I used to read a novel or two a week. Then I became a parent and my reading consisted of I Will Love You Forever and Dear Zoo over and over again. I am still a parent, but battling the "terrible twos" has forced me to seek outside help. So off to www.amazon.com I went and ordered my own library of toddler survival guides. It's been a few weeks and I must admit I am in love with three of these books. So much so, I am using their advice at work and at home.
I highly recommend The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Dr. Harvey Karp. I read his The Happiest Baby on the Block when my DD was young and loved it as well. He is well spoken, easy to understand and best of all, easy to put down and pick up later when your two year old decides to ride the cat down the stairs. The illustrations are comical and relate to the material; A must for blurry eyed moms trying to read at midnight while they wait for the last load of laundry to be finished in the washer.
I am also enjoying Toddler 411 by Denise Fields and Dr. Ari Brown. A super simple, easy to read (notice a trend here?), question and answer guide to "surviving picky eaters, temper tantrums, toilet training and more!" This book is a gold mine of advice. I love the table of contents. It is set out in such a way that I can find exactly what I am looking for in the heat of the moment. Like when my daughter threw her lovingly handmade by mommy ballet tutu on the floor and announced "No put on tutu mommy, no ballet, no dance" and stomped upstairs. The humorous real life stories in the reality check section of the book helped me (through my tears) understand that while I might be ready for her to be a prima ballerina, she may not share my enthusiasm and it is OK to let her adjust at her own pace. So for now we'll hang up her ballet slippers and keep reading the book.
Last, but certainly not least, I am LMAO at Vicki Iovine's, The Girlfriend's Guide to Toddlers. I was pretty sure I would enjoy this one, as I had previously nearly gone into labour reading her The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy. She is bright, funny, brutally honest and did I mention, funny? There is good solid advice mixed with the comforting words of a best friend. A must read for any parent, day care provider, or even someone thinking of having a kid.