First-Time Mom [Hardcover]

Kevin Leman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2004

What does it take to rear a firstborn child? Renowned psychologist Kevin Leman educates moms and dads on the essentials of parenting and expounds on the traits that characterize firstborn children so new parents know what to expect. He explains how birth order can influence each stage of development--from infancy on into young adulthood. This book will help first-time parents--especially mothers--adjust to their new situation and role while raising a happy, healthy child.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Talk show host and prolific author Leman (Making Children Mind without Losing Yours, etc.) dispenses traditional parenting advice to new mothers in this stern but encouraging book. A family psychologist by training, Leman is strongest when dealing with the emotional and psychological aspects of parenting, such as bonding, playtime and discipline. (His philosophy: "I don’t believe spanking is appropriate under the age of two, and I think it runs its course by the age of six.") For Leman, the most important thing a mother can do is to "create a place of belonging and an attitude of family togetherness." He emphasizes the importance of sacrifice, of breastfeeding, of maintaining a romantic marriage and of staying home to raise the kids. Some readers may find Leman’s opinions quite dated. He assumes, for example, that first-time dads aren’t interested in reading parenting books and warns mothers that if they don’t take time off work to raise their own children, they and their child may "end up in some counselor’s office" confronting the problems of detachment and delinquency. Leman’s tone also varies throughout the book. At times, he is almost excessively encouraging ("Good for you. You did it. You’re a parent!"). At other moments, he is winningly realistic ("Parenting is about decades, not days"). Occasionally, however, he can be quite patronizing, as when he uses child-talk to explain to his readers that "babies don’t need daddies to act like mommies or mommies who try to act like daddies." Fans of Leman’s television show, Reality Talks!, will appreciate his practical, fatherly attitude, but those seeking more progressive advice and opinions will be better off looking elsewhere.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Dr. Kevin Leman, an internationally known psychologist, radio and television personality, and speaker, has taught and entertained audiences worldwide with his wit and commonsense psychology. The best-selling and award-winning author has made house calls for hundreds of radio and television programs, including The View with Barbara Walters, Today, Oprah, CBS's The Early Show, Live with Regis Philbin, CNN's American Morning, and LIFE Today with James Robison. Dr. Leman has served as a contributing family psychologist to Good Morning America. He is the founder and president of Couples of Promise, an organization designed and committed to helping couples remain happily married. Dr. Leman and his wife, Sande, live in Tucson. They have five children. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (February 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0842360387
• ISBN-13: 978-0842360388
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,123,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Kevin Leman, an internationally known psychologist, radio and television personality, and speaker, has taught and entertained audiences worldwide with his wit and commonsense psychology. The best-selling and award-winning author has made house calls for hundreds of radio and television programs, including "The View" with Barbara Walters, "The Today Show," "Oprah," CBS's "The Early Show," "Live with Regis Philbin," CNN's "American Morning," and "LIFE Today" with James Robison, and he has served as a contributing family psychologist to "Good Morning America." He is the founder and president of Couples of Promise, an organization designed and committed to helping couples remain happily married. Dr. Leman is also a charter faculty member of iQuestions.com. He has written over 30 best-selling books about marriage and family issues, including "The Birth Order Book" and "Sheet Music: Uncovering the Secrets of Sexual Intimacy in Marriage." Dr. Leman and his wife, Sande, live in Tucson. They have five children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great approach...a must read, February 12, 2004

By 

Laura C. Myers (Center Line, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: First-Time Mom (Hardcover)

This is the first book I've bought while pregnant except for What to Expect When You're Expecting. The approach the author uses here is simple and laid back. Instead of telling you what to do and saying anything different is wrong, he pretty much deals with common sense and the fact that you really can't screw up your child, so stop stressing out about it. He states that all babies, like all pregnancies, are different and unique. Loving your child and bonding is important, yet comes only after bonding with your spouse and keeping your faith strong. I like how he says that too much preparation and worry over what products to use, how to feed, keeping to a schedule, is all unnecessary stress and doing what you feel is right is what is important. It is a great read and easy to follow. I feel a lot better already about bringing my baby into this world knowing I don't have to follow any plan or measure up to any other parent.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First Time Mom, July 2, 2005

By 

R. Ciallella (Warren, PA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: First-Time Mom (Hardcover)

As a first time mom and a lover of all Dr. Leman's books, I found this book extremely helpful in putting my own quirky habits into perspective. Dr. Leman covers a lot of topics that are very pertinent to your new change of life. I realized I am a "normal" first-time mom. I also found it very helpful to hear from an experienced dad's(Dr. Leman's) point of view of what a new dad goes through and suggestions to new dads on how to help out. It has helped me understand myself, my husband's point of view, as well as what my new son needs and wants from his new parents! BRAVO Dr. Leman!

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars First-time Mom, December 21, 2004

By 

L. Johnston (Germany) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: First-Time Mom: Getting Off on the Right Foot-From Birth to First Grade (Audio CD)

I was amazed at Dr. Leman's practical advice and took every bit to heart. For those who take things out of context I supposed it would seem chauvinistic. However, for those of us who listend closely to the entire text it was very helpful and I recommend and buy it for all the expectant firt-time moms I know!