Common Sense Parenting of Toddlers and Preschoolers [Paperback]

Bridget A. Barnes and Steven M. York (Author), M.H.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2001

Hugs and smiles and playtime: If only parenting 2- to 5-year-olds was this simple. But any parent of a toddler or preschooler knows that it also often requires dealing with whining, tantrums, "no, I won't" and other generally naughty behavior that tests the limits of your ingenuity and patience. How can parents balance nurturing behaviors that demonstrate love and affection with the discipline all children need to learn and thrive? Common Sense Parenting of Toddlers and Preschoolers shows parents how discipline can be more about teaching than punishment and more positive than negative for both you and your child.

Included in these pages:
How to set reasonable expectations based on your child's age, development, and abilities
How to use a parent's version of "show and tell" to both prevent problems and correct misbehavior
How to use praise like a compass, helping your child stay on the right path
How to create plans for staying calm for you and your child
How to use consistency, consequences, and practice to help your child learn what you expect of him or her
How to celebrate special rituals and everyday routines as cherished family traditions

Winner of the National Parenting Center's 2001 Seal of Approval
Gold Award Winner, 2002 National Parenting Publications Awards

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Common Sense Parenting of Toddlers and Preschoolers is a fresh new book about parenting that presents a balanced approach of nurturing and disciplining young children. This book describes parenting techniques in a way that is persuasive, logical, and easy to read, particularly in short chunks. It recommends specific actions that teach parents excellent, effective parenting tools. A primary advantage of this book is that it is directed specifically toward developing respectful parenting skills for young children, helping parents set reasonable expectations based upon their children's ages and developmental levels. It also addresses the ways to help children who may not be developmentally ready for the usual approach. This book also specifically explains why authoritarian, corporal discipline is harmful, which is an explanation missing from many other parenting books. The most powerful message in the book is the tremendous value of spending time with one's children. The book is a tremendous resource for mothers of small children. It teaches excellent parenting skills that will be beneficial well beyond early childhood. --Diana West (Gaithersburg, MD)From "New Beginnings", Vol.20 No.2, March-April 2003, p.62

"Collaboratively written by parenting experts Bridget A. Barnes and Steven M. York, Common Sense Parenting Of Toddlers And Preschoolers is a very practical and "parent friendly" guide to the raising young children. From setting reasonable expectations for young children; to teaching social skills and self-control; to turning daily and weekly routines into family traditions, to handling very practical issues such as toilet training, bedtime, and meals, Common Sense Parenting Of Toddlers And Preschoolers is an expertly written "how to" manual which is very highly recommended for parents and caretakers of children ages 2 through 5." --Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Barnes is the mother of two and stepmother of four children and has been a Common Sense Parenting trainer for 13 years. York is the father of three children and has trained parents and professionals for eight years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 277 pages
• Publisher: Boys Town Press; 1 edition (June 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1889322415
• ISBN-13: 978-1889322414
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #135,547 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

61 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars absolutely excellent, April 22, 2003

By 

Mary C. Rochat (Fresh Meadows, New York USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Common Sense Parenting of Toddlers and Preschoolers (Paperback)

i just had to take the time to write this review to let people know how wonderful this book is. If you don't believe in yelling at or hitting your children, but you can't figure out what else to do, this is the book for you. I have a 4 year old and have been following this book's advice for about 6 months and it works every time. it worked right from the beginning. It made sense to me and fit my style of wanting to "teach" my daughter rather than scold and threaten. It gives you examples and step by step instructiions. It is not a book that you can just "flip through" to get answers to your questions. You have to "read" it all the way through because one section links to the other. But it reads easily and quickly like you are talking to someone who understands. You can read it in a day or two. My copy is highlighted and dog-eared all the way through. I can't say enough about this book. My daughter and I are BOTH happier and better "behaved". I hope the authors have written other books on the next age group and adolescents.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book, November 4, 2006

By 

Judy (Clifton Park, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Common Sense Parenting of Toddlers and Preschoolers (Paperback)

This is a great book - my husband and I have put the advice into action and it works! For example. practice with your toddler, prevent bad behavior: my husband took our 2 1/2 year daughter trick or treating. After a few houses he came back and said she wouldn't say thank you to anyone. I got down to her level and we practiced, you knock on the door, say trick or treat, I pretended to give her candy and told her to say thank you. I was very specific but kept it in her terms and it worked!! She told everyone else that night thank you. I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't feel like we needed it, it's really helped. They talk about praise, time out and reminding mom and dad how important it is to stay calm. After all, they're watching everything we do even when we don't think they're even listening.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars That's why they say Common Sense..., April 20, 2006

By 

Missy Worm "Stephanie" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Common Sense Parenting of Toddlers and Preschoolers (Paperback)

A very helpful book and well written. Alot of the points in topics are common sense and when you read them your like well "duh" but you'd be surprised how refreshing it is to have these points acknowledged. I like how the book starts with a little background in child development and offers a better understanding of a child as over the years it is easily forgotten what it is like to be a child and their mind set. I do love the book and like how it is set up where you do have to read through the book to get the whole concept. The only reason I did not give it five stars even though I loved it, the book although says toddlers (which to me is 18mnths-2yrs) it seems like it was more geared to an older child possible 4 yrs and older. I could be wrong but alot of the technique and such have not worked on my almost two year old and neither did the approach. But over all it was an excellent book and would reccommend it.