeding our babies: step 1 – puree, step 2 – mixed purees (woohoo), step 3 – puree with chunks (gag). This book gives guidance and confidence to skip the spoon feeding and let your baby explore food in a safe and enjoyable manner. Oh, yes, it’s messy! But with this approach, most children will not have an aversion to textures.
Grace Based Parenting by Kimmel. This title may be short, but it accurately conveys the content: how to incorporate grace in parenting as you guide your child to being confident, having the freedom to be different, and developing tools to meet challenges – all while feeling securely loved. This is a faith-based book, and if you prefer something else, I also have a lot of respect for Love and Logic 2006 version (Cline and Fey). It is more directive in its approach and their online site now offers a host of materials, articles and classes if that interests you. Both of these books help with setting boundaries in a kind and clear way to help you enjoy your children. Who can have enough parenting books?
And more!! I am going to mention two other books which are considered Occupational Therapy sensory basics. One is Lucy Miller’s Sensational Kids. This talks about all different profiles of children with sensory differences. This is very easy to read, has charts, all kinds of “case studies” (my favorite thing) and strategies for home/school/community. Generally it is meant for kids with some definite sensory issues. The other book, I totally love - Tools for Tots: Sensory Strategies for Toddlers and Preschoolers by Henry, Kane-Wineland and Swindeman). My worn out copy was loaned to many parents until the authors came out with a CD for creating handouts. It gives ideas for any child who: resists bath time, is challenged with transitions, doesn’t like being touched or having nails clipped, cannot seem to settle for sleep, etc. There are a host of sensory based suggestions for each area of challenge. Not a “cure all,” but a great way to look at the challenge from your child’s skin.
So, this is definitely not an inclusive list, but I am stopping at 10. I’d love to hear from you about your favorite child raising books! Right now I am reading Little Flower Yoga for Kids: A Yoga and Mindfulness Program to Help Your Child Improve Attention and Emotional Balance by J.C. Harper. Again a mouthful, but it’s just plain fun! And who can argue with breathing, stretching, doing fun poses and learning a life long activity?