Secrets of the Baby Whisperer for Toddlers [Paperback]

Tracy Hogg (Author), Melinda Blau (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 4, 2003

Unnerved by the ceaseless demands of your toddler? Concerned that your two-year-old isn’t developing on schedule? You clearly need to spend some time with Tracy Hogg. Nicknamed the “baby whisperer” by grateful parents because of her extraordinary gift for understanding and connecting with children, Tracy became internationally famous after the smashing success of her New York Times bestseller Secrets of the Baby Whisperer. Now Tracy is back with the same winning blend of common sense and uncanny intuition. Starting with the simple but essential premise that there is no such thing as a “typical” child, Tracy guides you through her unique programs, including

• H.E.L.P. (Hold back, Explain, Limit, Praise): the mantra that will remind you of the four elements that are critical to fostering your child’s growth and independence, while at the same time keeping him safe.
• Using T.L.C. (Talk, Listen, Clarify) to communicate with your toddler, to figure out what she is really thinking, and to best help her express herself.
• R&R: Routines and Rituals that give structure and predictability to daily life and a sense of continuity to holidays and special occasions.
• Rehearsals for Change: ways of preparing your toddler for new experiences by encouraging her to practice her skills in the safe, controlled setting of your family.
• Conscious Discipline: a way of teaching your toddler how to behave and manage his emotions, while being mindful of the lessons you teach with your own behavior.

Practical, reassuring, and written with wit and energy and boundless enthusiasm for real children and their everyday behavior, this book will be your constant companion during the magical, challenging toddler years.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Imagine a cheeky, less starchy Mary Poppins in the trenches with you and your toddler. British trained nurse and childcare consultant Tracy Hogg draws upon the key ideas in her bestselling, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer and applies them to those magical and challenging years between infancy and preschool.

Hogg offers parents of toddlers clear theory and techniques described in a supportive, crisp tone, often addressing parents as "luv" or "ducky." Before trying any techniques, she urges parents to "love the toddler you have" by understanding his or her unique temperament, gifts, and special needs.

That said, Hogg introduces specific tools for engaging and managing toddlers. These include "H.E.L.P." (hold back, explain, limit, praise); "R&R" (routines and rituals to create structure and celebration), and "behavior rehearsals" (a plan to prepare toddlers for new experiences). Other chapters focus on "respectful intervention" to avoid acting out and plans to protect parents' private time. By seasoning her advice with anecdotes, sidebars, quizzes, and abundant good humor, Hogg offers companionship and common sense for parents during the toddler years. --Barbara Mackoff --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Publishers Weekly

In the follow-up to her popular Secrets of the Baby Whisperer, Hogg offers communication techniques designed to ease parents and children through the trying moments of toddlerhood. To her trademark techniques of "T.L.C." (talk, listen, clarify) and "R&R" (routines and rituals), she adds "H.E.L.P." for raising toddlers: Hold yourself back; Encourage exploration; Limit their exposure to extremely frustrating or overstimulating situations; Praise. Using real-life examples, Hogg shows how parents, sometimes unwittingly, sabotage their own parenting through their anxious behavior. When a mother talks about how nothing seems to hold her son's attention, Hogg suggests she stop overscheduling and allow the little boy to do nothing chances are the overstimulation is making his behavior worse. While the book's focus is on defusing difficult situations, Hogg offers basic advice on most aspects of childrearing, including toilet training, protecting newly ambulatory toddlers, sibling rivalry and tantrums. Her suggestions are occasionally humorous and always practical. On security blankets, she suggests, "Take it! If you're traveling make sure you take whatever item makes your child feel safe." Readers who are already familiar with Baby Whisperer will benefit most from this book, as there's not much of an introduction to Hogg's philosophy. Still, the title offers a fresh and useful perspective for parents. (Feb.)Forecast: A 15-city tour and extensive national promotion along with the track record for the first book should make this one a big seller.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 330 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books; Reprint edition (February 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345440927
• ISBN-13: 978-0345440921
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 0.8 x 8.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

119 of 119 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Toddler Love, Toddler Sleep, Toddler Eat February 5, 2002

By Jen Brock-Garcia

Format:Hardcover

Hogg does an excellent job of calming the frazzled nerves of parents with toddlers. I'm the single mom of a "spirited" toddler. And I thought I was going to lose my mind. I read this book a week ago, and things are already better. She has parents examine their behavior as well as that of the child's. She doesn't present it as if you are an awful parent if your child won't go to sleep or throws fits that are unmanagable. But there is a problem, or you wouldn't be reading this book in the first place. And what I find the most amazing thing about her book is that she offers no quick fixes. In a time when everyone wants to lose 10 lb. in one week, and have their children sleep through the night in the same amount of time, Hogg says it cannot be done. What she suggests is introducing limits and actually *being* the parent. Her method takes time. I am an attachment parent, and I find no conflicts between this style and mine. She does not ever say you should lock your child in a room and walk away or otherwise desert him. She's not a Ferberer. She's also against spanking, yelling, slapping, shaming and teasing. In the past I've become very angry with my child because of his behavior. Now I can understand where his behavior comes from, what I've done to let the situation get out of hand and not only can I deal with him better, I can prevent most of the behaviors that drive me up a wall. A great book for tired parents.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book is for everyone February 2, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

Tracy's blend of humor, common sense and most importantly respect, is excellent reading, not only for dealing with Toddlers but for everyone. Certainly opens your eyes to the way we communicate.

If you followed Tracy's advice in the Baby Whisperer book, this book is for you. If you didn't read the Baby whisperer book and you are a parent or becoming one get both books. They are Totally packed with real life scenarios, common sense, and sound advice. Tracy's wit definately proves to me that she has been in the trenches as she calls it with these Toddlers, and not something she has conjured up from behind a desk.

This book will "and I underline will" guide you through the tantrums of Toddlerhood and will even set the stage for parenting beyond this period. I am totally amazed at the results by just using the H.E.L.P chapter with my 18 month old twins.

The seperation anxiety issues are well worth the read, this seems to be frantic time for all parents who are usually not aware of this.

All in all a superb read from cover to cover. You will have to read it at least twice though because of the quantity of information. Parents around the world will be thanking Ms. Hogg for revealing her secrets. My wife and I will thank her personally when she is in LA. I have already given this book as gifts to both our parents, 18 of our friends, the daycare center.

A Special thanks to Ms. Hogg

Frpm Dianna & Tom ----> Toddler girls Simone & Farah

42 of 45 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great advice, easy to follow March 8, 2002

By Shaz VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Tracy Hogg has given us yet another gem. If you, like myself, have found yourself beating your head against the wall where your toddler is concerned, you should do yourself a favor and splurge on this book. In the first "Baby Whisperer" book, Tracy taught us how to respect our infants without surrendering our parental control, and gave us simple acronyms (E.A.S.Y., S.L.O.W.)to remind us of her helpful advice. In her "toddler" edition, she uses the same method. Is your toddler refusing to potty train or play with other kids? What about dinner time- do you dread the constant fight over getting the kids to eat their veggies? Tracy gives helpful hints to overcome common toddler struggles, all the while encouraging us to praise our kids and give them the structure they need and, oddly enough, desire. Other topics are discussed, such as food allergies, kids who won't seem to talk, air travel do's and don'ts, the 12 ingredients of conscious discipline, typical or chronic sleep problems, and how to help your toddler deal with a new "intruder" in the form of his/her new baby sibling. Never has applying practical advice been presented in such an easy-to-follow fashion.