Recommended Reading

We realize that there are hundreds of parenting books out there along with the well meaning grandmothers, mother-in laws, co-workers and friends who all seem to have some unsolicited advice for you. This reading list is based upon our own Pediatric expertise as well as recommendations from experts in the field. In addition, most of these books are evidence based (based on solid scientific or clinical research), unlike many other books sold that are primarily anecdotal or solely opinion based.

BOOKS FOR NEW PARENTS

Baby 411 4th Ed. by Dr. Ari Brown (2011). This book is written by a Pediatrician and is a great resource for routine questions. It’s like having one of us in your pocket.

Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five by Dr. John Medina PhD (2010).  This is an entertaining but scientifically based book written by a Developmental Molecular Biologist that gives practical and realistic insights into raising a smart, happy child through age five. It also addresses the stress having a baby can place upon a marriage or relationship.

Your Baby’s First Year: Third Edition by the American Academy of Pediatrics

Touch Points-birth to three by T. Berry Brazelton, MD and Joshua D. Sparrow, MD (2006). This book deals with child development from birth to three.  There is also a follow up book ages “three to six”.

Baby Sign Language Basics: Early Communication for Hearing Babies and Toddlers by Monta Z. Briant (2004). We recommend reading to your baby starting at the age of 6 months. You can start teaching your baby sign language at this age as well. Keep in mind that your baby will not sign back until 9-11 months of age. This book is an easy read and lots of fun!

PARENTING BOOKS

Parenting that Works:  Building Skills that Last a Lifetime by Edward R. Christophersen, PhD, ABPP and Susan L. Mortweet PhD. (“Two key areas are covered in the book: building one’s own skills as a parent, and then building one’s child’s competencies. Scores of practical examples show parents how to teach their children what is important in life, how to communicate clearly, and how to effectively discipline their child. Special parenting topics such as managing a child’s behavior in public, monitoring TV, toys, and games, and handling fallout from divorce are also discussed.”)

Parenting with Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility by Foster Cline and Jim Fay (2006).

Parenting the Strong-Willed Child: The Clinically Proven Five-Week Program for Parents of Two-to Six-Year Olds by Rex Forehand PhD and Nicholas Long PhD (2002, 1996).

The Power of Positive ParentingA Wonderful Way to Raise Children by Dr. Glenn I. Latham.

The KAZDIN METHOD for Parenting the Defiant Child:  With No Pills, No Therapy, No Contest of Wills by Alan E. Kazdin, PhD (2008).  (“The best way to eliminate an unwanted behavior is to build a strong alternative behavior in its place, what’s called the positive opposite of the unwanted behavior.  The Kazdin Method provides step-by-step instruction in how to do this under almost any conditions.”).

TOILET TRAINING

Toilet Training in Less Than a Day by Nathan H. Azrin PhD and Richard M. Foxx PhD (1976).  We recommend using this book only once your child is demonstrating most of the toilet readiness signs discussed in our 2 year old check up hand out. In addition, although some have had success in achieving the book title’s goal, be mindful that this method does work, but often per many parents takes more than 24 hours. Finally, the style of writing in this book is a bit outdated, but the information is still sound.

We also recommend reading a “potty book” to your child daily when he/she is exhibiting readiness signs. Example:  The book “Uh Oh! Gotta Go! Potty Tales from Toddlers by Bob McGrath and Illustrated by Shelley Diererichs.

SLEEP

Good Night Sweat Dreams I Love you…Now Get into BED and Go to SLEEP by Patrick Friman PhD (2005).  Getting sufficient sleep is critical for children’s health and happiness. This book addresses problems related to bedtime routines from infancy through high school age.

Solve Your Child’s Sleep Problems: New Revised and Expanded Edition by Richard Ferber, MD (1985, 2006).

The American Academy of Pediatrics Guide to Your Child’s Sleep: Birth Through Adolescence by George Cohen, MD (1999).

Sleep Better! A guide to Improving Sleep for Children with Special Needs by V. Mark Durand, PhD (1998). Children with special needs are unusually prone to developing sleep problems. Dr. Durand is a Professor and Researcher specializing in behavior problems and sleep disturbances in children with disabilities. He is also a Professional Advisory Member of the Autism Society of America.

VACCINES

Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us All, by Paul A. Offit, MD (2011).

Vaccines: What You Should Know; completely revised and updated third edition by Paul A. Offit, MD and Louis M. Bell, MD (2003).

Excellent website for parents:  – http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/spec-grps/parents.htm

ADHD

The ADHD Book of Lists: A Practical Guide for Helping Children and Teens with Attention Deficit Disorders by Sandra Rief, M.A. (2003).

Website:  chadd.org (CHADD = Children and  with Attention Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder).  This is an excellent resource for parents of childrend with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder).

TEENS /TWEENS

Parenting Teens with Love and Logic:  Preparing Adolescents for Responsible Adulthood by Cline, Foster and Fay (2006).

Staying Connected to Your Teenager: How to Keep Them Talking to You and How to Hear What They’re Really Saying by Michael Riera, PhD (2003).

Breaking Through to Teens: A New Psychotherapy for the New Adolescence by Ron, Taffel (2005). (This book was written for therapists but it is an easy read for parents and physicians as well).

What’s Happening to My Body? Book for Girls: A Growing Up Guide for Parents and Daughters by Lynda Madaras.

The Girl’s Book of Positive Quotations by Steve Deger and Leslie Ann Gibson (2008).

What’s Happening to My Body? Book for Boys: A Growing Up Guide for Parents and Sons by Lynda Madaras.

Helpful websites:

YoungWomensHealth.org

YoungMensHealthSite.org

MeNowBabyLater.com (focuses on empowering teens to gain control over their lives and the importance of education /learning, dreaming and having fun).